If you really want to get ahead in business and in life, you need to pursue
continued self-improvement. One of the best ways to accomplish this goal
is to develop the habit of reading at least 30 minutes every day. The
following is a recommended reading list. This is simply a "starter
list": these books will get you started.
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These selections deal with business and with life in general, but there are excellent books on nearly any subject of interest -- all you have to do is look for them. - John Chancellor |
- Think
and Grow Rich, Napoleon Hill
This is a classic and should be on the reading list of any person who truly wishes to improve him- or herself. Napoleon Hill made a 20 year study of success and captured the principles in this well-written book. The most famous line from the book is, "Whatever the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can achieve." A real "how-to" book, it should be first on your list for reading.
- The
Richest Man in Babylon, George S. Clason
Another classic. Read and follow this book and, assuming you start early enough, you will retire rich. There is no budget to follow, just the simple rule of "pay yourself first." As explained in the book, accumulating wealth is not a secret.
- As
a Man Thinketh, James Allen
For those of you who love short books, this is one of the best - only 28 pages. But those pages are full of great wisdom. The book is based on the very simple premise that as a man thinketh, he is. All of your circumstances are a direct result of the way you think. And it follows if you want to change your life, you must change your thinking. The book is small but so profound it actually should be read often.
- Good
to Great, Jim Collins
This book compares a number of "sets of companies" and examines why one company in each group went on to become great. The author gives a lot of insight into what makes a great company. There were two elements that really stood out in these companies: their philosophy and their people. A company will never be great unless it is in business for the right reasons and has the right people running the company. If you have the right person at the top, they will attract and keep exceptional employees.
- The
Power of Focus, Jack Canfield, Les Hewitt, Mark Victor Hanson
No matter what you want to achieve in business or in life, you must focus your efforts. This is a "how-to" book about determining what you want and then directing your efforts to obtain your goals. You really can achieve great things if you simply focus. (This book can be a little difficult to read, but the lessons are really worthwhile.)
- Dr.
Deming, Rafael Aguayo
For a long time Edward Deming was more famous in Japan than he was in his native America. At the end of WWII, Deming went to Japan to help get the country moving again. He is given much credit for the industrial advances Japan made and the philosophy he instilled there. His methods are relatively simple: make constant but steady improvements and focus on quality control. Well worth reading.
- The
Millionaire Next Door, Thomas J. Stanley, William D. Danko
This book presents an informative look at millionaires in America based on a study done by the authors. Most of the people interviewed didn't fit the common vision of a typical millionaire. Instead, they were more like our next-door neighbors. In the authors' interviewing process, they held a cocktail party and served expensive wine and cheese. After the party they were amazed at how much wine was left. At the next cocktail party they offered beer. When they asked one guest what brand of beer he drank, he replied, "Bud or free." These findings will open your eyes about what makes a millionaire.
- One
Minute Manager, Kenneth Blanchard, Spencer Johnson
Another great little book. Very easy to read but with a very important lesson on how to manage people. If you are charged with managing employees, then by all means, read this book.
- The
17 Indisputable Laws of Teamwork
Leadership 101
Thinking for a Change
Today Matters
Failing Forward
All of these were written by John Maxwell and are all worth reading. You will learn something new from each book. If you are in a position of leadership (or aspire to achieve one), then read several of his books.
- Now,
Discover Your Strengths, Marcus Buckingham, Donald O. Clifton
Most of us have been taught to identify our weaknesses and work to improve them. This book takes a totally different approach. It advises you to find your strengths and focus there instead. We all have natural tendencies towards certain areas; to succeed we should concentrate our efforts on what we like to do and are naturally good at.
If you buy the book, there is a code for taking an online test that will help you identify your strengths.
- My
Personal Best, John Wooden, Steve Jamison
This is the story of John Wooden, the legendary coach of UCLA. John Wooden is acknowledged as the greatest coach in college basketball history. And it is truly inspiring to read how he did it. He simply encouraged his players to be the best they could be. He taught them not to worry about the competition, just to make sure they were as prepared as they could be. There are lessons for everyone in this warm and inspiring story.
- The
Emperor's Handbook, David Hicks (translator)
This is a new translation of the writings of the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius. There are a couple of things that struck me about this book: how much wisdom Marcus Aurelius had and how little things have changed in 2,000 years. Well worth reading.
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