The Wisdom That Changed My Life: 11 Must-Read Books

Last month I celebrated my 59th.

It had me reflecting on the biggest influences that rerouted my path, especially the books that shaped my mindset, my career, my health, and even my view of the universe.

These aren’t just books I enjoyed.

They are turning points that literally changed how I live.

Some helped me become a better teacher, others taught me discipline and financial independence, and a few opened up my sense of purpose.

Here’s the list in the same order I cover them, with a personal note on why each mattered to me.

Mindset, Self-Discovery

Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff, Richard Carlson

I stumbled into this book in 1997 after literally knocking over a stack of them in Barnes & Noble. It sparked my lifelong love of self-help. Its short chapters and practical reminders taught me to let go of stress and focus on what actually matters, which helped me lead my teams (and my life) with a clearer head.

You’ll See It When You Believe It, Wayne Dyer This is the book I’ve re-read more than any other, sometimes daily for weeks at a time. Dyer’s lessons on manifestation and the “seven attachments” helped me release ego, control, and the need to be right, which created more peace and focus in every area of my life.

Stumbling on Happiness, Daniel Gilbert Gilbert proves we’re never as happy or as sad as we think we’ll be, because we can’t fully predict our future selves. This freed me from chasing perfection and helped me embrace the journey, knowing joy comes more from growth than from reaching the finish line.

Storytelling, Career Transformation

Made to Stick, Chip and Dan Heath A dearly-departed friend gifted me this book in December 2007, and it completely changed how I thought about communication. Its framework for making ideas memorable became the foundation of my Interview Intervention methodology, and eventually the blueprint for the storytelling systems I still teach today.

Interview Intervention, Yours Truly I wrote this book in just five weeks at the end of 2011, and it completely transformed my career. For the first time, I captured years of coaching into a system anyone could use, and that was the first official step that turned me from recruiter to teacher to author.

Choice, Goals, Perspective 

This Is Water, David Foster Wallace This slim book, adapted from a 2005 commencement speech, is one of the most powerful I’ve read. Wallace’s simple but profound message, that you can choose what to think about, has reshaped how I approach daily life, teaching me to stay present and compassionate in the middle of life’s noise. It also served at the stimulation for the next book on this list.

Out of Reach But in Sight, Me Again Born from a keynote I gave to scholarship students, I turned the speech into a book. Capturing timeless lessons on setting and pursuing goals, it later evolved into my Goal Setting Masterclass and proved how small steps can inspire big transformations.

Wealth, Health

The Millionaire Next Door, Thomas Stanley and William Danko At 30, this book confirmed that wealth is built through discipline, not high income. It cemented my lifelong approach of living below my means, investing early, and building habits that would later help me achieve financial independence and peace of mind.

Good Energy, Casey Means Of the 70+ health books I’ve read, this one had the most immediate impact on my life. Understanding metabolic health and cutting refined sugars, refined grains, and seed oils gave me more energy, clarity, and resilience than I thought possible. I’ve felt sharper and healthier ever since.

My Life’s Work, Beyond 

The Zebra Code, The New Me This is my most ambitious book, and easily the toughest project I’ve ever taken on. It demanded every ounce of experience, discipline, and creativity I had, but it also gave me the chance to share the full methodology I believe can help any professional thrive.

Journey of Souls, Michael Newton This book opened my mind to ideas about past and future lives, whether you take them literally or not. It gave me a new lens for thinking about purpose, why I might be wired the way I am, and how being open to bigger questions can deepen the way you live today.

These aren’t just books on a shelf.

They’re turning points in my story.

Please add any of these to your own shelf that speak to you.

Maybe they can be turning points in your story too!

If you'd like to build a great career and lead a rewarding life, check out some of these other places where I share my teachings:

1. Check out the milewalk Academy, my coaching and training site, for freemiums and premiums.

2. I have hundreds of educational and inspirational videos on my YouTube Channel.

3. Grab any of my four books related to career development, interviewing, hiring, and goal setting. All can be found on my Amazon Author Page.

4. Follow me on Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter (X), TikTok, Threads, and Facebook.

5. Stay in touch with me in your email inbox by joining my newsletter here!

--Andy