I set myself a challenge for 2020 – to ‘read’ 50 books – audiobooks are included. 50 personal development or nuggets of wisdom books… not trashy chic lit novels.
I managed 17 so there is some way to go next year ☺️
- Fuck It! The Ultimate Spiritual Way – John Parkin
- You Do You – Sarah Knight
- The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari – Robin Sharma
- Unfuck Yourself – Gary John Bishop
- Kick Ass – Mel Robbins
- Can’t Hurt Me – David Goggins
- The Kindness Method – Shahroo Izadi
- Break Point – Ollie Ollerton
- Running Like A Girl – Alexandra Heminsly
- If I could Tell You Just One Thing – Richard Reed
- Living With A Seal – Jessie Itzler
- Rising Strong – Brene Brown
- Stick with it – Dr Sean Young
- How Not to Worry – Paul McGee
- Atomic Habits – James Clear
- The Compound Effect – Darren Hardy
- Be Brilliant Everyday – Andy Whittaker & Andy Cope
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1. Fuck It! The Ultimate Spiritual Way – John Parkin
This was a great book to start my year to. I’m not particularly hung up by the expectations of other people or societies norms but I do have a tendency to overthink things, weighing up possible outcomes. Sometimes allowing fear to shape my decisions. This book was a small antidote to that – I could probably use a dose of this message periodically. My takeaway from it was not to sweat the small stuff.
2. You Do You – Sarah Knight
I’ve read other books by Sarah Knight and found them useful or enjoyed them, this one came up in a sale selection of Audible so I thought I’d give it a go. It didn’t really resonate with me. Its focus is on following your own path rather than being distracted by the opinions of others. I guess because I’m not a conformist by nature I didn’t find it particularly useful.
3. The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari – Robin Sharma
This is an interesting book which I read on a recommendation. It’s about a rich attorney who changes his life after a significant health scare and then goes back to tell a colleague about his experiences. The attorney ends up ridding himself of his possessions and in return gains far more valuable gifts in return. There are takeaways throughout the book which can be implemented without having to make such drastic changes in life but that could give dramatic benefits. It’s a powerful message for understanding that wealth can’t always be measured by possessions…
4. Unfuck Yourself – Gary John Bishop
“Unf*ck Yourself offers a slap from the universe to wake you up to your true potential and get spectacularly into your life. Bestselling author and life coach Gary John Bishop shows you how to silence your inner critic and strive for something better”
This 👆 caught my eye. Another Audible listen for me. The author is from Scotland and the book is narrated with a strong Scottish accent which is refreshing. The books focus is on taking action and provides practical methodology. Not something that changed my life but useful and I’m glad I read it.
5. Kick Ass – Mel Robbins
This is less book and more fly on the wall in peoples real life therapy sessions. Mel Robbins put out a call to people who wanted ‘the coaching session of their life’, eight people were chosen from all the applicants and the sessions recorded for Audible.
I absolutely loved listening to these. At least six of the people had something that I could relate to and I found their coaching session useful on a personal perspective. But not only that, I also felt a connection with them. Listening to their stories, hearing them grow, rooting for them and wanting to know more about how they’ve got on since their coaching session, there was an update on each person, but I wanted more! Mel has a no nonsense approach and is tough, calling out the BS, but you feel as though it’s with the subjects best interests.
6. Can’t Hurt Me – David Goggins
I’d had this book an age before I got around to reading it and I’m pleased I did. David Goggins tells his story, touching on a tough childhood, enlisting in the armed forces, his attempts to become a Navy Seal, his ultra running and becoming ill and dealing with that.
I have no clue why, but this book inspired me. Whilst I have no desire to be a Navy Seal, to run a marathon or undertake Ultra running events I want to see what I’m capable of, I want to challenge myself and this book kick started me to action in some of those areas of life. It was after reading this that I signed up to do my first triathlon. It’s not a prerequisite of reading the book… 😉
7. The Kindness Method – Shahroo Izadi
“treating yourself kindly is the only way to make changes that last”
This book focusses on utilising your strengths and skills to help you make lasting changes,
The author has first hand experience of this having lost a significant amount of weight and kept it off following years of yo-yo dieting.
Whilst the book appealed to me because of this message, focussing on kindness and positivity to invoke change rather than punishing yourself… for whatever reason it didn’t really resonate. I think it may have just been wrong timing, it’s one of those books I’ll keep hold of and try again at another time.
8. Break Point – Ollie Ollerton
After not really resonating with the last book I thought I’d try something similar to the David Goggins book. Ollie Ollerton is ex special forces and currently starring on a channel 4 show which takes members of the public and gives them a taste of the SAS selection process. His book is about his experiences through life, from childhood, during his time in the special forces and civilian life. It’s an interesting read but has not blown my mind or inspired me.
9. Running Like A Girl – Alexandra Heminsly
So… my motivation for Tri Training is waning, I need something to get me back on track. A book about running seems like a logical choice, and as it turns out not a bad one. The book follows the authors progress from non runner, someone who told herself she wasn’t a runner, through to marathon completion. Its funny and endearing but also offers practical advice too. I’d definitely recommend this for anyone wanting to get into running but it’s not limited to that audience.
10. If I could Tell You Just One Thing – Richard Reed
This was a random but interesting book. It’s a collection of nuggets of wisdom from an eclectic group of well known individuals. It was an interesting listen, from hearing peoples wisdom but I also found it interesting hearing what people chose as their ‘message’. Nothing mind blowing but interesting nonetheless.
11. Living With A Seal – Jessie Itzler
Browsing Audible I came across this book and thought I’d give it a go. Having read two books from ex special forces soldiers, one of which I’d found inspiring I thought it wouldn’t hurt to try this one. Jessie Itzler something to do with music in the US / entrepreneur already runs regularly but wants to experience how being trained by a Navy Seal might improve his running.
It was an interesting listen, both in terms of an insight into his life (I love learning about people) but also the training regime he’s put through. There is a level of discipline required by the Seal but nothing compared to the level of discipline the Seal has himself. What I also found fascinating was, the Seal doesn’t just go to Jessies home for 31 days and train him, he ingrains himself in his while life, whilst keeping his distance. Its bizarre and fascinating. Eg the Seal recommends home security improvements and talks about what Jessie should keep in his New York apartment in order to have the best possible chance of surviving catastrophic events. I would never have read anything related to Jessie Itzler had it not been for this book but I’m pleased I did as it was an interesting listen.
12. Rising Strong – Brene Brown
“If we are brave enough, often enough, we will fail. This book is about getting back up”
I’m already aware we learn from failing and I fully embrace this concept, what struck me about this book was it’s focus on vulnerability which is something I’m less inclined to embrace. Being vulnerable and owning our past are things I could definitely work on. Whilst I enjoyed the book I’m not sure it was the right timing for me. I’ve been aware of Brene’s work in the past, whilst this is the first book I’ve read / listened to I’m familiar with her podcasts. The book was endearing and interesting but I feel as though I should’ve gotten more from it that I did. Hence. I think this one shall go on the ‘to be re-read’ list.
13. Stick With It – Dr Sean Young
I’ve been exploring motivation and discipline over the last 6-12 months. Trying to understand why stopping / starting somethings are easy and others so very difficult. I understand motivation isn’t a continuous force so the notion of needing discipline makes sense, however others would argue you just need to find the right thing to use as fuel for motivation. There is probably no true answer it’s more about finding the optimum combination for yourself but I’m keen to learn more so this book caught my eye.
The author outlines seven different methods to facilitate changing behaviour and also separates behaviours into three different classifications. Throughout the book there are examples and reasoning behind why the methods work better with some behaviours than others.
Whilst I don’t think there were many new concepts in the book, it’s the first time I’ve seen everything combined together rather than individual methods being promoted. Linking the methods to different behaviour types was also useful so not a life changing read but useful nonetheless.
14. How Not to Worry – Paul McGee
This book is written by a no nonsense guy from Manchester. It’s a very simple book, which the author is honest about from the start. Whilst there were no earth shattering insights from this book it’s full of reminders about what to do and not to do to make life a little easier. There are snippets of the authors humour, which if you’re a fan of sarcastic northern humour, you’ll appreciate. If you’re not, you won’t. Simples.
Overall I enjoyed this book and found it to be a useful reminder about how to tackle life. If you’re new to the subject you’ll probably find it full of new insights, if you’re well versed you won’t. But as a reminder it’s worth a read.
15. Atomic Habits – James Clear
I really enjoyed this book. The concept is pretty straight forward – making small changes to make a big difference. I’m guilty of not doing things because I feel that the small stuff doesn’t really make a difference but this book is about how all the small changes add up to big change. It also focused on how to make the small changes easier. How not to set yourself up for failure, how to make being successful more likely.
I felt really energised reading this book. Whilst the concept isn’t unique and it’s almost certainly not the first time this message has been portrayed it felt like right time, right message. It’s a book I’ll re-read periodically!
16. The Compound Effect – Darren Hardy
This book was a mistake after the previous one. The concept is not dissimilar, the message being that small things compound to greater things over time. I’ve had this in my audible library for ages so thought I’d give it a punt, but it was just a bit samey after the Atomic Habits book and I found myself willing it to be finished. So, I’m not being fair to it as a stand alone book. It was a bit ‘American’ in it’s style but aside from that there wasn’t anything really wrong with it… just poor timing on my part.
17. Be Brilliant Everyday – Andy Whittaker & Andy Cope
I originally downloaded this book as I thought it was by the guy behind the headspace mindfulness app. Its not, I’m getting my Andys mixed up. Anyway… I thought I’d give it a go after too much small changes stuff and it was a refreshing change. It felt like a meandering journey through anecdotes, whilst I’ve not read the preceding book by the duo it didn’t seem to be an issue. I’m pleased I changed subject matter and this was a pleasant few hours spent but the book is pretty non-descript, whilst there is nothing wrong with it I’m not rushing to read other work by the authors.