It was Harry S. Truman who said, “Not All Readers Are Leaders, But All Leaders Are Readers”. It makes sense.
Or as Mark Twain put it, “The man who does not read has no advantage over the man who cannot read.”
Here are three books I’d urge you to consider adding to your list of “must-reads.”
I’d love to hear what you are reading. Post your suggestions below.
Meditations by Marcus Aurelius
There’s been a lot of interest lately in the Stoic philosophy. Marcus Aurelius was one of the leading proponents of stoicism. He wrote Meditations for himself – a sort of journal. Its founder was Zeno (344-262 bce), and got its name as it was taught in a well-known stoa: a colonnade or porch. It is one of three prominent philosophies of the Hellenistic era (the other two: Cynicism and Epicureanism). Aurelius adapts this thinking with his own thoughts. What he writes is profound and still meaningful today. For example,
“Take it that you have died today, and your life’s story is ended, and henceforward regard what future time may be given you as an uncovenanted surplus, and live it out in harmony with nature.”
“Nowhere can man find a quieter or more untroubled retreat than in his own soul; above all, he possesses resources in himself, which he need only contemplate to secure immediate ease of mind – the ease that is but another word for a well-ordered spirit. Avail yourself often, then, of this retirement and so continually renew yourself.”
“Nothing is worth doing pointlessly.”
I took many notes. A powerful and important read.
The How of Happiness: A Scientific Approach to Getting the Life You Want – by Sonja Lyubomirisky
University of California research psychologist Sonja Lyubomirisky has been looking for different ways we can be happier. In her book, she concludes, “The fountain of happiness can be found in how you behave, what you think, and what goals you set every day of your life. ‘There is no happiness without action.’ If feelings of passivity and futility overcome you whenever you face up to your happiness set point or to your circumstances, you must know that genuine and abiding happiness is indeed within your reach, lying within the 40 percent of the happiness pie chart that’s yours to guide.”
She shares 12 Happiness activities:
1. Expressing Gratitude
2. Cultivating Optimism
3. Avoiding Overthinking and Social Comparison
4. Practicing Acts of Kindness
5. Nurturing Social Relationships
6. Developing Strategies for Coping
7. Learning to Forgive
8. Increasing Flow Experiences
9. Savoring Life’s Joys
10. Committing to Your Goals
11. Practicing Religion and Spirituality
12. Taking Care of Your Body: Meditation + Physical Activity + Acting Like a Happy Person
You don’t have to be depressed to get a lot from this book. Instead, it will elevate your thinking and your approach to your daily life.
The Leader Who Had No Title: A Modern Fable on Real Success in Business and in Life by Robin Sharma
Leadership expert Robin Sharma believes we all have an inner leader inside each of us. He shares these basic points in his book,
You Need No Title to Be a Leader. It’s not about a title.
Turbulent Times Build Great Leaders.
The Deeper Your Relationships, the Stronger Your Leadership.
To Be a Great Leader, First Become a Great Person.
Not only is Sharma’s book full of great ideas, but I found it very inspirational.
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