Over the years, certain books have done more than just entertain or inform me; they’ve fundamentally shaped how I think about my life, my faith, and my business. They’ve provided principles and frameworks that I still use to make decisions every day.
From foundational life principles to practical business systems, these are the books that have left the biggest imprint on my perspective.
Life Principles
The Bible has been the most impactful book for me. When I was younger, I experienced a significant shift in my thinking. I realized the stories in the Bible weren’t just historical accounts; they were principles for how to live life, engage with people, and connect with God. I began to see practical results from living in alignment with its teachings.
One verse particularly resonates with me:
“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” – Romans 10:17
You can’t have faith in something you don’t know, and you won’t know it unless you read it. Taking my faith seriously and consistently reading the Bible changed my life in profound ways.
Understanding Motivation
The Four Tendencies by Gretchen Rubin offers fascinating insights into how people respond to expectations and motivation. Rubin breaks down human behavior into four categories based on how we respond to internal and external expectations:
- Upholders: respond well to both internal and external expectations
- Questioners: question external expectations but meet internal ones
- Obligers: readily meet external expectations but struggle with internal ones
- Rebels: resist both internal and external expectations
Through this framework, I discovered that I’m an Obliger; someone who responds well to external accountability and expectations. This self-awareness has been invaluable in structuring my work and personal goals in ways that leverage my natural tendencies rather than fighting against them.
Business Systems
The E-Myth Revisited by Michael E. Gerber completely transformed my approach to business. The book centers on the critical importance of systems and structure in building a sustainable business. Gerber explains that every business involves three distinct roles:
- The Technician – does the hands-on work
- The Manager – organizes processes and people
- The Entrepreneur – creates the vision and strategy
Most small businesses fail because the owner attempts to fill all three roles simultaneously, leading to burnout and inefficiency. In contrast, successful franchises thrive because they operate with clear systems and standard operating procedures (SOPs) where everyone understands their specific role and responsibilities.
I read this book while working as an analyst, and it fundamentally changed how I approached leadership. Instead of continuing to do all the analytical work myself, I learned to focus my time on mentoring and training my team. This shift allowed me to transition from technician to manager effectively, ultimately preparing me for entrepreneurial ventures.
The Lasting Impact
These three books have provided me with a comprehensive blueprint for different areas of my life:
- The Bible gave me a foundation of timeless principles to live by, offering wisdom for both personal decisions and relationships. It serves as my moral and spiritual compass, providing guidance that transcends any particular situation or challenge.
- The Four Tendencies taught me to work with my natural motivations instead of against them. Understanding that I’m motivated by external expectations has helped me create accountability systems and partnerships that set me up for success rather than relying solely on willpower.
- The E-Myth Revisited provided a clear framework for building scalable business systems. Its lessons have been crucial not only in managing teams but in structuring my own consulting practice to operate efficiently and grow sustainably.
Each of these books continues to influence how I approach daily challenges, whether I’m leading a team, organizing my schedule, or developing new business strategies.
They’re more than just books; they’re practical tools for continuous growth and improvement that I return to again and again.