Lifestyle Design Books

I really love to read about the lifestyles of others, how they’ve made changes for the better, and particularly if we can adapt these changes to our own lives. I thought I’d list some of my favourite lifestyle design books for others to consume.

You can buy Happiness, Tammy Strobel

You can buy Happiness, Tammy Strobel, who took minimalism to what some would call an extreme with her tiny house. I love a lot of things about what she did and I can really understand why they did it. I’m not altogether sure this is where my idea of minimalism is taking me though.

This I know, Susannah Conway

This I know, Susannah Conway – A really rather interesting story of how a sudden death can have have both a negative and positive outcome and how it affects our lives as the healing process takes place. Anyone who’s suffered a sudden death of a loved one, or recovered from depression, will be able to relate to what she writes. I love the fact she’s a fellow Polaroid fan too, and the resultant photographs adorn the pages.

The 4 Hour Work Week, Tim Ferriss

The 4 Hour Work Week, Tim Ferris  – I can’t remember how many times I’ve read this book, at least a dozen so far. I read it again while on holiday and to some extent its been a guide to me changing my lifestyle. Its full of real practical advice. I ended up buying a number of kindle and paper versions and have given many copies to friends.

The $100 Startup, Chris Guillebeau

The $100 Startup – Chris Guillebeau  – Both my business partner and I read this without either of us knowing so. We found each other quoting ideas from it in a meeting shortly afterward. We both like the principles in the book and use many of them in our own business. I’ve very much become a fan of Chris and read his other book detailed below.

The Art of Non-Conformity – written by Chris Guillebeau, is a captivating exploration of alternative lifestyles and serves as the precursor to the popular book, The $100 Startup. Crafted in an engaging and relatable language, it delves into the various ideals, principles, and actions that have inspired me personally. This eye-opening read encourages readers to challenge societal norms and embrace their own unique paths, ultimately leading to a more fulfilling life.

Be a Free Range Human – Marianne Cantwell, is an enlightening book by Marianne Cantwell, demonstrating that you genuinely don’t have to be trapped in a 9-5 job. Cantwell is the originator of the term “portfolio career,” which I hadn’t encountered so clearly defined before. I truly wish this insightful book had been available when I was grappling with and reevaluating my own lifestyle choices and professional path.

Entrepreneur Revolution – Daniel Priestly – will probably sit in one of my all time lifestyle favourites along with The 4 Hour Work Week and The $100 Startup. I started reading this at about 7:30am one morning and had finished it by 11:20am, I just couldn’t put it down. There’s a great deal of lessons to learn and I wish I’d read when building my own business. I loved the practical exercises in the 10 Challenges, the building of the ATM model and the inspiration to just produce output and get work ‘out there’. In most cases I read the kindle versions, but given that I’ve read and re-read many of these books, I also ended up buying paperback versions too.

A similar page on lifestyle books appeared on my Minimalist website in March 2013