Ultimate List 2025 Updated: Books, Smart Gadgets, Productivity Tools and Studio Equipment tested by Xue Mei Rhodin
- Xue Mei Rhodin
- Feb 16
- 10 min read
Updated: Sep 23
As a public speaker, entrepreneur and executive I get asked both in media interviews and during lectures or workshops to share tools that I use regularly and books that I recommend.
It got to the point where I had a mini-library next to my work desk to be able to pull out the 30 most important books I recommended for business owners, leaders, students and clients so they could take a screenshot of the book while I held it up to my screen.
So instead of each individual just getting one or two of my tried and true ones, I gathered this master-list that contains all the books, smart gadgets, journals, pens, computers, cameras and studio equipment that I have used for years.
I'm a very efficient and optimizing type of person so when I decide to buy something I research deeply to make sure I get a high quality product that really delivers to my specifications. So these are the ones I chose and also repurchased over the years.
Books for productivity, personal development, recommendation entrepreneurship, leadership, marketing and psychology 2024:
Blue Ocean Strategy, Expanded Edition: How to Create Uncontested Market Space and Make the Competition Irrelevant by W. Chan Kim and Renée Mauborgne
Blue Ocean Strategy is a marketing book that introduces the concept of "blue oceans" - untapped new market spaces ripe for growth and free from competition. It provides a systematic approach for companies to create uncontested market spaces and make the competition irrelevant.
Amazon Books, Kindle books and Audio books: https://amzn.to/3UXTGLy
The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene
The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene is a book that presents philosophical guidelines for how people gain and maintain power and influence over others. It analyzes tactics employed by historical figures and modern leaders to help readers understand how to handle situations when people are trying to manipulate them by control and power mechanism. It helps the reader understand how power is used around them and can therefore react more appropriately and not be used as easily in power-struggles.
Amazon Books, Kindle books and Audio books https://amzn.to/4lV5Kb6
Go for No! Yes is the Destination, No is How You Get There by Richard Fenton and Andrea Waltz
I got this book from one of my many mentors early in my career. I can’t remember anymore who of them gave it to me but it was impactful enough that I recommend it to anyone. This book is only 82 pages long. But a very important read for anyone who wants to learn what promoting or selling a product is really about. It contains important lessons about the difference between failing and being a failure, how successful sales people outperform 92% of their competitors with this reversed methodology and how to mentally get past failures more quickly. Even if you do not work in sales or marketing or run a company, this is a book that can teach you important lessons on how to be resilient and stop fearing being told no or failing.
Amazon Books, Kindle books and Audio books: https://amzn.to/4ndK3o2
The Millionaire Master Plan: Your Personalized Path to Financial Success by Roger James Hamilton
Roger has actually been a personal mentor and coach to me earlier in my career. I learned a lot about how to recognize and evaluate different levels of mastery and mindsets among entrepreneurs and business leaders from him.
Roger James Hamilton, himself a highly successful entrepreneur and successful investor, has designed nine steps - from barely surviving - all the way to the highest level of ultimate wealth for life - and he lays out his nine steps in an easy-to-understand color-coded manner that ranges from red (barely living paycheck-to-paycheck) all the way to ultra-violet (where generating income is simply no longer a worry). Why this book is important is because it explains the real mental pitfalls you will go through when trying to build a company or acquiring wealth and what mistakes you will make on each step of the ladder. Most millionaires don’t keep their millions more than 3 years before it starts to decline again and many “gurus” that sit on podcasts talking boastfully about their wealth never speak of the real psychological shifts one has to go through to advance up the wealth ladder. A dynamic and interesting read for anyone.
Amazon Books, Kindle books and Audio books: https://amzn.to/3VsgcMC
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life by Mark Manson
An anti-coddling self-help book that argues for the benefits of caring less about unimportant things and focusing energy on what truly matters. It uses blunt and humorous philosophical advice to encourage readers to find values and lead a more grounded, happier life. In a world that is more and more focused on anxiety over things that doesn’t really matter for one's long term happiness but takes a lot of energy out of people's lives, this is a thought-provoking book for anyone.
Amazon Books, Kindle books and Audio books: https://amzn.to/45OKn6U
Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win by Jocko Willink
Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin outlines leadership principles based on the authors' experiences in the U.S. Navy's SEAL teams. The book advocates taking complete responsibility for everything in one's personal and professional lives to help overcome obstacles and achieve victory in any situation. I recommend this book to anyone who is a parent, a leader or business owner and anyone who want to build true self-reliance and confidence.
Amazon Books, Kindle books and Audio books: https://amzn.to/4lZ6fRQ
Harvard Business Review Guides Ultimate Boxed Set (16 Books) (HBR Guide)
This 16-volume, specially priced boxed set makes a perfect gift for aspiring leaders looking for trusted advice on such diverse topics as data analytics, negotiating, business writing, and coaching.
This set includes:
Persuasive Presentations
Better Business Writing
Finance Basics
Data Analytics
Building Your Business Case
Making Every Meeting Matter
Project Management
Emotional Intelligence
Getting the Right Work Done
Negotiating
Leading Teams
Coaching Employees
Performance Management
Delivering Effective Feedback
Dealing with Conflict
Managing Up and Across
Amazon Books, Kindle books and Audio books: https://amzn.to/4lZ6fRQ
Journaling, Note Taking, Planning and Goal Setting Equipment
The Official Bullet Journal Edition 2 from LEUCHTTURM1917
Notebook Built for BuJo, Medium A5 204 Pages of 120gsm Paper, with Bujo Pocket Guide (Black)
Bullet Journal Edition 2 from LEUCHTTURM1917 Notebook on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4m368EJ
Sakura Pigma Micron Fineliners 08, 05, 03
Durable Ink: Waterproof, fade resistant ink is quick drying and pH neutral.
Sakura Pigma Micron Fineliner Pens 08 - Archival Black Ink Pens - Pens for Writing, Drawing, or Journaling - Black Ink - 05 Point Size - 6 Pack
No 08, 0.50 mm line size
Sakura Pigma Micron Fineliner Pens 08 on Amazon https://amzn.to/4p0LOql
Sakura Pigma Micron Fineliner Pens - Archival Black Ink Pens - Pens for Writing, Drawing, or Journaling - Black Ink - 05 Point Size - 6 Pack
No 05, 0.45 mm line size
Sakura Pigma Micron Fineliner Pens 05 on Amazon https://amzn.to/467kyhe
SAKURA Pigma Micron Fineliner Pens - Archival Black Ink Pens - Pens for Writing, Drawing, or Journaling - Black Ink - 03 Point Size - 6 Pack
No 03, 0.35 mm line size
Sakura Pigma Micron Fineliner Pens 03 on Amazon https://amzn.to/47XG9Lq
108-Piece ABT Dual Brush Pen Set by Tombow - Complete Marker Collection in Portable Case
Tombow ABT Dual Brush Professional waterbased, non-bleed pens - Full colorspectrum, all 108 pens. Water based and therefore odorless, Water-soluble, Non-Bleed, Non-Toxic and Acid free
I use these for everything. Color-coding my bullet journal and GoalPlan Session notes.
Drawing ideas, brands, highlighting text, illustrations, map-buildining and concept art when I write fiction books. Everything.
108-Piece ABT Dual Brush Pen Set by Tombow on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3JLqkgU
Productivity Tools, Office Wear and Desk Equipment
Sony WH-1000XM4
My Sony WH-1000XM4 wireless noise-canceling overhead headphones.
I love these. Not only do they contain my initials in their name (XM) but I use them at the gym, when traveling and around my house to listen to podcasts, youtube videos, audible books and talk to my friends in different countries for hours. These are the only ones I’ve tried that are comfortable for a 3 hour gym workout or a 4 hour phone call or a full day of doing my Goal Plan Session while listening to music. One of the few headphones that you can automatically switch from several devices, like switching from your work phone to your private phone or from your computer or ipad to your phone quickly.
Sony WH-1000XM4 Noise Canceling Wireless Headphones - 30 hours battery life - Over Ear style - Optimised for Alexa and the Google Assistant - with built-in mic for phone calls - Black
Videography, Photography, Podcast and Studio Equipment
Logitech C922x Pro Stream Webcam – Full 1080p HD Camera, Black
Never had a problem with this one. Plugs in seamlessly to any computer and the internal sound is actually great in meetings. The video is very clear.
Logitech Webcam Mount,Webcam Clamp Mount Suspension Scissor Tripod Stand Holder for Logitech Webcam C922 C930e C930 C920 C615
Give me control in what I want to show in different meetings, getting better angles and be able to flip it away when not in us.
Rode VideoMicro Compact On-Camera Microphone with Rycote Lyre Shock Mount
Best on-camera mic I've used for outdoor vlogging, interviews, on-the-go filming.
JOBY GorillaPod 3K Pro Kit, 6.Lb Load Capacity
Honestly, this always solves my issues with filming close-up angles of something or getting a second angle. So heavy duty and sturdy it can actually hold up a full Canon or Nikon camera and stay up. Most others are simply too weak or not stiff enough to withstand the weight of the camera.
Canon DSLR Camera EOS 90D with 18-135 is USM Lens
Canon PowerShot G7X Mark III Digital Camera with 4.2x Optical Zoom Lens
Lightweight vlogging camera with good automatic white balance and light adjustment when moving between different levels of light sources. Great for documentation when on work trips or in movement. Personally I have the previous version, Canon PowerShot Digital Camera G7 X Mark II, and it's my tried and true companion for a lot of documentation. From photographing and tracking the growth of my rare tropical plant collection with Philodendron, Monstera and Scindapsus to shooting B-roll when the opportunity presents it self as well as documenting different processes with vlogging/ video journals. Simple to use even if you are not an experienced photographer.
Use this for:
Second angles in interviews
Documenting workshops, meeting notes, projects
Digitalizing my bullet journal notes or illustrations
Social media content
Vacations
Progress photos and videos for my plant collection's growth rate
SanDisk 1TB Extreme PRO SDXC UHS-I Memory Card
One of the things I think a lot of beginner photographers and videographers do is underestimate the difference the right memory card can do. Having high quality memory cards makes sure you have a less chance of getting corrupted photos and videos that renders your work useless. As well has how fast the card is to upload the material to your computer. It can be the difference between taking hours and seconds to upload the same footage, and the longer it takes, the more chance something goes wrong and you have to start the process all over again. Don't buy unknown brands and cheap ones where you don't know how reliable they are. It's not work your hard work. I only use the SanDisk cards and buy the fastest and largest the have. Never had an issue with those memory cards but have had issues with every other memory card for cameras I've owned.
Neewer® Photography Photo Video Studio Umbrella Flash Mount Hot Shoe Kit, Kit includes: (2)79"/2m Tall Photography Studio Output Light Stands + (2)Light and Umbrella Shoe Mount Clamps + (2)White Umbrella Reflector + (2)Black/Silver Umbrella Reflector + (2)220V 135W Day-Light Studio Light Bulbs + (1)Umbrella Carrying Case
This is the set I have, no longer available.
This is the updated, much better version:
NEEWER 74 Inch Pro Video Tripod with Fluid Head, QR Plate Compatible with DJI RS Gimbals, Durable Camera Tripod with Telescopic Handle Scaled Base for DSLR, Max. Load 17.6 lb/8 kg, TP74
74Inch! 187 CM tall tripod.
Don't buy to short tripods!
They are all too short to shoot a standing person in a good angle.
Regular tripods are for shooting birds and landscapes, not people.
Your tripod needs to be taller than the people you're going to film!
19 inch LED Ring Light LCD Display Touch Screen with Tripod Stand
Don't buy the smaller Ring Lights, they give too intense light and can only be used in limited filming setting.
This gives natural glow and a high quality, soft light and is adjustable.
LED video lights
NEEWER RGB1200 60W RGB LED Video Light with APP & 2.4G Control, 22000 Lux@0.5m/1% Precise Min Dimming/360° RGB/CRI 97+/TLCI 98+/2500K-8500K/18 Light Scenes for Studio Lighting Photography Videography
I love these. The quality and the precision you can get when adjusting the warmth and level of light; this is how you get that studio quality.
EMART Backdrop Stand Kit, 3x3.6m (10 x 12ft) Large Background Support System Adjustable Photography Stand for Video Studio Party Wedding Decoration
You want a backdrop that is wide and tall enough to fill the entire frame even when standing. Most are too small! This is extra tall an wide and can be adjusted down if needed.
Neewer® 12x12"/30x30cm Transparent Color Correction Light Gel Filter Set Pack of 8 Gel Sheet for Photo Studio Strobe Flashlight (Red, Yellow, Orange, Green, Purple, Pink, Light Blue, Dark Blue)
Gel photography color sheets.
These you clamp onto your directly NEEWER RGB1200 60W RGB LED Video Light (here https://amzn.to/46ivMAy)
They fill the entire LED light to create all the color effects you want for a low price.
This is how you create:
mood lighting and contrast
color chrome effect in fashion photography or for magazine covers.
Duo-color effect that you see many youtubers use to create a high quality movie-like set.
Neewer 24-pack Muslin Backdrop Spring Clamp 4.5 inches/11.4 centimeters Heavy Duty Clip for Photo Studio Photography Backgrounds, Canvas, Artwork or Home Applications
These clamps solves all your problems in the studio:
Clamping backdrops to make them straight, attach color gels to your lighyts, clamp cords and other things in place.
BOYA BY-WM4 Pro Wireless Lavalier Microphone System with Lightning Connector Receiver for iPhone iPad IOS Podcast Facebook Youtube Live Stream Video Recording
Double lavalier (podast, interview, host microphones that you clip discreetely ontop your shirt) for interviews and podcasts or content creation. Very easy to use.
SteelSeries Alias Pro Microphone And Mixer Kit — XLR Mic + Stream Mixer — 3x Bigger Capsule for Gaming, Streaming and Podcasting — USB/XLR Interface
Advanced customization with the pro amp while streaming or recodring.
Different setting in the program that you can flip between yourself.
Best podcast mic I've had.
Computers, Laptops and Computer Equipment
Computer Screen Acer Predator X35 UltraWide QHD Gaming Monitor with NVIDIA G-SYNC Ultimate
My everyday workscreen.
Processor AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D 8-Core, 16-Thread
Graphics card ASUS TUF Gaming NVIDIA GeForce RTX™ 4080
Memory Kingston Fury Beast RGB 32GB
SSD Corsair MP600 CORE XT 2TB
Motherboard ASUS TUF Gaming B650-PLUS WiFi
Cooling System Corsair iCUE H100i RGB Elite Liquid CPU Cooler
PSU Corsair RM850e
Corsair iCUE 4000D RGB Mid-Tower Case
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