When was the last time you ever read a book? Did you know that books are good for your mental health? It strengthens the brain, improves your memory and makes you smarter. Books also reduces stress and alleviates depression. They can take you to a world of adventure and imagination. They can also contribute to your success and wealth. But most importantly, books can shift your entire perspective in life. The ability to look at things from another person’s point of view is an important life skill that we need in order to live life to the fullest. Here is a list of books that will help change the way you look at things.
Books That Will Change the Way You Look at Things:
1. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
If you find yourself lost in life, then you should read this book. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho is a novel about a shepherd boy named Santiago who travels from one place to the other in search of a treasure. Although it is just a simple story, The Alchemist is full of valuable lessons that can be applied in real life. Rather than following the dictates of society, the book focuses on the individual. It is all about following your dreams and passion and listening to the signs of the universe. When you truly want something, the universe will send you people, things and circumstances that can help you achieve your goals. You just need to be conscious and aware of all the signs that the universe is sending your way.
When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.
-Paolo Coelho
The book will change the way you look at things in a way that you will have the courage to pursue the things that you want. You will also learn to open yourself up to signs that the universe is sending you. You will learn to listen to your intuition. You will also learn to appreciate the little things in life.
2. The Slight Edge: Turning Simple Disciplines into Massive Success and Happiness by Jeff Olson
Do you want to be successful but you don’t know what to do or where to start? Then, The Slight Edge by Jeff Olson is for you. Jeff Olson talks about the way to massive success and happiness. Contrary to popular belief, the path to success is not some rocket science. Neither it is one big leap or one successful deal or breakthrough. Rather, the key to success lies on all the little things that you do daily.
Simple daily disciplines – little productive action, repeated consistently over time – add up to the difference between failure and success.
– Jeff Olson
Through lessons learned in The Slight Edge, you will begin to become aware of all the minor decisions that you do in life. For example, you want to drink a can of soda. It is harmless, right? But you will now be aware that by doing this on a daily basis, you are putting your health at risk. So, you will begin to question your choice of drink, and maybe opt for something healthier like water, perhaps. That’s the Slight Edge philosophy. It will change you in a way that you will become conscious of all the little things that you do daily.
3. Flow by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
Are you searching for happiness? Where can you find happiness? Most people search for happiness in wealth, success, fame, fortune or in other people only to find out it is not there. According to psychology professor Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, happiness can be found in the total absorption or optimal experience in the present moment. For him, happiness is not a destination or an end goal. Rather, happiness is a state of joy and creativity. You are so absorbed in the moment that all the problems and worries disappear in that particular experience. The author calls this state the “flow”. The good thing about it is that we don’t need to wait for that certain moment to happen, we have the power to actually make it happen. Thus, it is possible to turn even the mundane everyday activities such as doing chores into a “flow”.
The happiest people spend much time in a state of flow – the state in which people are so involved in an activity that nothing else seems to matter; the experience itself is so enjoyable that people will do it even at great cost, for the sheer sake of doing it.
– Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
Through Flow by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, you will learn that you can be happy anytime. You don’t need to wait for big things to happen in your life to be happy. You can be happy right now wherever you are in your life. You will also learn that happiness cannot be found outside, rather it is within you.
4. Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki
Another book that will change the way you look at things is Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki. Have you ever wondered why you seemed to be stuck in your financial life despite having worked hard all your life? in this book, Kiyosaki talks about his two dads, his rich dad and his poor dad and how the two dads shaped his thoughts about money. Kiyosaki emphasized that difference between the rich mindset and the poor mindset. Wealth is not about how high your education is or the type of work that you do. Neither it is all about the amount of income that you earn. Rather, wealth is about how you manage your money. It all about what you do with the money that you earn.
Rich people acquire assets. The poor and middle class acquire liabilities that they think are assets.
-Robert Kiyosaki
This book will teach you the importance of financial literacy. Your perspective about money will totally change. You will understand that having a high-paying job is not enough. You also need to have a clear understanding on the difference between an asset and liability in order become wealthy. If not, you will find yourself struggling for money all your life despite your hard work.
5. Awaken the Giant Within – Tony Robbins
Are you overwhelmed by your problems right now? Do you focus on your problems rather than the solutions to your problems? Do you blame others for all the bad things that happened your way? If you want to change all these negative traits, then Awaken the Giant Within from Tony Robbins is the perfect book for you. This book will force you to wake up and take control of your life once and for all. The change should start with the mind, your values, belief system and standards.
It is in your moments of decision that your destiny is shaped.
– Tony Robbins
Rather than focusing on problems and all the negative feelings surrounding that problem, Robbins encouraged the readers to focus on the goals instead. By shifting the focus, it is easier to make decisions that will create the results that you desire. Destiny is a result of all the decisions that you have made. Through this book, you will realize that you are the author of your life. You are where you are right now because of all the decisions that you made in the past. You have the power to create your own destiny.
There are many other books that will change the way you look at things. The question is, are you ready to take on the challenge? Discover a whole new world by reading some books that will change the way you look at things.
How about you? What book or books have your read that changed the way you look at things?
Feature Image by Nino Care from Pixabay Images.