40 habits from 40 of the best books on how to live

This Is What Will Never Change in The Next 4 Years

Jun 25, 2025

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Life is one heck of an adventure.

But imagine if you had a map, a guidebook, and a treasure chest of wisdom to help you navigate this wild ride with grace and purpose. Well, that’s precisely what this post is about. Books have some of the best wisdom you can ever know to design the life you want. “Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers,” says American academic Charles William Elliot.

I’ve read many books on how to live your best life and learned a lot. If you’re like me and have made lifelong learning a habit, you’re in for a treat. I’ve scoured the pages of the finest books on how to live your best life and distilled the most impactful habits for you. Oscar Wilde, poet and playwright, said, “If one cannot enjoy reading a book over and over again, there is no use in reading it at all.” These are short pieces of wisdom from some of the best books.

Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi: Have you ever experienced that state of complete absorption and satisfaction when you’re fully immersed in an activity? Csikszentmihalyi calls this “flow,”. Align your skills with challenges and stay engaged in activities that genuinely matter to you to find greater happiness and fulfilment.
The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel: Our emotions, biases, and attitudes toward money can profoundly impact our financial decisions and outcomes. Financial contentment often comes from knowing when you have enough to meet your needs rather than pursuing endless wealth.
The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg. Rewire your life by identifying the habits that serve you and replacing the ones that don’t. Habits are the key to a good life. Identify the cues, routines, and rewards, and then shape them to your advantage.
Antifragile by Nassim Nicholas Taleb: Taleb introduces the concept of antifragility — the ability to thrive in the face of adversity. The key idea is to build resilience and adaptability in your life. Instead of avoiding chaos, you can use it to your advantage, becoming stronger and more robust in the process.
Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World by David Epstein: Generalists often outperform specialists in today’s complex and rapidly changing world. People with diverse interests and experiences tend to have a broader skill set, adaptability, and problem-solving abilities.
Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman. Emotional intelligence is often more crucial than raw intelligence. Understanding and managing your emotions and those of others can lead to healthier relationships and increased success.
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey. Take responsibility for your life — Prioritise principles like integrity, empathy, and continuous improvement to navigate life’s challenges better.
The Happiness Hypothesis by Jonathan Haidt. To live a fulfilling life, balance your virtues like courage, wisdom, and love. It’s in the harmony of these virtues that true happiness resides.
Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance by Angela Duckworth: Talent isn’t everything; it’s grit that truly sets achievers apart. Effort counts twice in the pursuit of success. It contributes directly to skill development and amplifies the effects of talent or innate abilities.
Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl. You can choose your attitude and find meaning even in the darkest moments. Your search for purpose is your path to resilience. Frankl’s memoir profoundly explores human suffering and the search for purpose. He argues that finding meaning in life is essential for personal fulfilment.
Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman. Beware of your cognitive biases; they can lead you astray. Master the art of thinking slowly and rationally for wiser decisions.
Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion by Robert Cialdini. Understanding the psychology of influence can empower you. Use these principles ethically, and you’ll navigate life more effectively.
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson. Manson challenges the idea that constant positivity leads to a good life. Embracing life’s challenges and accepting limitations can be more meaningful. Focus on what truly matters and be selective about where you invest your energy to build a more satisfying life.
Daring Greatly by Brené Brown. Vulnerability isn’t a weakness; it’s a strength. To truly live, you must be vulnerable. Dare to step into the arena, face your fears, and open yourself up to authentic connections.
Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking by Susan Cain. Solitude and deep thinking are strengths. Honour your need for solitude, and embrace your unique qualities.
Essentialism by Greg McKeown. In a world overflowing with choices and distractions, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and spread too thin. McKeown’s book advocates for the disciplined pursuit of less but better. Learn to say no to non-essential tasks to find greater productivity, clarity, and fulfilment in your life.
The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod. Your mornings set the tone for your day and, ultimately, your life. Start your day with intention through practices like meditation, journaling, and exercise.
The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz. To live in harmony, follow these agreements: be impeccable with your word, don’t take things personally, don’t make assumptions, and always do your best.
Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol Dweck. To succeed in life, believe in your capacity to learn and adapt. Cultivate a growth mindset. Believe in your ability to learn and adapt, and you’ll unlock your full potential.
Stumbling on Happiness by Daniel Gilbert. Humans often make predictions about what will make us happy, but these predictions are often flawed due to cognitive biases and errors in judgment. Major life events often have less lasting impact on our happiness than we anticipate.
Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us by Daniel Pink. Autonomy, mastery, and purpose are the keys to motivation. Find your inner drive, and you’ll achieve your goals.
The Art of Thinking Clearly by Rolf Dobelli. Beware of cognitive biases. They can cloud your judgment. Clear thinking leads to better decisions and a more fulfilled life.
The Paradox of Choice by Barry Schwartz. In a world of endless choices, simplicity is a virtue. Reducing options can lead to more satisfaction and contentment.
Atomic Habits by James Clear. Small changes, big results. Every little action counts. So, if you want to build a great life, start with tiny habits and let them snowball into something amazing.
Meditations by Marcus Aurelius. Life’s challenges are opportunities for growth. Remind yourself to embrace adversity as a chance to strengthen your character and find tranquillity.
The Willpower Instinct by Kelly McGonigal. Strengthen your self-control and willpower. With these tools, you can conquer your temptations and achieve your goals.
The How of Happiness by Sonja Lyubomirsky. Happiness is a skill. It’s within your control. Practice gratitude, savour positive experiences, and nurture your meaningful relationships.
The One Thing by Gary Keller. It’s easy to get overwhelmed with a long to-do list. Find the one thing that, when accomplished, makes everything else easier or unnecessary. Keller and Papasan argue that identifying your “one thing” — the most important task — and giving it your undivided attention leads to remarkable results.
Start with Why by Simon Sinek. Understanding your “why” gives your life purpose and direction. When you know why you do what you do, you can make more intentional choices and find greater fulfilment in your life and work.
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho: This novel, while not explicitly a self-help book, is a philosophical journey of self-discovery and purpose. It follows the story of Santiago, a shepherd boy, on a quest to find his personal legend. Coelho’s narrative encourages you to listen to your heart, follow your dreams, and embrace life’s adventures in pursuit of a good life.
Ikigai by Héctor García and Francesc Miralles. Discovering your “ikigai,” the intersection of passion, mission, vocation, and profession, is essential for a fulfilling life. To truly live, find your purpose and live it every day.
The 5 Second Rule by Mel Robbins. Procrastination can be a significant roadblock. When you have an impulse to act on a goal, you must physically move within 5 seconds. It’s a powerful tool to overcome procrastination and take action.
Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill: Financial success is not just about amassing wealth; it’s about transforming your mindset and using the power of your thoughts to create the life you desire. Success begins in your mind. With the right beliefs and actions, you can achieve anything.
The Art of Living by Epictetus. Dive into the world of Stoic philosophy with this lesser-known gem by Epictetus. He offers practical wisdom on living a good life by focusing on what’s within your control, accepting what’s not, and cultivating virtues such as wisdom, courage, and justice.
The Art of Possibility by Rosamund Stone Zander and Benjamin Zander. Adopting a mindset of possibility can transform your life. Break through limitations, foster creativity, and embrace new opportunities. Seeing the world through the lens of possibility can lead to a more enriched and fulfilling life.
The Inner Game of Tennis by W. Timothy Gallwey: This book goes beyond the tennis court to explore the mental aspect of performance in any area of life. Self-doubt and inner criticism can hinder your success. Mastering your inner game — overcoming self-sabotage and achieving focus can help you excel in various pursuits.
Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu. Embracing “Effortless action”, “non-action,” or the natural flow of life is the key to life satisfaction. Attachment leads to suffering. Reducing desires, shedding attachments, and embracing simplicity can help you find contentment and clarity.
The 5 Elements of Effective Thinking by Edward B. Burger and Michael Starbird. Learning from errors is a powerful way to refine your thinking and become a more resilient problem solver. Effective thinkers ask thought-provoking questions, question theirs assumptions and explore alternative perspectives.
On the Shortness of Life by Lucius Annaeus Seneca. People waste their days in trivial pursuits, pursuing empty pleasures and postponing their true aspirations. Recognise the fleeting nature of life and make the most of the time you have. Embrace the philosophy of carpe diem or “seize the day” to live a more fulfilling and purposeful existence.
The Mountain Is You: Transforming Self-Sabotage Into Self-Mastery by Brianna Wiest. People hinder their own progress and success due to subconscious patterns and beliefs. Self-awareness, self-compassion, and self-mastery are crucial elements for personal growth.

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>This Is What Will Never Change in The Next 4 Years

Start building on what always works.

Master what’s always true.

That’s how you win, now, in four years, and for the rest of your life.

Book of the week

Humans are social creatures. But at times, many of us feel the urge to run away to the woods and be alone with our thoughts—as Henry David Thoreau did at Walden Pond. Thoreau, an essayist and a key figure in the Transcendentalist movement, is still read and revered—but not for daring feats of wilderness survival.

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Until Next Week,

Be Well.

Thomas