5 Prerequisite books must-read for everyone; How to read, who should read, and its principle
1. How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
Influence and impression start with good communication. When we were born, we communicate through Crying; if we were not crying, our parents and doctor become anxious, So it is the inborn quality of every human being.
We need to enhance it, work on it. I heard this book in my under-graduation, but I ignored it. It was my big mistake; you do not repeat the same mistake. The book is the bible of communication skills.
Every communication skills article steals from this book. It has been sold more than 30 million copies worldwide. This is the all-time classic book on communication skills. Its principle is universal and timeless for everyone at every stage of life.
How to Read:
- If you are a newbie reader, re-read every chapter, then you will turn the next chapter,
- You will not understand anything by the first and second read; try to read more than thrice. Still, I was reading this book three times a year.
Who Should Read:
- Undergraduate/ High School Students / Young-Millenials
- Poor in communication,
- Shy and hesitate to communicate with strangers.
- Not able to make good friends and struggling for an impression.
- If you are a leader/Manager/ Founder
Principles:
- Remember the person’s name: the most precious and sweetest things for every human being in this universe.
- Do not criticize and condemn: we are human to err in our nature
- Be kind/ Generous with everyone: Remember we are human beings, not Machine,
- Find common ground.
- Make other people feel important.
- Acknowledge your mistake: Do not try to win the argument.
2. 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey
We, humans, are a creature of Habits. Our habits define our character and success. This book has given seven practical principles you must inculcate in your life if you are in mid 20 or just a college graduate.
It is the best time to read. The Author, Stephen Covey, finds these seven habits common in every highly effective people. You must imitate and practice it for a decade.
How to Read:
- The book contains 400 pages. So read 40 pages every day; within ten days, you can finish it, but do not try to read one go and to and fro.
- Don’t try to finish one go.
- Once you read one chapter, discuss it with your spouse/friends/ colleague.
Who Should Read:
- Everybody can read from class 5 to getting their PhD degree.
- If you are a parent/ teacher / elder brother/ Grandparents / pass this to your younger one.
Principles:
All seven principles help you a lot throughout your career. But, if you remember, only seven habits apply effectively in your daily life. Here are 7 Habits:
- Be Proactive
- Begin with the end in mind
- Put first things first:
- Think win-win
- Seek first to understand and to be understood
- Synergize
- Sharpen the saw
We see the world not as it is, but as we are, or as we are conditioned to see it” Stephen R. Covey.
3. Atomic Habits by James Clear
After reading the 7-habits of highly effective people, you need to inculcate those habits in yourself, and the Book Atomic Habits will help you a lot on how to form good habits and break bad habits.
Atomic habits are nothing, but you can take a small step every day towards your goal repetitively. Then, once they compound over time, They give you a massive result.
We are building a foundation of solid habits like building a house. The architecture how beautifully place every stone. Similarly, our body is made of atoms. We can shape our bodies with small steps. Habits are the compound interest of self-improvement.
How to Read:
- Read as you want. But once you finish a habit, try to inculcate that habit in your next task.
Who Should Read:
- Struggling to Develop good habits / Breaking the Bad habits
- Struggling with time management.
- Founder/ Manager/ Entrepreneurs/ Housewife
- Procrastinators: If you are struggling with procrastination.
- Want to build/ Successful habit/successful career/ successful relationship habits
- Do not want to be Bedridden: Inculcate some physical and mental habits. Only habits help you when you will be bedridden in your old age.
Principles:
- Make it Obvious:
- Make it Attractive:
- Make it easy:
- make it Satisfying:
How to Break Bad Habits:
- Make it Invisible
- Make it Unattractive
- Make it Difficult
- Make it Unsatisfying.
Habits are a double-edged sword.
4. The Compound Effect by Darren Hardy:
This is one of the most influential books on self-improvement. The book helps to understand the power of the compounding effect. I made a big mistake in my 20’s; I understood compounding meant rate of interest in Mathematics in the high school syllabus. Once I read this book, If you applied the Compounding method in exercise, long-term goals, and investment. You will be a millionaire over the decades.
How to Read:
- Read with pen and paper there are some calculations.
Who Should Read:
- Want to Build unbreakable habits: understand the science and logic behind it.
- Aspiring Millionaire/ Founder/ Long-term investors
- High Achiever/ Athletes
Principles:
The strongest force in the universe is Compound Interest.
-Albert Einstein
- The compound effect is always working either consciously, unconsciously, or subconsciously.
- You are saving $5 every day until 20 years. It will give you an unimagine return.
- Small steps with consistency give you massive success.
- Knowledge is everywhere, but consistency is rare.
5. The 5- Seconds Rule by Mel Robbins:
This is a life-changing book; You can start your first steps in just five seconds. Author Mel Robbins Struggled in her life till the age of 40. But, once she got the technique of 5 seconds rule, her life has changed drastically. As a result, I apply 5 seconds rule every day in my life.
How to Read:
- You can read as usual.
Who Should Read:
- Struggling to wake up in the morning
- Always hesitate to start
- Procrastinators
Principles:
- Just count 5–4–3–2–1 and go. it is as simple as you think
- Struggling to get -up in the morning, counter your 5 Seconds.
- You can not control how you will fill, but you can always control how you will act.
- If you do not start within the 5-seconds, your brain gives you a dozen excuses not to start now.
- You require a little courage and self-discipline, and you can the magic 5 seconds rule over periods.
- Change is always new and scary.
- The book is a full testimonial screenshot; it might irritate you.
“If you have an impulse to act on a goal, you must physically move within 5 seconds or your brain will kill the idea.”_Mel Robbins
Conclusion:
All books are a prerequisite for your prosperous life. These five books help in building the base of your success. After that, you can read any book related to your area of interest, and you can grab its maximum output. Once you have finished all five books, you know yourself, your thinking pattern, and your mindset changed. All books you can read in a given sequence. The article is originally published on Medium. Thank you for reading