You never read the same book twice

‘You never read the same book twice’ is my overview of the best books. All about strategy, brands, and marketing to business and inevitable self-help. No more words needed;  pick up the book, read, and learn.  

• Books about brands, what we can learn from brands
• Business books, learn and steal with pride
• For females only, the best things are kept secrets
• Mindset edition, it's all between the ears
• Sports edition, what we can learn from the athlete mindset

Extended booklist ‘Reading is candy for the mind’. 
Book cover credits: Audible, the best app for audiobooks for lazy readers. 

Books about brands 

What we can learn from brands. 

Nike. ‘Shoe Dog’ by Phil Knight

The book is about the origin and heritage of the brand. By reading this book, you'll get the bigger Nike picture. And instantly more understanding of how their purpose is absolutely interwoven in their campaigning. 

Patagonia. ‘Let my people go surfing’ by Yvon Chouinard

 It is split into two parts. The first part is about the origin of the brand and its' purpose. In the second part, it gets really interesting as they implement their purpose into the business and all departments. 

Lululemon. ‘The story of Lululemon: the stretch black pants’ by Chip Wilson

All about market insights, strategy, and marketing. Chip Wilson tells the story behind the brand and the business. Along the way, he explains how he uses trends in society and innovation to thrive in business. 

Apple. 'Insanely Simple. The Obsession that drives Apple's Success' by Ken Segal

Keeping things simple and keeping your focus are two of the most underestimated success factors in business. We want everything for everybody. Almost out of a fear of missing out on customers or business. By making it over-complicated, you achieve the opposite. Great in combination with 'Good Strategy, Bad Strategy' by Richard P. Rumelt.

This is my go-to book for most of my clients. With my humble advice, 'Better whole-ass one thing that half-ass everything'.

Starbucks. 'Leading the Starbucks Way, 5 Principles for Connecting with Your Customers, Your Products, and Your People' by Joseph A. Michelli

Be inspired by how Starbucks grew its business. Amongst others, involving the people on the work floor in the decision-making that impacts their daily work. Light and easy to read. 

Business books

Learn and steal with pride. 

'Start with Why’ by Simon Sinek

This is a classic. ‘No brainer, just read it. Even better than his TED talk. “Is a customer who buys your product for a second time a loyal customer or just plain lazy?” and more of this ‘food for thought’. Simon Sinek is straight to the point and inspiring.

“Some in management positions operate as if they are in a tree of monkeys. They make sure that everyone at the top of the tree looking down sees only smiles. But all too often, those at the bottom looking up see only asses.” (page 113)

'Insanely Simple. The Obsession that drives Apple's Success' by Ken Segal

Keeping things simple and keeping your focus are two of the most underestimated success factors in business. We want everything for everybody. Almost out of a fear of missing out on customers or business. By making it over-complicated, you achieve the opposite. Great in combination with 'Good Strategy, Bad Strategy' by Richard P. Rumelt.

This is my go-to book for most of my clients. With my humble advice, 'Better whole-ass one thing that half-ass everything'.

‘Building a StoryBrand’ by Donald Miller

One of the best books on content and storytelling I read in recent years. Learn how to build your story with your customer in mind. Once you know this trick, you will recognize this in every great Hollywood movie. Your message will change for the better.  

Prefer a video over the book? Check my blog ‘Content and storylines’ with all YT links. 

‘Unreasonable Hospitality’ by Will Guidara

A gem of a book. ‘It’s about how you make people feel' not only applies to the hospitality industry. Also very relevant for brands, marketers, agencies, and employers. A very nice read or listen, with great insights.

Such as the 95-5 rule. 95% frugal and splurge insanely on the 5% in the details that matter and create an unforgettable experience.

'Good Strategy, Bad Strategy' by Richard P. Rumelt

Good strategy is creating focus and making choices.

"A good strategy does more than urge us forward toward a goal or vision. A good strategy honestly acknowledges the challenges being faced and provides an approach to overcoming them."

"The core of strategy work is always the same: discovering the critical factors in a situation and designing a way of coordinating and focusing actions to deal with those factors."

For females only

The best things are kept secret.

'Get Your Sh*t Together’ by Sarah Knight

‘But the mental clutter was slowly taking up residence in my brain the way my extra luggage was taking up space in my friend’s basement’ (page 264)

Ever felt like being ‘stuck’ and not moving forward in work and or life? Then this is the book for you; read her hands-on tips and tricks on how to get your mental sh*t together and do get those things done. Re-reading this every few months when I start procrastinating.

'Thrive' by Arianna Huffington

Redefining success and adding the third metric to 'money' and 'power'. I fell in love with especially the first half of the book. It could feel a bit feminine for some of the men; shuffle your ego, dudes, and get to her point on success and how to thrive in life.

"Lacking a line of royalty in America, (..) one gains today's throne not by the fortune of birth but by visible markers of success, money, and power."

"... over the long term, money and power are like a two-legged stool - you can balance on them for a while, but eventually you're going to topple over.'

‘Girl, Wash Your Face’ by Rachel Hollis

Yes, it's a typical American go-get-it book. Yet, Rachel gives you the much-needed kick in the ass to start your own business and go for what you want. Inspiring and gets you started right away. 

Especially if you read this in combination with ‘The 5 Second Rule’ by Mel Robbins with her ‘5-4-3-2-1-GO’ to launch yourself before your mind takes over and holds you back. 

Mindset edition

It's all between the ears

‘Chasing Excellence: A Story About Building the World’s Fittest Athletes’ by Ben Bergeron

Honestly admitting, this blew my mind, and re-reading the book every few months. For inspiration, for kick-in-the-ass, for the positive vibe, and for my big smile. Every.single.f*cking.time

What do sports get to do with business? It is all about the mindset.

"...there’s an unbreakable threefold policy: Never whine. Never complain. Never make excuses. (p65)"

"The idea is to hope for the best but plan for the worst. If you are prepared for adversity, when it strikes (and it’s going to strike), you can be confident in your preparation and ability to execute, regardless of circumstance. (p86)"

"Think like a bumblebee, train like a racehorse. (p98)"

“Control the thing you can control, and ignore everything else (p139)”

'Atomic Habits' by James Clear

How to get long-term gain? In Atomic Habit James Clear explains the science of forming habits with hands-on tips and tricks. Must read!

"Small changes often appear to make no difference until you cross a critical threshold. The most powerful outcomes of any compounding process are delayed. You need to be patient."

"We are so focused on figuring out the best approach that we never get around to taking action. As Voltaire once wrote, “The best is the enemy of the good.” "We do not change by snapping our fingers and deciding to be someone entirely new. We change bit by bit, day by day, habit by habit."

'Mindset: The New Psychology of Success' by Carol S. Dweck

Never stop learning. How to get a growth mindset: to learn, to thrive, to fuel yourself with feedback.

In 'Mindset' Carol Dweck explains the power of mindset. 'In this brilliant book, she shows how success in school, work, sports, the arts, and almost every area of human endeavor can be dramatically influenced by how we think about our talents and abilities. People with a fixed mindset—those who believe that abilities are fixed—are less likely to flourish than those with a growth mindset—those who believe that abilities can be developed.'

‘Don't Sweat the Small Stuff' by Richard Carlson

'There are two rules for living in harmony. 1) Don’t sweat the small stuff and 2) It’s all small stuff. (p. 3)'

Great quote for that often much-needed reality check :) in ‘Don't Sweat the Small Stuff' by Richard Carlson.

'Turn Your Melodrama into a Mellow-Drama, (...) we blow things out of proportion and make a big deal out of little things. (...) When I get too worked up or start taking myself too seriously (which happens more than I like to admit), I say to myself something like, “Here I go again. My soap opera is starting.” (p. 147)'

‘Life SCALE’ by Brian Solis

Just. Read it. It's all about creativity, productivity, and getting your focus. Loved (almost) every page.

"Being creative isn't as much a talent or gift as it is a choice."

"Without creativity, we would dwell in comfort zones, mediocrity, and complacency. Without creativity; there would be no innovation. Creativity pushes us to take risks, which can open new doors." (Chapter4 Believe)

Sports edition

What we can learn from the athlete mindset

'Living with a SEAL: 31 Days Training with the Toughest Man on the Planet' by Jesse Itzler

Dare to challenge yourself. As we all know, out of your comfort zone is where the magic happens. If you dare to push your (physical) limits, you'll grow mentally. Jesse takes you on his journey.

Be inspired; that's all I can say. Even better if you read 'Can't hurt me' by David Goggins first.

'Can't Hurt Me: Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds' by David Goggins

It's almost scary what you can accomplish if you set your mind to it.  And if you're willing to go deep. David takes you into his darkest place. Weirdly reading him suffer makes me dig deeper to achieve my own goals.

‘Chasing Excellence: A Story About Building the World’s Fittest Athletes’ by Ben Bergeron

Honestly admitting, this blew my mind, and re-reading the book every few months. For inspiration, for kick-in-the-ass, for the positive vibe, and for my big smile. Every.single.f*cking.time

What do sports get to do with business? It is all about the mindset.

"...there’s an unbreakable threefold policy: Never whine. Never complain. Never make excuses. (p65)"

"The idea is to hope for the best but plan for the worst. If you are prepared for adversity, when it strikes (and it’s going to strike), you can be confident in your preparation and ability to execute, regardless of circumstance. (p86)"

"Think like a bumblebee, train like a racehorse. (p98)"

“Control the thing you can control, and ignore everything else (p139)”