One is a direct follow-up to Do It Today. The other is a curated collection of the most impactful ideas I’ve written about over the past ten years.

Let me tell you what they’re about.

Make It Happen comes out on April 4. 

It picks up where Do It Today left off. If that book helped you stop procrastinating and take action, this one will help you follow through and build the life you actually want. 

It’s about mindset, execution, and staying consistent when life gets hard. It’s direct, realistic, and focused on getting results. 

21 Big Ideas That Will Change Your Life comes out on April 19. 

This book is based on 21 essays inspired by timeless thinkers such as Seneca, Freud, Naval Ravikant, and many more. 

But it’s not a philosophy book. It’s a practical guide to thinking better, working smarter, and living with clarity. Each chapter gives you one core idea to remember, reflect on, and apply.

If you’ve been reading my blog or newsletter for a while, you’ll recognize the spirit of these books.

Both are available for pre-order right now. The ebook editions are only $0.99.

If you’ve ever gotten something useful from my writing, I think you’ll love these.

Thanks for reading!

-Darius

P.S. Why two books? AI is helping me a lot.

Honestly, I haven’t been this productive in… ever?! And I just finished updating my ‘Ai basics’ course as well with two new bonus lessons.

One is about using AI to write better content. And the other is about how to create professional visuals in seconds.

Check Ai basics here.

The post Announcing 2 new books! Make It Happen and 21 Big Ideas appeared first on Darius Foroux.

This is why I don’t want to spend too much time learning. I also want to have enough time to apply what I’ve learned.

In recent years, I’ve been reading more digital content. Before, I would probably spend 80% of my reading time on books. Now, it’s less than half. And I generally spend about two hours a day reading.

That’s because everything that’s related to technology changes so fast today.

But the problem is that we’re drowning in information. Keeping up with everything that’s interesting or useful is nearly impossible.

But a new feature of ChatGPT called Tasks has made my reading life a lot simpler. This feature is currently only available to paying ChatGPT users. So what I’m about to share only works if you have that.

I’m not affiliated with them. But I think this is worth the $20 a month price. Here’s what GPT Tasks does (from their website):

You can create scheduled tasks that enable ChatGPT to run automated prompts and proactively reach out to you on a schediuled basis. For example, you can ask ChatGPT to create scheduled tasks for the following:

– “Can you give me a briefing on AI news each afternoon?”
– “Practice French with me daily”
– “Remind me about my mom’s birthday”

When I read this for the first time, I thought, “What’s new here? I don’t need a reminder for my mom’s birthday. And if I do, my phone can do that.”

But I started using it, and it has shaved at least an hour off my daily reading routine. Here’s how I’m using it.

How AI is helping me to stay on top of the news

One of my biggest time sinks was scanning a bunch of websites for news updates. I wanted to keep track of the companies I invest in—like Tesla (TSLA) and Nvidia (NVDA)—to stay informed about market performance, announcements, or earnings calls.

Now, instead of manually searching through endless articles and on X, I use ChatGPT to:

• Get daily summaries: I ask for a concise update on “TSLA and NVDA news.”
• Skip irrelevant content: No more sifting through clickbait or switching between websites.
• Good reading experience: ChatGPT has an app for all platforms, whether it’s iOS, Android, or Mac, it all looks good. And I actually like reading in the app.

Here’s how to do it: Open ChatGPT, select the ChatGPT 4o with scheduled tasks model, and start chatting. This was my first chat:

And you can see your tasks in your settings.

This feels like having a personal assistant scanning the top news sites and delivering only the insights I care about. Here are other prompts you can use:

• Summarize economic news in (enter your country, city, region) every Saturday at 10 AM
• Give me a rundown of everything that happened in AI every morning at 9 AM
• Share a list of the latest personal development books every last Saturday of the month (at least 100 reviews)

What are you interested in that requires searching? ChatGPT can do it for you! Save yourself some time.

Other applications: Curated content from my favorite authors

Tasks is not only about summarizing the news.

I’m a fan of authors like Robert Greene, Paul Graham, and Derek Sivers. I like reading their work, but I often just don’t get around to reading them. You know, life.

Now, I’ve streamlined this process:

• Custom summaries: I ask ChatGPT for a “Weekly summary of new articles or ideas from Robert Greene, Paul Graham, and Derek Sivers.”
• Focus on actionable insights: If they’ve published something new or given an interview, I get a neat summary without spending time tracking it down.

It’s like having a personal curator who knows exactly what I’m interested in.

More applications: AI as your coach

AI isn’t just for news and articles—it’s surprisingly effective for daily habits.

Here’s another way you can use ChatGPT for.

Morning motivation: ChatGPT can give you a short motivational quote, a recommended exercise or variation, a relevant YouTube video, and even a high-energy song suggestion.

Prompt you can use:

“Give me a short motivational quote, a recommended exercise or variation for my [insert workout routine, e.g., push-pull-legs or full-body], a relevant YouTube video for workout guidance, and a high-energy song suggestion to start my day.”

You can adjust the routine or focus based on your needs, for example:

• “Focus on a quick 10-minute workout for beginners.”
• “Include exercises for strength building or cardio.”
• “Suggest a playlist for running or lifting weights.”

Endless possibilities: Tailor AI to your interests

You might think, “This is great for you, but I’m not into stocks or AI.” The beauty of AI is its versatility.

Here are just a few examples of what you could do:

• Cooking: Ask for “Three quick, healthy recipes to try this week” and get a custom meal plan in seconds.
• DIY projects: Request “Weekend DIY ideas for beginners with minimal tools” and jump into a new hobby without endless searching.
• Learning: Summarize books, articles, or YouTube videos to extract key lessons quickly.
• Language learning: Get daily words, sentences, grammar lessons, etc.

The possibilities are endless.

The overwhelming flow of information can feel intimidating. But with AI, you can filter and deliver exactly what you need.

To make the most of it:

• Be specific: Clearly define your needs when asking ChatGPT for help.
• Set schedules: For example: Mondays for big-picture trends. Wednesdays for curated articles or motivation Fridays for project ideas or weekly reviews
• Keep it minimal: I know, this is exciting! But don’t schedule 100 tasks for yourself! Just focus on things you’re already doing.

The goal isn’t to depend on AI for everything but to save time and energy for what really matters.

Incorporating AI into my workflow has been the most exciting thing I’ve done in recent years.

It’s given me a lot of new insights and energy. I’m excited about where this is going! And I hope you found this article helpful.

The post How AI Shaves an Hour Off My Daily Reading Routine appeared first on Darius Foroux.

At the time, many would have considered putting so much capital into a single business risky. But Munger and Buffett believed that the company’s capital resources were a better trade-off.

Their investments paid off when Blue Chip Stamps became a key part of Berkshire Hathaway’s portfolio. And they used the company’s capital to fund their other investments like See’s Candies, Wesco Financial, The Buffalo Evening News, and Precision Steel.

This experience shaped Munger’s belief that diversification isn’t always necessary. As he famously said:

“The whole secret of investment is to find places where it’s safe and wise to non-diversify. It’s just that simple.”

When you think about it, why put your money in 20 mediocre companies when you can invest in 3 that will actually yield higher results?

Munger’s strategy showed that concentrated investments in high-quality businesses can lead to extraordinary returns. This shows that reading about successful investors from the best investing books can teach us valuable lessons.

The following five lessons from the best investing books.

1. The Intelligent Investor by Benjamin Graham: Focus on value, not price

The economist and investor, Benjamin Graham’s The Intelligent Investor is an old, but classic book on investing. It teaches value investing: Buying stocks that are cheap compared to what they’re really worth.

This book isn’t about guessing stock prices. It’s about investing logically and sticking to a plan. As Graham said:

“The intelligent investor is a realist who sells to optimists and buys from pessimist.”

Graham says you should understand what you’re buying and focus on long-term value, not short-term price changes.

Warren Buffett loves this book. It really is one of the most influential investing books. Even until the present, Graham’s idea of the “margin of safety” is still big in investing.

2. Berkshire Hathaway Letters to Shareholders: Always think long-term

Buffett’s letters to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders are a goldmine of investing knowledge. They’re like personal lessons from one of the best investors ever. Buffett doesn’t just talk about stocks. He talks about patience, understanding businesses, and thinking long-term.

Berkshire Hathaway Letters to Shareholders isn’t just about investing. Buffett shares his mistakes and what he learned, which is helpful for any investor. As Buffett said:

“The stock market is a device for transferring money from the impatient to the patient.”

This means focusing on long-term ownership and ignoring short-term market ups and downs.

Buffett’s letters show that success isn’t about guessing when to buy or sell. It’s about owning great companies for a long time. This focus on long-term value (which Graham also talks about) is something every investor needs to remember.

3. Against the Gods — The Remarkable Story of Risk by Peter Bernstein: Understand and manage risk

Peter Bernstein’s Against the Gods explores how humans have learned to understand and manage risk throughout history.

This book dives deep into how risk shapes financial markets and human progress. It shows how risk management is the foundation of every successful financial decision.

Whenever you invest, you have the risk of losing your money. No one has total control of the stock market. So it’s important to learn how to manage that risk. Mastering risk management is what separates successful investors from those who lose all their money.

Bernstein shows that our ability to predict risk and uncertainty has been the key to progress in financial markets. One of Bernstein’s most powerful lines sums up the book’s message:

“The essence of risk management lies in maximizing the areas where we have some control over the outcome while minimizing the areas where we have absolutely no control over the outcome.”

This advice is essential for anyone building a strong portfolio.

4. How to Trade in Stocks by Jesse Livermore: Manage your emotions

How to Trade in Stocks by Jesse Livermore is a timeless lesson on the role of emotions in investing.

Livermore was a legendary stock trader in the early 20th century, and I actually wrote about him intensively both in my blog and in my latest book. His life and investing career are interesting and full of insights.

How to Trade in Stocks emphasizes the importance of discipline and emotional control in trading. Livermore built and lost fortunes multiple times, and much of this book reflects the wisdom he gained from those experiences.

The most valuable insight from this book is Livermore’s warning against the dangers of emotional investing.

“The stock market is never obvious. It is designed to fool most of the people, most of the time.”

Livermore emphasizes that it’s essential to remain objective, especially during volatile markets. The market is full of noise—hype, rumors, and fear—and it’s easy for investors to get caught up in it.

As an investor, you must be able to separate your emotions from your decision-making process. Livermore’s focus on emotional control and disciplined trading is as important today as it was a century ago.

5. How I Made $2,000,000 in the Stock Market by Nicolas Darvas: Stick to your system

Nicolas Darvas wasn’t a professional investor—he was a dancer. Through self-study and discipline, he made millions in the stock market.

His book, How I Made $2,000,000 in the Stock Market, details his famous “Box System” for identifying stocks poised for growth. What makes this book different is the author’s unconventional path and his strict adherence to his own system, even when others doubted him.

The lesson from this book is simple: Develop a system that works for you, and stick to it.

Darvas created a strategy based on stock price movements and volume patterns, and he disciplined himself to follow that system no matter what the market did. As he puts it:

“There are no good or bad stocks, there are only rising and falling stocks.”

Darvas’ story proves that you don’t need to be a Wall Street insider to succeed in the stock market. What you need is a clear, well-defined system and the discipline to execute it consistently.

It’s all about the long game

When you go online, it might seem like millions of people are getting rich quickly by buying Bitcoin, Gamestop stocks, or other things. Every week, there’s a story about some asset going up by hundreds of percent in a short time.

Those are outliers. Most of us will never get rich that quickly. You can get lucky, of course. But luck is not an investing strategy. That doesn’t mean you can’t get rich over a longer period.

In the long run, public markets are still the best way to build wealth. You can’t afford not to invest.

Investing is difficult because it goes against human nature. We need to make choices today that pay off in the future. Too many folks want instant gratification.

While most assets have gone up in value over the last century, our purchasing power hasn’t changed. Sure, wages have increased. But so has inflation. End result? If you don’t invest, you’ll likely lose money over the long term.

That’s the advantage of learning from the best investing books. When you have a strong foundational knowledge of investing, you can execute sustainable investing decisions.

The post 5 Investment Lessons From the Best Investing Books appeared first on Darius Foroux.

This was coming from someone who has sold millions of books and is still selling hundreds of thousands of books a year. To me, it sounded disconnected from reality.

People still like to read. Not everyone is addicted to watching videos. Just look at yourself. You’re reading this blog post. 

If you’re like me, you also still read books. 

What do people think? We’re all sixteen-year-olds who are glued to their phones, watching ticktock videos? 

Give me a break. Blogs are not dead. 

In fact, blogging has become an increasingly popular form of content creation and marketing over the past few years because platforms, AI, and other tools make it easier to reach more people. 

But still, people who read have always been in the minority. And I think that’s what most people who think that “video is the future” don’t get. Sure, people are getting lazier and they want you to feed them content.

But think about it. Do you really want to serve those types of people?!

The entire reason I started blogging and writing books is that people who read are my type of people. I write because I read. And people who prefer reading are just different. 

However, that’s not the reason blogging isn’t dead and will be around in the future. To explain why…

Let’s talk about the history of blogging

The beginning of blogging can be traced to the digital era starting as early as the early 90s. Long before “blogging” was even an idea, communities were already taking shape with Usenet and online services providing a platform for people to get connected.

Jorn Barger was the innovator who first coined “weblog” in 1997, and Peter Merholz made waves by taking that term further when he shortened it to ‘blog’, which became widely used. 

Taking things even a step further, Ev Williams created an entire lifestyle centered around blogging with his service, Blogger. He also popularized the terms: “blog” and “Blogger.”

So blogs have been around for 30 years. Here’s why it’s likely they will be around for another three decades.

The Lindy Effect

The Lindy Effect is a concept that states that the future life expectancy of some non-perishable items is directly proportional to their current age. 

The term Lindy originated from an article written by Albert Goldman in The New Republic in 1964 titled “Lindy’s Law”. The term refers to a delicatessen in New York called Lindy’s, which was a popular gathering spot for comedians. They met there daily to discuss their experiences and analyze the recent developments in show business.

But it was Benoit Mandelbrot and Nassim Taleb who developed the idea into what it is now. 

Mandelbrot and Taleb argue that a lifespan can be extended with each passing day since it has already survived past its expected lifespan.

In Taleb’s 2012 book, Antifragile: Things That Gain from Disorder, he explains the concept as follows:

“If a book has been in print for forty years, I can expect it to be in print for another forty years. But, and that is the main difference, if it survives another decade, then it will be expected to be in print another fifty years. 

This, simply, as a rule, tells you why things that have been around for a long time are not “aging” like persons, but “aging” in reverse. Every year that passes without extinction doubles the additional life expectancy. This is an indicator of some robustness. The robustness of an item is proportional to its life!”

If something survives the most critical stage, you can expect it will continue to exist. This is also true for businesses.

A company that’s around for a year will likely be around in another year, but not in 10 years. A company that’s survived long enough to be in business for 10 years will likely still exist in 10 more years.

Video is not the holy grail

So blogging is established and proven. It’s a robust system. And people still love to read.

“But video is better!” 

Says who? A bunch of experts who love creating videos? Of course. 

Have you ever heard a traditional butcher saying that meat is bad? Or do you know a baker who says bread is bad for you?

Once again, that’s a bias. The bias of self-interest is the tendency for people to prioritize their own interests, beliefs, or agendas. 

This can lead to decisions and actions that are not in the best interest of everyone involved, but rather favor an individual’s vested interests.

So when people overly promote a particular idea, medium, strategy, and so forth, always be skeptical.

This is also true for this article about blogging. Make up your own mind. The truth is; there’s no holy grail. Video is not the answer to every single marketing challenge. 

Sure, you want to reach a bigger audience, but that doesn’t mean you must create videos or die.

Blogging changes, but the craft doesn’t

Look, blogging is also changing every year. It’s no longer a matter of writing a few blog posts and putting up ads so you can earn a living.

As a blogger, you must be dynamic. Maybe that means you create videos, courses, podcasts, coaching programs, etc.

I’m all about building a business around your blog so you can earn a living. I’ve done that with books and courses. I even teach that in my course, digitalbusiness.school.

But remember that writing is a craft. The more time you spend doing other things the less time you’re writing.

How do you become a better writer? By writing. Everyone knows that. And yet, so many people get lured by the promise of fame and money from social media or YouTube.

Being a filmmaker and a blogger are two entirely different things. Just because you’re a good storyteller doesn’t make you a good filmmaker. 

Whatever you do, pick something you are. What are you? A writer? An entertainer? Filmmaker? It’s up to you to decide.

Simply spend the majority of your time doing the thing you actually are.

Writers write.

The post No, Blogging Is Not Dying Anytime Soon  appeared first on Darius Foroux.

I prefer books that highlight what important leaders actually have done—not just what they said. To me, books that demonstrate leadership through examples are the best kind. 

Some of the books you’ll find below don’t even mention leadership at all. Yet, I’ve learned a lot about leadership by reading them.

If you’re looking for inspirational books that make you a better leader, I recommend reading these.

1. Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol S. Dweck

“Just because some people can do something with little or no training, it doesn’t mean that others can’t do it (and sometimes do it even better) with training.”

In this famous book, Stanford University psychologist Carol S. Dweck talks about how we perceive talents and abilities. She says there are two main types of mindsets:

• The Fixed Mindset—those who believe that abilities are fixed;
• The Growth Mindset—those who believe that abilities can be developed.

Years after its first printing, Dweck also introduced the growing phenomenon called, “False Growth Mindset” where people think or claim they have a growth mindset but their actions show otherwise.

The best leaders are the ones who have a true growth mindset.

2. The Snowball: Warren Buffett and the Business of Life by Alice Schroeder

“Time is the friend of the wonderful business, the enemy of the mediocre.”

Warren Buffett, CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, is one of the most well-known and respected investors in the world. Yet, by celebrity standards, he’s very private. 

He’s never written a memoir. But he allowed writer Alice Schroeder to explore his life, his work, and his thoughts.

Schroeder’s work on finance impressed Buffett. So he gave the writer complete access to his work philosophy, background, and life.

This is a very dense book. So I would only pick it up if you’re really in the mood for spending a lot of hours reading about a person’s life. But if you do decide to read a biography, this one will not disappoint. 

3. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey

“Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply.”

In 7 Habits, Covey talks about attaining one’s “true north.” He says there are 3 stages of maturity (“Maturity Continuum”):

• Dependence
• Independence
• Interdependence

When we’re born, we’re all dependent. We look to our parents/guardians for support. And we only care about ourselves. 

As we grow, we start shedding certain dependencies; we move out, live our own lives, and grow our support network. We learn to consider other people’s needs.

As we become more independent and mature, our need for external influence and approval decreases. And our work benefits us as well as others. T

his important book explores how certain individuals achieved interdependence, the highest level of maturity, through their habits. It’s also a book that’s worth re-reading.

4. Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts by Brené Brown

“The courage to be vulnerable is not about winning or losing, it’s about the courage to show up when you can’t predict or control the outcome.”

This is a book that’s explicitly about leadership. But it talks about the topic differently than most conventional leadership books.

How do you cultivate braver, more daring leaders? And how do you embed the value of courage in your culture? 

These are the questions that Brown attempts to answer in her book, Dare to Lead. And it shows examples, research, and stories that are very relatable. That’s why this book is so effective.

5. Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin

“Good leaders don’t make excuses. Instead, they figure out a way to get it done.”

While the previous book shares relatable stories, this book shares very extreme examples. But the lessons are useful. 

In Extreme Ownership, retired officers Willink and Babin talk about the principles and mindset that enable SEAL units to accomplish the most difficult missions in combat.

They also apply these principles to any leadership environment; whether it’s your family, team, or organization.

The mindset of Willink and Babin might seem out of reach and impossible to implement, but if you give it a try, it’s very helpful. We can all use mental toughness.

6. The Autobiography of Malcolm X by Malcolm X and Alex Haley

“It is only after slavery and prison that the sweetest appreciation of freedom can come.”

Malcolm X is known for his work as a human and civil rights activist in the US. He was also the leading face of the Black Muslim Movement for many years. 

The Autobiography outlines Malcolm X’s controversial philosophy of life. The point of this book is not to agree or disagree with his beliefs. 

What I like most about this book is Malcolm’s energy and conviction. The best leader is someone who truly believes in something. I don’t think you will find another person who believed more in their cause than Malcolm.

7. Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking by Susan Cain

“We have two ears and one mouth and we should use them proportionally.”

Cain claims that at least one-third of the people we know are introverts. In Quiet, Cain shows how introverts are often undervalued and overpowered by flamboyant public speakers who are experts at self-promotion.

But introverts succeed too. Cain examines different case studies: from a record-breaking salesman who mastered the power of questions, to a highly sought-after public speaker who recharges in solitude after a talk.

As an introvert myself, I can really relate to this book. It challenges you to look inward and embrace who you truly are.

8. Becoming Steve Jobs: The Evolution of a Reckless Upstart into a Visionary Leader by Brent Schlender and Rick Tetzeli

“One of the things I’ve always felt,” Steve told me, “is that if you’re going to be creative, it’s like jumping up in the air; you want to make damn sure the ground is going to be there when you get back.”

Steve Jobs is still considered the most innovative entrepreneur of all time. But he also displays questionable leadership during different phases of his life.

This book tries to answer the central question: How did an arrogant, reckless, young man, who eventually got kicked out of his own company, become one of the most effective business leaders in the world?

The book examines Steve Jobs’ background, philosophy, and the people around him. Writer Brent Schlender also knew Jobs personally for 25 years. And this book takes material from their on-and-off record interviews and conversations over the years.

I also enjoyed Walter Isaacson’s book on Jobs. But this one gives a better picture of Job’s career.

9. Elon Musk: Tesla, SpaceX, and the Quest for a Fantastic Future by Ashlee Vance

“If the rules are such that you can’t make progress, then you have to fight the rules.”

Elon Musk was a bright kid who was abused by his father and bullied in school. After leaving South Africa, he studied at the University of Pennsylvania. He paid his way through university by throwing massive parties and turning his house into a club.

In 2002, eBay acquired Paypal, one of Musk’s successful dot-com companies. And from there, he began his “lost years,” investing in electric cars and rockets.

Really fascinating to read about Musk as he is still in the prime of his career. 

10. The Practice of Management by Peter F. Drucker

“Leadership is lifting a person’s vision to higher sights, the raising of a person’s performance to a higher standard, the building of a personality beyond its normal limitations.”

Published in 1954, this book has become a classic in modern management practices.

In The Practice, Drucker talks about the most important question to succeed in management: “What is our business?” 

By creating a systematic way to answer that question, a business gains a clearer and more focused view of its mission and goals.

I must say: This is a dry read at times. And probably not relevant unless you’re a manager, but it’s packed with lessons to lead a team or organization. 

No book can teach everything about leadership

We can only learn so much about leadership from books. But books can help you to change the way you think. The rest of the time, we learn through practice, taking calculated risks, and learning from our mistakes.

These books are best seen as guides. Look at how successful leaders lived their lives or made their decisions. 

What was their reasoning or thought process behind the things they did? Once you understand those, you can make your own decisions. That’s what true leaders ultimately do.

The post 10 Best Leadership Books I’ve Ever Read appeared first on Darius Foroux.