I read many books, and while I love to read in all genres, I spend most of my reading time on non-fiction. I’ve read more than 200 books in the last couple of years.
Recently, I shared a 30+ days experiment on how I read at least 20 pages a day for 30 days to build a sustainable reading habit.
It’s really powerful how a book can change your perspective on life. As the title says, you need the following two books to accomplish almost anything in your professional and personal life.
Why these two books?
Book — ONE
In short, book one, Meditations by Marcus Aurelius, is for anyone who wants to live a better life. Here are a couple of points I learned while reading and re-reading this journal by the powerful emperor.
- An accomplished author, Ryan Holiday, always reads these two books at least once a year. Apparently, it is one of the books he loves to read before starting every new project.
- Meditations were never intended for public consumption.
- The thought of the most powerful man will give you new perspectives on life.
- The book will help you understand many things that have not changed for 1000 years, regardless of whether you are an emperor or a nobody: sorrow, anger, hope, fear, etc.
- The book is nothing but a practical wisdom.
- The book
My favorite quotes from the book
“You have power over your mind — not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.”
“The best revenge is to be unlike him who performed the injury.”
“If it is not right, do not do it; if it is not true, do not say it.”
“It never ceases to amaze me how much time people waste worrying about things that will never happen. If things are going to happen, there is no point in worrying about them; if they are not going to happen, then there is no point in worrying about them.”
Book — TWO
There are four key takeaways from the book The War of Art by Steven Pressfield.
#1 Everyone struggles. You are not alone.
#2 Treat your work like a full-time job
#3 Commitment to goals
#4 How to beat the resistance
- I highly recommend The War of Art book if you face creative blocks or resistance.
- The book will help you develop strategies and inspiration to unlock your inner creativity.
- For those of you who have been working on a project for a while, the answer is concealed within the book.
- Since it’s still early in the year and the book will help you fulfill your New Year’s resolutions, now is actually the ideal time to read this article.
- Read it if you are afraid of failing.
My favorite quotes from the book
“The Principle of Priority states (a) you must know the difference between what is urgent and what is important, and (b) you must do what’s important first.” — Steven Pressfield
“We must do our work for its own sake, not for fortune or attention or applause.” — Steven Pressfield
“If you find yourself asking yourself (and your friends), “Am I really a writer? Am I really an artist?” chances are you are. The counterfeit innovator is wildly self-confident. The real one is scared to death.” — Steven Pressfield
“Are you paralyzed with fear? That’s a good sign. Fear is good. Like self-doubt, fear is an indicator. Fear tells us what we have to do. Remember one rule of thumb: the more scared we are of a work or calling, the more sure we can be that we have to do it.” — Steven Pressfield
Tip: Why Sticky tabs
I also adopted Ryan Holiday’s method of taking notes in books — ideally hard copies — and then adding sticky tabs. Recalling a book and the significance of the highlights or a new concept is always helpful.
Conclusion
The books will help you achieve your goals and, most importantly, find why and how to live a meaningful life.
I always come back to the War of Art before starting any big assignment or project at my job or regarding my side hustle; it helps me a lot; it’s as if someone kicks me, pushes me hard to sit on my ass, to start working.
Meditations by Marcus Aurelius will remind you, too, will die. As Marcus Aurelius says: “You could leave life right now. Let that determine what you do and say and think.” Only death is certain.
Thank you for reading; I wish you a happy and healthy life.
