Shahzad Ali
My library.
This is how I've trained my own model. These are the books, people and conversations I've learned from. They've shaped how I see the world. I think you should read everything and anything.
Explore my model of the world“The first principle is that you must not fool yourself, and you are the easiest person to fool.”
Book titles open a book page or reading source. Linked editions of classical texts are starting points for exploring them.
Books I return to
- The War of ArtSteven Pressfield
- The Psychology of MoneyMorgan Housel
- The Almanack of Naval RavikantEric Jorgenson · Naval Ravikant's wisdom
- The Algebra of HappinessScott Galloway
Such a good book.
- Improv WisdomPatricia Ryan Madson
- The Creative Act: A Way of BeingRick Rubin
- The Great Mental ModelsShane Parrish · Book series
- Prometheus RisingRobert Anton Wilson
- The Beginning of InfinityDavid Deutsch
- Exponential OrganizationsSalim Ismail, Michael S. Malone & Yuri van Geest
A really good book.
- The Structure of MagicRichard Bandler & John Grinder
- The Brothers KaramazovFyodor Dostoevsky
- MeditationsMarcus Aurelius
- Bhagavad GitaIndian philosophy
- The UpanishadsIndian philosophy
- Ashtavakra GitaIndian philosophy
- Bhaja GovindamIndian philosophy
- Atomic HabitsJames Clear
- Sapiens: A Brief History of HumankindYuval Noah Harari
- HamletWilliam Shakespeare
I often return to Polonius's advice to Laertes in Act 1, Scene 3. Timeless wisdom.
- How Will You Measure Your Life?Clayton M. Christensen, James Allworth & Karen Dillon
- Finite and Infinite GamesJames P. Carse
I read this a long time ago. I like the idea of continuing to play.
Podcasts I listen to
People I read & blogs I follow
- Scott GallowayNo Mercy / No Malice
One of my favourites.
- Naval RavikantEssays & conversations
One of my favourites.
- Gurwinder BhogalThe Prism
- George MackHigh Agency
- Shane ParrishFarnam Street
- Chris Williamson3 Minute Monday
- Alex HormoziAcquisition.com · Free business content
I like his free content. I went to one of his events and found the upselling aggressive. It put me off. That was my experience, and I could be wrong.
Teachers I've learned from
- Ramana MaharshiSelf-enquiry · Who am I?
Someone I have learned from. His enquiry, “Who am I?”, keeps bringing me back to the identity I spend so much time defending.
- OshoTalks & writings
- Jiddu KrishnamurtiTalks & writings
- Swami A. ParthasarathyVedanta
- Joe DispenzaTeaching & meditation
- Dr John DemartiniTeaching & personal development
- Tony RobbinsTeaching & personal development
- Richard BandlerNeuro-linguistic programming (NLP)
Philosophers I read
- Friedrich NietzschePhilosophy
- Arthur SchopenhauerPhilosophy
- Søren KierkegaardPhilosophy