4 Books that Changed my Life

Throughout my whole years in school (and even years after graduation) I was a horrible reader. 

In fact, I hated it.

Partially due to how damn boring reading was to me.

Maybe, also because the books assigned by teachers weren't interesting, like literally at all.

I also hated writing

And gym class.

But, here I am.

Reading, writing and helping other people get in shape.

It’s funny, because if you knew me back in the day, you might remember me as someone who was terrified during kickball. 

I would literally run away from the ball as it was kicked towards the field I desperately did not want to be in.

I was forced to take an extra class during lunch period (the only time I had to myself) in middle school.

Probably for a good reason. My English teacher realized I was a bad reader.

Or, maybe just an uninterested reader. Both were true.

And then recommended I take this class to help with that.

5 years later,

I’m in my junior year of high school.

I’m in English class. The first step of the assignment was to pick a book out. 

And no, we couldn’t pick some middle school level book.

2 weeks have gone by since we were assigned this simple task.

And I bring back, “The Hunger Games.” LOL. The Hunger Games as my end of the year book assignment. 

My teacher laughed at my book selection in a disappointed & sarcastic tone and said “Really?”

Truth is, I procrastinated til the very last minute and had brought in “The Hunger Games” from somewhere in the back of my closet from when I had to read it in 7th grade. 

I was not a great student. Sure, teachers liked me because I wasn’t a trouble maker. But, they knew I was not a great learner. 

And they definitely knew I wasn’t interested in what they were teaching.

Yes, English isn’t the only subject I struggled with.

Math, science, history, gym and all the rest. 

The only class I did really well in was 12th grade history. And it wasn’t because I was really interested in US History, but because my teacher was hilarious and gave extra credit for taking notes in the homework assignments. 

He was smart. Because you bet your ass us students would take the extra couple points by silly note taking in the homeworks. Which, in turn, made the final exams incredibly easy.

Tricking us to get a few extra points so that way we’d do very well in the final exams!

Genius.

But, this isn’t about my years in school.

Or, me being a C student. 

It’s about 7 books that I read last year that changed my life. (and, can seriously change your life.)

#1. “How to Win Friends and Influence People”

Question for you: What do you think the number one quality in a successful person is?

Many would say ambition.

Or, a college degree. 

Sure, these two things are definitely seen in most successful people.

But, the number one quality is emotional intelligence. 

The ability to read people, communicate in an effective way differing from person to person, and to truly be able to see things from the other person's point of view.

“How to Win Friends and Influence People” shows why having emotional intelligence is crucial in forming real connections and getting people to be interested in you are two things you must need to propel your business into success.

#2. “Rich Dad Poor Dad”

“Rich Dad Poor Dad” is one of the most read business books of all time.

Some people think that it’s just another one of those books written by a rich person promising success if you just “do this!” 

It’s more than that.

Before reading “Rich Dad Poor Dad” I knew that I wanted to run my own business. 

And to not have to rely on getting a college degree just to have a “secure” job that pays “well enough!”

“Secure” and “well enough.” are two words I cannot stand. 

“Rich Dad Poor Dad” opened up my eyes and gave me the reassurance that I needed by explaining that yes, you can totally “make it” by working for yourself and not having to rely on getting a degree for a “stable” job.

#3: “Can’t Hurt Me”

I’m only halfway through this one, but I already know by the end of it, it would’ve made it high on the list.

David Goggins tells the story about his childhood, teenage years, and everything that led up to the machine he created himself to be today.

Long story short, his childhood and teenage years sucked.

Like, really, really sucked. Worse than you can imagine.

He was overweight, didn’t do well in school, and couldn’t swim. (and, a lot more worse and serious shit.)

Now, he’s one of the most respected people in the world and a retired Navy SEAL.

What I got from the book so far is that you can truly overpower whatever limit you mind always sets on you. You can make drastic changes in your life, who you are as a person, be successful, by putting in the effort to change your mindset and really push the needle to max capacity.

He gives you confidence that yes, you can (and should) do it (whatever it is you want to accomplish) as long as you put in the effort, and then some, and then some more. The rewards are incredible.

#4: “Profit First”

Profit First is THE business book for both big and small entrepreneurs that want their business to succeed, stay successful by putting profit first.

What I learned from this book is incredible. 

Put your profit over expenses. What a concept that seems like such common knowledge, but what most people tend to not think about! It’s one of the reason why so many businesses fail!

One thing I will never forget from “Profit First” is that your expenses should have their own bank account. And that you should always pay yourself first. If you can’t pay yourself first, then there is something wrong with your business model, and the solution most likely isn’t to spend more.

And, his writing his hilarious.

Well, that’s it. 4 books that have completely changed my life, how I was a C student in high school and that I hated gym class!

If you have any book recommendations, please reach out and let me know! Luciano.Capitano.Coach@gmail.com