How These 3 Books Changed My Whole Perspective on Life
Have you ever experienced a coveted “aha moment” when the answers to your life’s most pressing questions seem to come out of nowhere?
Today, our perspective changes at a much faster rate than that of our ancestors. Our most fundamental morals and convictions may stay the same, but our brains are constantly adjusting to the massive amount of information that we consume.
As our thoughts are refined and shaped, we learn to take advantage of new opportunities and make better decisions. This is precisely why the smartest minds say that living life to the fullest is about continuously learning.
It’s not always easy to trace these lessons back to the source, but I’ve been fortunate enough to come across three profound books at different points in my life. These books have impacted every important decision that I ever had to make.
It all started with...
How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
This is the only book that I’ve read cover to cover at least three times.
The first time was in college, right as I was learning to interact with a completely new set of people from varying backgrounds.
At 18 years old, I was mostly concerned with myself. What do others think about me? Do I sound confident enough when I speak? Does everyone agree with my opinions?
Dale Carnegie snapped me out of this line of thinking. Through detailed examples of his interactions with some of the most important people of our time and anecdotes from his renowned seminars, he helped me see what was right in front of me.
Everyone else lives in their own head, just like me. The key to really connecting with others is to work towards truly understanding them instead of worrying about yourself.
This stuck with me and completely changed the way I behaved in my personal and work relationships.
I learned that convincing others of your point of view isn’t a matter of winning an argument, but rather showing the other side that you empathize with their beliefs.
When I took on new career challenges, like deciding to work in sales or building my own company, I continued to reference this book and found that it took on a new meaning every time I read it.
It’s no wonder that it has withstood the test of time since originally being published in 1936. I still recommend it to almost everyone I meet.
Get How to Win Friends and Influence People here
Losing My Virginity by Richard Branson
Autobiographies can be a hit or miss, but Richard Branson’s story is so unique and incredible that it reads like a piece of fiction.
While running his first business -- a student magazine -- at only 15 years old, he already had the confidence to call executives at Coke and Pepsi and compete for their advertising dollars.
Reading through his story, I understood how he became the eccentric mega-success that we know today -- by always saying yes.
Yes to starting a record label with no experience in the music industry, yes to building a new airline when many others were failing, and yes to starting a spaceflight company so that one day we will be able to book a trip to space like we book a weekend getaway to Mexico.
The impact from each of these decisions was global, and Richard could have never predicted any of it -- he simply had to start from somewhere.
It’s easy to come up with excuses for why something can’t work, but if you truly want to be a creator you have to ignore your impulse to avoid risk and just jump in.
This doesn’t mean that you have to quit your job and drop everything to pursue your passion.
But do take the time out of your busy life to say yes to new experiences and learn the rest along the way.
Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl
I don’t usually take notes while I’m reading -- for me, it takes away from the experience -- but every few chapters of this book, I found myself taking out my phone and snapping a picture of a paragraph or a quote.
Maybe it’s because I was approaching 30 and increasingly felt like I needed more direction in my life.
I thought it was ironic that a friend recommended a book titled Man’s Search for Meaning to me, a man searching for meaning, but the book came with high praise so I gave it a shot.
In it, Dr. Frankl introduces us to logotherapy, a concept based on the idea that happiness and fulfillment in life can only come from identifying and pursuing your life’s purpose.
He attributes his ability to survive the Auschwitz concentration camp to two things: the thought of one day seeing his wife again, and the goal of rewriting the manuscripts that were stolen from him by the Nazis.
Finding purpose gave him the hope that he needed to endure the daily torture and horrors of the concentration camp, even as fellow inmates were giving up on life all around him.
As I lay on the beach finishing the last page of this book, I feel lucky to be able to see the world in a new light through Dr. Frankl’s first-hand experience with sacrifice and struggle.
This book made me realize that perspective is everything, and that reading allows us to briefly occupy other brilliant minds while hopefully enhancing our own.
Get Man’s Search for Meaning here
Want to broaden your perspective even further today? Check out our article on Bob Marley quotes.
Military Dad Defends His 4 Little Daughters When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Military Dad of 4 Daughters Defends His Girls When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Austin von Letkemann is the military officer strangers feel "sorry" for — and the reason is infuriating.
Whenever the devoted father leaves the house with his four children, strangers can't help but notice the officer in uniform is holding hands with 4 adorable little girls. They will tell the traditionally "masculine" and "all American" dad they feel sorry for him, because he has no sons. This dad makes one thing very clear: They are his daughters, they aren't a burden.
In a passionate video, von Letkemann took to Instagram to share with his followers that the only thing that's "difficult" about being a girl dad — is clapping back to these sexist remarks over and over again.
They Mock His Daughters To Their Face
When strangers approach Austin von Letkemann and his four daughters, they don't always realize that their comments are being overheard. They seem oblivious to the fact that his girls understand every word. Von Letkemann describes how people will approach him and, without thinking, make remarks like "I'm sorry" or even joke about his lack of sons. What they don't realize is that these comments, intended to be light-hearted or humorous, can be deeply hurtful to his daughters. These strangers are not just disrespecting von Letkemann's choices as a father; they're also sending a message to his daughters that their presence is something to be pitied. It’s a message that von Letkemann won't stand for, and he's speaking out to defend his girls from these insensitive remarksSaying "Get Your Shotgun" Isn't Funny — It's Sexist
Another common comment that Austin von Letkemann encounters is the old "better get your shotgun ready" trope, often delivered with a smirk or a wink. This line is typically intended to suggest that a father with daughters should be on high alert to protect them from potential "suitors," implying that they are objects to be guarded rather than individuals with agency.
Von Letkemann finds this line of thinking outdated and sexist. In his viral Instagram video, he points out that these jokes are not just stale — they're damaging.
By suggesting that his daughters require armed protection, the joke reinforces the idea that women are inherently vulnerable and need to be shielded from men. Von Letkemann argues that instead of promoting this narrative, society should focus on teaching respect and consent, challenging these sexist tropes at their source.
Watch Austin von Letkemann's Video:
"If I Had A Fifth Child, I'd HOPE It Was A Girl" — One Dad's Message For Other Parents
Despite the constant remarks about his lack of sons, Austin von Letkemann is clear: He wouldn't trade his daughters for anything.
In fact, he told his Instagram followers that if he were to have a fifth child, he would hope for another girl. This declaration isn't just about doubling down on his pride in his family — it's a pointed response to those who see fathering daughters as a misfortune.
Von Letkemann's stance is a powerful one, rejecting the notion that a family is incomplete without sons. He encourages others to question the assumptions behind these comments and to appreciate the joy and fulfillment that his daughters bring. By sharing his story, von Letkemann hopes to create a more inclusive perspective on fatherhood, one that values daughters just as much as sons.