Ten Books That Shaped My Journey
Books aren't just things to collect, but vessels of wisdom with the power to transform us.

Ten Books That Shaped My Journey

I LOVE books. There’s something magical about them.

They’re not just objects to collect, but vessels of wisdom with the power to transform us.

My love for diving into the pages, soaking up the knowledge, and sharing it forward has always been a passion.

Many books had an impact, but a few have truly shaped my journey.

I wanted to share some of the books that had a powerful impact on my life and on my practice as a coach.

I hope you find them to be inspiring and impactful as well.

Here are 10 of my favorites...


1. "The Untethered Soul" by Michael Singer

I first read this book early on in my spiritual journey, and it is still one of my very favorites. It opened my eyes to the boundless freedom I had within.

It’s an exploration into freeing ourselves from thoughts and emotions, to discover a place of inner peace and liberation. It’s about the essence of consciousness and the journey of self-discovery.

It’s about learning to let go and embrace the divine order of things.


2. "Creator" by Steve Chandler

Another one of my favorite books. It explores the power of shifting our mindset from being a victim of circumstances to the creators of our reality.

The book emphasizes taking responsibility for our actions, decisions, and their outcomes, by leaning into a proactive approach to life and its challenges.


3. "Conversations with God" by Neale Donald Walsch

I like to describe this book by saying it’s simultaneously about everything, and one thing.

It challenges traditional beliefs about the divine, our place in the universe, the purpose of life, love, and the journey.

One of my very favorite quotes from the book is “Thoughts are the language of the mind, feelings are the language of the soul.”


4. "Bending Reality" by Victoria Song

Another one of my favorites, this book transformed my approach to achieving personal goals, and how I work with clients. It’s all about transforming our inner landscape to manifest our external reality.

It explores into the principles of quantum physics, the power of intuition, and the importance of our energetic state in creating and manifesting our dreams.

I love how it’s a blend of science, spirituality, and personal development.


5. "The Upanishads"

After reading many books on spirituality, I came to realize the essence of what I was studying could be traced back to the ancient Vedic texts. This sparked my curiosity and led me to the Upanishads.

The Upanishads capture ancient wisdom that forms the spiritual foundation of Hindu philosophy.

They are a series of texts that offer profound insights into the nature of reality, self, our ultimate union with source, and the interconnectedness of all existence.


6. "Coach the Person, Not the Problem" by Marcia Reynolds

This was an impactful book on my journey to deepen my coaching practice.

It emphasizes the importance and power of coaching individuals holistically – focusing on their unique perspectives, strengths, and motivations – rather than surface-level issues.

It’s about peeling away the layers, going deeper, and truly understanding our clients’ core values, blind spots, and inner-most motivations.


7. "Atomic Habits" by James Clear

Atomic Habits is all about the power of adopting habits to embrace small incremental change for exponential impact.

However, what really resonated for me in this book was on a deeper level – the importance and power of creating identity-based habits. How lasting, sustainable change begins with a shift in self-perception.

When we focus on who we wish to become, we are able to create habits that align with our desired identity, leading to powerful and sustainable transformation.


8. "The E-Myth Revisited" by Michael Gerber

I read this book early on when I started my first business, and it completely shifted my mindset and how I showed up as an entrepreneur.

It’s a must read for any coach or solopreneur. The major takeaway is the crucial distinction between working on your business versus in your business.


9. "Playing to Win: How Strategy Really Works" by A.G. Lafley and Roger Martin

I first read this book during my MBA program, and it really resonated with me.

It’s a book written about strategy based on Proctor & Gamble’s successful practices, but it equally applies to solopreneurs and small businesses as well.

It offers a five-step framework that makes strategy both accessible and actionable through five questions: What is our winning aspiration? Where will we play? How will we win? What capabilities must we have? What management systems are required?


10. "Verses on the Faith Mind" by the Third Zen Patriarch

I was surprised when this book arrived, as it is only 12 pages! Despite its size, it remains one of the most profound books I’ve read.

It’s a series of short, poetic verses that capture the essence of transcending dualistic thought and embracing the present moment. It offers a deeper understanding of the true nature and interconnectedness of all.

It’s about maintaining a state of openness and equanimity, regardless of circumstances, to create a reality that fosters inner peace and a path to enlightenment.


Each one of these books had a powerful impact on my life and journey.

And I'm curious to know... what books have shaped YOUR journey in a powerful way?

What ONE book would you recommend to others?



Chantal Carter

Founder, Love & Nudes

7mo

I looove books too! There is much I have read and still have to read.

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Lori Pieper

Taking women from Blah to Bliss with Inner Joy Coaching. Plus, increase your productivity, relationships, and office survivability with Chopra's signature Primordial Sound Meditation.

8mo

WOW! Love this post! I also love to read. I also read the Upanishads. It was a requirement for both my yoga teacher training and my Chopra Primordial Sound meditation teacher training. A lot of wisdom there. I am currently reading Conversations with God. This answers so many of the questions that the priests, nuns and teachers in my catholic upbringing couldn't answer. But, I understand because it would be heresy. WHAT? No purgatory? 😍 I have The Untethered Soul here at my desk and that's next up. A book that I love and have read recently, is "A Happy Pocketful of Money". It talks about the physics of manifestation as well and how and why intentions and your words can either help you or sabotage you. It's not just about money, but more about abundance. Being a big Deepak Chopra fan and follower, I love many of his books. They are all impactful. Everything from "You are the Universe", to "The Seven Spiritual Laws" to the "Future of God". (A fun one is "The Return of Merlin". I think that's the name of it.) Books like The Biology of Belief, Bliss Brain, The Field, etc., were my intros into what science has to say about the truths of what ancient sages have been telling us all along. 😁

Kaley Chu

TEDx, Keynote & Motivational Speaker | Author | Business Coach for speakers and aspiring speakers | Founder & CEO at 100 Lunches & 100 Speakers| 40 under 40 Business Elite | People Connector

8mo

I resonate with your deep love for books. They truly hold the power to transform us and shape our journey. Your passion for sharing knowledge is inspiring. Thank you for sharing your impactful book list. 💜

Sally Lotz

Book Coach - Helping High-Earning Coaches & Consultants Write Books That Build Authority, Attract Clients, and Land Speaking Gigs—All in 90 Days

8mo

This is a great list. And this proves that Books can change lives. I have two books that I recommend to people a lot because I’m a writer, I like Stephen King’s book on writing. And the other book I like Jen Sincero’s - You’re a Badass.

Jane Tabachnick

I help consultants create impact and scale by authoring a book. 📌📌 Book Mentor | Indie Publisher for changemakers and visionaries | Book Launch Consultant | Author | Speaker

8mo

I love seeing books that have impacted you Justin. I have read some of these great books, and am adding a few to my 'must read' list. Thank you for the recommendations. A few that come to mind that have made a difference for me are The Go-Giver, Pitch Anything, and Delivering Happiness.

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