My name is Michael Mandaville.

I read a lot of books, usually three, four or five at a time. Over the last few years, I have concentrated on non-fiction books focused on Filmmaking, Writing, History (lots of World War II history!) , Martial arts and a healthy dose of Self-Improvement. I work in the film industry as a Producer-Line Producer-UPM and am in the Producers Guild of America (PGA) and the Directors Guild of America (DGA), having worked on all three “Taken” films.

I examine these books and other Techniques for Self-Improvement in my Online Course “Scholar Warrior is the Way” which you can try for a FREE Trial and a nominal amount each month. I created the course to share my insights on how I’ve gotten ahead, made a career in this industry and kept moving through, well, Life!

What is my Criteria? Each book changed my Life this last year as I read, studied and implemented its knowledge and insight. I put these books in order of reading for me too which I hope you’ll find useful.

1. “ The Untethered Soul” by Michael Singer

This book walks you through your own brain. You take a mental tour of your Inner Space. You have relations with your thoughts and emotions. There is the “Inner Roommate” who might be the worse roommate imaginable - negative, too careful, yammering away at your real desires for achievement. This voice directly affects your Inner Energy. You want to free yourself from the habitual thoughts and emotions that inhibit your growth and consciousness. In essence, the negative voice in your head is the White Noise that you have to ignore - to get on with a better Life.

2. “The 5 Personality Patterns” by Steven Kessler.

I watched a video on human trauma in all its forms. Yes, human trauma is certainly PTSD, sexual abuse, physical abuse and more. That would be the “Big Trauma” but the “Small Trauma”. Kessler’s book discusses human trauma and the patterns which result from this trauma. Again, WE ALL HAVE trauma - so discover how you have a pattern and can make your life better. Here’s a video on from Steven Kessler. Link here.

3. “Tools of Titans: The Tactics, Routines, and Habits of Billionaires, Icons, and World-Class Performers” by Tim Ferris

I like this book because it’s a nice fat, thick book with easily digetible bites. He covers a lot of ground here with celebrities, entrepreneurs, thinkers and warriors. The key is that it can offer 3 pages of daily inspiration to read quickly from a person you admire. The good part is that, while these people are insightful - they are not that much different than you on your Journey in your own fulfillment. Link here.

4. “Can't Hurt Me: Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds” by David Goggins

I actually had the honor of meeting this Navy SEAL down at their base in Coronado. His story about working as a cockroach exterminator and then getting motivated to lose like 100 pounds in that many days to enter the SEALs is amazing. He also told about this marathon he entered where his body went into physical failure - but then his mind told his body to keep going. And it did. Link here

5. “Love Money Money Loves You” by Sara McCrum

This book is about money and the energy of money. The key is to reset your brain’s perspective on money. Money itself - the paper and coins - have no value unless another person or society agrees with you on its value for a transaction. So that transaction represents Energy. The key is not a new financial system but how money operates behind the scenes in our world. A very good way to rethink the money game. And remember, life is a Game. Link Here

6. “Atomic Habits” by James Clear.

This terrific book made me realize how we are, to some degree, a collection of our habitual undertakings. How can we create and build better habits. I was so intrigued by this one that I did a chart to demonstrate to myself how the Compound Interest that I can gain from building consistent habits becomes a real Game Changer.

This Chart is used on one of my lessons in my Online Course “Scholar Warrior Is The Way” with its FREE Trial and low monthly cost.

Link Here

Okay…I’m cutting to the chase here…

Print out the above chart and put it where you can see it. You’ll soon convince yourself that you too can improve that 1% each and every day toward your dreams.

7. “The Master Key System” by Charles Haanel

This book is an older self-improvement but I think it’s a classic to have and refer to. You can read snippets much like the Tim Ferris book. First published as a 24-week correspondence course in 1912, the lessons were compiled in 1916. Aa classic work of self-empowerment that really got people thinking about their Thoughts at the turn of the century. It concentrates on the Law of Attraction. Link Here

The Key in Self-Improvement is consistency and creating your Own System. Here’s how I tackle these books.

• Read Every day for 30 minutes - easy if you turn off the TV

• Don’t be too tough on yourself. Improve Gradually.

• Reflect - read the books - but have time to Reflect!

• A written journal (a simple notepad with the date on it) helps you to keep on track and seriously consider the implications.

• Use One Thing You Learned Each Day. Just One!

Have a Great New Year in Your 2023 Journey!