The fastest way to grow is through the experience of others.

I honestly wish I took this reality to heart when I was younger. Instead, I had to learn a lot of lessons the hard way. It wasn’t until I started leaning into the power of books(and podcasts) that I finally got ahead in life. 

When it comes to podcasts, feel free to learn everything there is to know about being a modern man below:

Outside of podcasting, I credit my growth and current level in life wholeheartedly to the books I’ve read and the lessons they’ve taught me. I know it can be hard to find the right books to read at first, so hopefully, this list helps you cut through the noise and find some highly valuable books to dominate your growth this year.

Each of these page-turners has helped me improve in a specific area of my life whether that be finances, relationships, business, sex, mental health, fitness, or overall growth.

They are listed in no particular order.

23 Books Every Man Should Read in 2023 To Jumpstart His Growth

Can’t Hurt Me – David Goggins

I’ll be blunt… This book is dark. It’s dark but it’s real.

David Goggins is a certified badass. The former Navy Seal turned Ultra-Marathon Runner and World Record holder had every reason to quit.

Instead, Goggins relentlessly cut out all excuses and decided to get the job done. He would dig deep inside his mind and find the strength to transform himself from an overweight, depressed, and broke man, to one of the toughest bastards on the planet. It’s amazing what this man has been able to overcome.

Where it would be easy for someone to get down on themselves and curse their luck, Goggins has fully embraced, and maybe even learned to enjoy, the dark times. This book will challenge you to embrace the suck in your life too. If mental toughness, resilience, and sheer willpower are a few things you hope to improve, this book will set the tone.

Channel the darkness within you and use it to create your light. Your true self will thank you for it. (BONUS: Be sure to check out his follow-up – Never Finished: Unshackle Your Mind and Win the War Within)

The Power Of The Other – Dr. Henry Cloud

When was the last time you analyzed the type of relationships you have with those around you? Do you know the difference between a healthy and unhealthy relationship?

You’ve heard it said before that “you are the sum of the five people you spend the most time with.” Well, this book takes it a step further. You’re also the result of the QUALITY of the relationship you have with those people.

We’ve all experienced friends or acquaintances that just suck the energy out of a room. On the flip side, maybe you just sat down with a good friend for the last hour and you left the conversation motivated and inspired to take on the world.

Like it or not, the quality of the relationships we have with others will either limit or multiply our efforts. It’s important you stay aware of these relationships if you truly want to grow and improve.

This book will teach you how to analyze your relationships, increase the quality of your interactions with others and cultivate true connections. 

Never Split The Difference – Chris Voss

Everything is negotiable…

That’s what this book has taught me. Among other things of course.

More specifically, this book has taught me that negotiating happens more often than we realize. Sure, asking for a promotion or discussing the price of a house are clear examples of negotiating. But what you don’t know is that we negotiate every day with little to no strategy. As a result, we leave with what is given, not what is wanted. This is a passive and less-than-ideal way to live, wouldn’t you think?

Never Split The Difference gives you strategic and effective tips on how you can negotiate and get what you actually want out of certain situations. This isn’t a book about manipulation. It’s a book about communicating and understanding.

*This Book Helped Me Negotiate over $25,000 Worth of Deals within 6 Months of Reading It*

The author Chris Voss, former FBI international kidnapping negotiator, breaks down the principles of listening with intent, building trust by mirroring, labeling emotions, and more.

This will change the way you approach conflict, and ultimately the way you approach life. 

No More Mr. Nice Guy – Dr. Robert A. Glover

I credit this book for starting it all. I’ve always had an ambitious personality but this book really opened my eyes to what I was capable of.

People can’t change if their mind isn’t in it. This book will get your mind right.

In it, Dr. Robert A. Glover describes what’s called the “Nice Guy Syndrome.” It’s a belief that being nice to others and giving them what they want and expect will result in a problem-free and easy life.  Unfortunately, we all know that’s not always the case.

This is a book about putting your needs ahead of others and taking care of yourself. I want to be clear here. It’s not a book about being selfish. That would serve you no good. It will, however, teach you to be more assertive, decisive, and clear about what it is you want.

An added bonus is the recommendation that men form groups with each other to increase bonding and reclaim masculinity. This goes a bit deeper into how men can be comfortable with their thoughts and actions.

This is in fact a major influence on the reason I created “The Modern Man Podcast”. (If you want to join a group of like-minded men pushing things to the next level be sure to check out our: Noble Knights Circle)

If you’re looking to take your growth seriously but fear offending those around you, this book will help you break past that barrier.

Think and Grow Rich – Napoleon Hill

This list would not be taken seriously if one of the best-selling personal development and self-improvement books of all time was not included. With over 100 million copies sold since it was published in 1937, the reputation of Napoleon Hills classic speaks for itself. You need this in your library.

In the book, Hill shares 13 principles that will propel you to success and riches. This is a clear guide on how you can tap into your potential and fully start to execute your goals.

Napoleon Hill takes over 20 years of studying some of the most successful people of his time and condenses the knowledge into 238 pages.

Take in as much as you can between these pages and be prepared to read it more than once. Your future self will thank you for it.

The Alchemist – Paulo Coelho

“THE BOYS NAME WAS SANTIAGO…”

The Alchemist is hands-down my favorite book. It’s also the only Fictional book on the list.

In it, a young shepherd embarks on a journey to find a buried treasure hidden in the sands of Egypt. Of course, his journey is anything but smooth and he ends up discovering so much more along the way. This is a story about finding your purpose and risking it all to accomplish your dreams.

Paulo Coelho drops many impactful quotes throughout the book that will have you re-evaluating your perspective on life. My advice would be to get yourself a fresh highlighter for this one.

If you’re still on the fence about whether you’re ready to get started or not, this book is usually a good indicator of where you stand. If it resonates with you, you just might be ready to start your own journey.

Atomic Habits – James Clear

What if success could be second nature to us?

Habits are at the foundation of everything we do. In this extremely valuable read by James Clear, you will learn how habits form who we are. This book will help you understand how habits come about. Even better, you’ll come away with actionable advice on how to change said habits.

If that wasn’t enough, the author shows you how habits impact business and your purchasing behavior. This knowledge can help you reflect on your spending, social, and personal habits.

Definitely be sure to give this one a good run-through. I promise you’ll want to read it more than once. (Bonus Book: The Power Of Habit – Charles Duhigg)

Extreme Ownership – Jocko Willink & Leif Babin

The buck stops here.

This is a book about owning up to everything in your life and taking complete responsibility for it. If you are able to do this, it can be an extremely empowering belief that puts the fate of your future within your own hands.

Written by Navy Seal Veterans Jacko Willink and Leif Babin, this book lays out the ten principles needed to be a good leader. Take it from the men who had to lead when the consequence of being wrong was death. Though our situation may not be as severe, the tactics and strategies hold true in life.

Whether you lead a business or a family, this book can be applied. Even if you’re currently not in a leadership position, you can gain insight into taking control of your life and positioning yourself for a leadership role in the future.

Mainly you will walk away from this book understanding that the meaning of being a leader is by taking ownership and responsibility of your life while balancing conflicting traits.

Find that balance and lead!

The Richest Man In Babylon – George S. Clason

There’s no way around it. When we’re talking about growth, we need to address finances. Love it or hate it, money is important. Without money, you aren’t free to do the things that bring you joy in life absent restriction. PERIOD.

This book is all about understanding money and making your money work for you. I promise if you apply what you learn in this book, you will notice a change in your finances, your confidence, and your relationships.

Though the concept is easy, it all starts with paying yourself first. Take $1 of every $10 you make and save it. When your savings increase, your chance to take advantage of investment opportunities increases as well. When those investments pay off, your money multiplies and you do it again… (Rinse, Wash, Repeat)

If you read just one book from this list, make it this one and apply what you learn. You can thank me later.

As a Man Thinketh – James Allen

This is a short but powerful read. I’ve focused on mindset a lot in life. That’s because it truly does start in the mind.

Your thoughts are the foundation of what you do and what you do becomes who you are. That being said, manage your thoughts to manage who you become.

This essay from James Allen unpacks the way thoughts can become the foundation of who you are. It’s a cautionary book that warns you to take good care of what you think because your thoughts become things.

After grasping this concept, it puts the power in the hands of the reader. Allen does this by comparing the mind to a garden that can be managed by its owner. What type of garden will you have? One that is beautiful and flourishes, or one that is ravaged with weeds? The choice is yours.

When you manage your thoughts, you manage your actions. When you manage your actions, you manage who you become. Grab this book and take control of your mind.

Man’s Search For Meaning – Viktor E. Frankl

“He who has a WHY to live can bear almost any HOW.” FRIEDRICH NIETZSCHE

This book is sure to take you into some dark places. But trust me, it’s necessary. Viktor E. Frankl survived five different concentration camps in addition to losing his mother, brother, and wife. Through pain and suffering, Viktor continues to focus on what makes life worth living.

This book will challenge you to look within yourself and find out what drives you. It will have you applying a different perspective to the world. Instead of looking at life happening to you. You’ll see life as happening “for” you. You’ll no longer view yourself as a victim.

You’ll also be challenged to step back and look at the big picture. We as humans like to be a part of something bigger than ourselves. When we believe our impact is multiplied by the mission we’re working towards, the drive gets that much stronger.

There is definitely a lot to learn between the covers of this book.

The Way of The Superior Man – David Deida

It’s time to embrace the masculinity within you. In order to reach your full potential, you will need to fully accept the “Beast Within” and courageously go for what it is you want in life.

In order to do this, you must first set your target and aim for it. Decide what it is you want and go for it!

With that in mind, you’ll also learn that the time for action is NOW!

There will always be a reason to wait. Whether it’s money, time, kids, or resources, something will always stand in your way. As a man, you must take action now and push past those obstacles.

This book will also explore the dynamics of masculine and feminine energies in relationships. It challenges you to be more of a decision-maker in your own life and take more control of situations. This doesn’t mean being a tyrant, though. It’s about being assertive and direct and willing to live with the consequences of said decisions.

If you want to learn a sense of urgency and control, this is the book on how you can do just that.

I Will Teach You to Be Rich – Ramit Sethi

“There is a limit to how much you can cut but there is no limit to how much you can earn.” Remit Sethi

How much attention do you give to your finances? The author of this book, Ramit Sethi, would encourage you to pay as little attention to them as possible.

Not what you expected, I know, but he’s right!

The less overwhelming your finances are, the more likely you are to pay attention and manage them. The problem is, we get overwhelmed with the budget sheets and financial statements and give up before we even get started.

Ramit Sethi is hoping to solve this problem for you. In his book “I Will Teach You To Be Rich” Ramit lays out a simple, impactful, no B-S 6-week program to automate your finances and start living the life you’ve always dreamed of.

His approach isn’t about cutting the fat and living on ramen. (Though it can be effective) His focus is on spending your money on the things you love, cutting out the crap you could care less about, and automating the process so you can live worry-free and enjoy. *The Tactics in This Book Saved Me $4,000 on my Honeymoon!*

If this sounds like the life you’d like to lead, go ahead and read this one ASAP!

12 Rules For Life – Jordan B. Peterson

Do you want to live a fulfilled life rich with purpose and meaning? If so, this book by Jordan B. Peterson will give you the guidance to do so.

Peterson breaks life down into 12 simple principles. Each chapter details the principle and shares research, stories, and experience to drive the point home. It’s about being confident, disciplined, critical, and resilient.

Peterson concludes that life is suffering and that suffering without meaning will make one bitter. (Remember “Man’s Search For Meaning?”) That being said, it is imperative that you find a reason for your suffering and a purpose for your life. After all, that’s what makes life worth living.

Peterson also stresses taking care of yourself as though you were your own parent. Sounds self-explanatory but he brings up a good point in this chapter. We often ignore aches and pains or forget to take our medicine on time because life gets so busy. Yet, when it’s someone we care for, we are quick to suggest they take better care of themselves. I guess it’s time we take our own advice.

Sometimes that’s always the hardest part. (Be Sure To Pick Up The Follow Up To This One Too! – Beyond Order: 12 More Rules for Life)

The 48 Laws Of Power – Robert Greene

This book gets straight to the point. “The 48 Laws Of Power” by Robert Greene skips the appetizers and jumps headfirst into the meat and potatoes.

Greene lays out a well-thought-out list of laws with examples and applications for each. Some laws will be harder to swallow than others but it’s your interpretation that will provide the most value here.

This book has had a reputation for being manipulative. If you can get past that discomfort you’ll find the laws to be valuable and true. The choice to use them for offense or defense is completely up to the reader.

The one thing that cannot be denied, however, is the wealth of knowledge and value that sits between these pages. It’s that understanding that will help you navigate troubled waters when you need to.

Mastery – Robert Greene

“Become who you are by learning who you are.” ROBERT GREENE

Simple question… Do you want to be one of the best at what you do?

As men, our competitive nature often pushes us towards greatness and striving for the next challenge. Imagine being able to focus that energy toward something productive and specific.

Robert Greene wants to help you focus that energy on “Mastery.” In it, he lays out the steps you should follow to reach mastery in your specific discipline. In order to do that, you must first find out what you’re meant to do.

That takes some exploration, of course.

Once you know your direction, find a mentor. This is also where effort and patience come into play. It’s important to understand that mastery doesn’t happen overnight.

This book also dives into the topic of social intelligence. It’s important to understand people and not try to change them. This will allow you to avoid toxic relationships and let you focus on your growth. (Refer back to “The Power of The Other” for more on this)

Whatever it is you decide to do in life, “Mastery” is the book that will show you how to reach the highest level of achievement.

Battle Cry – Jason Wilson

“Battle Cry” is a self-help book for men who have trouble communicating and relating to others because of negative thoughts and emotions.

The author, Jason Wilson, writes about his own experiences with toxic thoughts and emotions, and how he learned to overcome them by releasing past trauma and mastering his emotions. The book’s goal is to teach men how to win the “war within” by rejecting society’s definition of masculinity in favor of a more holistic view of manhood, as well as how to communicate effectively and improve their relationships.

The book also discusses the importance of letting go of past trauma in order to fully live in the present!

Mindset – Carol S. Dweck, Ph.D.

“Mindset” is a self-help book that delves into the concept of fixed versus growth mindsets and how they affect success in various aspects of life.

The book is based on Stanford University psychologist Carol S. Dweck’s research, which discovered that people with a fixed mindset – the belief that abilities are fixed – are less likely to succeed than those with a growth mindset – the belief that abilities can be developed.

The revised edition contains new insights into the growth mindset and how to adopt a deeper, more authentic version of it, as well as how to apply the concept to groups and organizations.

This book’s goal is to teach readers how to use the growth mindset to motivate and transform their own lives as well as the lives of others. If you’re looking to rewire your mindset and see the potential within you, pick this one up next!

$100M Offers – Alex Hormozi

Are you tired of struggling to make sales and wondering where all the money went?

Look no further, because the secret to raking in the cash is here! In “$100M Offers,” the author shares the strategies that helped him earn more in his 20s than the CEOs of several major companies combined. From laser-focusing on niche markets overflowing with cash to using scarcity and unbeatable guarantees to seal the deal, this book is packed with practical tips and tactics to transform your business.

These methods are so effective, you’ll have prospects practically begging to buy from you. So don’t wait – learn the secrets to making $100 million offers and start seeing your bank account soar.

The Psychology of Selling – Brian Tracy

If you’re frustrated with your sales career and your inability to close deals, then this book is for you!

It’s time to harness the power of the mind and up your sales game. Top sales trainer, Brian Tracy teaches you in “The Psychology of Sales” how to tap into the mental and emotional aspects of selling to boost your confidence, eliminate your fear of rejection, and control your thoughts, feelings, and actions for maximum success.

With a set of tried-and-true strategies and techniques, you’ll be doubling and tripling your sales in no time. So don’t put off starting to apply the principles of sales psychology and open this book up ASAP!

Relentless – Tim Grover

“Relentless” is here to turn you into an unstoppable force!

In this book, legendary trainer Tim Grover shares the traits and strategies of intense competitors and achievers and teaches you how to trust your instincts, control and adapt to any situation, and how to find and exploit your opponent’s weaknesses. With previously untold stories and insights into the minds of successful athletes, this book will have you feeling like you can conquer the world… or at least your local pickup basketball game.

Don’t wait, pick up “Relentless” and start crushing your competition… and maybe make a few jokes along the way, because laughter is the best medicine (except for steroids, but let’s not go there).

(Bonus Book! Be sure to pick up Tim Grover’s Follow Up Masterpiece – Winning: The Unforgiving Race To Greatness)

Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself – Dr. Joe Dispenza

“Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself” is a consciousness book that explores the science of personal development and the power of the mind to create reality.

Dr. Joe Dispenza blends diverse disciplines of study, including quantum physics and neurology, to empower readers with the information and skills they need to make real changes in their lives.

This book looks to explain old understandings and bridge the gap between science and spirituality, and it promises a life-changing transformation if readers break the habit of being themselves and actually alter their thinking.

Don’t let this book fool you. It really works!

(Bonus Book: Don’t miss one of Dr. Joe Dispenza’s other works – Becoming Supernatural: How Common People Are Doing the Uncommon)

The Obstacle Is the Way – Ryan Holiday

In a world full of obstacles and setbacks, it can be easy to feel stuck and frustrated. But what if these challenges were actually opportunities in disguise?

“The Obstacle is The Way” explores the lives of successful historical figures such as John D. Rockefeller and Steve Jobs, who were able to turn their struggles into triumphs. Through the exploration of timeless philosophical principles, outlined by the wise Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius, readers will learn how to turn their own adversities into advantages.

No longer will the impediments to action hold us back, but rather, they will serve as the catalyst for our success. Discover the formula for overcoming obstacles and achieving greatness in any situation.

(Bonus Book: Definitely make sure you implement Ryan Holiday in your everyday life with his book – The Daily Stoic: 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living)

Conclusion

If you read just a few of these books over the course of the next twelve months and implement their teachings, your growth will be inevitable. 💯

Also remember this, knowledge without action is like a ship that never leaves port. The journey is in doing!

If you never start practicing what you read, you will never truly learn. It’s all about taking the steps necessary to turn the knowledge into real-world results.

If you have a book you think belongs on this list, please be sure to share! I know this is just the tip of the iceberg. There are countless lists that look completely different but are just as good. These are just some of the most impactful reads I can think of for my current chapter in life.

I welcome you to share yours with me.

#LetsGrow

**LIFE HACK!** – Audible Link

Lastly, one tool that has been an absolute game-changer for me when consuming books is the Audible App. Not only are you able to keep a library of books, but you can also speed up the audio and listen as fast as 2X Speed and still maintain retention! You can get two free books and three months free so definitely check out the link below!

Do yourself a favor and get a free trial of Audible today!

Lastly…

If you’re serious about taking control of your life as a man and stepping toward your potential, don’t do it alone. Tap into a network ready to help save you time, money, and headaches along the way. Check out The Noble Knight Mastermind and take that first step!