The core fundamentals of success never change, they always revolve around the same few ideas of discipline, innovation, persistence, and leadership. However, how people develop these character traits is what every book is about. Everyone knows what to do, just not how to do it.
What makes matters complicated is that there is a ludicrous amount of success literature published every year and most of that is literature is quickly forgotten. This list however takes a look at the 5 Best Entrepreneurial Books for going into 2019. Each book on this list has seriously life-changing wisdom, stands the test of time, and can almost be guaranteed to help you with your next epiphany.
1. Can’t Hurt Me
David Goggins’ Can’t Hurt Me is such a breath of fresh air when it comes to success books. It’s not a story about an unrelenting champion pursuing his dreams. It’s a story about failure, and success, and then some more failure and then some more success. What stood out the most to me that made this book worth reading was the brash realism behind what it was like to make a life transformation.
Goggins reveals the inspiring moment when he finally decided to get his weight in order by exercising. Everyone expects to have that one “big moment” where everything changes for the better. This was his moment. But, like in life, it didn’t go how you would expect it to. This single section of the book alone is worth it because in all the success literature, there’s no other passage that’s more humbling and humanizing than this one.
2. Own The Day, Own Your Life
Prior to this book, I had never heard of author and CEO Aubrey Marcus before. However, Own the Day, Own Your Life is a one of a kind book. Most other pieces of success literature focus on big picture idea and heavy planning and goal setting and all these other future things. This book focuses on the now. Your victories are a compilation of small daily wins and this book focuses on how to get those wins and develop a new level of discipline. If you’re someone struggling in your pursuit of greatness, this book is for you.
3. 12 Rules For Life – An Antidote to Chaos
Why do people treat dogs better than they treat themselves? Why do winners keep winning and losers keep losing? Jordan Peterson tackles success literature with actual science in 12 Rules for Life – An Antidote to Chaos.
Dr. Jordan B. Peterson is a notorious psychologist with a deep understanding of the human condition. He’s been interviewed across the planet by hundreds of journalists who disagree with his unapologetic view points and every time they find themselves thrown into a new world. What makes this book great is that it answers a fundamental question: what does it take to be happy.
Peterson’s answer is to have an antidote to chaos and his 12 rules show you how.
4. The Laws of Human Nature
I’ll be honest, I’m not the biggest fan of Robert Greene because I like extremely practical advice. Many of his books offer good advice that’s so circumstantial that you’ll never remember it for when you actually need it. But, the Laws of Human Nature is a much more interesting and practical book. In this book, Greene teaches you how to become a social ninja so that you can protect and elevate your status.
5. Extreme Ownership
Jock Willink and Leif Babin’s Extreme Ownership is the oldest title on this list. And it is a book worthy of being on every leadership, success and management book operations. It offers everything from simple, practical advice on how to handle high pressure situations to life changing mantras that everyone should adopt. If you’re looking to a master of your own life and a disciplined boss like Jocko is, then this is the book for you.
For hungry minds, here is a list of 75+ books for entrepreneurs — check it out if you are eager to read more.
