There has been a lot that has gone on since mid-March. 2020 has been a turbulent time to say the least. In the early goings of the Covid-19 pandemic a term was introduced to describe the type of workplace and business that would remain open through quarantine and shutdowns in the early goings of 2020.

The term was called “Essential.”

Regardless of how you have personally handled the year 2020, hopefully at a minimum this year has given an opportunity to recognize what rhythms you want in your life to be essential.

What are the activities that you will deem essential for your life in 2021? Maybe it will be going for a prayer walk? Or journaling, or writing? Or maybe 2021 will be the year where reading will become essential?

If there is one essential rhythm present in the lives of emerging leaders and leaders who last it would be the habit of reading.

Back in August, I wrote about the benefits of reading and how it is essential for growth. As we close out the year 2020 I am more convinced than ever that the leaders who will navigate the turbulent times of our day must be committed to reading. They must view reading as essential. Here are some of the top reads I got into in 2020. (They’re all amazing so don’t get too caught up on the ranking order.)

#10 - Scary Close - Donald Miller

One of my all-time favorite authors. Donald Miller is a best-selling author and founder of Story Brand and Business Made Simple University. In Scary Close, Donald Miller discusses the risk of friendships, relationships and how we need to drop the act of impressing people in order to connect to people more. A great read in a conversational tone.

Print | Audio | Kindle

#9 - The Keeper - Tim Howard

Great autobiography from the former goalkeeper for the United States Men’s Soccer team. In this easy read, Tim Howard discusses his story from his youth upbringing, beginning days in soccer and how he navigated being diagnosed with Tourette syndrome. An inspiring read on navigating the personal and professional challenges in life while we stay the course.

Print | Audio | Kindle

#8 - Getting To Us - Seth Davis

A must read for coaches and leaders. One of the best sports journalists in the industry, Seth Davis takes a deep dive into the lives and careers of some of the best coaches in the world. A great read on how great leaders lead teams. How can a group of individuals get to a common goal together?

Print | Audio | Kindle

#7 - Thinking In Bets - Annie Duke

Former professional poker player Annie Duke is now one of the leading voices in the space of decision making. Annie Duke takes a deep dive into how we make decisions, how to best evaluate our decisions after the fact and how most of our systems for making and evaluating decisions are flawed.

Print | Audio | Kindle

#6 - How To Win At the Business of Sports - Mark Cuban

Owner of the Dallas Mavericks and one of the world’s foremost business minds, Mark Cuban does a phenomenal job walking readers through his story and the humble beginnings he started with. Loaded with great insight and advice, this book is a quick, outstanding read.

Print | Audio | Kindle

#5 - Chosen Suffering - Tom Ryan

Tom Ryan is the head wrestling coach at Ohio State University and one of the best leaders in the athletic industry in the country. I had been waiting for this book for a long time and it did not disappoint. This is an amazing read in which Coach Ryan shares his life story and some of the principles that make elite leaders.

Print | Kindle

#4 - Leadership Strategy & Tactics - Jocko Willink

For the second straight year a Jocko Willink book has made my top ten reads of the year as his book The Dichotomy of Leadership made the list in 2019. Leadership Strategy & Tactics is a leadership field manual. Have the hi lighter and notebook ready because you may find yourself transcribing this book yourself as it is full of amazing insights for leaders.

Print | Audio | Kindle

#3 - The War of Art - Steven Pressfield

One of the most profound reads I’ve read in a long time. I read this one back in January and it set the tone for 2020 for me in a way I didn’t know I needed pre-covid. Steven Pressfield spends most of the book discussing the main differences between an amateur and a professional. Amateurs do the work when they feel like it, professionals do the work everyday regardless of their feelings. A must read for anyone who wants to break through some resistance towards your goals in 2021.

Print | Audio | Kindle

#2 - The Circle Maker - Mark Batterson

This was a re-read in 2020 for me as I first read this amazing book about three years ago. A mainstay on the Stay The Course Leadership Reading Challenge, The Circle Maker is a must read if you feel stuck and ready for a new sense of joy around your prayer life and your dreams for the future.

Print | Audio | Kindle

#1 - Dream Big - Bob Goff

Bob Goff has written multiple best sellers and books that have impacted my life. This one might be the best one yet. I’m not sure if there is a better book to close out 2020 and begin 2021 than Dream Big by Bob Goff. Be careful though, this one may disrupt what you’ve got going on as it will probe you to think a little deeper about the kind of life you want to live.

Print | Audio | Kindle

I hope you decide to make reading an essential activity in 2021!

Stay The Course,

JB