2024 has been a transformative year for me, not only because of my transition to a new role and other aspects, but also due to the personal growth I’ve experienced through reading. In this blog, I’ll reflect on how the books I’ve read fit into different aspects of my life using the “Wheel of Life” framework, helping me stay balanced and focused on what truly matters.
It’s unbalanced wheel for sure, nonetheless, lots of learning. And a lighthouse for next year, with focus on more balanced reading
Career: Growth Through Leadership and Project Management This year, I delved deep into books that enhanced my professional skills. Dare to Lead and The Infinite Game helped me become a more authentic leader. Learning about vulnerability and long-term vision reshaped how I approach both my team and strategic decisions. Critical Chain Project Management also provided essential tools for streamlining our projects, while Never Split the Difference honed my negotiation skills.
Finances: Shaping My Money Mindset I found new perspectives on wealth and finance in books like Same as Ever and The Unsold Mindset. These works have not only expanded my financial literacy but also taught me about value creation, understanding the sales process, and the importance of patience and long-term thinking.
Relationships: Understanding and Managing Emotions Books such as High Conflict and Emotional Agility have had a profound impact on my relationships. They’ve provided me with strategies to manage conflict, foster empathy, and navigate the emotional complexity of personal and professional connections.
Health: Prioritizing Well-Being Health has always been a priority, but books like Outlive and Feel-Good Productivity reinforced that true productivity stems from a place of physical and mental well-being. Escaping the Emotional Roller Coaster helped me learn emotional regulation, keeping me centered in both work and life.
Personal Growth: Learning to Finish and Simplify In the realm of personal growth, How to Finish Everything You Start and Essentialism stood out. These books encouraged me to prioritize tasks that matter and finish what I begin, all while simplifying my life to focus on the essentials. Seeing Around Corners gave me the tools to think about the future, while A New Way To Think inspired me to rethink my decision-making process.
Spirituality: Finding Peace and Purpose Reading When Breath Becomes Air was a deeply moving experience that reminded me of life’s fragility. It encouraged me to reflect on the importance of purpose, especially in the face of life’s inevitable challenges. Rumi’s Little Book of Life provided additional spiritual insights that grounded me through difficult moments.
Fun & Recreation: Escaping into Fiction Sometimes, the best way to learn and grow is through fiction. The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida and Remarkably Bright Creatures offered the perfect balance of entertainment and reflection. These stories not only entertained but also challenged my thinking in profound ways.
Physical Environment: Exploring New Realms Finally, The Space Between Worlds and The Creative Act helped me explore new ways to interact with my environment, be it physical or creative. These books encouraged me to embrace change and think creatively about how I engage with the world around me.
Let me detailed out these books with each category
1. Career
Books in this category focus on professional development, leadership, and skills.
- Critical Chain Project Management by Lawrence – Project management strategies for optimizing time and resources.
- Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss – Negotiation skills that are crucial for high-stakes professional settings.
- Dare to Lead by Brené Brown – Leadership skills, particularly around vulnerability and courage.
- The Infinite Game by Simon Sinek – Perspective on leadership as a long-term commitment, not just achieving immediate goals.
- Collaborating with the Enemy by Adam Kahane – Insights on collaboration, even with those you disagree with, in professional environments.
2. Finances
Books in this category provide insights into financial literacy, wealth-building, and decision-making.
- Same as Ever by Morgan Housel – A deep dive into personal finance and investment philosophy.
- The Unsold Mindset by Colin Coggins – Insights into sales, value perception, and understanding financial impact in the marketplace.
3. Relationships
This category focuses on books that explore personal connections, emotional intelligence, and social dynamics.
- High Conflict by Amanda Ripley – Understanding how to manage and resolve conflicts in both personal and professional relationships.
- Emotional Agility by Susan David – A guide to managing emotions in relationships, both with others and within oneself.
- The Art of Possibility by Rosamund Stone Zander – Ways to transform relationships and see new possibilities in personal interactions.
4. Health
These books focus on mental and physical well-being, fitness, and holistic health.
- Outlive by Peter Attia – Comprehensive health advice aimed at longevity.
- Feel-Good Productivity by Ali Abdaal – Productivity tips that emphasize balance and well-being.
- Escaping the Emotional Roller Coaster by Patricia Zurita Ona – Emotional regulation and managing mental health.
5. Personal Growth
Books in this category encourage personal development, self-improvement, and mental clarity.
- How to Finish Everything You Start by Jan Yager – A guide on staying committed and achieving personal goals.
- Essentialism by Greg McKeown – A focus on simplifying life and prioritizing what matters.
- Seeing Around Corners by Rita McGrath – Anticipating change and preparing for future challenges.
- Rumi’s Little Book of Life by Jalal ad-Din Muhammad – Wisdom on personal reflection and growth through spirituality.
- A New Way To Think by Roger L. Martin – Encouraging the use of innovative thinking in decision-making and problem-solving.
6. Spirituality
This category involves books that provide insight into the soul, higher purpose, or deeper understanding of life.
- When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi – A reflection on life, death, and the meaning of existence.
- Rumi’s Little Book of Life by Jalal ad-Din Muhammad – A collection of spiritual wisdom for self-reflection and peace.
- Khilli by P.L. Deshpande – Spiritual exploration through literature and storytelling.
7. Fun & Recreation
Books that focus on entertainment, creativity, and relaxation.
- The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida – A compelling fictional journey through the afterlife, combining mystery and cultural insights.
- Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt – A charming and whimsical story that balances fun with profound themes.
8. Physical Environment
Books related to improving or understanding your environment, either in a physical, organizational, or technological sense.
- The Space Between Worlds by Micaiah Johnson – A fictional exploration of alternate realities, touching on physical and societal environments.
- The Creative Act by Rick Rubin – Inspires creativity in all aspects of life, including one’s environment.
- The Three-Body Problem by Liu Cixin – Explores cosmic environments and the impact of scientific and technological changes on civilizations.
As I look back on 2024, it’s clear that books have played an integral role in my journey across all aspects of life. From improving my leadership skills to deepening my spiritual understanding, the diverse range of books I’ve read has been a source of constant growth. I look forward to continuing this journey in 2025 with more balanced wheel, with new lessons and new books to guide me.
Check out #GoodreadsYearinBooks @goodreads to discover the 35 books I read in 2024! https://www.goodreads.com/user/year_in_books/2024/36302373
