One of my goals for 2026 is to read more. I really want to learn how to speed read so I can read even more (lame or not lame?) but I really love to read in this season of life. I’ve read a few more books on this list in my “quiet bible study” time. I will do another post about those later. But I want to learn how to read faster and absorb information faster and more long term. I also want to learn Spanish. So what started as “learning how to learn” I found myself learning Spanish, learning how to speed read, learning how to be a better leader and learning more about my identity and purpose. These books have really pushed me this year so far. Tons of tabs and highlights and stars inside.
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Limitless by Jim Kwik: This book provides a blueprint for mental expansion. It’s excellent for professionals who need to process large amounts of information and improve memory retention. I struggle with retaining information and remembering. This book helps with that plus teaches you to stop speaking negative over yourself.
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Ultralearning by Scott Young: A deep dive into aggressive self-education. It’s perfect for entrepreneurs who need to master new hard skills, like digital marketing or complex staging techniques, in a short amount of time. I’m working on learning Spanish and need to speed it up. I work with several Spanish speaking contractors and I want to be able to quickly communicate. I also just want to be bi-lingual or pretty close to it! This book gave me some really good study skills and applications to apply to every day practice. Este es un libro tan bueno.
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The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership by John C. Maxwell: This is the gold standard for understanding influence. It provides 21 practical “laws” that help you lead clients and teams with more authority and integrity. I’m actually reading this with my life group at church. For me I use it in real estate, this means intentionally finding ways to help my clients beyond just the transaction—focusing on their long-term goals and dreams. But for sure will use all these law serving my family, my church and my clients.
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Living Fearless by Jamie Winship: I am saving the best for last. This book focuses on identity and purpose. It helped me identify the internal “lies” that hold me back, making it a powerful resource for anyone facing a major life transition. I went through a really bad divorce a few years go and it helped me stop living out of fear of the future and start living from my true identity. Just a great book!
I’m a big believer in active reading. I don’t just read these books; I mark them up and I take notes in a separate notebook. These are some of the notebooks and tools I keep on my desk to actually put these leadership laws and mindset shifts into practice. Sometimes I will go back and reread a chapter or sometimes reread a book.
Spiral Notebooks: I write a lot and like to be able to turn the page easy and write on the back. Plus they are cute.
Sticky Tabs: I use these like I use air to breathe. I love them
