Books Books Books!

I know that I’m always looking for good books to read and I really like to get a few recommendations before I pour 10 or 15 hours into something that may or may not turn out to be a huge waste of my time. That being said, I’d like to offer some recommendations in the form of my current reading list.

1. The Sales Bible by Jeffrey Gitomer

Gitomer, a former salesman who is now a consultant and journalist, shares his tips on how to be a successful salesperson. He provides motivational advice and practical techniques for initiating, maintaining, and closing a sales presentation. Written in a breezy manner with short, easy-to-remember suggestions, this book should prove popular with persons just getting started in this field or those needing an inspirational pep talk. I, for one, think this is one of the most practical books on sales that I have ever read.

2. How Full Is Your Bucket? by Tom Rath & Donald O. Clifton

I read this one in a single sitting during a recent business trip in which I had about 2 hours to kill. It happened to be -3 degrees, so I decided to hunker down in Borders. Once I started reading, I couldn’t put it down. It’s not a terribly long book, but it’s filled with the positive idea of give-and-take that will lead to a better marriage, better relationships both professionally and privately, and easier life, and more satisfaction for everyone involved. I say it is very worth your time to pick this one up.

3. Eiger Dreams: Ventures Among Men and Mountains by Jon Krakauer

Written by Jon Krakauer of “Into Thin Air” fame writes of the harrowing events of some 15 of the worlds best mountain climbers as they take on the worlds tallest peaks. Not once in this book will you be bored or hoping to get a chapter over with. Halfway through you will acquire a new appreciation for your fingers, toes, and the fact that you still have a nose, because many of the main characters lose theirs. This is the ultimate for the Armchair Adventurer, because you feel like you’re right there with them. Luckily, you’re not.

The Benefits of Reading

I have always heard that where you will be in 5 years is based upon the books you read and people you associate with, so grab these books enhance your life!

Did You Like This Post? Subcribe Here!

Get Cable Television!

 Man, I just got cable about two weeks ago because my wife was out of the country and I was’t thinking straight….I got her a dog too…

 So for the last two weeks, I spent my evenings flipping through reruns of “flip this house,” “property ladder,” and random MMA shows.  I love watching grown men beat each other.  This morning, I came to a realization.  TV, in large amounts is a terrible thing.  In small amounts, it can be very enjoyable.  In light of this new thought, I’ve given myself a few rules to follow. 

1. 30 minutes of reading - before any TV in the evenings.

2. 30 minutes of excercise - atleast 30, that is.  I’ll make it 30-90 minutes before I allow myself the pleasure watching people face off in a death match!!

3. 30 minutes of blogging - this is my daily quota and it can be done any time.  Generally, it gets done while I’m at work…with appologies to my boss.

 I had been thinking about this for a while, but, being mesmerized by the tube, I did nothing about it.  It was Danny over at Be Inspired Every Day, with his post entitled “Abandon Materialism and Find Peace of Mind,” who inspired me to take action.  Thank you, Danny!

Did You Like This Post? Subcribe Here!

I’ve been doing some research online to find what kind of resources there are online and what is missing so that I can fill that void. Here are some of the better resources I have found.

PayPerPost.com - Think you’ve got a good blog? Think you can review stuff? Go here to do it and get paid.

The American Success Institute - They have free online courses for Small Business Ownership, Real Estate, and General Success…how cool is that? General success, ha! Plus, there’s an online self defense course…whatever…

Maximum Impact - This is John Maxwell’s leadership, teamwork, and personal growth training company. For those of you who don’t know John Maxwell, shame on you. Just kidding, but seriously, you need to go find out what Maxwell is teaching.

Outsource Your Life! - Elance is offering an exclusive $25-off trail promotion to readers of The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich. You can outsource anything you want, from the usual emails and phone calls, to making dinner reservations and term papers (for you students…the ones I haven’t alienated yet).

Disposable Phone Numbers - Have you ever wanted to sign up for something but you really don’t want to give out your number? Now, you can give them a number that route to your home, mobile, or work phone and you can disconnect it any time you want with no penalties. Plans start at $3.95/mo.

My Own Business Course - Free startup business courses. There are 14 lessons covering important business topics for anyone looking to start a business.

Hope these are helpful! Let me know if you liked John Maxwell! …or the self defense course.

Did You Like This Post? Subcribe Here!

If any of you read my post the other day about The Entrepreneur’s FIRST 5 books, you understand the need for a reading program. Now, it’s nothing like the cost of a college education (which is ridiculous, and I’ll get into that later), but it does start to add up when you are reading 2-3 books a week. But also, it’s not worth the savings to go searching on 15 different sites every time you want to buy a book. Amazon tends to be the cheapest, but that is not always the case. This new tool from BooksPrice.com allows you to search for books by title, autor, or ISBN, and view a list of yuor chosen book by price. For instance, Rich Dad Poor Dad is $6.24 and that includes Shipping!

With BooksPrice.com, you can get books, movies, music, and games online at the cheapest price. So, if you think about it, you can really save a lot if you’re reading 2 books a week, which is what I am doing currently, and hope to continue. If you guys have any other book suggestions, I’d love to hear ‘em!

Did You Like This Post? Subcribe Here!

That’s right, John Chow is giving away another signed cody of Timothy Ferriss’ fantastic book, The 4 Hour Work Week. I have not won my copy yet, I’ve still got a chance. For those of you who don’t know about 4hww, you must have been living under a rock. But it’s a book about how to outsource your life so you can take crazy awesome vacations and mini retirements. Oh boy it’s good!

Did You Like This Post? Subcribe Here!

I stopped by my parents house last night to dole out the goodies my wife and I bought for the family while on vacation and I saw that my dad had left me his copy of The E-Myth Revisited. Just last week we had lunch to discuss some of my entrepreneurial ventures and he said that has to be the first book I read. I opened it up and couldn’t put it down! It perfectly described the way I feel about business and entrepreneurship and the trials that go with it. In the first chapter, Michael E. Gerber talks about the entrepreneur’s fatal assumption.

That fatal assumption is: if you understand the technical work of a business, you understand a business that does that technical work.

Gerber is speaking to the tendency of technical workers starting businesses doing the same technical work. Naturally, a bakers starts a bakery, a mechanic starts a body shop, and a software engineer starts a software engineering firm. The problem is that the technical work of a business and the business itself are two completely different things. The technician fails to see this, and the business becomes a new place to go to work. I strongly suggest you get this book, as it has already had a major impact on me in just a few chapters.

Correct me if I’m wrong, but aren’t you an entrepreneur because you don’t want to have a job? Well if you start a business as the technical worker, your business will become that job you don’t want. This then begs the questions What is the difference between an entrepreneur and a business owner? For the answer, I’ll send you to MindPetals and let David Askaripour answer that.

Did You Like This Post? Subcribe Here!

As entrepreneurs, we all know there is a vital need for a disciplined, self development program if we are to achieve any level of success. Along with audio resources, conferences, conventions, and seminars, we must be constantly reading. With this in mind, I put together a list of what I believe are the books every enterprising entrepreneur should read as they are beginning their ventures.  Notice I said “as they are beginning…” Never let preparing to start keep you from starting! You’ll never know “enough,” so just do it! Some of these you will recognize, but some of them you won’t, and that’s what I’m going for.  Now, on to the 5!

1. Rich Dad, Poor Dad: What the Rich Teach Their Kids About Money–That the Poor and Middle Class Do Not!  by Roberty Kiyosaki

Robert Kiyosaki writes for you and to you. This book is a great read.  Ever wonder why someone people just happen to have all the good ideas?  Did you ever think that it’s because they developed the way they looked at the world? Kiyosaki challenged everything I was taught growing up, and it felt good!

2. The Art of Dealing With People by Les Giblin

Now, This may seem a bit elementary, but this 30 some page book has the keys to successful relationships.  Ever wonder why some people are absolutely magnetic? Did you ever think that it’s because they developed their people skills?  This book will force you to examine the way you deal with people on a daily basis and, if you’re up to the task, propell you on to success.

3. The Magic of Thinking Big by David Schwartz

This is an older book, but its’ principles still ring true today because the principles of success work whether it is 1957 or 2007. Chapters 2, 12, and 13 deal with what he calls “the failure diseases,” and as a business owner, I would want to avoid those if possible.   There is a great table of contents with about 100 topics covered in the book and where to find them.

4. The Greatest Salesman in The World by Og Mandino

This is the legend of Hafid, a camel boy of two thousand years ago, and his burning desire to improve his lowly position in life, as told to his apprentice Erasmus. Hafid relates the story of how he became known as the Greatest Salesman in the World. His success lies in the wisdom of ten leather scrolls passed down to him from his master, Pathros. Hafid applied their secrets of success to become the Greatest Salesman in the World. You will long remember the timeless words of the ten scrolls in Og’s most popular work and learn to apply them in your life to find great success!

5. How I Raised Myself From Failure to Success in Selling by Frank Bettger

Weather to believe you are a salesman or not, you are. If you are an entrepreneur and business owner, you are a salesman. You are, and will always be, selling yourself. This book talks about the secret behind his enormous success, and it’s not very complicated.  The first 7 pages changed my life.

So there you have it!  These 5 books have the potential to completely Rock the way you view the world.  That’s a good thing! 

Did You Like This Post? Subcribe Here!