TRANSFIGURED: THE 10 MOST INFLUENTIAL BOOKS OF MY LIFE
IN THE BEGINNING...
The Stoics of The Old World, famous of whom were Seneca, Marcus Aurelius and Epictetus, spoke highly of the agelessness that resides in knowledge passed down in the immortalized form of books.
Writers proclaim ever so loudly that, through the written form of knowledge, man can journey back in time to relive the experiences of others in its most detailed and finest form, savoring every second of those experiences as you lose yourself in a book.
It has been over two years since my journey into this Universe of inexhaustible knowledge began, and, though a relatively short time, I have never remained the same boy two years prior. Some of you may have read my story of how this exquisite journey began, and for those who haven't, here is the link to my story.
I have taken some time to look into Ted(my journal and most trusted companion) to gather, over this two year period, the books that have been the most impactful to me. Honestly, I have been fortunate to have been exposed to the right kind of books over and over again. I am obliged, then, by moral duty, to share such great treasures with you as it is God Himself that has made me so fortunate to come across them.
ENJOY
Books give you an "unfair advantage" over your contemporaries
10: THE ROSIE PROJECT BY GRAEME SIMISON
Some time ago on WhatsApp, I posted this novel saying that it is a must read. I actually got to know of this books through a blog post where Bill Gates read it and bought it for 50 of his friends to read. Honestly, I had to go after it myself just to get a glimpse of what "turns Bill on" if I may say it in that manner, and boy did it turn me on.
I remember staying up all night reading this book( it is a real page turner) and not being able to drop it till the end.
The book features a geneticist by the name Don Tillman who had Asperger's Syndrome( a developmental disorder that makes a sufferer incapable of proper socializing and communication, i.e, you're pretty much weird around most people). Don is also the most organized character (fictional or not) that I have ever come across.
Don is having a very hard time finding compatibility with women. Odd enough, he doesn't really think about it much and carries on with his quiet life.
His friend, Greg, a fellow professor in the same university and a man who'd basically sworn to sleep with as many exotic women as possible in the name of a "sociology experiment", is the direct contrast of Don. Don creates a questionnaire containing things that would grade his degree of compatibility with the women he shares the questionnaire with.
Greg helps Don meet Rosie, a woman who, under normal circumstances, would be extremely incompatible with the lifestyle of Don. The story itself is very interesting.
This book thought me more about the beauty in organizing, the acceptance that certain things are out of our control, the truth that anyone can love and be loved, and that when you come across a good partner, try hard not to let go of the person.
Honestly, you have to read this book guys.
9. MODELS: ATTRACT WOMEN THROUGH HONESTY BY MARK MANSON
Being a complete novice in all things concerning women, I decided to read a book about them. I actually chose Mark's book because I knew the author already and the name of the book was quite nice.
In Models, Mark goes into details about how the female brain works when selecting a man from amongst the crowd. He goes back as far as the prehistoric time, drawing from knowledge that the female species are drawn to men of power, dominance and some form of social stature.
He goes on to say that women can sense when a man is desperate and will ALWAYS find that an unattractive feature.
Mark highlights, very clearly, the importance of complete honesty when dealing with women and when making your intentions as clear as possible with them so as to know what exactly to do and not to drown in wishful thinking over a relationship that wouldn't work.
Using his skill of humor and yet driving very valid points, Mark goes on to clearly explain the fact that a man will only be capable of attracting women when he has taken time to personally focus on building up himself in every area imaginable, from personal grooming to finances. Women are never attracted to unambitious losers and deadbeats who lay around doing nothing to become better themselves but will be interested in those who are very intentional about their lives and goals.
This book helped me understand female social behavior and get to know why certain things about women are just the way they are; it's something about the way the female brain is wired that is beyond any form of change.
I highly recommend it for every man out there, especially those who desire to understand some of the factor that make women think and act the way they do.
8.MEDITATIONS BY MARCUS AURELIUS
Written when young Marcus had the burden of the vast Roman empire upon his feeble shoulders, a time when the world ran rampant, full of irrationality and lack of direction, Meditations contain the words and reflections of a man who tried to live a life of utmost tranquility.
Clearly, it was not easy for a person to rule the Roman empire (for the Roman Emperor was sole ruler of the Ancient World) and maintain a life characterized by a clear-headed mind.
Meditations contains so many ideas that will help anyone live a life of peace and contentment. Influenced heavily by the Stoic philosophy, Marcus was able to rule the Ancient World efficiently and still keep his head on his shoulders.
I highly recommend this book for those who seek tranquility and desire to live a life free from the dangerous clutches of over-ambition.
7. THE DIP BY SETH GODIN
I actually stumbled upon this book by chance during the 2020 lockdown period. It was a time when I was on a download spree; there were just a handful of things to do.
I was at a part of my life when I was contemplating whether or not to quit a particular venture and move on. Not knowing what to do, I looked for a book on quitting and Seth's book arrived just in time.
Seth's book taught me a lot about quitting: when to quit, how to quit, what to quit and how to be exceptional when you decide not to quit. His book taught me about making adversity my ally and using it to drive myself through "the dip", the moment in your endeavour where it seems like it can never get any better beyond this point.
Seth reminded me that in our super-competitive world, only those who have carefully decided what they want to do and who are committed to becoming the best at it, only those people will receive recognition. Everyone else falls by the way side.
Seth taught me that the Dip in any activity or ideal endeavour will scare people away and create scarcity and it is within this scarcity that true value lies. He reminded me that the Dip is that seemingly long, painful, endless part you find youself in a when you feel like you have to quit.
Most importantly, Seth taught me this: before venturing into anything, you must carefully think about it, fully grasping the knowledge of the sacrifices to be made to attain your goal, and when you do venture into it, you must decide to be the very best at what you do.
This is one book you should read as frequently as possible. I recommend for everyone, most especially for those who do not know if to quit or to keep pushing forward in their pursuit of high ideals.
6. BUFFETT: THE MAKING OF AN AMERICAN CAPITALIST BY ROGER LOWENSTEIN
This book introduced me to the world of investing. Needless to say, Warren Buffett is the most successful (and oldest) investor of our times.
Although this book is not a "how to" book, it sparked my initial interest for the investing and all things finance.
What I really like about this book is the progressiveness of the book; showing how Warren became the success that he is today. The author really knows how to make a person fall in love with the world of investing.
It was a real page turner for me( I think I finished it in like a week or so). My desire to learn all about Buffett, his investment philosophy of Value Investing as taught to him by Benjamin Graham, sprung from this book.
Personally, I have spent a lot of time learning value investing and have gained a good amount of knowledge on it. Value investing has helped me in some of my long term investment decisions and anticipating of stock market movements, quite to my surprise.
I highly recommend this book to those interested in starting a career investing and those who want to spark an "old investing flame".
5. DEEP WORK BY CAL NEWPORT
Cal Newport is widely known for his outward detesting of social media. In a world that is constantly bombarding us with information overload, where as many signals are calling for our attention, the skill to clearly concentrate on your work with an intense level of focus over extended periods of time, a skill he called "DEEP WORK", is now increasingly rare.
Cal goes on to say that only those will deep work will thrive in the long term in our currently over competitive marketplace. He also gives guidelines on how to live a work life characterized by deep work.
It is a MUST HAVE for literally every single person in pursuit of a better and more fufilling work life. I didn't actually read it but listened to an audio version of the book.
4. RICH DAD, POOR DAD BY ROBERT KIYOSAKI
Arguably the most controversial book of our times, this book has been the cause in the total change of direction in the lives of so many people, some for the good, and others for the irrational. This book literally has some sort of power within it, something that you just cannot lay your finger on.
In this book, Robert Kiyosaki talks about his story, comparing his biological poor dad to his friend's rich dad (although some argue that this was a purely fictional character).The author goes on to highlight a list of lessons, powerful I must say, that influenced his life and walk towards success.
I recommend this book to everyone but with caution; those of weak minds will fall into the naive belief that there are no obstacles in the journey to success.
This book would have been my number 1 except that I had read the number 1 before this and the "Kiyosaki flare" had already begun to burn within me.
3. THE RICHEST MAN IN BABYLON BY GEORGE CLASON
The knowledge in this book is ageless and priceless. Honestly, simply adhering consistently to the principles laid down in this very brief book will CERTAINLY assure you of financial success.
Written over 7 decades ago, using the format of a simple story, this book contains seemingly simplistic principles that can set anyone started on the road to untold riches. These guidelines are very practical and filled with common sense, making it literally simple to follow.
George Clason's book in consistently featured on lists pertaining to wise financial decisions. I read this book in less than 3 hours; you can do it in less.
It is the best book to gain beginner insight on how to manage your finances.
2. THE 7 HABITS OF HIGHLY EFFECTIVE PEOPLE BY STEPHEN COVEY
This book has definitely got to be on any list there is out there. The late Stephen Covey was simply a master of personal development and productivity. I simply cannot begin to explain the long list of lessons I have gathered from this book when I read it first back in 2018. Since then, I've made a commitment to read it at the start of a new year.
In this amazing book, Stephen talks about be proactive in all you do, begin each venture with your desired end in mind, never to sacrifice essentials for non-essentials, to think in a manner where everybody wins at the end, to seek first to understand the views of others before trying to convince others to understand us, to work interdependently and harmonously with others and to never stop growing in all we do.
I highly recommend it for practically everyone.
1. RICH DAD'S CASHFLOW QUADRANT BY ROBERT KIYOSAKI
This is the most human-inspired book that had the most effect on my life. I strongly believe that it could've been "Rich Dad, Poor Dad" but the reason it isn't is because I read this one first.
This book was the starting point for my race to financial freedom and personal development. Honestly, this book literally restructured the way I would forever view the world.
In Rich Dad's Cashflow Quadrant, Robert Kiyosaki explains the different quadrants (Employed, Self Employed, Business Owner, Investor) and talks about the different kinds of people that are attracted to the various quadrants. He goes on further to talk about the global economy and the dangers of not being intentional about one's finances.
He also talks about the importance of financial freedom and the benefits of being either a Business owner or/and Investor over being Employed or Self Employed.
This book was the breakthrough for me. It opened my eyes and mind to the plethora of possibilities and opportunities in the world.
I highly recommend it for those who are starting out in life and career choices. This book is pure inspiration.
FINAL WORDS...
I am forever indebted to the men who have written the books I have read. It is impossible to attain certain levels of success without reading the right books over time. Books, slowly and surely, change the way you see and react to the world around you; this subconscious mental process is what sets you up for opportunities and success. They have been instrumental to my journey.
I am not yet the success I hope to become but I am certain, without a single shred of doubt, that my succes is inevitable. Books have set me on this journey.
I call on you today to embark on this journey with me and with the community of avid readers scattered throughout the face of the earth. This is a journey you will forever be grateful for embarking on. Pick up a book today and change the course of your life.
Thank you.
Special mentions goes to the following books which have also been influential in my journey.
Buffettology by David Clark and Mary Buffett
Too Good They Can't Ignore You by Cal Newport
As A Man Thinketh by David Allen
Ego Is The Enemy by Ryan Holiday
Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown
The Subtle Art Of Not Giving A F*ck by Mark Manson
Failing Forward by John Maxwell
Rich Dad's Retire Young, Retire Rich by Robert Kiyosaki
Special thanks to the following people who's help in the Steemit Community has proven indispensable:
@sandrakez
@rexxalo
@emmanuel-malume, I am forever grateful for introducing me to this wonderful opportunity
@alphafx
@campusconnectng
@whitestallion
@stepsbyelven
Omo u must have read a lot of books guys....share knowledge to us nii 💁💁😂 and your grammar is solid guy😳😳
Thank you so much @circwall. I read most of them during the lockdown and prior to entering uni. The best knowledge I can share is that you should be an avid reader of books and try as much as possible to put to practice what you have learnt.
You're a really driven and smart boy. I'm glad for your growth.
Thank you so much. The desire to know more and practice more to have a better life drives me on
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Nice recommendations bro, a wonderful review I must confess.
I will read all of these books. Before the end of the year, quite captivating.
Great post.