The Matt Gray Show 22 books to make you smarter than 99% of people I EP 118
Explore the secrets behind 22 transformative books that can reshape your thinking on money, health, and business. Discover how to prioritize effectively, embrace deep work, and develop a resilient mindset. Learn to apply the wisdom of legends like Jeff Bezos and Marcus Aurelius. Get insights on luxury branding, creativity, and living for meaningful experiences now, not later. Uncover the importance of curiosity, imperfection, and the courage to be disliked. Each book is a key to thinking differently and multiplying your success.
22:51
Ruthless Prioritization Wins
- Focus ruthlessly on the single task that makes everything else easier or unnecessary.
- Say no to almost everything so you can produce exceptional content that drives leads and builds your brand.
Frame Your Product First
- Spend time deliberately framing your product so customers instantly understand its value.
- Improve positioning and create a sales script so your team communicates your product without confusing prospects.
Two-Way Doors Beat Paralysis
- Treat most daily choices as reversible two-way doors so you stop overthinking and move faster.
- Make decisions with imperfect information and iterate rather than paralysing yourself.
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Intro
00:00 • 21sec
Ruthless Prioritization with The One Thing
00:21 • 1min
Positioning Clarity from Obviously Awesome
01:39 • 1min
Decisive Speed via Invent and Wander
02:39 • 1min
Build Timeless Work: Perennial Seller
03:47 • 1min
Amp Culture and Velocity
04:55 • 57sec
Luxury Branding Principles
05:52 • 1min
Deep Work: Focused Attention Advantage
06:52 • 2min
Essentialism: Protecting What Matters
08:33 • 49sec
Action Cures Fear: Magic of Thinking Big
09:23 • 43sec
Creativity as Awareness: The Creative Act
10:06 • 45sec
Beginner's Mind: Zen for Curiosity
10:51 • 48sec
Die With Zero: Time-Sensitive Experiences
11:39 • 55sec
Surrendering Control to Reduce Stress
12:35 • 1min
Coaching Habit: Ask, Don't Tell
13:57 • 1min
Conscious Leadership: Shift Your State
14:57 • 57sec
Stoic Mindset: Meditations for Response Control
15:55 • 1min
Money Psychology and Peace of Mind
16:57 • 57sec
Stoic Tools for Resilience
17:53 • 56sec
Courage to Be Disliked
18:50 • 1min
Naval's Almanac: Long-Term Games
19:53 • 42sec
Antifragile: Benefit from Volatility
20:34 • 39sec
Wabi-Sabi: Embrace Imperfection
21:13 • 1min
Apply One Lesson Now
22:15 • 29sec
Outro
22:43 • 7sec
#7179
• Mentioned in 6 episodes
The Almanack of Naval Ravikant
A Guide to Wealth and Happiness
Naval Ravikant
Eric Jorgensen
The Almanack of Naval Ravikant is a compilation of Naval Ravikant's wisdom and insights on wealth, happiness, and life.
It covers a range of topics, including building wealth, making decisions, learning, and finding happiness.
The book is based on Naval's tweets, essays, and interviews, organized and curated by Eric Jorgenson.
It provides a framework for understanding how to live a fulfilling and successful life, emphasizing the importance of clear thinking, ethical behavior, and long-term perspective.
The almanack is a guide to living a happier, wealthier, and more meaningful life.
#669
• Mentioned in 40 episodes
The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership
A New Paradigm for Sustainable Success
Diana Chapman
Kaley Warner Klemp
Jim Dethmer
This book distinguishes between unconscious and conscious leadership, offering a roadmap to help leaders transition from fear-based to trust-based leadership.
The 15 commitments outlined in the book aim to enhance self-awareness, accountability, and collaborative relationships.
By practicing these commitments, leaders can achieve more energy, clarity, focus, and healthier relationships, both personally and within their teams.
The commitments include ending blame and criticism, speaking candidly, finding unique genius, and creating win-for-all solutions, among others.
The authors provide practical exercises and resources to help leaders implement these commitments effectively.
#178
• Mentioned in 101 episodes
The Creative Act
A Way of Being
Rick Rubin
In *The Creative Act: A Way of Being*, Rick Rubin distills the wisdom he has gained from a lifetime of working with artists across various genres.
The book is not just about music production but about the broader creative process and how it applies to everyone's life.
Rubin emphasizes the importance of reconnecting with a state of innocence, being aware of the world, and tapping into what he calls 'Source'—an infinite and constant flow of ideas and inspiration.
The book is structured around 78 areas of thought, providing practical wisdom, philosophical insights, and encouragement for anyone seeking to enhance their creative expression.
#221
• Mentioned in 87 episodes
The Courage to Be Disliked
Fumitake Koga
Ichiro Kishimi
This book unfolds as a dialogue between a young man and a philosopher over five nights, exploring the principles of Adlerian psychology.
It emphasizes that true happiness and freedom come from living a life independent of past traumas and societal expectations.
Key themes include the idea that all problems stem from interpersonal relationships, the importance of separating one's tasks from others', and the concept that freedom is found in having the courage to be disliked.
The book provides practical advice on self-forgiveness, self-care, and mind decluttering, encouraging readers to take control of their life's direction and live in the present.
#1814
• Mentioned in 19 episodes
The luxury strategy
Jean-Noël Kapferer
This book, written by two world experts on luxury branding, provides the first rigorous blueprint for managing luxury brands and companies at the highest level.
It analyzes the essence of luxury, highlights its managerial implications, and rationalizes the original methods used to transform small family businesses like Ferrari, Louis Vuitton, and Chanel into global successes.
The book clarifies the differences between 'premium,' 'fashion,' and 'luxury' and sets out counter-intuitive rules for marketing luxury goods and services.
It also explores the impact of digital developments and social networks on luxury marketing.
#22
• Mentioned in 295 episodes
Essentialism
The Disciplined Pursuit of Less
Greg McKeown
In 'Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less,' Greg McKeown argues that by applying a more selective criteria for what is essential, individuals can regain control of their time and energy.
The book is divided into sections such as Explore, Eliminate, and Execute, providing practical advice on distinguishing the vital few from the trivial many and eliminating non-essential activities.
McKeown emphasizes the importance of clarity of focus, the ability to say 'no,' and living 'by design, not by default.
' This approach helps readers achieve more by doing less and making the highest possible contribution in their personal and professional lives.
#6
• Mentioned in 428 episodes
Deep Work
Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World
Cal Newport
In 'Deep Work', Cal Newport argues that the ability to perform deep work—professional activities in a state of distraction-free concentration—is becoming increasingly valuable in our economy.
The book is divided into two parts: the first part explains why deep work is valuable, rare, and meaningful, while the second part presents four rules to transform your mind and habits to support this skill.
These rules include 'Work Deeply', 'Embrace Boredom', 'Quit Social Media', and 'Drain the Shallows'.
Newport provides actionable advice and examples from various successful individuals to help readers master the skill of deep work and achieve groundbreaking results.
#21
• Mentioned in 307 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.
#65
• Mentioned in 191 episodes
The One Thing
The Surprisingly Simple Truth Behind Extraordinary Results
Jay Papasan
Gary Keller
The book discusses the benefits of prioritizing a single task and provides strategies for overcoming distractions, building productive habits, and maintaining focus.
It challenges common productivity myths such as multitasking and the idea of a balanced life, and introduces the 'Focusing Question': 'What's the ONE Thing I can do such that by doing it everything else will be easier or unnecessary?
' The authors also discuss time blocking, habit-building, and aligning short-term actions with long-term goals to achieve success in various aspects of life.
#1114
• Mentioned in 28 episodes
Perennial seller
The Art of Making and Marketing Work that Lasts
Ryan Holiday
In 'Perennial Seller', Ryan Holiday explores the principles behind creating works that endure and thrive long after their initial release.
He argues that these 'perennial sellers' are not flukes but are built to last from the outset.
The book is divided into four parts: the creative process, positioning, marketing, and platform.
Holiday uses examples from various industries, including music, restaurants, and literature, to illustrate how creators can ensure their work remains relevant and continues to attract new customers over time.
He emphasizes the importance of a holistic approach to both the creation and marketing of the work, as well as the need for patience, dedication, and a strong platform of loyal supporters.
#1221
• Mentioned in 26 episodes
A Guide to the Good Life
William B. Irvine
#698
• Mentioned in 39 episodes
Anti-Fragile
Nassim Nicholas Taleb
In 'Antifragile', Nassim Nicholas Taleb introduces the concept of antifragility, which goes beyond resilience or robustness.
Antifragile systems thrive on volatility, randomness, and stressors, using them as sources of growth and improvement.
Taleb contrasts antifragility with fragility, which is harmed by disorder, and robustness, which resists change.
The book applies this concept to various domains, including economics, medicine, and personal development.
Taleb argues that embracing uncertainty and allowing for controlled exposure to stressors can lead to greater adaptability and long-term success.
'Antifragile' offers a new perspective on risk management and decision-making in an unpredictable world.
#577
• Mentioned in 44 episodes
Amp It Up
Leading for Hypergrowth by Raising Expectations, Increasing Urgency, and Elevating Intensity
Frank Slootman
In 'Amp It Up,' Frank Slootman shares his leadership approach for achieving hypergrowth.
The book emphasizes the importance of raising standards, aligning teams, sharpening focus, picking up the pace, and transforming strategy.
Slootman argues that most leaders can significantly improve their organization's performance without expensive changes to talent, structure, or the business model.
He stresses the need for execution, a strong team culture, and a relentless focus on the mission.
The book provides practical advice on making conflicted choices, promoting collaboration, and maintaining high standards to avoid mediocrity.
#705
• Mentioned in 38 episodes
The surrender experiment
Michael A. Singer
In 'The Surrender Experiment', Michael A. Singer shares his extraordinary story of how, after a deep spiritual awakening, he decided to relinquish his personal fears and desires and simply let life unfold before him.
This decision led him to remarkable success, sustained him through crises, and allowed him to cultivate profound inner peace.
The book chronicles his life from a young spiritual seeker living in the woods to becoming the CEO of a billion-dollar medical software company, and through a significant legal ordeal.
Singer demonstrates how surrendering to life's flow can lead to a peaceful and harmonious life, challenging readers to trust in life’s perfection and let go of the need to control everything.
#1211
• Mentioned in 26 episodes
Obviously Awesome
How to Nail Product Positioning so Customers Get It, Buy It, Love It
April Dunford
In 'Obviously Awesome,' April Dunford provides a practical, step-by-step guide on product positioning.
Drawing from her extensive experience in tech marketing, Dunford explains how to identify a product's 'secret sauce' and sell it to the right audience.
The book covers key topics such as the five components of effective positioning, how to connect an audience to the product's value, choosing the best market, and leveraging market trends.
It is punctuated with witty anecdotes and compelling case studies, making it both entertaining and illuminating for entrepreneurs, marketers, and salespeople.
#3
• Mentioned in 918 episodes
Meditations
Marcus Aurelius
Meditations is a series of private writings composed by Marcus Aurelius, one of Rome's greatest emperors, as he struggled to understand himself and make sense of the universe.
Written between 170 and 180 CE while on military campaigns, this work combines Stoic philosophy with personal observations on leadership, duty, mortality, and human nature.
Through twelve books of intimate thoughts never intended for publication, Marcus Aurelius explores themes of self-improvement, resilience in the face of adversity, and living virtuously while accepting what cannot be changed.
#1066
• Mentioned in 29 episodes
Zen mind, beginner's mind
Shunryū Suzuki
In 'Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind', Shunryu Suzuki explores the core principles of Zen Buddhism, focusing on the concept of 'shoshin' or 'beginner’s mind'.
This mind is empty, free of the habits of the expert, and open to all possibilities.
The book discusses various aspects of Zen practice, including zazen (sitting meditation), breathing techniques, and the importance of maintaining a non-dualistic and compassionate mindset.
Suzuki uses simple language and everyday examples to illustrate how to apply Zen principles in daily life, emphasizing the need to approach each experience with freshness and openness, rather than preconceptions or a sense of achievement.
#1144
• Mentioned in 27 episodes
The Magic Of Thinking Big
David J. Schwartz
This book, first published in 1959, offers a comprehensive guide on how to think positively and achieve success in various aspects of life.
It emphasizes the importance of believing in oneself, overcoming fear and excuses, and developing creative thinking and confident attitudes.
The book is filled with real-life case histories and practical techniques to help readers apply these principles to their own lives, aiming to improve their job performance, relationships, and overall satisfaction.
#912
• Mentioned in 32 episodes
Invent and Wander
The Collected Writings of Jeff Bezos
Jeff Bezos
Walter Isaacson
This book provides a rare glimpse into how Jeff Bezos thinks about the world and where the future might take us.
It spans topics across business and public policy, from innovation and customer obsession to climate change and outer space.
Written in a direct, down-to-earth style, it offers readers a master class in business values, strategy, and execution, covering principles such as the importance of a Day 1 mindset, long-term thinking, customer obsession, and the role of culture and failure in innovation.
#18457
• Mentioned in 2 episodes
Wabi Sabi
Japanese Wisdom for a Perfectly Imperfect Life
Beth Kempton
This book explores the concept of wabi sabi, a Japanese aesthetic that emphasizes finding beauty in simplicity, imperfection, and the transient nature of life.
Beth Kempton delves into the components of wabi sabi—tranquility, harmony, beauty, and imperfection—and applies these principles to various aspects of life, including simplifying the home, reconnecting with nature, accepting imperfections, and reframing failure.
The book encourages readers to slow down, appreciate the present moment, and find joy in the perfectly imperfect life.
#33
• Mentioned in 241 episodes
Die with Zero
Bill Perkins
Die with Zero presents a provocative philosophy and practical guide on how to get the most out of your money and your life.
Bill Perkins argues against over-saving and under-living, advocating for investing in experiences early and maximizing positive life experiences.
The book introduces concepts like 'time-bucketing,' 'net worth curve,' and 'fulfillment curve' to help readers optimize their life stages and make the most of their resources.
Drawing from his own life experiences and insights from psychological science and behavioral finance, Perkins makes a compelling case for living large and accumulating memorable experiences rather than wealth.
#254
• Mentioned in 79 episodes
The Coaching Habit
Say Less, Ask More & Change the Way You Lead Forever
Michael Bungay Stanier
In 'The Coaching Habit,' Michael Bungay Stanier provides a straightforward and effective approach to coaching.
Drawing on his extensive experience training managers worldwide, he introduces seven essential coaching questions designed to help managers unlock their team's potential.
These questions include the Kickstart Question, the AWE Question, the Lazy Question, the Strategic Question, the Focus Question, the Foundation Question, and the Learning Question.
The book emphasizes the importance of saying less and asking more, fostering a collaborative and empowering work environment.
It combines practical advice with research in neuroscience and behavioral economics, making coaching a daily, informal part of managerial work rather than a formal event.
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Over the last decade, I’ve read hundreds of books to rewire how I think about money, health, focus, and business.
In this video, I break down 22 books that helped me think differently than 99% of people. I’ve synthesized my complete reading list in the Elite Reading List linked in the description. Each book includes why you should read it and what problems it will help you solve.
Already doing $30K+/month? Come to my next free workshop and I’ll show you how to systemize your business and get your time back → https://fos.now/yt-workshop-552
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00:00 - Intro
00:20 - First Quadrant: Business
06:55 - Second Quadrant: Health
13:57 - Third Quadrant: Relationships
15:53 - Fourth Quadrant: Lifestyle
#onepersonbusiness #creatoreconomy #entrepreneurship
Disclaimer: Information shared here is for educational purposes only. Individuals and business owners should evaluate their own business strategies and identify any potential risks. The information shared here is not a guarantee of success. Your results may vary. This video shares my personal experience and growth building businesses over 15+ years of consistent effort. Your results will vary depending on your own actions, strategies, and circumstances.