Books have the power to change your life.
These four books have the power to change and shape your career path. No matter your field, no matter if you’re a freelancer, entrepreneur or employee, they will help shape your career.
Be careful-don’t read these if your happy with the status quo. If you’re okay with mediocrity and punching the clock, these aren’t for you.
If you want to do work that matters, and make a difference, these books will help get you there.
Your job-is to make art. You’re an artist. It doesn’t matter what your field is, you have the choice to make art. Be brave and do work that matters. Be bold and do work that no one else as done. Your best job security is to make yourself indispensable. There isn’t a roadmap, there isn’t a 4 step program, it’s just to do work that is art, and ship it. And then rinse and repeat.
So Good They Can’t Ignore You Where you are right now-is exactly where you’re supposed to be. Stop questioning it. Sure-you’re not passionate about it, it may not be your life “calling”, but you’re learning valuable skills that will shape you for the next thing. Our world loves the story of the wall street banker that leaves her job to pursue her dream of becoming an organic cauliflower farmer and makes millions. But for you-stay exactly where you are. Learn to be the best at what you’re doing. It’s preparing you for what’s next.
Getting Things Done The least “sexy” of all the books here. If you want to change the world, you have to be able to get things done. “But I’m the idea” guy. I’m not an organized person. Bull. You wake up everyday and remember to get a shower, get dressed, eat breakfast and head to work. You have the capacity to get it done, you just need the drive, and the tools. This book will give you the tools and the frame work to get it done. It doesn’t matter how “creative” you view your work, you need this book. In short, get ideas out of your head, review them, do them, and do it again.
A Tale of Three Kings: A Study in Brokenness This book completely rocked me. Why do we go through struggles in our life? Why are these things happening at work? If you interact with anyone in leadership and authority over you, you need this book. It explains why there is authority and what it’s purpose it. Warning-this book will destroy you. It will change you. But you’re going to be better for it.
Want to do work that matters? Go read these books and start anywhere.
What books have you read that have changed and shaped your career?
Photo Credit: Hugh Macleod
