The learnings we gather stick with us, even when we've lost track of their origin. Just like the knowledge of learning how to read and write, despite not recalling the learning process. Similarly, every book we read, expands our brain's repo, and you won't even notice it! When we least expect it, we find ourselves sharing opinions, fun facts, or knowing things we didn't realize we'd learned.
However, with millions of books out there, it's easy to get lost and waste precious time. As indie hackers, if you're like me... you probably don't have a lot to waste, right?
Recognizing that the most valuable insights are worth revisiting. I would rather master one key concept twice than learn something new and fleeting.
Reading something for the first time provides us with a thrilling sense of discovery — the "WOW!" experience. But, let's agree that true transformation from ideas to actionable steps, which can ultimately change your life, usually requires revisiting those ideas.
The chances are, the most beneficial reading material for you is something you've already perused. I'm a strong believer in the power of being a jack of all trades in your career, social skills, and on a personal level. To master something valuable and important, reading and rereading your top 100 books plays a big factor.
In keeping with this idea, the list below includes a collection of books (as well as tweets, essays, talks, and so forth) that have proven their worth by standing up to multiple readings for me. Maybe some of them will do the same for you.
📚 Book List
How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
This is a classic. This gem dives into the psychology of human relationships, offering practical advice on how to connect with people, understand their perspectives, and influence their actions positively. It remains an invaluable guide for anyone looking to improve their interpersonal skills, which plays a big factor in being empathetic to your users and later on... to your own team.Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones
Practical strategies to harness the power of good habits and break away from the bad ones.Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action
Valuable insights for entrepreneurs, leaders, and anyone looking to inspire change.Lean Startup: How Today's Entrepreneurs Use Continuous Innovation to Create Radically Successful Businesses
The book focuses on how startups can design their business to turn uncertainties into opportunities for growth.Mindset: The New Psychology of Success
Carol explores the concept of "mindset" and how our beliefs about our abilities can impact our success. Dweck highlights the difference between a "fixed" and a "growth" mindset, ultimately showing how a change of mindset can influence every aspect of our lives.Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products
This book discusses how newness plays a big part in our daily thoughts and actions.Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion
Six ways can greatly affect human behavior, including your own 🫡The Courage to Be Disliked: How to Free Yourself, Change Your Life, and Achieve Real Happiness
Learn about a different way of thinking that can change your life.Thinking, Fast and Slow
The book talks about how quick thoughts and careful thinking are different, and why it's important to know these differences.The Secret of Our Success: How Culture Is Driving Human Evolution, Domesticating Our Species, and Making Us Smarter
Knowledge and traditions passed down from our ancestors are way more valuable than just being smart.The Righteous Mind: Why Good People Are Divided by Politics and Religion
Our beliefs and values may not be as universal as we think, they often come from our own cultures.The Mom Test: How to talk to customers & learn if your business is a good idea when everyone is lying to you
Instead of asking people what they think, ask them to show you proof.Enlightenment Now: The Case for Reason, Science, Humanism, and Progress
Being negative can spread fast, even when there are plenty of reasons to be positive.Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die
Learn how to make your ideas easy to remember. Simplicity is the key.How to Get Rich (without getting lucky)
Making a few smart decisions can greatly improve your chances of becoming rich. By the way... would you consider being "rich"? Let me know in the comments 🤝The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
Living by principles is more helpful than just learning a bunch of quick tricks.
That is it for this article. Hope this gives you a big inspiration and lessons that you can apply in your indie hacker journey ⚒️