2024 is well underway, but you might still be trying to get into a “proper groove” with work and life. You might be halfway through 8 different book titles, behind on multiple work projects, and juggling family responsibilities.
What is needed here is not ordinary literature, but life changing non fiction books. These books all focus on work and self-improvement. We suggest you figure it out yourself: does reading non-fiction help?
1 Anthro-Vision By Gillian Tett
When a friend recommended this book, you might have thought it would be like a textbook. But you couldn’t be more wrong. Even months after finishing it, you’ll find yourself reflecting on Tett’s arguments, especially the importance of understanding others empathetically through an anthropological lens.
The book is divided into three sections:
- Making the “strange” familiar
- Making the “familiar” less strange
- Learning from “social silence”
Her thesis? Developing “anthro-vision” helps you understand others and demystify behaviors you might find odd. This perspective is crucial in today’s divisive political climate. For a friend puzzled by different cultures, just hand them this book. It’s also a valuable tool in business, as illustrated by examples from Intel, Nestlé, and General Motors, showing how “anthro-vision” can lead to better practices and ESG principles.
2 Doughnut Economics by Kate Raworth
The biggest challenge we face in the 21st century is to meet everyone’s needs within the planet’s limits. The “Doughnut” framework offers a playful yet serious way to address this challenge. It serves as a compass for guiding human progress, making sure we don’t fall short on social needs or exceed our planet’s boundaries.
What is the inspirational non-fiction genre? Everyone has their own motivation, but self-help books, health and fitness books, and religion and spirituality books are commonly used. You can read all of them online with FictionMe. Moreover, the FictionMe platform has both entertaining and scientific books. The main advantage of the story reading app is that it is always with you. You can take out your phone at any time and log into the novel app with your own library.
3 Nudge by Richard H. Thaler & Cass R. Sunstein
Every day, you make choices—what to buy, what to eat, how to invest your money, and how to care for your children. You even choose which causes to support and how to protect our planet. Nobel Prize winner Richard H. Thaler and Harvard Law School professor Cass R. Sunstein explain that no choice is presented neutrally, and we’re all susceptible to biases.
4 Atomic Habits By James Clear
This self-improvement book avoids the usual fluff and hyperbole of the genre. Instead, it provides clear guidance on behavior change, emphasizing the impact of small actions over grand pursuits. It’s available on Fiction Me, which is where I read it. The author argues that positive achievements are the result of the habit of “compounding,” much like financial interest, where benefits grow with consistent effort over time.
5 Stay Hungry by Sebastian Maniscalco
Another funny yet insightful read awaits you! If you’re a fan of stand-up comedy, you might already know Sebastian, a comedian who’s as hilarious on stage as he is in his book. I love his stand-up, so when I discovered he had penned a book, I grabbed it right away.
Sebastian dives into the concept of “staying hungry” for your dreams. Often, people reach their goals and then stop striving for more. But Sebastian believes that achieving a dream should be just the beginning. His relentless drive is what got him where he is today.
6 Secrets of the Millionaire Mind by T. Harv Eker
Your financial success isn’t just about education, skills, or talent—it’s deeply connected to your mindset, beliefs, and unconscious patterns about money. Therapy can also help you work through these mental barriers.
“If you want to move to a higher level of life, you have to be willing to let go of some of your old ways of thinking and being and adopt new ones,” says Eker. In his book, he shares 17 “wealth files” essential for building and maintaining wealth and offers practical advice on how to adopt them.
7 Net Positive By Andrew S. Winston and Paul Polman
Released at the end of 2021 by Harvard Business Press, this book has captivated the global sustainable business community. Winston, the celebrated author of “Green to Gold” and “The Big Pivot”, narrates the story of Paul Polman’s transformative leadership at Unilever. Over a decade, Polman’s bold moves and steadfast leadership turned Unilever into a pioneer in ESG and sustainable business practices.
8 Deep Work by Cal Newport
“Deep Work” by Cal Newport is a must-read for anyone wanting to gain control of their time and focus for a more intentional, fulfilling life. This book introduces “deep work” – a state of intense concentration that enables you to achieve more in less time. In our tech-driven world, the ability to focus deeply is becoming rare. Endless distractions lead to “shallow work,” which produces poor results. Newport’s insights help you reclaim the power of deep focus to excel in today’s world.
The Final Words
Start reading these books and you will never be the same in your work and future plans. I can guarantee that. Some of them delve into the human essence, explore behavior and character, others help to achieve financial success. They have both a theoretical basis and practical advice. So pick up one (or all) of these incredible reads today and embark on a journey towards self-improvement!
