Flow, Mihaly Czikszentmihalyi

FlowHow do you know when you are happy? That’s a big question and one that the author addresses in this seminal work on the subject. Flow is his detailed and substiantiated argument that we find happiness when we ‘lose ourselves’ in tasks that demand a degree of skill, but not so much that we are overwhelmed. Continue reading

The Road Less Travelled, M Scott Peck

The Road Less TravelledI first read my well-thumbed copy of this book years and years ago, and was fascinated when Jonathan Clarke listed it as one of his favourites. When it comes to the subject of the mind, The Road Less Travelled is a heavyweight, going way beyond success mindset principles to address some of life’s big issues. Continue reading

How to Win Friends and Influence People, Dale Carnegie

How to Win Friends and Influence PeopleOne of the greatest books about the art of communication of all time, if not the greatest, How to Win Friends and Influence People remains as relevant today as it did when it was first published back in 1937. In essence, it is the common sense behind interactions with others – about listening, being respectful and being clear in your own communication. Continue reading

Deep Survival, Laurence Gonzales

Deep SurvivalAt first glance, the title and subject matter of Deep Survival might cause you to wonder why it is included on a blog for books to inspire property investors. It is, however, another of Martin Skinner’s favourite books and given all that he has achieved, is probably therefore worth reading. Continue reading

Bounce, Matthew Syed

BounceAnother favourite of property investor and businessman Martin Skinner, Bounce is inspired by the sporting world. This book examines the subject of success and also delves deeper into neuroscience and psychology to discover the underlying (neuro)biological factors at play. Continue reading

Outliers, Malcolm Gladwell

OutliersOutliers is probably one of my favourite books. Although it is not really a business book as such, after some thought I included it in the Business category because the arguments will definitely have an effect when you apply them to your business life. Continue reading

Nudge, Thaler & Sunstein

NudgeNudge is about the decisions that we make, and the knock-on effect that those decisions have on our lives. Chosen by Martin Skinner as one of his top five books for the Property Tribes Essential Property Book List, it has been on my own reading list for some time. Continue reading

Man’s Search for Meaning, Viktor Frankl

Man's Search for MeaningThis is probably a book that we should all read at least once during our lifetimes. Mentioned by Richard Brown, founder of The Property Voice, as one of his top five books in the Property Tribes Essential Book List, Man’s Search for Meaning is a classic in terms of understanding the bare essence of human nature. Continue reading

Why Men Don’t Listen and Women Can’t Read Maps, A&B Pease

Why Men Don't Listen and Women Can't Read MapsArguably, Why Men Don’t Listen and Women Can’t Read Maps is an unexpected title in the Investors Favourites list. Another recommendation by Lisa Orme, I have not read it, having been – rather unreasonably – put off by the title. Continue reading

The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari, Robin Sharma

The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari by Robin SharmaIf you are new to idea of personal development, reading The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari may be one of the best places to start. If you have travelled this journey for some time but have not yet read it, you might find the book a handy distillation of what you have read and learned so far. Continue reading