The ONE Thing 535. 10 Books That Changed My Life (And Why I Give Them Away)
Jay Papasan reveals ten transformative books that have deeply influenced his life. He explains the concept of a 'sacred shelf' and why he gifts specific titles. Discover how 'The War of Art' motivates creatives, while 'Managing Oneself' helps redefine personal mastery. Learn the stoic principles in 'The Obstacle Is the Way' and the financial insights from 'The Psychology of Money.' Plus, tips on strategic giving from Adam Grant and the life-changing impact of small habits from Admiral McRaven's teachings. Find out how to select your next essential read!
33:51
Battle Resistance By Showing Up
- Do treat Resistance as the enemy and show up to your craft every day to battle it.
- Commit to the long haul and perform professional habits like showing up no matter what.
Use Feedback Analysis To Find Strengths
- Do use feedback analysis: write expected outcomes for key decisions and compare results months later.
- Track patterns in energy and tasks to discover strengths and what fills your cup.
Obstacles Are Source Of Strength
- Obstacles often contain the lessons and strength needed to achieve extraordinary results.
- How we perceive and react to obstacles matters more than the obstacles themselves.
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Intro
00:00 • 1min
Why he keeps a 'sacred shelf' of books
01:07 • 10sec
The War of Art: battling resistance
01:17 • 4min
Managing Oneself: feedback analysis habit
05:06 • 3min
The Obstacle Is the Way: stoic approach
07:43 • 2min
On Writing: Stephen King's craft and habit
09:50 • 3min
The Psychology of Money: defining enough
12:29 • 3min
Your First 1,000 Copies: email as foundation
15:03 • 3min
Ad break
18:20 • 37sec
Give and Take: strategic giving wins
18:57 • 4min
The Simple Path to Wealth: compounding clarity
22:52 • 3min
Make Your Bed: small habits, big impact
25:22 • 3min
The Boy, The Mole, The Fox, The Horse: gentle wisdom
28:43 • 2min
How to choose the book you need now
30:58 • 1min
Outro
32:22 • 26sec
#78054
First 1,000 Copies
Your Step-by-Step Guide to Marketing Your Book
Tim Grahl
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#1624
• Mentioned in 21 episodes
Make Your Bed
Little Things That Can Change Your Life and Maybe the World
Admiral William H McRaven
Based on his viral commencement speech at the University of Texas at Austin, Admiral William H. McRaven's book 'Make Your Bed' outlines ten life lessons learned during his Navy SEAL training.
These lessons, such as starting your day with a completed task, measuring a person by the size of their heart, and not backing down from challenges, are designed to inspire readers to build discipline, resilience, and a positive attitude.
The book uses personal anecdotes and stories from McRaven's military career to illustrate how these simple yet powerful principles can lead to a more meaningful and impactful life.
#155
• Mentioned in 112 episodes
On Writing
A Memoir of the Craft
Stephen King
This book is both a memoir and a writing guide.
It details Stephen King's life, from his childhood and early writing endeavors to his struggles with addiction and his near-fatal accident in 1999.
The book is divided into sections that cover King's life ('C. V.
'), the nature of writing ('What Writing Is'), writing mechanics ('Toolbox'), his advice on the craft ('On Writing'), and his recovery from the accident ('On Living: A Postscript').
King offers practical tips on writing, including the importance of vocabulary, grammar, and style, as well as the need for consistent writing routines and ruthless editing.
He emphasizes that good writing comes from within, driven by curiosity, wonder, and emotional honesty rather than commercial motives.
#25
• Mentioned in 276 episodes
The War of Art
Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles
Steven Pressfield
In 'The War of Art', Steven Pressfield identifies the internal force of 'Resistance' that hinders creative endeavors.
The book is divided into three sections: 'Resistance: Defining the Enemy', 'Combating Resistance: Turning Pro', and a final section that discusses the role of the muses and the battle between the Self and the Ego. Pressfield provides practical advice on recognizing and overcoming resistance, emphasizing the importance of professionalism, discipline, and continuous work in achieving creative success.
#647
• Mentioned in 41 episodes
The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse
Charlie Mackesy
This graphic novel tells the story of a boy who, on a spring day, meets three animal friends—a mole, a fox, and a horse—as he journeys through the countryside.
The story is a poignant exploration of universal lessons about life, including the importance of kindness, self-worth, and unconditional love.
The characters, each with their own struggles and strengths, learn valuable lessons about courage, forgiveness, and the power of asking for help.
The book is celebrated for its simple yet profound messages, beautiful illustrations, and its ability to resonate with readers of all ages.
#344
• Mentioned in 64 episodes
The Simple Path to Wealth
Your Roadmap to Financial Independence and a Rich Free Life
J L Collins
J. L.
Collins' "The Simple Path to Wealth" provides a straightforward, easy-to-understand guide to achieving financial independence.
The book emphasizes saving a significant portion of income, avoiding debt, and investing in low-cost index funds.
It encourages readers to focus on long-term growth and avoid the complexities of market timing or active trading.
The book's simple yet effective principles have resonated with millions of readers, making it a highly popular resource for those seeking financial freedom.
It's a timeless guide that empowers readers to take control of their financial future.
#293
• Mentioned in 71 episodes
Catch-22
Buck Henry
Set in the closing months of World War II, 'Catch-22' is a satirical novel that follows the story of Captain John Yossarian, a bombardier stationed on the island of Pianosa off the coast of Italy.
The novel explores the absurdity and inhumanity of warfare through Yossarian's attempts to escape his flying duties, thwarted by the bureaucratic rule known as 'Catch-22'.
This rule creates a paradox where a man is considered insane if he willingly continues to fly dangerous missions, but if he requests to be relieved of duty, he is proven sane and thus ineligible for relief.
The novel is known for its nonchronological structure, circular reasoning, and its critique of military bureaucracy and the illogical nature of war.
#228
• Mentioned in 86 episodes
Give and Take
A Revolutionary Approach to Success
Adam Grant
In 'Give and Take', Adam Grant examines the surprising forces that shape success, highlighting the differences between givers, matchers, and takers.
Givers contribute to others without expecting anything in return, matchers aim to trade evenly, and takers strive to get as much as possible from others.
Grant uses cutting-edge evidence and captivating stories to show how these styles impact success across various industries.
The book emphasizes the benefits and challenges of adopting a giver mentality and provides practical advice on how to build successful relationships and achieve extraordinary results.
#21
• Mentioned in 310 episodes
The Psychology of Money
Timeless Lessons on Wealth, Greed, and Happiness
Morgan Housel
In 'The Psychology of Money,' Morgan Housel delves into the psychological and emotional aspects of financial decisions.
The book consists of 19 short stories that illustrate how personal history, worldview, emotions, and biases influence financial outcomes.
Housel emphasizes the importance of behavior over knowledge in managing money, highlighting the power of compounding, the dangers of greed, and the pursuit of happiness beyond mere wealth accumulation.
He advocates for a frugal lifestyle, long-term perspective, and a balanced approach to investing, stressing that financial success is more about mindset and discipline than about technical financial knowledge.
#10
• Mentioned in 396 episodes
The obstacle is the way
Ryan Holiday
In 'The Obstacle Is the Way', Ryan Holiday presents a framework for turning obstacles into successes.
Drawing from the philosophy of Stoicism and the writings of Marcus Aurelius, Holiday outlines three disciplines: perception, action, and will.
He illustrates these principles with historical anecdotes from figures such as John D. Rockefeller, Amelia Earhart, Ulysses S. Grant, and Steve Jobs.
The book emphasizes the importance of perception in shaping one's response to obstacles, the need for intentional and creative action, and the cultivation of will to persist through challenges.
Holiday argues that by adopting these Stoic principles, individuals can transform their obstacles into opportunities for growth and success.
#2785
• Mentioned in 14 episodes
Managing oneself
Peter Drucker
In 'Managing Oneself,' Peter F. Drucker provides a framework for self-management, emphasizing the importance of understanding one's strengths, weaknesses, and values.
The book advises using feedback analysis to identify strengths and weaknesses, understanding how one learns and works with others, and aligning personal values with the organization's values.
Drucker stresses that focusing on strengths rather than trying to improve weaknesses is key to achieving excellence.
The book also highlights the need to determine where one belongs and how to make the greatest contribution to the organization based on one's strengths, performance style, and values.
Are you choosing the right book for the season you’re in—or just grabbing whatever looks interesting?
In this solo episode, Jay Papasan walks through the ten books he recommends and gifts more than any others. These are not simply his “favorites”—they’re the books that shaped his craft as a writer, helped him level up as an entrepreneur, grounded him in discipline, clarified his thinking about money, and strengthened his understanding of character and growth.
Jay shares why "The War of Art" has become an annual reread for so many, how Peter Drucker’s "Managing Oneself" can reset your approach to personal mastery, why Ryan Holiday’s "The Obstacle Is the Way" remains essential for anyone doing hard things, and how Morgan Housel and JL Collins make the world of money simple, sane, and actionable. He also covers his top writing books, the research-backed lessons of Adam Grant, and the beautifully illustrated gift book he’s given to hundreds of clients.
Challenge of the Week:
Ask yourself: "What is the book I need for this season of my life?" Read for what you need—not for what’s trending. Choose one book, commit to it, and let it gift you something you’ll someday pass forward.
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To learn more, and for the complete show notes, visit: the1thing.com/pods.
We talk about:
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Why certain books become “sacred shelf” books Jay returns to again and again
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How creativity, discipline, money, and character are shaped by what we read
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How to choose the ONE book you need right now based on the season you’re in
Books Mentioned:
Links & Tools from This Episode:
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Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email podcast@the1thing.com or send us an audio note at Speakpipe.com/the1thing.
Produced by NOVA