As we step into a new year, I reflect on some wisdom my father, Ron Nice, shared with me during my childhood. It has always stuck with me, he said something to the effect of:

“The people you spend time with and the books you read will be what determines how you change over the next year”

This advice has helped me keep things in perspective and helped guide who I spend my time with and what I read. Over time, however, I’ve come to believe it can be expanded further—not just to books and people, but to everything we allow to influence us across all of our senses: movies, music, books, your work, prayer, travel, all the people you interact with, all of these things influence us constantly. All our senses are indeed the gateways to shaping who we become.

With that in mind, I am going to be spending some posts going through those influencers that have been helpful in my life starting with books. I want to share a collection of books that have profoundly impacted me in different areas of life. My hope is that these books might inspire or guide you in the same way they have helped shaped me.

Understanding Yourself:

Atlas of the Heart by Brené Brown
A map of human emotions and how they shape connections.
What I Love: Brené Brown helps make sense of our emotional landscape.
Quote: “Connection is the energy that is created between people when they feel seen, heard, and valued.”

Strong and Weak by Andy Crouch
A study on vulnerability and authority as keys to flourishing.
What I Love: It reframed my view on strength and vulnerability as interconnected.
Quote: “The path to flourishing is found through both authority and vulnerability.”

The Traveler’s Gift by Andy Andrews
A blend of self-help and fiction exploring seven key decisions for success.
What I Love: The storytelling approach makes its lessons incredibly engaging.
Quote: “Seek wisdom.”

Atomic Habits by James Clear (Just started this one)
A guide to building good habits and breaking bad ones.
What I Love: Clear’s strategies for habit formation are simple yet transformative.
Quote: “You do not rise to the level of your goals; you fall to the level of your systems.”

Relationships:

Boundaries by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend
A guide to setting healthy limits in relationships and taking control of your life.
What I Love: This book taught me the power of saying “no” without guilt and “yes” without resentment.
Quote: “You get what you tolerate.”

Too Good to Leave, Too Bad to Stay by Mira Kirshenbaum
A practical guide to assessing whether to stay in or leave a relationship.
What I Love: It provides clarity and context in complex emotional situations.
Quote: “Indecision steals years from a life.”

Disentangling from Emotionally Immature People by Lindsay C. Gibson
Offers tools to navigate relationships with difficult individuals.
What I Love: It gave me the language to understand and address emotional immaturity.
Quote: “Freedom means no longer being emotionally entangled.”

Work:

Managing Leadership Anxiety by Steve Cuss
Tools to recognize and manage anxiety in leadership roles.
What I Love: It gave me insights into addressing internal pressures in leadership.
Quote: “The most important leader you will ever lead is yourself.”

Clean Code by Robert C. Martin
A handbook of best practices for writing clean, maintainable code.
What I Love: This book taught me so much about how to structure and think about things in code.
Quote: “Code is clean if it can be understood easily.”

Spirituality

Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis
A classic exploration of Christian faith and morality.
What I Love: Lewis’s clarity and logic are unmatched in discussing profound spiritual truths.
Quote: “Humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less.”

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
A parable about pursuing your personal legend and dreams.
What I Love: An enjoyable story that resonated with me regarding risk taking and living life to the full.
Quote: “When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.”

These books have profoundly shaped my thoughts, decisions, and personal growth. Whether you’re navigating relationships, diving into self-discovery, striving for excellence at work, or exploring spirituality, I hope they offer you the same inspiration and guidance they’ve given me. Let’s make this year one of growth, learning, and building better lives through the influences we choose.