6 Books That Helped Drastically Change My Life

“The Happiness Equation” by Neil Pasricha – This book is epic! 🏆 It changed the way I move through my days. I got it as an audiobook and I listen to it whenever I need a reminder not to let anything shake me or lead me away from my own personal happiness.

It provides you with methods for recognizing when your thoughts are creating stress or tension as well as solutions for how to bring yourself back and to a better place.

I learned that success is not about anyone else’s definition of success. It’s about prioritizing what personally brings you happiness. That’s your success. For me, that is mostly knitting and creating art (literary or visual)… and of course, chocolate. 🍫😋

In the end It’s your story to write, not someone else’s. Instead of looking for and expecting others to make you happy, you can create your own happy place. 

It’s also possible to reach for new plateaus and experiences—and still remain grateful for the amazing things you already have. 

This book provides a strong lesson in embracing imperfection and focusing on finding that space inside you that will steer you away from the dark side. The formula for creating internal happiness that radiates from the inside out is within you. It can completely be in your control if you allow yourself to tap into your own personal well of joy. 

My Takeaways from this book: 

Focus on contentment over comparison. Seek and prioritize freedom from external validation and the expectations of others; and live your purpose by staying present and finding joy in repetition in the moment that is NOW, while planning for and working towards your future. 

3 Transformational Quotes from “The Happiness Equation” by Neil Pasricha

1. “You don’t need to be richer to be happy, but you do need to be happier to feel rich.”
2. “The only barometer you need to measure success is whether or not you are doing what makes you happy.”
3. “When you let go of what you can’t control, you open up space for what you can create.”

This book encourages you to redefine your self-worth, let go of financial anxiety, and focus on creating joy and purpose.

“The Richest Man in Babylon” by George S. Clason – I doubted how I would feel about this book because it tells an old story, written in 1926, about events from over 4,000 years ago.I didn’t think it would age well and still be relevant or translate to my situation, but it totally did.

This book is a timeless classic offering financial fundamentals through charming parables set in ancient Babylon. It’s literally financial wealth foundation 101, but with some literary gems in there that capture and hold your attention. 

One line in the book had me rolling. When the rich man, Algamish, called Arkad a ‘dullard‘ for squandering his earnings and saving nothing, I nearly passed out from laughing. I couldn’t stop. It wasn’t the audiobook version, but it still felt like I could hear him actually saying the word dullard. I’m dying just thinking about it again. 

At first, I struggled to decipher the passage on the “Seven Cures for a Lean Purse,” but I eventually realized it explains why everyone in the financial community emphasizes saving at least 10% of your income. That’s the foundation of paying yourself first.

Some of the 7 cures include controlling your expenses, saving at least 10% of income, of course, making smart investments, protecting your wealth, and continuously learning to improve your income earning skills so you can increase your earning potential. 

My takeaways from this book: 

The most powerful message that made the most impact on me was the way the author illustrates how anyone can escape poverty and achieve financial success by following these tips.

At first I thought, no way. Then I started to implement the tactics and over time my financial picture began to change. I went from having a negative net worth to having a 6 month emergency fund in less than 10 years.

I lived most of my life in public housing and assumed I would never achieve this. But I made it. Thank you, George S. Clason, for revealing the wealth-building secrets that were never truly hidden—they just needed the illuminating light they deserved.

This book will teach you the power of perseverance and the importance of relying on yourself to escape bad financial situations and to take responsibility for your own financial growth. 

3 Transformational Quotes from “The Richest Man in Babylon” by George S. Clason

1. “A part of all you earn is yours to keep.”
2. “Gold clingeth to the protection of the cautious owner who invests it under the advice of men wise in its handling.”
3. “Opportunity is a haughty goddess who wastes no time with those who are unprepared.”

If you’re struggling with financial worries, you’ll find encouragement in the message that wealth is accessible to anyone who is willing to learn and apply these timeless financial guidelines.

If you haven’t started your financial journey yet, start here It’s so on point for foundational financial growth and sometimes it’s also hilarious. 😂

“The Tao Te Ching” by Lau Tzu – This magical, mystical book started me on my journey to a less-stressful spiritually enriched life. The translation by Victor H. Mair made the poetic verses easier for me to grasp while still keeping the integrity of this cornerstone of Taoist philosophy. The Tao Te Ching shines a light to illuminate the path of living harmoniously with the natural flow of life—the Tao.

The Tao is part of the inspiration behind one of my poems; “The Want Knot“.

Being content with what you already have keeps you from being tied to want. It’s ok to want things, but not to the detriment of your mental, spiritual, and physical health. It was a bit of a difficult read for me because of the writing style. I have little interpretation Post-its throughout the book to help with clarity. But I absolutely cherish it and go back to it often when I think I have lost my way. It really did change my life on a spiritual level.

I wore out my original copy so much that I decided to replace it. I originally purchased it as part of a 5-book series called “Mystical Classics of the World” from the Quality Paperback Book Club. Finding an exact copy of The Tao alone really surprised me. I thought I would have to buy the whole set again.

I also ended up getting a Kindle Version of “The Tao Te Ching“. It’s not the same as my paperback one but I wanted to have one that will always be in my bag to take everywhere I go.

I struggled with trying not to want things and sought contentment. But I wasn’t happy with where I was. In writing “The Want Knot”, I was able to release myself to my love of poetry and in turn, step away from other wants that my mind thought were important. 

I kept thinking, I want to be rich. But since I wasn’t rich, that made me unhappy. I began to associate wanting with being unhappy. 

That feeling remained until I realized that what I really desired was to be financially secure, thus free.

I realized the importance of focusing on being present, feeling grateful for, and staying content with what I already had and where I was. That realization allowed me to let go of that want. 

I started becoming content with being in my now. Understanding where I stood, and how strong my footing was in that place, allowed me to adapt and conjure ways to inch forward. Finding contentment with being at peace with moving or not moving forward was transformational. This allowed me to grow with the warmth of the sun in my face and wind at my back. 

No longer tossing myself into a pit of despair by wanting to be rich, I have grown financially stable over time and continue to move forward while remaining content with where I am. 

The Tao Te Ching offers reassurance that peace and fulfillment come from within, not from external praise, achievements, or worldly possessions.

My takeaways from this book:

The Tao Te Ching allowed me to step away from living in lack. To also find and always have access to the key to my internal happy place. At any time, I could unlock the door to happiness whenever I found myself looking too far ahead to find the peace that was right where I stood.

3 Transformational Quotes from “The Tao Te Ching” by Lau Tzu

1. “When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you.”
2. “Be content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing missing, you gain everything.”
3. “The wise person does not seek fulfillment. For only by not seeking will the heart be at peace.”

These quotes can inspire us to find the peace we already have within, shift focus from peer-pressures and influencer glow-ups, and embrace the abundance of the gods and goddesses within ourselves.

“Act Like a Success, Think Like a Success” by Steve Harvey – I have a Motivational YouTube playlist that I listen to when I’m cleaning or during my morning routine.

When the playlist gets to Steve Harvey, I always feel like it’s my dad talking to me. Guiding me. He has that paternal nurturing magic that I feel everyone needs now and then.

Even though he’s a comedian, by profession, this book is dead serious. It prompts you to connect with your inner child and what that child lives for. You want to do what you love and are good at. 

It’s divided into several actionable steps that help you identify your gifts. This will allow you to set SMART Goals that are tied to your personal dreams and have meaning for you specifically. It then encourages you to work persistently to achieve those goals. 

When Steve talked about how he came back from homelessness, I wept like a baby. I’m always watching YouTube videos where people give homeless people food, money, and clothes. 

I don’t know. I must have been homeless in my past life. That seems to be the thing I fear the most. He had me. I was invested in every word he said. Everything he says just feels so real and that’s important when you are learning from someone else’s journey. 

My takeaways from this book:

I really connected with Steve’s personal story and his constant reminder that self-belief and consistent effort can lead to transformation. Through the power of perseverance, getting knocked down doesn’t mean you have to stay down. 

Steve has a down-home way of describing things that made me feel comfortable. It felt like I was wrapped securely in my dad’s Sunday morning musings. 

This book gave me hope and helped solidify that my firm stance on integrity is valid and does not automatically jeopardize success. Thank you, Steve. 🥰

3 Transformational Quotes from “Act Like a Success, Think Like a Success” by Steve Harvey

1. “Your career is what you’re paid for, your calling is what you’re made for.”
2. “If you can see it in your mind, you can hold it in your hand.”
3. “Do not ignore your gift. Your gift is the thing you do the absolute best with the least amount of effort.”

This book and these quotes are everything. They encourage you to uncover your unique talents, believe in your vision, and align every effort with your purpose to overcome financial and any self-esteem challenges you may have.

“F.U. Money” by Dan Lok – I wasn’t sure about this book because of the title, but it was the title that also made me curious.

The audiobook version was recommended to me. I’ve had some challenges with audiobooks. I once listened to a book where the main character was a blond man in his 20s but the voiceover actor sounded like Ian McKellen. So I kept seeing Magneto from X-Men instead of the 20 year old boy, but this audiobook was perfect. 

It’s narrated by Dan Lok. When certain authors narrate their own books, it provides more of a connection. It feels like you’re having a personal conversation across the table from them over tea with toast and marmalade. 

Dan Lok’s unapologetic approach to teaching wealth building is something I totally resonated with. I always preferred a soft hand because that’s how my dad was, but now that I’m older, I know that it doesn’t always produce the desired results for me anymore. 

Some people need that slap in the face, tough-love training to get them off their a$$es and stepping into high gear. Dan is the one for that. I have post-it notes with his quotes on my goals board. 

This forced me to think more clearly about living life on my own terms. If I didn’t initially know my true want, this was the answer. I want to wake up every day and get to decide what I want to do for the day. Not do what I have to do whether I want to or not.

A key focus is on building a high income skill. At first, I thought, Duh!!! Then I had to ask myself, are my skills high income skills? 

It was like a punch in the face that said, if you’re not content with the income you’re bringing in, it’s not because your job won’t pay you more, it’s because they are paying you based on the skill level and value you provide to their company. If you want a higher income, provide more value.

My takeaways from this book:

Through shifts from a scarcity mindset to believing more in myself and taking strategic disciplined actions, I was able to change my financial picture. 

I know my F.U. Money number and my current PI number (Passive Income number). My F.U. Money number represents the amount I would automatically earn in passive income without having to move from my bed. 

That money would need to cover all my fixed and flexible expenses for the rest of my life. That’s financial security. My aim is to make that number a reality. 

After reading this book, I believe that anyone can build enough wealth to have financial security. They can then have the ability to do what they love without financial fears getting in the way. 

3 Transformational Quotes from “F.U. Money” by Dan Lok

1. “You don’t get rich by doing what you love. You get rich by doing what others love and are willing to pay for.”
2. “Wealth is created by solving problems, not by working harder.”
3. “The most dangerous word when it comes to your financial future is ‘someday.’ Start now.”

These quotes inspire us to shift our mindset, focus on providing value to others, and take immediate action toward financial independence, empowering us to overcome self-doubt and financial challenges.This book definitely made an impact on my goal development and how I navigate my financial journey.

“Rich Dad, Poor Dad” by Robert Kiyosaki – This book was exceptionally hard for me. Like I had lost my mind, I kept yelling at the book and imagining punching Robert Kiyosaki in the face every time he mentioned his ‘poor dad’ in a diminishing light.

I took that to heart. I was so angry at the beginning of the book. All I could see was that he was mistreating the poor dad so much. He had a roof over his head and wasn’t going hungry. It felt disrespectful, ungrateful, and unloving. 

But then I realized how judgmental it was of me to think that. “Judge not, that ye be not judged.” How am I judging him but not turning that critical eye on myself?

Being grateful for parental sacrifices is not what this book is about. I had to recognize my internal response as the results of my own personal childhood wounds. I didn’t feel I gave enough back for all that my parents did for me and I projected that on Robert and his book. This was purely judgment, and I had to take several sanctified steps back. 

I’m glad I continued to read the book because I got so much wealth out of it. This is a book about mindset and will. It’s also about rising up above what’s traditional. Above your surroundings and what you grew up with. What you will learn here are some of the wealth building blocks and necessary components for financial success.

My takeaways from this book: 

Outside of sparking me to start my first calculated venture into investing for passive income, my biggest takeaway was that you can take lessons from anyone and anything—even if you don’t agree with or accept all that they are saying. I appreciate that it was a quick reminder to check my judgment at the door and always give what I wish to receive.

Sometimes, you’re not initially fond of a book, then later on in your growing maturity, you realize it still affected you in a positive and life-changing way. That’s why reading is so important. It’s infinite fuel for life’s trajectory.

3 Transformational Quotes from “Rich Dad, Poor Dad” by Robert Kiyosaki

1. “The single most powerful asset we all have is our mind. If trained well, it can create enormous wealth.”
2. “It’s not how much money you make, but how much money you keep, how hard it works for you, and how many generations you keep it for.”
3. “Don’t let the fear of losing be greater than the excitement of winning.”

These quotes will empower you to embrace financial education, overcome fear, and focus on building lasting wealth to transform your financial and personal lives.