5 Books That Everyone With A Big Idea Should Read

June 28, 2018

  By Justin Biel, trends editor at Grow Wire


In short:

  • People with big ideas -- think Warren Buffet and Oprah -- consider reading a crucial component of their success.
  • If you have a big idea, reading is a surefire way to increase your chances of making your idea a reality.
  • The five books below are an ideal reading list for anyone with a big idea.

You may find it shocking, but the world’s greatest technologist still prefers learning the old-fashioned way: by flipping through his favorite books. And Bill Gates doesn't just read a little. The Microsoft founder mentally ingests more than 50 books per year(opens in new tab).

Gates isn’t the only overachiever to publicly acknowledge the vital link between reading and personal success: Warren Buffet claims to read 5-6 hours a day(opens in new tab) because he knows that just like interest, knowledge accumulates over time. Oprah credits reading(opens in new tab) with inspiring her to see past her childhood circumstances and dream of a bigger life. Oprah shares her love of reading through her ultra-successful book club(opens in new tab). Mark Cuban has explained(opens in new tab) that reading is at least partially responsible for his success because it gives him a "knowledge advantage" over competitors. For Cuban, this means logging around three hours of reading per day. It’s said that Elon Musk(opens in new tab), the founder of Tesla(opens in new tab) and Space-X(opens in new tab), read two books a day as a child.

Even if you aren’t trying to become one of the world's wealthiest folks, setting time aside to read is an essential component of personal growth(opens in new tab). Consider starting with the five books below, hand-selected by Grow Wire to aid people in launching their big ideas. These reads contain a combo of practical, get-it-done advice, lessons from other big thinkers and new ideas to expand your point of view.

 

1. “Deep Work,” by Cal Newport 

To execute your big idea, you’ll need focus. The philosophies in “Deep Work” will help. Newport is a computer science professor at Georgetown(opens in new tab) who writes extensively on the topic of productivity. In “Deep Work,” Newport explores how to create a distraction-free environment and explains why this practice is crucial to achieving maximum output. The book will “show how anyone can achieve this elusive state(opens in new tab)” of deep work, according to its description. This means setting up rigorous “do not disturb” hours, a zero-tolerance policy for multi-tasking, and avoiding social media.

2. “Leonardo DaVinci,” by Walter Isaacson 

Through a comprehensive study of DaVinci's life, Isaacson looks at the root of DaVinci's genius, offering a rare glimpse into his inquisitive and inventive mind. It’s “a monumental tribute(opens in new tab) to a titanic figure,” per its book description. If you’re looking to build a big idea, it only makes sense to study the life of one of the world’s greatest inventors(opens in new tab).

3. “Biomimicry: Innovation Inspired by Nature,” by Janine M. Benyus 

Biomimicry contends that nature holds the secrets to survival, so by studying nature we can find solutions to problems around us. The book's author, Benyus(opens in new tab), is a TED Speaker(opens in new tab) and leading expert in the biomimicry field. Her book “details how science is studying nature’s best ideas to solve our toughest 21st-century problems.” Biomimicry examples include learning from mosquitoes how to create a better needle or studying termites to learn how to design sustainable buildings. If you’re stuck on a big idea, maybe nature has the solution.

4. “Power Of Broke,” by Daymond John

Written by Shark Tank(opens in new tab) star and FUBU(opens in new tab) founder Daymond John(opens in new tab), “Power of Broke” highlights business growth secrets from John’s personal experience and features dozens of other entrepreneurs who have, per the book’s description, “hustled their way to success.” This is the perfect read for dreamers who are full of big ideas, yet short on resources.

5. “Factfulness,” by Hans Rosling, Ola Rosling, and Anna Rosling Ronnlund 

Pioneered by Professor of International Health and TED speaker Hans Rosling(opens in new tab), “Factfulness” examines why most of the world cling to belief systems that are, put simply, just not true. Rosling highlights the “instincts that distort our perspective” and provides a new, more uplifting view of the world. “Factfulness” will offer a needed dose of encouragement for anyone with a big idea, explaining how opportunities for positive outcomes far outweigh inaccurate, negative pre-conceptions.

Have any book recommendations for entrepreneurs? Tweet at us(opens in new tab), or comment on our Facebook(opens in new tab) and LinkedIn(opens in new tab) pages.

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