10 Books on Intentional Living to Read in 2021 | New year, new you — or so the saying goes. Perhaps instead of reinventing yourself this year, 2021 is the year to simply be the best version of you. Intentional living really just means choosing a life of purpose. Knowing the kind of life you want to create, and pursuing it.
These books on intentional living are all powerful tools to teach, motivate, and keep you on the right path.
The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry will remind you why your actions matter, what’s at stake — and what the rest of the world is trying to pull you into. The Total Money Makeover will help you take control of your finances to stabilize and build for the future. Crucial Conversations will prepare you for conflict of any kind.
You’re not alone in this journey of purposeful living, and there are excellent resources available to you for exactly this moment. These 10 Books on intentional living will revolutionize your 2021, and change the way you do and see life.
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10 Books on Intentional Living to Read in 2021
The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry
Firstly — this book has to be number one, on this list and on yours. I read The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer when it came out in 2019, and this book itself is what kickstarted my entire journey of intentional living. John Mark is a favourite author of mine, and his approachable, engaging, and entertaining writing makes this read fun, as well as valuable.
It’s not an exaggeration to tell you that this book was life changing for me. It covers intentionality in everything from self care to finances, to your spiritual life. I truly cannot recommend this book enough. It’s currently on sale for a ridiculously affordable price. If there’s one book you want to start this year off with, make it this one!
Crucial Conversations
A New York Times & Washington Post bestseller, Crucial Conversations is all about communication. Having hard conversations is part of life. It’s not something to run from. But it is something that matters. Knowing how to walk into a conversation with high stakes and effectively communicate, resolve conflict, and help everyone walk away happy is an incredibly powerful tool.
This skill will serve you professionally and personally. Whatever your background, whether you grew up with strong communication skills or are just starting to figure things out — this book is for you.
Not only will it help you find words for what you’re trying to say, it will help you understand others. You’ll be able to approach the table with greater empathy & a deeper understanding of how to make someone feel heard. Click the link below to shop the Amazon.com listing, or click here if you’re in Canada!
Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less
Next up: Essentialism by Greg McKeown. I actually have yet to read this, though it’s top of my list this year! Essentialism teaches not just the why, but the how of living with less. It equips you to determine what in your life is necessary, and what is simply cluttering your time and space.
If you feel like you’re constantly working with no results, time is moving forward but you are not, or you’re stretched too thin, this is for you.
Daring Greatly
Daring Greatly by Brene Brown is a classic. Almost two years ago, I wrote a blog post on vulnerability, and was suddenly flooded with messages asking if I’d ever read the book. I hadn’t, but I did — and it was revolutionary.
Brene puts words to things you’ve felt, but never knew how to say. Daring Greatly is a powerful teacher on vulnerability and the power it has in your life. It’ll make you feel, think, and rethink your relationships and choices.
Soulful Simplicity
I first came across this book through this quote from the author, Courtney Carver.
“I finally figured it out. Instead of working so hard to make ends meet, work on having fewer ends.”
C O U R T N E Y C A R V E R
Courtney’s approach to conscious and intentional living is so wonderfully inviting. Her story is inspiring, real, and she has a deep and powerful understanding of what it truly means to live simply.
If you’re looking for an engaging, impactful book on what it looks like to find true priorities and live intentionally — this is it.
The Total Money Makeover
Dave Ramsey’s bestseller is sworn by, and has transformed the financial reality of so many people. Intentionality with money is absent all too often from conversations regarding purposeful living. And yet, we know how powerful money is, and how much our use of it affects our future and what it holds for us.
Rather than a “quick and easy” solution to your problem, Dave Ramsey offers tools to help you develop lasting financial success. Build a budget for yourself/your family, paying off debt, and setting yourself up for whatever comes with the help of this book.
If financial intentionality is something you’re interested in exploring more, I also highly recommend Dave Ramsey’s podcast. Super interesting, entertaining, and informative at once!
Atomic Habits
This bestseller by James Clear, an expert on habit formation, is your one-stop shop guide to developing positive habits and kicking negative ones. If you’ve had a hard time doing this previously, you’re not alone — and you’re not to blame. Our brains are wired to run on autopilot, and interrupting predetermined rhythms is hard to do.
Atomic Habits breaks down how to change your life drastically through small, simple, attainable changes. This is a great book to start off the year with — think of where you’d be a year from now if you could implement this right away.
The Home Edit Life
If you’re unfamiliar with The Home Edit, you need this book right now. Clea Shearer and Joanna Teplin are two best friends who started a business teaching people how to organize their home — like really organize their home. The Home Edit is that it’s built entirely around creating sustainable systems. This book is dubbed “The No-Guilt Guide to Owning What You Want and Organizing Everything” — and shows the reader how to get a handle on their life regardless of what stage they’re in.
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
A classic if there ever was one. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People is a long time bestseller and a household name. Renowned for its wisdom, the book is simply what it appears to be — a guide to becoming a highly effective person.
Intentional living is purpose and meaning. It is using resources, abilities, and time wisely, refusing to simply exist, insisting on forming direction rather than just letting the time pass.
Living not just intentionally, but effectively, is a huge part of that.
Intentional Living
Last, but certainly not least — Intentional Living by John Maxwell. If the title wasn’t clear enough, this book is all about choosing a life that matters. Building a legacy of significance through simple choices throughout your life. John Maxwell is known for his writing on leadership, life, and personal growth. This is a great a guidebook to help you get started on this journey.
These 10 books on intentional living are all written to support a different part of your life, and together or individually will add so much to your journey. If intentional living is something you’re passionate about, be sure to join my email list — twice a month, I share blog posts you might have missed, products I’m loving, and what I’m learning right now.
Join the inner circle and let’s figure out together what it looks like to live a meaningful, intentional life.
Thank you so much for this post! I’ve bookmarked it and will be referring to this page for the next books to read. I’m currently obsessed with reading and am super excited to try out these books!
I’m so glad you enjoyed! You’ll have to let me know what you think!