Bookshelf
Zero to One
Peter Thiel
A contrarian guide to startups arguing that true innovation involves creating something entirely new (going from 0 to 1) rather than competing in existing markets.
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The E-Myth Revisited
Michael Gerber
The original "work on your business, not in your business" text. Required reading before you start your first business. Focus on systems, not building a job for yourself.
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Influence
Robert Cialdini
This book might seem like common sense for marketers today, but the fact that it was written in the 80s and nailed this so accurately is insane. Details the six universal principles of persuasion—including reciprocity, social proof, and authority.
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I Will Teach You to Be Rich
Ramit Sethi
Create a system to automate your finances and investing, encouraging you to spend extravagantly on the things you love while cutting costs mercilessly on the things you don't.
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Meditations
Marcus Aurelius
The OG text on stoicism. The diary entries of a Roman emperor accidentally started a philosophical movement around relentlessly focusing on the things you can control, and laughing about the rest.
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The Obstacle Is the Way
Ryan Holiday
I actually recommend reading this one before Meditations, because it's a better on-ramp to stoicism than the original text. Modernizes ancient Stoic wisdom to show how our struggles and "obstacles" are actually opportunities to practice virtue, resilience, and growth.
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The Psychology of Money
Morgan Housel
Explores how our behavior, ego, and pride affect our financial decisions, arguing that doing well with money has a lot to do with how you behave.
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Wanting
Luke Burgis
Explains the "Mimetic Desire" concept developed by René Girard. The idea that we want things because other people want them, and how to identify and escape these hidden social forces.
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Die With Zero
Bill Perkins
Challenges the traditional retirement model, arguing you should maximize life experiences by spending your wealth while you are healthy enough to enjoy it, and focus on creating "memory dividends".
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The Bogleheads' Guide to Investing
Mel Lindauer, Taylor Larimore, Michael LeBoeuf
An overview of the Boglehead philosophy of index funds and simplicity over attempting to beat the market.
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The War of Art
Steven Pressfield
Identifies "Resistance" as the enemy of creativity and provides a tough-love manual for overcoming procrastination and creative blocks to do creative stuff.
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The Alchemist
Paulo Coelho
A dorky, inspiring story about following your dreams and listening to your heart, teaching that when you want something, the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.
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Before The Exit
Dan Andrews
Thought experiments for entrepreneurs, challenging them to consider the personal and psychological implications of selling their business before they sign the deal. With that said, this book was helpful for many things unrelated to selling just a business.
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The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up
Marie Kondo
Tactics for simplifying and organizing your home, encouraging you to keep only items that "spark joy" and discard the rest. Applies to many areas in life.
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Principles: Life and Work
Ray Dalio
Billionaire hedge fund manager shares the unconventional principles and "radical transparency" he used to create unique results in both life and business.
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