The holiday season is officially upon us, and that means the end of the year is approaching fast. Maybe, like lots of folks, that’s got you in a reflective mood as you look back on both the good and bad of your life in 2018 and consider what you could improve on next year.
If so, the Do Lectures have some book recommendations for you.
Every year, the organizers of this international lecture series aimed at–you guessed it–the doers among us solicit book recommendations from their community, boiling the answers down to 100 must-read titles.
This year’s list is rich in intriguing ideas covering everything from what to cook for dinner to an autobiography of the Wu-Tang Clan, but one section stands out as particularly relevant at this time of year–books to improve future you. Do’s recommendations promise to help you be richer, more productive, and less anxious in 2019. Here they are.
1. The Laws of Human Nature by Robert Greene
Living your best life is a lot easier when you understand other people’s feelings, behavior and motivation. This book can help. Here’s how Do describes it: “The Laws of Human Nature offers an insight into mastering self-control, developing empathy, and understanding others in the world around us.”
2. Atomic Habits by James Clear
“Improving your life doesn’t happen with big changes. It happens with little ones. The easy ones. But boy, the compounding impact of those Atomic Habits is huge,” Do says of James Clear‘s book.
3. Enlightenment Now by Steven Pinker
Bill Gates called this optimistic title from the famed Harvard linguist his favorite book of all time. “Ignore the headlines. Life is longer, happier, safer, and more stimulating than it has ever been. It can get even better by applying the laws of Enlightenment,” says Do.
4. When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing by Daniel H. Pink
Did you know that most of us are 20 percent smarter in the morning than in the afternoon? In this book, best-selling author Pink explains how to use the science of timing to be get more done and be more successful.
5. Choose Wonder Over Worry by Amber Rae
Sometimes, living your best life is less about changing your activities or material circumstances and more about changing your attitude. This book explains, “how to move beyond worry and fear” and “return to the wonder that allows us to live as we truly are.”
6. Aging Well by George E. Vaillant
In one of the largest studies of human development ever undertaken, Harvard researchers followed 824 subjects for decades to determine what factors lead to happiness, health, and success. The author of this book led that study, and now he’s sharing some of the findings about how to grow old with grace.
7. Money Master the Game: 7 Simple Steps to Financial Freedomby Tony Robbins
Health and happiness may be key for living a good life but financial success certainly doesn’t hurt. “Making finance jargon accessible for the masses, Robbins expertly shows how to create a lifetime plan to gain financial freedom and achieve financial dreams,” says Do of this book to help you meet your money goals in the coming year.
8. The Untethered Soul by Michael A. Singer
One of the seekers. In this book, “spiritual teacher Michael Singer answers the age-old question about personal identity ‘Who are you?’ His answer: We are consciousness.”
9. Own the Day, Own Your Life by Aubrey Marcus
Thinking about improving your entire life can be overwhelming, so why not focus on improving each individual day instead? “How can we get the best out of every single day? How do we ensure we are living life to its full capacity? Aubrey Marcus’s groundbreaking guide will get us there,” says Do.
10. My Morning Routine: How Successful People Start Every Day Inspired by Benjamin Spall and Michael Xander
Another book focused on daily routines, but this time through the prism of examining those of the super successful. Here’s Do’s description: “What makes you different from Ed Catmull, president of Pixar? Or Biz Stone, co-founder of Twitter? Your morning routine. Here’s how to get a successful one.”
11. The Thriving Introvert by Thibaut Meurisse
This book offers an empowering message for naturally quiet types: “You don’t need to talk more. You don’t need to be louder or more outgoing. You are an introvert and you are wonderful as you are. Celebrate your introversion.”
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Originally published on Inc.com.