Last year, I started the practice of reflecting on the year from a content perspective and sharing my Top 10 Books, Videos, Articles and Blogposts from the year (Click here for the 2016 list)
The exercise helped me a lot – because it mandated going back to all the key content pieces and find the top ones – in the process helping you refresh your memory (and more importantly emotions) when you encountered them
Presenting the 2017 List for my Top 10 Books, Videos and Articles and Blogposts
All of this content was consumed in 2017. They could be (and most likely are) from an earlier year
Books
Guide to the Good Life: The Ancient Art of Stoic Joy
One of the best books for me, of 2017. Matched with my introduction to meditation, I am certain this book will be a game changer for me, when I look back.
Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fuck
Fucking brilliant! Loved it so so much. Mark Manson is a brilliant writer and I am so glad he wrote this book.
Existentialism: The disciplined pursuit of less
If you are fed up with the overindulgence of everything in life, this book is a must read. Loved several aspects about it – things that I dont do well in life. Now I know :)
Grit: The power of passion and perseverance
The book title may as well been Grit: The story of warikoo :)
Loved this one. Angela Duckworth is magic
The art of thinking clearly: Better thinking, Better decisions
(Almost) Book of the year for me – because I picked this up when I needed something like this the most. Brilliant book on what drives our minds and thus our decisions
Drive: The surprising truth about what motivates us
Something I have spent a lot of time in the past years wondering – and the book comes close to helping me understand it better. A great read
Originals: How non-conformists change the world
One of those books that I had to read again – to make sure I had read it. And loved it yet again
THE book of the year. Cannot recommend this enough. Great book, great gift, great book to re-read, great life lessons. And oh – did I mention – THE book of the year
WHAT a book! WHAT a life! Arnold Schwarzenegger’s autobiography – didnt match Shoe Dog, but came close on several fronts
Genghis Khan and making of the modern world
Genghis Khan’s reputation precedes him. This book looks at him objectively – and is a great read especially if you care about world history
Bonus: Kashmir: History, Politics, Representation
My kashmir roots someone took shape this year. Read more about it than I ever have. Starting to care.
And this book helped a lot. Brilliant compilation of 11 essays
Videos
If 2016 was the year of video for me, 2017 stamped that! TV has completely gone (we dont have a connection anymore) and everything is Youtube, Netflix, and Amazon (in that order).
And – Oh – I dont watch any series. Only one-time watch content
Mandy Harvey: Deaf Singer on America’s Got Talent
Broke down when I saw this. There is so much awesomeness in this world :)
Coke Studio Season 10 (Pakistan Version) came out – and didnt disappoint. This one peaked it for me, with Muntazir as a close second
This was stunning. LOVED the composition, the singing and everything about it. Just made me very happy :)
2017 was a sad year, when it comes to respect, acceptance, tolerance. And this video made it for the best representation of my feelings. MUST WATCH
Interview interrupted by children
Everyone has seen this. And even if you have several times – this possibly cannot bring in a smile again. Go ahead :)
I am a sucker for domino effect videos – and this one took the first prize. Awesome piece
Darci Lynn America’s Got Talent Final
She is such a rockstar – and performs effortlessly. If you havent seen Darci Lynn, you havent witnessed talent in person
Jim Carey has gone through massive transformation and this video has him share his learning from the journey he has undertaken. Pretty solid
Imposter Syndrome: Mike Cannon-Brookes
Mike is the cofounder of Atlassian and this TEDx talk felt as if it was my talk.
Why you should define your fears instead of your goals
Tim Ferris’s powerful TED talk (and his book – Tools of Titan and Tribe of Mentors) makes him my sought after digital guru. And he makes so much sense in this talk
Articles
Am not going to describe them – instead strongly encourage you to read all of them
Role of the CEO – you have one job
The strange way that being good hurts your willpower
Practicing the subtle art of detachment
Difference between open-minded and close-minded people
Difference between amateurs and professionals
Execution is a people problem, not a strategy problem
The 2 mental shifts that highly successful people make
Lets stop calling them “soft skills”
Extraordinary results are disproportionately created by fewer actions
Blogposts
Thanks ISRO for showing me the middle finger
Why “pick your brains” is the worst email pickup ever
The one word that will annoy people and make you smarter
The worst motivational quote ever
Whats the first slide of your pitch deck?
It doesnt matter what you know
The saddest thing about technology
Have a blessed 2018, everyone :)