My 2025 Challenge: Becoming a Mentalist, Expert Generalist, and Intersection Thinker

Introduction: My 2025 Challenge

Reading is a big part of my life. And for the past several years, I've read over 100 books each year. This year I'll read at least 150 books and I won’t give a specific number. That's my 2025 challenge. People are constantly curious about the number of books I read. While I don’t answer when asked about the number of books I read, this year I’m intentionally shifting my focus to more diverse and strategic reading. 

After reviewing the books I read last year, I discovered they were not as diverse as they should be. I love to read books across genres and disciplines and by authors from around the globe. I’m accustomed to reading many books each year. And I can see how my reading has evolved. My reading list has become more diverse.

When I read nonfiction books, I'm often reading to learn. This year, some of my goals are to develop the skills of a mentalist, expert generalist, and intersection thinker. Also, I'd like to learn more about accumulating wealth, attracting abundance, and developing rich habits. Developing these skills is important to me because they’ll enable me to become a better leader, problem-solver, and decision-maker. And they’ll also make me more creative.

In the following sections, I explore the topics more deeply and I’ll share a watershed moment that’s leading me to where I’m heading.

Watershed Moment 

I've mentioned a few times I watched Dan Henry's YouTube video about how he read four books (Sam Walton: Made in America, Exactly What to Say, Object Lessons for a Year, and The Game), applied the ideas, and made over $30 million. The video affected me deeply because I'd read two of the four books (Sam Walton: Made in America and Exactly What to Say) and didn't make millions of dollars. Although I often apply the ideas from the books I read, I realized I needed to level up my thinking and develop rich habits so I, too, can profit from my reading time. 

I also recognized in myself that I’m reading the right books. However, I need to adjust my approach in how I apply the ideas. Yes, it’s good to see what others are reading to get recommendations, but I already possess many of the books that will take me to the next level in my journey. Although I teach others about strategic reading, this moment brought home its importance and also the need to apply the concepts from the books I read more quickly.

People like Dan Henry are highly successful and are rainmakers. However, I don’t think they’re concerned about becoming expert generalists, intersection thinkers, and mentalists. To me, these are very important next level skills. Imagine combining disparate pieces of information and learning about what people in other countries are doing. Diversity in thought is important to me.

I created my goals for 2025 and developing the skills of an expert generalist, intersection thinker, and mentalist will enable me to achieve those goals.

Have you read?

Transform Your 2025 with the 30 Books in 30 Days Reading Challenge

My 2025 Challenge: Expert Generalist & Intersection Thinker

Based on what I write below, you’ll see how the skills of an expert generalist and an intersection thinker overlap. Outstanding leaders think broadly and deeply. The skills of an expert generalist and an intersection thinker help them do so. Acquiring these skills allows you to connect seemingly unrelated ideas to create innovative solutions, so you see what others miss.

When I first read about the expert generalist and intersection thinker, it made sense for me to explore the ideas more deeply, then learn how to acquire the skills to become them.

Expert Generalist

Orit Gadiesh, Bain & Company former Chairman, London, coined the term expert generalist. She defines an expert generalist as:

 “Someone who has the ability and curiosity to master and collect expertise in many different disciplines, industries, skills, capabilities, countries and topics.” 

Elon Musk is a prime example of an expert generalist, with his diverse interests and experience spanning from space travel to electric vehicles.

An expert generalist doesn't just collect knowledge. They apply and monetize it. This is what I call profit reading. Like entrepreneur Dan Henry, you can profit from your reading time when you read the right books. When you read or learn something new, ask yourself how you can apply it to your business or career. Can it solve a problem, open up a new opportunity, or help you work more efficiently? Learning is an active process.

To monetize your knowledge, be creative and think differently. Look for ways to combine your expertise in different areas to create unique value. This is something I’m always grappling with. How to serve and how to stay relevant.

Intersection Thinker

Rohit Bhargava, author of the Non-Obvious series of books, named intersection thinking as a trend in 2019. Intersection thinking is a method for creating an overlap between disconnected ideas to generate new ideas, directions, and strategies for powering your own success. It allows you to think in a way your competitors aren't and can lead to breakthrough ideas. That’s one thing you need to achieve success.

When I first read about intersection thinking in Non Obvious, I instantly saw the significance. The closest thing to the concept is interdisciplinary study.

To become an intersection thinker, you need to make connections between different areas of expertise. This can be through networking with people outside your industry, reading books and articles from diverse sources, and attending conferences and events that are not directly related to your field.

I realize I cannot stay in a silo of specialization if I want to take quantum leaps personally and professionally.

My 2025 Challenge: The Mentalist

Mentalists combine psychology, keen observation, lifelong learning and memory to gain insight into human behavior. Patrick Jane, the protagonist of the popular TV show The Mentalist, is a great example of someone who uses these skills to his advantage. Although fictional, Patrick’s expertise in reading people, understanding motives, and influencing others is something you can learn from and apply in your career. 

Mentalism is not about supernatural abilities. It’s about developing a deep understanding of human behavior, communication, and influence.

I often find that the best way to master a skill is by seeing it in action. That’s why I was so drawn to The Mentalist. Patrick Jane’s application of mentalism resonated with me.

Two years ago, I felt like my brain was going to explode because I had been reading so much. I checked Prime Video to see if there were any shows I could watch. Most of them didn’t interest me. However, I came across The Mentalist and it was a match made in heaven. In no time, I watched all the seasons and episodes. It occurred to me that developing the skills Patrick Jane possesses would serve me well. I’ve been working on those skills, however, I need to ramp things up several notches.

Have you read?

Mastering Mentalist Skills Like Patrick Jane for Career Success in 2025

Rich Habits, Wealth Building, and Attracting Abundance

I invest a lot of time in reading. Therefore, it makes sense to profit from my reading time. And this is not about securing more money, though that is important. It’s about a shift in mindset to help me see more of the abundance around me.

In the book Rich Habits by Thomas Corley, based on the results of a study he did, he uncovered the 10 rich habits listed below.

1. I WILL form good daily habits and follow these good daily habits every day. 
2. I WILL set goals for each day, for each month, for each year and for the long-term; I WILL focus on my goals every day. 
3. I WILL engage in self-improvement every day. 
4. I WILL devote part of every day to caring for my health.
5. I WILL devote part of every day to form lifelong relationships. 
6. I WILL live every day in a state of moderation. 
7. I WILL accomplish my daily tasks every day; I will adopt a “DO IT NOW” mindset. 
8. I WILL engage in rich thinking every day. 
9. I WILL save ten percent of my gross income every paycheck. 
10. I WILL control my thoughts and emotions every day.

I commit to practicing the 10 rich habits. And I’ve started working on a few of them every day. I can see a difference in my life. For instance, every day I work on self-improvement, listen to audio programs that help me work on my mindset, and I exercise every day. Also, I take action each day to accomplish my goals.

My 2025 Challenge: Some Books I Plan to Read in 2025

1. Burn the Boats: Toss Plan B Overboard and Unleash Your Full Potential by Matt Higgins 
2. The Death and Life of Great American Cities by Jane Jacobs
3. Million Dollar Weekend: The Surprisingly Simple Way to Launch a 7-Figure Business in 48 Hours by Noah Kagan
4. Believe IT: How to Go from Underestimated to Unstoppable by Jamie Kern Lima
5. The Jazzmen: How Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, and Count Basie Transformed America by Larry Tye
6. Glow: The Autobiography of Rick James by Rick James
7. Kochland: The Secret History of Koch Industries and Corporate Power in America by Christopher Leonard
8. The Skill Code: How to Save Human Ability in an Age of Intelligent Machines by Matt Beane
9. Multipliers: How the Best Leaders Make Everyone Smarter by Liz Wiseman
10. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
11. Pachinko by Min Jin Lee
12. Bel Canto by Ann Patchett
13. Anna and the King of Siam by Margaret Landon
14. Thieves' Gambit by Kayvion Lewis
15. You Know More Than You Think by Seka Nikolic
16. Love Money, Money Loves You by Sarah McCrum

17. 100X: 10X Your Results Using 10X Less Effort by William Peña

18. Tale of the Genji by Lady Murasaki
19. Non Obvious Thinking: How to See What Others Miss by Rohit Bhargava & Ben DuPont
20. Exploring Wicked Problems: What They Are and Why They Are Important by Joseph Bentley PhD, Michael Toth PhD
21. The Wim Hof Method by Wim Hof
22. The Creativity Leap by Natalie Nixon
23. How to Be a Mentalist: Master the Secrets behind the Hit TV Show by Simon Winthrop
24. Knowledge Mindfulness: The Interconnections That Help Leaders Transform Their Business and Life by Laila Marouf Ph.D.
25. The Almanack of Naval Ravikant by Eric Jorgenson
26. Feel-Good Productivity: How to do More of What Matters to You by Ali Abdaal
27. Actionable Gamification: Beyond Points, Badges, and Leaderboards by Yu-kai Chou
28. Linked: How Everything Is Connected to Everything Else and What It Means for Business, Science, and Everyday Life by Albert-László Barabási and Jennifer Frangos
29. Unreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect by Will Guidara
30. Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer

What This Means for Business Owners and Executives

I often write for business owners, and executives, so you’ll benefit from my learning journey. I summarize the books I read and turn them into Bookish Notes that I offer on my membership site, the Art of Learning Leadership Academy. When you subscribe, you’ll be able to access these Bookish Notes.

The books I plan to read this year are extremely diverse. The ones I list above don’t represent the true diversity of my reading list.

I’m hosting a read 30 Books in 30 Days Challenge starting on January 13th. Why don’t you join me? I’ll be doing training on how to read nonfiction books strategically. Imagine how many more books you’ll read when you focus on the information that matters to you?

My 2025 Challenge: Conclusion

As I look ahead to my 2025 challenge, I’m excited about the growth and transformation that will come with embracing these new skills. Whether it's becoming an expert generalist, thinking at the intersection of diverse ideas, or mastering the art of mentalism, each step will contribute to a deeper understanding of the world and my place in it. I’m committed to reading and applying what I learn — turning knowledge into action and creating real value.

For business owners and executives, this journey isn’t just personal. It’s a chance for us to innovate, problem-solve, and lead more effectively in a changing world. If you’re ready to level up your thinking and develop richer habits, I invite you to join me on this adventure. Let’s take our learning to the next level together — starting with my 30 Books in 30 Days Challenge on January 13th. Together, we can read strategically, think differently, and turn knowledge into power.

Ready to make 2025 your year of transformation? 

Next Steps

Wondering what to do next, you can do all of:

1. Sign up for 30 Books in 30 Days Reading Challenge.

2. Buy me a cup of coffee!

This post may contain affiliate links and The Invisible Mentor® may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. For more details see here. Thank you so much for your support!