The best books for ambitious entrepreneurs

Why am I passionate about this?

I am a post-exit entrepreneur who writes books and articles about entrepreneur psychology and how to run a business without it running you. At 22, I started an agency that I ran for ten years before selling it in 2021. During that time I made countless mistakes, learned from them, and figured out how to run a successful business while living an extraordinary life. I write about how other entrepreneurs can do the same. I refuse to believe you have to compromise between work and life. I think you can do work that you love while traveling the world, prioritizing health, and having a great time. 


I wrote...

Ten Year Career: Reimagine Business, Design Your Life, Fast Track Your Freedom

By Jodie Cook,

Book cover of Ten Year Career: Reimagine Business, Design Your Life, Fast Track Your Freedom

What is my book about?

Within a decade, you could not need to work. This book shares how to do it. Ten Year Career covers how to define success your way, not their way, how to achieve far more in a shorter space of time, how to run your business without it running you and the four-step framework by which to complete your Ten Year Career.

The book has been described as "A powerful and valuable book to live a life of greater freedom and impact" by Robin Sharma. Derek Sivers, who wrote the foreword, said, "every future millionaire needs this wise perspective."

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The books I picked & why

Book cover of The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich

Jodie Cook Why did I love this book?

When I first read 4-Hour Work Week, I had just started my business and it sparked the idea that I could travel while running it, whereas before I thought I had to choose. The book covers how to optimize your time, become more productive, and ultimately, achieve success on your terms. It introduces ideas and strategies to streamline business operations, emphasizing the importance of delegating tasks and outsourcing. It gives practical advice on how to build an online business, as well as how to manage projects and team members in different locations. I also love the inspiring case studies from successful entrepreneurs around the world. 

By Timothy Ferriss,

Why should I read it?

11 authors picked The 4-Hour Workweek as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

A new, updated and expanded edition of this New York Times bestseller on how to reconstruct your life so it's not all about work

Forget the old concept of retirement and the rest of the deferred-life plan - there is no need to wait and every reason not to, especially in unpredictable economic times. Whether your dream is escaping the rat race, experiencing high-end world travel, earning a monthly five-figure income with zero management, or just living more and working less, this book is the blueprint.

This step-by step guide to luxury lifestyle design teaches:

* How Tim went from…


Book cover of The 5AM Club: Own Your Morning. Elevate Your Life.

Jodie Cook Why did I love this book?

Your morning matters and wasting it is criminal. This book is an invaluable resource for anyone looking to create the best version of themselves, with actionables on how to spend your first waking hours and develop the habits you need to become an effective leader and reach your goals. After reading this book, I become more productive, achieving far more with my working hours. The format is a relatable story, so the messages are clear without it being preachy. Whether or not you choose to wake up at 5AM after reading this book, you will see the benefit for the rest of your day.

By Robin Sharma,

Why should I read it?

3 authors picked The 5AM Club as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Legendary leadership and elite performance expert Robin Sharma introduced The 5am Club concept over twenty years ago, based on a revolutionary morning routine that has helped his clients maximize their productivity, activate their best health and bulletproof their serenity in this age of overwhelming complexity.

      Now, in this life-changing book, handcrafted by the author over a rigorous four-year period, you will discover the early-rising habit that has helped so many accomplish epic results while upgrading their happiness, helpfulness and feelings of aliveness.

      Through an enchanting—and often amusing—story about two struggling strangers who meet an eccentric tycoon who becomes their secret…


Book cover of Unreasonable Success and How to Achieve It: Unlocking the 9 Secrets of People Who Changed the World

Jodie Cook Why did I love this book?

I love this book! The author has studied world-class performers in every field to find trends and share his insights across nine landmarks. After reading, you will feel confident that you have the potential to be one of those high achievers he speaks about! Koch has successfully identified the steps to achieving success and provides a blueprint for how to go about it. This book is full of ideas, insights, and inspiration that will help you realize your own unreasonable success. It's an invaluable resource to anyone looking to make a big impact.

By Richard Koch,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Unreasonable Success and How to Achieve It as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Can We Map Success?

Successful people typically don’t plan their success. Instead they develop a unique philosophy or attitude that works for them. They stumble across strategies which are shortcuts to success, and latch onto them. Events hand them opportunities they could not have anticipated. Often their peers with equal or greater talent fail while they succeed. It is too easy to attribute success to inherent, unstoppable genius.

Bestselling author and serial entrepreneur Richard Koch charts a map of success, identifying the nine key attitudes and strategies can propel anyone to new heights of accomplishment:

Self-belief

Olympian Expectations

Transforming Experiences…


Book cover of The Courage to Be Disliked

Jodie Cook Why did I love this book?

I really like the book The Courage to be Disliked. The conversation format between a philosopher and a student makes it an interesting read and the authors approach controversial subjects like trauma, the past, and parenting. It has been a useful tool for me in understanding when to intervene and when to let go, in work and home scenarios. It has also given me a different perspective on life, and has been an invaluable asset to me as a leader. With a focus on Adlerian psychology but with elements of Stoicism, it’s a solid foundation for ambitious people looking to make their mark.

By Ichiro Kishimi, Fumitake Koga,

Why should I read it?

4 authors picked The Courage to Be Disliked as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

The Japanese phenomenon that teaches us the simple yet profound lessons required to liberate our real selves and find lasting happiness.

The Courage to be Disliked shows you how to unlock the power within yourself to become your best and truest self, change your future and find lasting happiness. Using the theories of Alfred Adler, one of the three giants of 19th century psychology alongside Freud and Jung, the authors explain how we are all free to determine our own future free of the shackles of past experiences, doubts and the expectations of others. It's a philosophy that's profoundly liberating,…


Book cover of Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of Nike

Jodie Cook Why did I love this book?

I highly recommend the book Shoe Dog by Nike founder Phil Knight. It's an inspiring story of how he built one of the world's most successful companies from scratch. His leadership style was particularly interesting (and not always optimal, as he would admit!) and his ability to persevere in the face of doubt and reluctance from suppliers and investors was inspiring. I especially liked how Phil was underestimated time and time again, yet he kept fighting and pushing forward with something he knew could be a success. This is a must-read for any entrepreneur looking for a story of true grit and determination.

By Phil Knight,

Why should I read it?

8 authors picked Shoe Dog as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

'A refreshingly honest reminder of what the path to business success really looks like ... It's an amazing tale' Bill Gates

'The best book I read last year was Shoe Dog, by Nike's Phil Knight. Phil is a very wise, intelligent and competitive fellow who is also a gifted storyteller' Warren Buffett

In 1962, fresh out of business school, Phil Knight borrowed $50 from his father and created a company with a simple mission: import high-quality, low-cost athletic shoes from Japan. Selling the shoes from the boot of his Plymouth, Knight grossed $8000 in his first year. Today, Nike's annual…


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Today Was A Good Day: A Collection of Essays From The Heart Of A Neurosurgeon

By Edward Benzel,

Book cover of Today Was A Good Day: A Collection of Essays From The Heart Of A Neurosurgeon

Edward Benzel Author Of Today Was A Good Day: A Collection of Essays From The Heart Of A Neurosurgeon

New book alert!

Why am I passionate about this?

Coming from the perspective of a neurosurgeon, I have witnessed many successes and failures over more than four decades. I recognized decades ago that communication with patients at a level that involves emotions is a necessary part of being a complete physician. This involves being empathetic and, henceforth, digging deep to find the strength to be transparent, vulnerable, compassionate, understanding, and, when needed, forceful (some would call this paternalism). Although the five books I have chosen to highlight vary widely in content, they have one common theme – finding within us the will and wherewithal to succeed.

Edward's book list on awakening of the strengths that are hidden deep inside each of us

What is my book about?

My book is a collection of monthly Editor-in-Chief letters to the readership of World Neurosurgery, a journal that I edit. Each essay is short and sweet. The letters were written for neurosurgeons but have been re-edited so that they apply to all human beings. They cover topics such as leadership, empathy, vulnerability, stress, burnout, and on and on…. These essays are relevant for all who strive to craft a better version of themselves.

Life lessons learned by the author during his 40+ year neurosurgery career are shared and translated into real-life scenarios. Between the covers are many lessons that are derived from the experiences of the author and then applied to all humans. The mastering of these lessons should translate into a sense of pride and satisfaction. In keeping with the theme of the book, this process should culminate in the feeling at the end of the day that ‘Today was, indeed, a good day.’

Today Was A Good Day: A Collection of Essays From The Heart Of A Neurosurgeon

By Edward Benzel,

What is this book about?

About the Book
Today Was A Good Day: A Collection of Essays From The Heart Of A Neurosurgeon features many topics that pertain to how neurosurgeons interact with others and how each of us can use introspection to modify how we are using tools and strategies such as empathy, respect, stress management, and much more.
This book provides some insights into leadership, effective communication, and fulfillment from the perspective of a neurosurgeon, and it causes the reader to think about and consider many, many attributes of a leader.
We all want to have a good day. This book provides strategies…


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