Nothing to lose, everything to gain! Listen to them in the car or while you’re doing the dishes or laundry. Find a quiet spot in your home and dedicate 30 minutes each day. The knowledge in the books below create a well-rounded perspective on the world and business. Even if you do not own or never plan on owning a business, it still applies to you as an employee or within your home. Different authors from different backgrounds, professions, cultures and genders, all sharing a piece of their life’s work… and all extremely successful for it. This is the perfect way to kick-off the year!
Do you prefer to read online or hold a real paper book in your hands?
If you prefer hard copies (yay, me too!) I’ve included links to purchase the books on Better World Books – not affiliated with them in any way – just like how purchases help fund non-profit organizations changing the world through education and literacy.
If you prefer to listen to your books on audio (sometimes that’s the only way I can squeeze them in!) I have TWO quick tips for you!
1 | Speed up the audio! Usually on your app or computer it will have a little symbol that says “1X”, meaning its playing at normal speed. The first thing I do is up it to “1.3X” and it shaves sometimes hours off the audio, while still getting all the content. It will seem weird at first, as if the narrator is a chipmunk, but trust me, your mind will adjust quickly and you’ll never go back to the 1X speed again!
2 | If you’re tight on money or just watching your monthly budget, many times the public library system will have a bunch of audio books for FREE online! OR, if that is not an option, there is also a company called Scribd (app and website options) that I find very useful… and one of the only subscription based companies that offers unlimited books… you’ll feel the pain of this on other sites when you get to the point of going through as many books as I do!
A LESSON ON GIVING
The Go-Giver: A Little Story About a Powerful Business Idea is a business book written by Bob Burg and John D. Mann. It is a story about the power of giving. It’s smart, positive and to the point. A MUST read!
A LESSON ON THE HARD TIMES OF RUNNING A BUSINESS
The hard thing isn’t setting a big, audacious goal. The hard thing is laying people off when you miss the big goal. The hard thing isn’t dreaming big. The hard thing is waking up in the middle of the night in a cold sweat when the dream turns into a nightmare.
A LESSON ON passion + Perserverance
Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance is for anyone striving to succeed that the secret to outstanding achievement is not talent, but a special blend of passion and persistence she calls “grit.”
A LESSON ON DOING WHAT YOU SAY YOU WILL
Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy Seals Lead + Win is written by officers who led the most highly decorated special operations unit of the Iraq War demonstrate how to apply powerful leadership principles from the battlefield to business and life.
A LESSON ON MONEY
Rich Dad Poor Dad is Robert’s story of growing up with two dads — his real father and the father of his best friend, his rich dad — and the ways in which both men shaped his thoughts about money and investing. The book explodes the myth that you need to earn a high income to be rich and explains the difference between working for money and having your money work for you.
A LESSON ON negotiation
A former international hostage negotiator for the FBI offers a new, field-tested approach to high-stakes negotiations whether in the boardroom or at home. Life is a series of negotiations you should be prepared for: buying a car, negotiating a salary, buying a home, renegotiating rent, deliberating with your partner.
A LESSON on how looking out for number 1 is wrong
For decades, we’ve been told the key to prosperity is to look out for number one. But recent science shows that to achieve durable success, we need to be more than just achievers; we need to be compassionate achievers.
If you read or have read any of these books, let me know!
I would love to know your opinion, if they have changed your way of thinking and if there are any other books you swear by!
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