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High Performacne

Mindset & Mental Performance

Books in this category

The subtle art of not giving a f*ck

By Mark Manson

This book flips the usual self-help script on its head: instead of “care more,” Manson argues that clarity comes from caring less about trivial things and investing your limited energy in what truly matters. Through blunt humor and real-world examples, he shows how embracing life’s struggles—not avoiding them—builds resilience, purpose, and genuine happiness.

Why You Should Read It: If you’re overwhelmed by endless to-dos, drowning in other people’s expectations, or chasing fleeting positivity, this book will challenge you to reevaluate your values. It’s a must for anyone seeking focus, grit, and a more authentic path to fulfilment.

3 Key Takeaways:

Choose Your “F*cks” Wisely – You have a finite supply of attention and care. Prioritize causes, relationships, and projects that align with your core values—and let go of the rest.
Embrace the Struggle – Pain, failure, and disappointment are inevitable. Leaning into discomfort fosters growth; running from it only deepens your problems.
Values Define Your Life – It’s not what happens to you but how you interpret and respond to it. Anchor yourself to healthy, reality-based values (like honesty or responsibility) rather than external measures of success.

a new earth

By Eckhart Tolle

This book is a deep and reflective guide to moving beyond ego and stepping into a more conscious, present way of living. Tolle helps you see how identification with thought, status, and achievement can block inner peace.

Why You Should Read It: If you find yourself overthinking, chasing outcomes, or stuck in old narratives, this book will help you come back to what matters—presence, peace, and purpose.

3 Key Takeaways:

1. Live in the Now: Happiness isn’t found in past achievements or future goals—it’s right here, in the present moment.
2. Detach from Ego: You are not your job title, your thoughts, or your accomplishments. Freedom begins when you stop identifying with them.
3. Give What You Want: Want love? Give love. Want happiness? Share it. Abundance comes from contribution, not control.

man's search for meaning

By Viktor E. Frankl

This classic is one of the most powerful books I’ve ever read.

This book is a profound exploration of human resilience and purpose. Viktor Frankl, a Holocaust survivor and psychiatrist, shares his experiences in Nazi concentration camps and reveals how finding meaning in suffering can help us endure even the most unimaginable hardships.

Why You Should Read It: If you’re seeking deeper purpose or struggling with adversity, this book offers profound insights on resilience, meaning, and the power of the human spirit to overcome even the darkest moments.

3 Key Takeaways:

The Power of Purpose – Those who found meaning in their suffering were more likely to survive. A sense of purpose fuels resilience.
Freedom in How We Respond – Even when we can’t control our circumstances, we can always choose our response. This is the essence of true freedom.
Suffering as a Path to Growth – Pain and adversity can be transformed into personal growth when we assign meaning to our struggles.

Mindset: The New Psychology of Success

By Dr Carol S. Dweck

This is one of my favorite books. It completely reshapes how I think about talent, effort, and learning.

Carol Dweck introduces the concept of fixed vs. growth mindsets and how our beliefs about intelligence and ability impact success. She explains that by embracing a growth mindset—believing we can improve through effort and learning—we unlock greater achievement in work, relationships, and personal growth.

Why You Should Read It: If you want to break through limitations and achieve more in any area of life, this book will help you shift your mindset from fixed to growth—unlocking your full potential through effort, learning, and resilience.

3 Key Takeaways:

Fixed vs. Growth Mindset – People with a fixed mindset see abilities as static, while those with a growth mindset believe in improvement through effort.
The Power of "Yet" – Adding yet to statements like "I can't do this... yet" shifts perspective from limitation to potential.
Failure as a Learning Tool – Challenges and setbacks help us grow rather than define our limits

The power of your subconscious mind

By Dr Joseph Murphy

I randomly picked up this book, and it’s life-changing—quite literally.

This book explores how the subconscious mind shapes our reality and how we can harness its power to transform our lives. Dr. Murphy combines psychology, spirituality, and practical techniques to help readers reprogram their thoughts for success, health, and happiness.

Why You Should Read It: If you’ve ever felt stuck in negative thought patterns or self-doubt, this book offers powerful tools to shift your mindset and unlock your full potential.

3 Key Takeaways:

Thoughts Become Reality – What we repeatedly think and believe manifests in our lives.
Repetition & Visualization – Affirmations and mental imagery can rewire the subconscious.
Faith Over Fear – Trusting in positive outcomes removes mental barriers and unlocks potential.

The Psychology of money: timeless lessons on wealth, greed, and happiness

By Morgan Housel

I’ve read plenty of finance books—after all, I used to make investment decisions for a living.

Morgan Housel explains that financial success isn’t just about knowledge—it’s about behavior. Our mindset around money plays a bigger role than intelligence or technical skill.

Why You Should Read It: If you want to build lasting wealth and make smarter financial decisions, this book will help you understand how mindset and behavior—rather than intelligence or math—determine financial success.

3 Key Takeaways:

The Role of Psychology in Wealth – How we think about money is often more important than how much we know. Managing emotions and staying consistent matters more than picking the perfect investment.
The Power of Long-Term Thinking – Wealth isn’t built through quick wins, but by patience, discipline, and letting compounding work in your favor.
Enough is a Powerful Concept – Chasing more without defining “enough” can lead to bad financial decisions. Understanding when you have what you need leads to greater satisfaction and security.

The Whole-Brain Child: 12 Revolutionary Strategies to Nurture Your Child's Developing Mind

By Daniel J. Siegel & Tina Payne Bryson

This book changed how I think about parenting and emotional intelligence. Siegel and Bryson explain how a child’s brain develops and offer practical strategies to help kids manage emotions, build resilience, and thrive.

Why You Should Read It: If you want to help children develop emotional intelligence and resilience, this book provides science-backed strategies to nurture their growing minds in a way that fosters balance, understanding, and lifelong well-being.

3 Key Takeaways:

Left Brain + Right Brain Work Best Together – Logic (left brain) and emotions (right brain) need to be integrated. Helping children make sense of their feelings fosters emotional intelligence.
Connection Before Correction – When kids are upset, responding with empathy first (rather than just discipline) helps them feel understood and more open to learning.
The Power of Storytelling – Encouraging kids to tell stories about their experiences helps them process emotions and develop self-awareness.

twilight of the idols

By Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzche

Nietzsche’s Twilight of the Idols is a direct challenge to conventional thinking. He critiques societal norms, comfort, and traditional morality, pushing readers to embrace struggle and forge their own path. His philosophy is a wake-up call for anyone seeking true growth.

Why You Should Read It: If you’re looking to sharpen your mindset, question assumptions, and develop resilience, Nietzsche’s insights will push you to think differently about challenges, growth, and self-mastery.

3 Key Takeaways:

1. Comfort is the Enemy of Growth – Nietzsche argues that avoiding hardship leads to stagnation. True strength comes from confronting challenges head-on.
2. Question Everything – He urges us to critically examine our beliefs, societal structures, and inherited ideas instead of blindly accepting them.
3. Will to Power – Growth isn’t just about survival; it’s about striving for excellence, pushing boundaries, and continuously evolving.

The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment

By Eckhart Tolle

This book is a powerful guide to breaking free from the mental noise that keeps us stuck in past regrets and future anxieties. Tolle’s message is simple yet profound—true peace comes from embracing the present moment and letting go of the stories we tell ourselves.

Why You Should Read It: If you find yourself constantly overwhelmed by thoughts or stuck in a cycle of worry, this book offers a practical way to reclaim your peace of mind and live more intentionally.

3 Key Takeaways:

1. Live in the Now: Happiness isn’t found in past achievements or future goals—it’s right here, in the present moment.
2. Observe Your Mind: Detach from your thoughts and recognize that you are not your mind—practice mindfulness to gain clarity and inner calm.
3. Transcend the Ego: Let go of the need to control everything, and experience life without the weight of constant judgment and comparison.

Productivity Hacks

write a poem—yes, really!

We rush through the day reacting to everything—emails, messages, meetings. Poetry invites you to pause. To feel. To translate emotion into words. It’s not about being “good”—it’s about being present and human.

It might be four lines about your morning coffee or a single sentence about a moment that moved you. The act of writing a poem—even badly—grounds you in reflection.

Why This Works:

- Slows the Mind: Shifting into creative mode moves you out of reactive autopilot.
- Builds Emotional Awareness: You start noticing and naming what you feel.
- Reinforces Presence: Writing forces stillness—something rare in a noisy world.

How to Apply:

- Pick a Time: Mornings or evenings are ideal. Make it part of your routine.
- Keep It Short: Just a few lines. No pressure to be clever.
- Use Prompts: Try starting with “Today I noticed…” or “Right now I feel…”
- Share It: With a friend, partner, or even a team—it invites real connection.

Review Three Good Things Each Night

It’s easy to let one rough moment define the whole day. Instead, build a habit of reviewing three good things each night—no matter how small.

It might be a smile from your child, a moment of calm, or finishing that one email you were dreading. Naming the good rewires your memory toward balance and gratitude.

Why This Works:

- Retrains Focus: You start noticing positive details, not just problems.
- Shapes the Narrative: Your remembering self recalls the full picture, not just the peak stress.
- Supports Emotional Recovery: A gentle close to the day improves mental reset for tomorrow.

How to Apply:

- Do It at Night: Write or say three good things before bed.
- Keep It Simple: No pressure—small wins count.
- Involve Others: Try it with your kids, partner, or team for a shared boost.
- Repeat Often: The more you do it, the more your brain looks for the good in the moment.

create your own motto

Most of us have an internal dialogue running all day. What if you could intentionally shape that voice to be your biggest ally? That’s where a personal motto comes in—a simple phrase you repeat to stay focused, grounded, and energized.

Think of it as a mental shortcut. It helps you stay calm under pressure, reframe negative thoughts, and lead yourself with intention.

Why This Works:

- Builds Mental Resilience: Gives you a go-to phrase when stress or doubt hits.
- Sharpens Focus: Keeps your mind aligned with your goals and values.
- Promotes Positivity: Shapes your inner voice into one that uplifts and motivates.

How to Apply:

Listen First: Notice what you say to yourself in tough moments—are those words helping or hurting?
Pick a Phrase: Choose something short and meaningful. Something like: “I'm exactly where I am.” or “What am I learning.”
Use It Daily: Say it in the mirror, write it on a Post-it, repeat it during stress. Let it become your mental anchor.

Count to 5 and do it

Hesitation kills momentum, and overthinking leads to inaction. The 5-Second Rule, coined by Mel Robbins, is a simple trick: when you feel resistance, count down from five—5-4-3-2-1—then move. This interrupts doubt and forces immediate action before fear creeps in. It's a brain hack that shifts you from autopilot hesitation to decisive movement.

Why This Matters

- It eliminates overthinking—your brain doesn’t get time to talk you out of it.
- It builds confidence—small actions compound into bigger wins.
- It rewires your mindset—taking action becomes your default, not hesitation.
- It creates momentum—once you start, continuing is easier than stopping.

If you’ve ever waited to “feel ready,” this rule proves you don’t need to—you just need to start.

How to Apply:

- When doubt kicks in, immediately count down from 5 and act.
- Test it on small tasks first—sending that email, making a call, getting out of bed.
- Use it for decisions—stop debating and just move forward.

Take Micro Actions

Big goals often feel overwhelming, which leads to procrastination. Instead of waiting for motivation, break the goal into tiny, manageable steps. A small step—just 1% of the effort—is enough to create momentum. Progress isn’t about giant leaps; it’s about consistent forward motion.

Why This Matters

- It reduces overwhelm—small steps feel achievable, making action easier.
- It creates progress—movement, no matter how small, prevents stagnation.
- It shifts your identity—you become someone who does, not just someone who plans.
- It removes excuses—there’s always time for one small step.

The hardest part is starting. A micro action makes that first step almost effortless.

How to Apply:

- Set the bar low—so low that starting is ridiculously easy.
- Instead of “write a report,” start with “write one sentence”.
- Instead of “work out,” commit to one push-up.

Journaling for Clarity

Your mind is a noisy place, and when thoughts stay bottled up, stress builds. Journaling provides an outlet to untangle your thoughts, recognize patterns, and gain self-awareness. Writing forces clarity—you see your fears, frustrations, and ambitions in black and white. It’s not about perfection; it’s about externalizing what’s on your mind.

Why This Matters

- It clears mental clutter—unwritten thoughts take up space.
- It reveals patterns—track what drains or energizes you.
- It deepens self-awareness—your journal reflects your growth over time.
- It reduces stress—writing about worries makes them less overwhelming.

A journal isn’t just a record of your days—it’s a roadmap to who you are becoming.

How to Apply:

Write without judgment—set a 5-minute timer and just brain-dump.
Try prompts like: What’s on my mind? What’s one win today? What am I avoiding?
Track patterns—notice what emotions or thoughts repeat over time.

Pause, Breathe, Imagine

Reacting on impulse often leads to regret. But in the space between stimulus and response, there’s power. Taking a moment to pause, breathe, and imagine helps you reset before reacting. This simple habit shifts you from reactive to intentional in high-pressure moments.

Why This Matters

- It prevents regret—you respond, rather than react.
- It reduces stress—deep breathing resets your nervous system.
- It strengthens emotional intelligence—awareness leads to better choices.
- It improves communication—measured responses build trust and respect.

Master this, and you gain control over how you show up in any situation.

Bonus Tip

The next time you feel anxious, stressed, worried, angry or any emotion, turn your focus to your breath. Notice what happens and realize you are in control.

How to Apply:

- Before reacting, pause for five seconds—breathe in deeply, then exhale slowly.
- Mentally ask: What’s the best version of me do in this moment?
- Practice in low-stakes situations first—then use it in high-stress moments.

Reframe Self-Talk: “Not Yet”

The way you talk to yourself shapes what you believe you can do. Instead of saying “I can’t do this,” shift to “I can’t do this… YET.” This small tweak, rooted in Carol Dweck’s research on growth mindset, changes frustration into potential. It rewires your brain to see challenges as opportunities, not dead ends.

Why This Matters

- It removes self-limiting beliefs—your skills are developed, not fixed.
- It builds resilience—setbacks become part of progress, not proof of failure.
- It fuels persistence—when you believe in future growth, you keep going.

Growth is about progress, not perfection—and language shapes that belief.

Bonus Tip

We talk to ourselves more than anyone, ever. So why not talk to ourselves like we deserve? Saying the word 'yet' emphasises possibility, opportunity and self-belief.

How to Apply:

- Catch negative self-talk—every time you say “I can’t,” add “… yet.”
- Track progress—write down one way you’ve improved in the last 30 days.
- Use it with others—encourage teammates, friends, or kids with a growth mindset.

Schedule Your Worry Time

Overthinking hijacks your day, making small problems feel bigger. Instead of letting worries consume your mind, give them a designated time—literally schedule when you’ll worry. When intrusive thoughts come up, tell yourself: “I’ll deal with this at 4 PM.” This stops endless rumination and keeps you in control.

Why This Matters

- It contains anxiety—worry doesn’t dominate your whole day.
- It strengthens focus—you stay present in the moment.
- It turns worry into problem-solving—dedicated time means structured thinking.
- It builds discipline—you train your mind to let go until it’s time.

Your thoughts don’t control you—you control when and how you engage with them.

How to Apply:

- Pick a 10-minute worry window (e.g., 4:30–4:40 PM).
- When an anxious thought arises, write it down and remind yourself to revisit it later.
- If it’s still a problem at your worry time, address it—if not, let it go.

Videos to consider watching

"Don't Try" -- Life-changing Lessons of Charles Bukowski

Authenticity—it’s rare in today’s world of polished self-help and endless optimization.

In this video, Mark Manson breaks down Charles Bukowski’s raw, unapologetic approach to life. No fluff. No filters. Just brutal honesty about success, suffering, and being real.

Bukowski didn’t chase status or pretend to be something he wasn’t. He wrote, drank, failed, and kept showing up—on his own terms.

Change your mindset, change the game | Dr. Alia Crum | TEDxTraverseCity

Stress—it's part of our lives.

This TED Talk by Dr. Alia Crum completely shifted how I think about stress,and I want to share it with you.

Dr. Crum explains how our perceptions and thoughts about stress canactually shape the way our bodies respond to it.

I love the milkshake experiment, and I'm sure you will too.

Developing a Growth Mindset with Carol Dweck

As we focus on words and perceptions this week, I want to share this insightful talk from Stanford Alumni by the one and only—Dr. Carol Dweck.

In this short clip, Dr. Dweck breaks down her research on mindset and reveals how the words we use can shape our abilities, resilience, and success. It’s a powerful reminder that small shifts in language can lead to big changes in life.

How humanity got hooked on coffee - Jonathan Morris

Do you like coffee?

I came across this TED-Ed video on the history of coffee—and it’s only 5minutes long!

If you’ve ever wondered where the word Mocha comes from, it’s fromYemen—where I was born and raised. Enjoy!

Jacob Collier & Chris Martin - Fix You (Live from the O2 Arena)

I love music not just for how it sounds, but for how it makes me

feel. If you haven’t heard of Jacob Collier, this short clip will change that. This video is a testament to how we might be great on our own, but we are incredible together.

Turn up the volume. Sit back. And enjoy this masterpiece.

Jacob is a true genius.

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