Let the world spice up your life.

Cafetalk Tutor's Column

Tutor Billy 's Column

Ten Books That Influenced My Life

Jan 21, 2023

I believe in being a "student for life” and am committed to continuous learning and self-improvement. By adopting a lifelong learning mindset, I am able to expand my knowledge and skills, and better navigate the ever-changing landscape of personal and professional development. This mindset can lead to greater self-awareness, and the ability to adapt and respond to new challenges with confidence and resilience. The key to personal mastery is to have a clear vision of what one wants to achieve and to be willing to put in the effort to make it happen.

Here are the top 10 books that have positively influenced my life. Please share your experience and thoughts about your top 10 books. I would love the opportunity to learn from the books you read.

  1. “The Code of the Extraordinary Mind” by Vishen Lakhiani is a self-help book for those of us who want to shift from an autopilot existence to a way of life that is intentional and extraordinary.

As the founder of Mindvalley, a wildly successful educational company that specializes in personal growth, Lakhiani has gleaned years’ worth of wisdom from an array of his colleagues, including leaders, CEOs, spiritual teachers, media moguls, and more. As a trained computer engineer, Lakhiani has an affinity for hacking, or the ability to disassemble something to its core function and reassemble it so that it’s better than before. Applying this skill to personal development, Lakhiani outlines a hack for life, taking the very best of what he’s learned and presenting it in a unique code, a step-by-step process for ditching limiting beliefs, identifying true desires, and following a calling that will make a difference in the world. 

  1. "The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho: This classic novel tells the story of a shepherd boy who embarks on a journey to fulfill his personal legend and find his true purpose in life. The book encouraged me to follow and pursue my dreams and believe in the power of the universe to guide them.
  2. "Shoe Dog" is a memoir by Phil Knight, the co-founder of Nike, Inc. The book details the history of the company, from its humble beginnings as Blue Ribbon Sports in the 1960s to its evolution into one of the world's most recognizable and successful brands.

The book covers Phil Knight's early years and how he came up with the idea for the company, the struggles he faced to get the company off the ground, the early days of the company, and how it grew to become the multinational corporation it is today. The memoir also covers personal anecdotes and insights into the company's culture, leadership, and branding.

 

  1. "Things Fall Apart" is a novel by Nigerian author Chinua Achebe. It was first published in 1958 and is considered a classic of African literature. The novel tells the story of Okonkwo, a leader and warrior of the Igbo people in a small village in Nigeria at the turn of the 20th century.

The novel explores themes of tradition, culture, and identity through the story of Okonkwo's rise and fall. Okonkwo is a respected figure in his community, but he has a difficult relationship with his father and struggles to live up to the expectations of his people. He is determined to prove himself and become a powerful leader, but his ambition leads him to make decisions that ultimately cause his downfall.

The novel also depicts the arrival of European colonizers in the village, and how their presence disrupts and fundamentally changes the traditional way of life for the Igbo people. The novel portrays the cultural collision and the impact of European colonialism on the traditional society, it also shows the resistance of the people and the tragedy of the loss of their culture and traditions.

 

 

  1. “The 5AM Club” by Robin Sharma: the book offers advice on making your mornings the kickstart you need to attain your most remarkable achievements. Mornings are often a struggle for many of us. But Robin Sharma believes his formula can help anybody feel inspired and focused early in the morning. He also offers neuroscientific support for approaches that will help you rise far more quickly than the rest of society.

The 5 AM Club is a parable about genuine success. The kind of success that will turn you into a hero. Heroism may sound romantic, but it is possible for anyone to achieve it by embracing discomfort and working on daily habits for self-improvement. The first habit is to simply wake up at 5 a.m. and to use the first hour of your day to get ahead.

  1. "Tao Te Ching" is an ancient Chinese text, traditionally attributed to the sage Lao Tzu. The book is considered a classic of Chinese philosophy and is one of the most widely read and studied texts in Chinese literature.

The book is a collection of 81 short poems or chapters that offer insight and guidance on living in harmony with the Tao, which is the ultimate reality and the ultimate source of all things in the universe. It teaches the importance of living in accordance with the natural flow of things and avoiding unnecessary struggle or conflict. The book also emphasises the importance of humility, simplicity, and non-action.

The book expounds on the concept of Tao, which is the ultimate reality and the ultimate source of all things in the universe. It teaches that living in accordance with the natural flow of things, and avoiding unnecessary struggle or conflict, is the key to achieving happiness and harmony in life.

It also encourages the practice of humility, simplicity, and non-action as a means of aligning oneself with the Tao. It also promotes the understanding that true power is derived from humility and the ability to follow the natural way of things, rather than trying to control or manipulate them.

  1. "The Power of Intention" is a self-help book by Wayne Dyer. The book focuses on the concept of intention and how it can be used to create positive changes in one's life. The book explains that intention is a powerful force that can be harnessed to manifest one's desires and achieve one's goals.

The book covers several key themes, including the power of positive thinking, the importance of being in alignment with one's true self, and the importance of taking action toward one's goals. The author emphasizes that in order to have a successful life, one should focus on their inner self, and not on external circumstances.

The book encouraged me to set clear intentions for my life and to take action towards achieving them. The author also emphasizes that it is important to let go of negative thoughts and beliefs that may be holding me back. He suggests that living with intention and positive thinking can help people achieve their goals and improve their overall well-being.

 

  1. "Ways of Dying" is a novel by South African author Zakes Mda. The book is a darkly comedic and deeply moving exploration of death and the human condition, set in the townships of Johannesburg during the time of political transition in South Africa.

The novel revolves around Toloki, a professional mourner who is hired to attend funerals and provide emotional support for the bereaved. Toloki is a man haunted by the death of his own family and his past as a political activist. The novel follows Toloki's journey as he attends funerals and meets a diverse cast of characters who are also struggling with loss and grief.

The book is a powerful and thought-provoking exploration of the human condition and the role that death plays in our lives. It is a story of loss and grief and the ways in which different people cope with the inevitability of death. It also explores the themes of identity, tradition, culture, and politics.

  1. "The 5 Love Languages" by Gary Chapman: This bestselling relationship guidebook explores the idea that everyone expresses and receives love in different ways, and that understanding these differences can help people to improve their relationships. The book's teachings on the importance of communication and understanding have helped many couples to strengthen their bonds and build more satisfying relationships.


This column was published by the author in their personal capacity.
The opinions expressed in this column are the author's own and do not reflect the view of Cafetalk.

Got a question? Click to Chat