7 Entrepreneurship books to change your thinking
If you’re anything like me, you know that a well-placed book recommendation can shift the entire trajectory of your life.
These aren’t just books – they’re life manuals, cheat codes, and the kind of content you’ll find yourself coming back to again and again.
Whether you’re looking for the best non-fiction books to expand your knowledge or entrepreneurship books to elevate your business game, this curated list has had the biggest impact on my thinking, my business, and my life.
Trust me – you’ll want to bookmark this one:
Possibly my favourite non-fiction author, provides deep dive into the complexities of human behaviour, one that will make you see the world – and people – in a whole new light.
You might love how it decodes the often-mysterious actions of others, and at times you might hate its unflinching look at human nature, likely because you find truths that reflect yourself. But either way, you’ll walk away with a greater understanding of what really drives us all. I use the learnings from this book every! single! day! if you only read one, read this!
➡️ Category: Psychology, Self-Improvement
🎓What you’ll learn: How to understand the underlying motivations of people, including yourself, to better navigate social dynamics and influence outcomes.
💡Why you need it: Mastering human nature is a superpower – whether you’re negotiating deals or simply trying to understand why people behave the way they do. This book is like an encyclopaedia for human behaviour.
Quote we liked:
- “You must always be prepared to place a bet on yourself, on your ability to overcome adversity and find a way to survive.”
Prepare to confront the uncomfortable reality of how limited our time really is. Some might find this perspective liberating, inspiring even, while others may feel a bit uneasy knowing that our time here is in fact limited. Either way, it’s a perspective you can’t afford to ignore. It truly inspired me to work on what matters and be with those that I feel good with.
➡️ Category: Productivity, Philosophy
🎓What you’ll learn: The average human lifespan is 4,000 weeks, and this book will make you rethink how you spend each one of them. It’s a guide to focusing on what really matters.
💡Why you need it: We all need a reality check on how we use our time. This book is like a wake-up call wrapped in a hug.
Quote we liked:
- “In the end, what you choose to spend your time on is what your life will amount to.”
Steven Bartlett takes you behind the scenes of what it really takes to build a successful business, stripping away the glamor to reveal the grit and struggle. This isn’t a glossy success story – it’s a candid exploration of the ups and downs of entrepreneurship, full of hard-learned lessons.
This brilliant book will challenge your perceptions of what it means to be an entrepreneur and leave you with practical insights you won’t find in typical business books.
➡️ Category: Entrepreneurship, Personal Growth
🎓What you’ll learn: Real insights into the highs and lows of entrepreneurship from someone who’s been there and done that.
💡Why you need it: If you’re dreaming of starting your own business or levelling up in life, Steven Bartlett offers a candid, no-BS account that is both inspiring and practical.
Quote we liked:
- “The things you own end up owning you—invest in experiences, not things.”
This is the book that changed everything for me. I first picked it up while on holiday in St. Lucia, and it completely reshaped how I viewed my businesses. After reading it, I came home, applied the principles, and successfully scaled and sold both of my companies.
The E-Myth Revisited is more than just a guide – it’s a wake-up call for any entrepreneur who’s ever felt overwhelmed by the daily grind.
The beauty of this book is that it pushes you to rethink, restructure, and ultimately succeed. Over the years, I’ve bought countless copies of this book, passing them on to friends and acquaintances in the hope that it helps them achieve what I did.
➡️ Category: Business, Entrepreneurship
🎓What you’ll learn: The difference between working in your business and working on your business, and why scaling is not just about growth but sustainability.
💡Why you need it: Whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting out, this book is a game-changer for understanding how to build a business that works for you.
Idea for thought:
- “If your business depends on you, you don’t own a business – you have a job.”
This book is a masterclass in rethinking how we approach work and life. I’ve read it multiple times, and each time it pushes me to question the traditional notions of productivity.
While I love my work and don’t take the “4-hour workweek” literally, the real power of this book is in its challenge: “If I had only 48 hours to get this done, how would I do it?”
Ferriss teaches you how to deconstruct the unnecessary and focus on what truly moves the needle.
This book will make you re-evaluate how you spend your time and help you design a life that works for you, not the other way around.
➡️ Category: Lifestyle Design, Productivity
🎓What you’ll learn: How to design your life so that you can focus on what you really want to do, while minimising the time spent on what you have to do.
💡Why you need it: This book challenges the conventional work-life balance and shows you how to reclaim your time.
Idea for thought:
- “The timing is never right. ‘Someday’ is a disease that will take your dreams to the grave with you.”
- Find out more about our business coaching services to help you with this.
If you’re a people-watcher like me, this book will feel like a masterclass in human observation. Imagine having the ability to read people like a book.
Written by a former FBI agent who spent his career mastering the art of reading body language; whether you’re negotiating a business deal, navigating social situations, or simply curious about the signals people send, this book provides you with the tools to see beyond words.
You’ll never look at people the same way again….
➡️ Category: Body Language, Communication
🎓What you’ll learn: How to decode the nonverbal cues that people unconsciously give off, and use this knowledge to your advantage in both personal and professional settings.
💡Why you need it: Being able to read body language is like having a superpower in social and business situations, giving you an edge that most people don’t even realise exists.
Idea for thought:
- “The human body is a billboard that broadcasts what is really going on inside a person’s mind.”
Before reading The Third Door, I always thought there were only two options in any situation:
1. either go through the main entrance or
2. stay stuck outside.
As far as personal development books go, this book shattered my beliefs by introducing me to the idea that there’s always a third way – a path less obvious but often more rewarding.
Alex Banayan’s relentless optimism and determination to find this elusive “third door” redefines what it means to pursue success.
This book will push you to think outside the box and explore possibilities you never knew existed. It’s a game-changer for anyone who feels stuck within the confines of traditional paths.
➡️ Category: Personal Development, Entrepreneurship
🎓What you’ll learn: The concept that there’s always an alternative path to success – a “third door” – that most people overlook.
💡Why you need it: If you’ve ever felt stuck or limited by traditional options, this book will open your eyes to the endless possibilities that exist if you’re willing to think creatively.
Idea for thought:
- “When you change what you believe is possible, you change what becomes possible.”
There you have it – seven game-changing books that will make you think, inspire you, and give you the tools you need to take your life to the next level; they certainly helped me!
Whether you’re looking to optimise your time, build better habits, or understand the complex nature of power and human behaviour, these books have you covered.
For something more hands-on don’t hesitate to check out our one-to-one coaching.
❤️ Happy reading! 📘
Full disclosure: I may earn a small commission if you purchase these books through my links, but rest assured, I’ve read every single one, loved them, and only recommend those that genuinely changed the game for me.
