The other day a friend asked for some book recommendations for 2021… 3 to be exact. It was timely as I was just reviewing everything read over the last few years, well over a hundred books, with the intention of going back to the best and rereading them.
Well as a new years present, to make 2021 your best year ever here’s 1 book a month. Side note that all of these were listened to on Audible and have readers that were solid and not irritating. Suggest getting both the Audio and Audible version if you’re more of an audible learner. Making notes and adding tabs in the texts can come in very useful!
Here’s to an epic 2021.
Awaken The Giant Within – Anthony Robbins
Bring a notebook and get ready to set some goals.. this is a great framework to lay the foundation for the year.
Turning Pro – Steven Pressfield
Short but extremely powerful read about getting serious about the thing you’re avoiding getting serious about. This is one you can read a page or two a day through out the year. Powerful, thought provoking, and always helping to frame whatever it is you’re doing.
Never Split the Difference – Chris Voss
Amazing book on negotiation – Chris Voss was an FBI Hostage Negotiator for 30 years. Trust me, it helps everything you do in life go smoother.
Raising Men – Eric Davis
“Lessons Navy Seals learned from their training and taught to their sons.” This is an all around epic parenting book, and in no way just for sons. It will surely help you change yourself to get the responses you want out of your children. Kids don’t listen, but they do imitate. (*See Footnote on The Red Circle at the bottom)
The Code of the Extraordinary Mind – Vishen Lakhiani
Exceptional story and resource to reframe how you look at the world, and the standard choices and paths that we take. It’s never to late to make a course correction. Richard Branson told Vishen to write this book, and that was the catalyst… it still took him 2+ years to put it all together. Life is a long game…but don’t wait to long to get started on your path.
The Score Takes Care of Itself – Bill Walsh
One of the best books, and best book of lists ever. How creating culture and attitude is more important than creating a culture of winning. If the foundation is solid The Score Will Take Care of Itself.
I always have a copy of this close with all if his lists tabbed to scroll through. No matter what is going on you’ll find sage points to help you navigate anything.
The Subtle Art of not Giving a F*ck – Mark Manson
Epic, just Epic… For a jumpstart grab the Tim Ferris podcast with Mark Manson.. The book will be ordered by the time you’re ½ way through… and it will not disappoint.
Extreme Ownership – Jocko Willink & Leif Babin
How US Navy Seals Lead and Win. This is not a leadership book.. Well it is. We’re all leaders, sometimes we’re just leading ourselves. Take ultimate responsibility for everything, and everything becomes under your control.
The Four Agreements – Don Miguel Ruiz
Short but powerful story, again a story of an individual who did not find their path until later in life.
- Be Impeccable with your word
- Don’t take anything personally
- Don’t make assumptions
- Always do your best
Finish First – Scott Hamilton
Yes Scott Hamilton, the Olympic figure skater. The number of setbacks in this man’s life that he chose to overcome is astounding. Truly well written, full of lessons on discipline, perseverance and focus.
Braving The Wilderness – Brene’ Brown
‘The Quest for True Belonging and the Courage to Stand Alone’ Perhaps the only way to truly belong is to not to belong. And that’s ok. Exceptional, and highly recommended read.
Born To Win – Zig Ziglar
Zig Ziglar wrote over 30 books in his lifetime… This distills everything he’s learned into one. Again a story of an unexceptional individual who searched for, found his calling, and then worked incredibly hard to bring it to fruition. But most of it was not hard work. It was a passion project.
*The Red Circle – Tyler Webb
‘My Life in the Navy and How I Trained Americas Deadliest Marksmen’
Tyler Webb and Eric Davis were swim buddies (Partners) through Seal Training and many of the stories cross over. Fascinating story in general, but particularly how they changed the verbiage in seal training and achieved massive results. Think instead of saying ‘Don’t Miss’ to ‘Shoot Straight’ and ‘Stay on Target’. Framing directions into the positive, and actionable tasks, instead of negative, makes a huge difference in execution.