370 days ago, I came across a quote from Caliph Al-Ma’mun. When asked about the most delightful form of recreation, he replied, “Strolling through people’s minds.” That resonated deeply with me, and I decided to set a goal.
After each long day working at Rooted Technologies, I would unwind by figuratively strolling through the minds and thoughts of others—through their writings and scientific research. It became a daily intellectual retreat that enlightened the mind and nourished the soul.
Over the past year, I explored 25 books and minds, along with more than 20 practical studies in technical fields. Today, I’d like to share the 6 books I personally enjoyed the most:
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The Brains and Brawn Company – Robert Siegel
This book taught me how successful companies align both digital and physical transformations to achieve sustainable growth and consistent profitability.
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The Inner Game of Tennis – W. Timothy Gallwey
A powerful read on how we overcome mistakes and improve ourselves mentally, physically, and intellectually before trying to fix external challenges. This book even inspired me to start a new sport—tennis—as both a physical and mental retreat.
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The Psychology of Money – Morgan Housel
A journey into Housel’s mind helped me understand how we think about money and investing. It emphasizes how greed and envy destroy wealth, and how everyone has a unique financial personality. We shouldn’t blindly follow other investors because what suits them may not suit our income or lifestyle.
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The Entrepreneur’s Paradox – Curtis Morley
This book highlights common mistakes made at various managerial levels and how to avoid them. Whether you’re building a startup or running a business, it serves as a mental guide to recognize and manage small missteps before they accumulate.
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Predictable Revenue – Aaron Ross & Marylou Tyler
A scientific and practical guide for building a company with sustainable sales. It reinforced my belief that business growth depends on building trust with potential clients and maintaining strong relationships with existing ones.
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Emotional Intelligence – Benjamin Smith
A comprehensive study on how we interact with ourselves and the world around us. It includes practical steps to develop and increase emotional intelligence.
This year’s journey wasn’t my first, but it taught me that in every decision we make, we must set clear indicators, monitor them, and analyze them—because that’s the path to a better life.