The University of Hard Knocks

The University of Hard Knocks is a curated collection of must-read recommendations—hand-picked for Leaders, Mentors, Contributors, and anyone committed to improving their life and unlocking their full potential.

Book of the Month

Each month, the University of Hard Knocks curates a distinguished selection that reflects the enduring tenets of leadership, scholarship, and personal mastery. These volumes are chosen not only for their literary merit, but for their capacity to shape thought and inform practice. Explore the Book of the Month to engage with ideas that elevate both mind and character.

Get to know:

Sahil Bloom’s framework, The 5 Types of Wealth, expands the idea of wealth far beyond financial success, arguing that money—while important for security, freedom, and optionality—is only one piece of a much larger equation. He explains that true wealth is multidimensional, also encompassing social wealth, built through strong relationships, reputation, and a trusted network that opens doors money cannot. Time wealth is another essential pillar, centered on having control over your schedule and the freedom to choose how you spend your days, because a life without time freedom—even with financial abundance—can feel constricted. Physical wealth, rooted in health, mobility, and energy, forms the foundation for experiencing everything else; no level of income can compensate for declining vitality. Finally, mental wealth—emotional resilience, clarity, purpose, and inner peace—is the rarest and most valuable form, shaping how you experience every other area of life. Bloom’s central message is clear: a rich life requires intentional balance across all five types of wealth, rather than an unbalanced pursuit of money alone.

Key Takeaways:
Real wealth isn’t defined by finances alone but by a balance across five dimensions of life. Money provides options, but social wealth—relationships, trust, and reputation—often unlocks greater opportunities. Time wealth, the freedom to control your schedule, is one of the most meaningful indicators of a fulfilled life. Physical health is a compounding asset that strengthens every other area, while neglecting it eventually diminishes the returns of all forms of wealth. Above all, mental wealth—inner peace, emotional stability, and purpose—is the ultimate measure of how rich your life feels. Bloom’s model reminds us that a truly abundant life requires cultivating each of these forms of wealth with intention and consistency.

Wealth is a portfolio, not a single metric. You must diversify across the five types to experience a truly rich life.

Money is a tool, not the destination. It provides freedom and optionality, but loses meaning without fulfillment in the other areas.

Relationships compound like investments. The deeper and more intentional you are with people, the more opportunities and support you create over time.

Time is the first form of wealth you feel and the last one you get back. Guard it, design it, and invest it wisely.

Health is the foundation of performance. Strong energy, mobility, and physical well-being amplify every other form of wealth.

Inner peace is the highest return asset. A calm, grounded mind changes the way you experience success, challenges, and relationships.

You cannot outsource personal growth. Building these five forms of wealth is an intentional, daily practice—no one can do it for you.

Balance matters more than intensity. Overdeveloping one form of wealth at the expense of others leads to regret, burnout, or emptiness.

True wealth is lived, not displayed. How your life feels internally is a far better metric than what it looks like externally.

Your definition of wealth will evolve. What matters at 25 is different than what matters at 45; revisit and rebalance regularly.

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The University of Hard Knocks

Talk Like Ted

Carmine Gallo

Talk Like TED may be packaged as a book about public speaking, but for me, it’s really about how to communicate with impact in any setting. Whether you’re leading a team, selling an idea, or mentoring someone, the ability to connect and inspire is one of the most valuable skills you can develop.

Science of Getting Rich (with the Science of Being Great)

Wallace D. Wattles

These two books, though written over a century ago, still carry principles I find incredibly relevant today. In The Science of Getting Rich, Wattles argues that wealth isn’t about luck or circumstance—it’s about thinking and acting in a “certain way.” He emphasizes clarity of vision, gratitude, and disciplined action as the keys to creating abundance.

The Power of One More

Ed Mylett

Ed Mylett’s The Power of One More is a blueprint for unlocking your potential through small, consistent actions. The book centers on the idea that doing “one more”—one more rep, one more call, one more act of kindness—creates compounding growth that transforms both mindset and results.

Lincoln on Leadership

Donald T. Phillips

Lincoln on Leadership is a book I’ve come back to often because it captures timeless lessons from one of the greatest leaders in history. What stands out to me is how Abraham Lincoln led during the most divided, uncertain period in America—through humility, resilience, and a deep connection with people.

Three Feet from Gold

Lechter & Reid

Inspired by a story in Napoleon Hill’s Think and Grow Rich, Three Feet from Gold reminds us that perseverance is often the difference between failure and breakthrough. This book resonates with me because I’ve lived the lesson: sometimes the breakthrough is just on the other side of frustration.

The Last Lecture

Randy Pausch

The Last Lecture is one of the most moving books I’ve ever read. Randy Pausch, a professor diagnosed with terminal cancer, used what could have been his final moments to leave behind lessons on life, dreams, and purpose.

Winners Never Cheat

Jon M. Huntsman

This is a book I often point to because it reinforces something I’ve believed throughout my career—success without integrity isn’t success at all. In Winners Never Cheat, Jon Huntsman, a billionaire entrepreneur, lays out how he built one of the world’s largest chemical companies while keeping his word, treating people with respect, and doing the right thing—even when it cost him in the short term.

The One Thing

Gary Keller

Gary Keller’s The One Thing is a masterclass in focus and productivity. The book’s central question—“What’s the ONE thing I can do such that by doing it everything else will be easier or unnecessary?”—teaches us that extraordinary results come from narrowing our efforts, not expanding them.

Rebirth

Kamal Ravikant

Rebirth is one of those books that stays with you long after you finish it. Ravikant tells the story of a man walking the Camino de Santiago who is forced to confront loss, meaning, and the direction of his life.

Think & Grow Rich

Napolian Hill

Napoleon Hill’s classic reminds us that success begins in the mind. Through stories of great leaders and entrepreneurs, he shows that desire, faith, and persistence are the driving forces behind achievement.

Daring Greatly

Brene Brown

As a leader and coach, I’ve learned that the toughest but most rewarding path is leading with authenticity. Daring Greatly is a book that drove this home for me. Brené Brown’s work on vulnerability challenged me to rethink what strength really looks like. Vulnerability isn’t weakness—it’s the courage to show up, speak truth, and lead in a way that inspires trust and connection.

Tools of Titans

Tim Ferris

One of my all-time favorites, Tim Ferriss’ Tools of Titans has had a lasting impact on how I approach growth and performance. The book is packed with lessons from world-class leaders, athletes, entrepreneurs, and thinkers, organized around health, wealth, and wisdom.