Stillness Is The Key

Rating 5/5

Ryan Holiday’s Stillness is the Key is one of my favourite books from 2019. 

I believe that everyone can get something of value from reading Stillness and that you owe it to yourself to buy and keep on your bookshelf and turn back to regularly. 

This is considered the third in a trilogy of books on Stoic philosophy that Ryan has written and while Obstacle and Ego are books that I highly recommend to people in certain instances, Stillness has something for everyone. 

It’s also extremely practical.

Each chapter includes advice to apply the practices talked about which is something that wasn’t emphasized as much in OITW and EITE. 

We live in a busy and chaotic world. Everyone is gasping for air as our attention is pulled in countless different directions and the key to it all is to find stillness in whatever way works best for you. 

This book shares why stillness is so importantly (and has literally saved the world from meltdown) and how you can get more stillness in your life to become better at everything you do. 

Quiet

Rating 5/5

I put off reading Quiet by Susan Cain for a number of years because I assumed I knew all I needed to about the introvert/extrovert divide and experience in the business world. 

Extroverts and those with higher energy who talk more have always been perceived as smarter and as leaders. This book challenges those assumptions and shows how these perceptions are flawed and limiting great business leaders who prefer to operate with less publicity. 

The information about nervous system differences between introverts and extroverts was fascinating. Introverts are more sensitive to stimuli even from infancy and this is one part of what contributes to the displayed quietness. 

This book is also one of the first to dispel the shyness and introversion myth and show the differences between shyness which is more of a social anxiety issue with introversion being a tendency to recharge your batteries in solitude rather than with others. 

In Quiet, Susan offers up practical advice for introverts on how to find balance and thrive in the business world which has also been reportedly very beneficial for extroverts who read this book and better understand and respect the needs of the introverts around them. 

When it comes to being an introvert, know that you don’t have to follow the status quo with your leisure time by going to the bar with friends. It’s ok to get into nature alone or curl up and read a book. Also carve out restorative niches for yourself - these are places and activities in your work and home environment that help you to recharge. 

Read this if you identify as an introvert and feel like it is holding you back or you have quiet children. This book is also hugely valuable for any leaders or business owners to understand their team better.