100+ Self-Help Books Later..

At this point, I’ve probably read 100+ self-help or personal development books. The first 10 or so that I read genuinely helped me so much in my formative university years but thereafter the messages became repetitive and more or less most self-help books covered the same advice. At this point, I continue to read the occasional self-help book to remind myself of some lessons, but have moved my attention to current affairs, the human body, and psychology-related books.

At this stage in my life, I’ve learned not to overcomplicate life with too many principles, mental models, or routines. Rather, I seek a simple life grounded by a handful of core principles that transcend history and every generation. I believe these 11 lessons to be my guiding principles at this stage of my life:

1. Discipline comes before motivation. Contrary to popular belief, waiting for motivation to strike is less effective than cultivating discipline. Discipline ensures progress even when motivation wanes. (Have a read of Can’t Hurt Me by David Goggins)
2. Practice comes before mastery. Mastery in any field is achieved through continuous practice. The path to expertise is paved with persistent effort and learning. (Check out the likes of Outliers or Grit)
3. Failure precedes innovation. Innovation often follows multiple attempts and failures. Each failure is a stepping stone to new ideas and breakthroughs. (Examples of great books in this space: Shoe Dog, The Ride of a Lifetime)
4. Listening leads to understanding. Effective communication starts with listening. Understanding others' perspectives is crucial for meaningful interactions and solutions. (My favourite book here is How to Win Friends and Influence People)
5. Save a little, often. They say compound interest is the eighth wonder of the world. Most finance advice boils down to saving and investing smartly, over a long period of time. (Loved reading The Psychology of Money)
6. Patience is necessary before reward. Instant gratification is a myth in the path to true accomplishment. Patience allows for the development of skills and opportunities. (Read The Almanack of Naval Ravikant)
7. Consistency is key to habit formation: Lasting habits are formed through consistency, not sporadic efforts. Consistent small actions over time lead to lasting changes. (Obviously, the book to read here is Atomic Habits)
8. Adaptability precedes long-term success: In a constantly changing world, the ability to adapt is crucial for sustained success. Those who embrace change often find new avenues for growth. (Who Moved My Cheese is a fantastic read)
9. Growth Mindset outperforms a fixed mindset. People with a fixed mindset believe their qualities are innate and unchangeable. Conversely, individuals with a growth mindset embrace challenges, persist in the face of setbacks, and learn from criticism. (Read Mindset)
10. Start is better than waiting. Waiting for the perfect moment often leads to never starting at all. It's key to ship your work and put it out into the world. Applying the 80:20 rule is often helpful here. (No better book on this than Do The Work)
11. Everything in moderation. The Japanese philosophy suggests you can have a fulfilling life when you find a career that balances: what you love, what you are good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for. (Read Ikigai)

There’s absolutely nothing revolutionary in all 11 points above. Most of them my parents had taught me through one fable or another throughout my childhood. But, the biggest lesson I’ve learnt through reading 100+ self-help books is that we just need a reminder every now and again. Of course, some days I am super lazy or skip the gym when it’s -2 degrees outside, but reminding myself about discipline, habit, and consistency gets me out the door.. sometimes. 👀

What are your guiding principles? I’d love to know.

Quote 🧠

We must all face the choice between what is right and what is easy.

— Albus Dumbledore

As always be safe, and be happy.

Warm regards - Yath 🤟🏾

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