Essential Readings
Books that shape our thinking and approach to bringing ideas to life. Every Acta Fellow is expected to read and study these carefully.
Extreme Ownership
by Jocko Willink & Leif Babin
This book explains what real ownership actually means and what it looks like in the real world. At Acta, we understand how caring steps above your ego to make the change you care about happen. The mindset of taking complete responsibility—not just for successes but especially for failures—is fundamental to our approach of bringing meaningful ideas to life.
Stealing Fire
by Steven Kotler & Jamie Wheal
An entrance into the idea of the divine connected to creating flow state in teams. This book explores the concepts and practices Navy SEALs use to create strong teams, providing an introduction to breathing techniques and plant medicine. Acta Fellows value these insights for building high-performing teams that can consistently achieve breakthrough creative states.
The Four Agreements
by Don Miguel Ruiz
A practical guide to personal freedom based on ancient Toltec wisdom. For founders and creatives at Acta, these agreements provide a framework for eliminating self-limiting beliefs and creating authentic relationships. By being impeccable with your word, not taking things personally, not making assumptions, and always doing your best, we build the foundation for extraordinary collaboration and creation.
The Alchemist
by Paulo Coelho
This allegorical novel about following your dreams resonates deeply with the founder's journey. At Acta, we believe in pursuing your personal legend despite obstacles and uncertainties. The book's message that the universe conspires to help those who pursue their true calling reminds us that bringing meaningful ideas to life requires both persistence and a willingness to recognize the signs and opportunities that appear along the way.
Zero to One
by Peter Thiel
Provides foundations in how power law, tech companies, and defensible businesses work. At Acta, we recognize that creating something truly new—going from zero to one—is fundamentally different from iterating on what exists. Thiel's insights into monopoly theory, startup team dynamics, and contrarian thinking are essential for anyone looking to create lasting value through innovation.
The War of Art
by Steven Pressfield
A crucial guide for creatives on overcoming the internal resistance that prevents us from doing our most important work. Acta Fellows recognize that resistance is a natural force that emerges whenever we attempt something meaningful, and Pressfield's battle-tested strategies for defeating procrastination, self-doubt, and fear help us show up consistently for the ideas we believe in.
The Way of the Superior Man
by David Deida
A guide to masculine spiritual evolution that challenges men to live with integrity, authenticity, and purpose. For founders at Acta, this book offers invaluable insights on balancing mission with relationships, confronting fears, and living with a clear sense of direction. Deida's wisdom helps cultivate the inner strength and presence needed to lead meaningful ventures while maintaining personal growth.
The Courage to Be Disliked
by Ichiro Kishimi & Fumitake Koga
This philosophical dialogue introduces Adlerian psychology in an accessible way, teaching that happiness is a choice available to everyone. For Acta Fellows, this book provides liberating perspectives on how to break free from the expectations of others, contribute value to the world, and focus on what we can control rather than what we cannot.
The Science of Getting Rich
by Wallace D. Wattles
Despite its title, this book is less about material wealth and more about the mindset required to manifest value in the world. At Acta, we appreciate its emphasis on creating in harmony with others rather than competition, and its pragmatic framework for turning creative visualization into concrete action. The principles here support our belief that abundance follows when you focus on creating genuine value.
A New Earth
by Eckhart Tolle
This transformative work helps us transcend our ego-based consciousness and connect with our deeper purpose. For founders and creatives at Acta, Tolle's insights allow us to separate our true creative impulses from ego-driven motivations, resulting in work that comes from a place of presence rather than reactivity. This awareness is essential for creating ideas that genuinely serve rather than merely satisfy the ego.
Becoming Supernatural
by Dr. Joe Dispenza
Dr. Dispenza combines quantum physics, neuroscience, and epigenetics to explore how we can transcend our physical limitations. For innovators at Acta, this book offers practical techniques to tap into deeper states of creativity and consciousness. By understanding how to break free from limiting patterns, we can access extraordinary capabilities that fuel breakthrough innovation and transformative idea creation.