22 Books That’ll Shape Your 2022
Educating myself has introduced me to a more fulfilled life. Like everyone else in 2021, I experienced many life-changing events, and these books helped me elevate my thinking and improve my decision-making, which helped me become a better me in 2021.
Nelson Mandela said it best, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
My book recommendations for your new year:
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1. The Wealthy Gardener
★★★★★
The perfect book for learning how to accumulate wealth in every aspect of your life. It became one of the most important books of my life.
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2. Will
★★★★★
Will’s transparency helped remove a few barriers I unknowingly built around myself. Every Will Smith fan should read this memoir.
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3. Buy Then Build
★★★★☆
This one is for my entrepreneurs out there! Rather than starting a business from scratch, “Buy Then Buy” teaches you how to buy an existing business that’s already generating revenue.
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4. The Go-Giver
★★★★☆
This book is great for sales reps, consultants, and anyone that wants to improve their career. Be prepared for your “getting ahead” mentality to be shifted.
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5. "Why should white guys have all the fun?"
★★★★☆
Reginald Lewis’ story is powerful and inspiring; I wish I had the focus to read this book in my teens! Reginald broke barriers and paved the way for black men to obtain wealth.
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6. The E-Myth Revisited
★★★★☆
E-Myth is a must-read for all business owners. This book simplifies business processes and provides a framework for scaling any business through the franchising model.
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7. Profit First
★★★★☆
The title says it all. Mike shows you how to reduce expenses and adjust your accounting to pay yourself first. I’ve adopted this for my business and personal accounts.
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8. The Game Of Life And How To Play It
★★★★★
This is a Faith-based read that breaks down how to use positive karma to your advantage.
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9. Never Split the Difference: Negotiating As If Your Life Depended On It
★★★★★
I read this one twice this year! Chris was an international hostage negotiator for the FBI and he shows you how you can become more persuasive in both your professional and personal life.
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10. Elon Musk
★★★★☆
There’s not much to say, but give this a read if you’re looking to unlock your creative ambition. Elon’s impact on the world is well known, but this book provides an unfiltered perspective into his life while building PayPal, SpaceX, and Tesla.
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11. Hustle Harder, Hustle Smarter
★★★★★
Hustle Harder, Hustle Smarter is just that. 50 puts you on game by giving you the playbook to his decision-making. My respect for 50 went through the roof after this read. Well listen, the audible version is narrated by himself!
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12. The Spook Who Sat Behind the Door
★★★★★
This story is based in the late 1960s but unfortunately, the oppression and civil rights issues against black people are still relevant today. It’s an important read for all people of color.
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13. Get a Grip
★★★★★
Get a grip simplifies business through storytelling and teaches readers how to implement their Entrepreneurial Operating System. This book will keep you engaged and ready to use what you learned.
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14. The Tipping Point
★★★★☆
The marketer in me loved every second of this read. Malcolm explores the science behind viral trends in business, marketing, and human behavior.
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15. Battle Cry
★★★★★
This book helped me release trauma from my past and showed me that I can have emotions. As black men, we’re taught that we need to be strong, but not angry because we can come off as aggressive and “scary”. Battle cry gave me permission to be human.
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16. The Lean Startup
★★★★☆
Is a great read for anyone looking to start or currently running a business. The Lean Startup will show you how to adapt and adjust your tactics to be successful.
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17. The Automatic Millionaire
★★★★☆
The Automatic Millionaire is the perfect read for those looking to gain control of their finances. You won’t learn how to budget, but you will learn how to pay yourself first.
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18. Buy, Rehab, Rent, Refinance, Repeat
★★★★☆
This is a great read for any new real estate investor looking for step-by-step ways to get started.
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19. Your Next 5 Moves
★★★☆☆
This one is for my entrepreneurs looking to gain their strategic chops. This is an easy and relatable read.
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20. Expert Secrets
★★★★☆
This is the playbook for anyone looking to build a business around their influence. Russell specializes in creating marketing funnels, and this book will make you want to read the others a part of this series. -
21. The One Thing
★★★★☆
Be prepared to improve your personal and work lives with this read. The One Thing will show you how to focus on the one thing that will bring the most impact in each and every day.
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22. eBoys: The First Inside Account of Venture Capitalists at Work
★★★★☆
This is the story of Benchmark Capital, the VC firm that invested in eBay. This book needs to become a movie ASAP because these stories are unreal.