Why are successful people successful? It’s not because they work harder. They work smarter. Successful people emulate other successful people. They watch, listen, read, and ask questions. Constantly learning about new ideas.
Successful people prioritize what is important to them. It is not cleaning the house, or washing the car, or going shopping. These things are necessary for living but they are not necessary to take the next step in your career, to start a business, or to write the next American novel.
Success takes planning, dedication, and holding yourself accountable for your actions, or inactions.
Take the first step toward reaching your personal and business goals by choosing to read one of these books, or two or three. All of the books (with links to the full books as PDFs for all but two below) are a wealth of information to guide you on your path to success.
1. As a Man Thinketh, by James Allen (PDF)
One of the top books that will place you on the right path in life. Written in 1902, this self-help book is based on a Bible verse, “As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.” This book is as relevant today as it was the day it was written.
2. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons In Personal Change, by Stephen R. Covey (PDF)
Stephen Covey’s seven step-by-step life lessons point you on the road to success in your personal and professional life. In this book, you will learn the importance of keeping promises to yourself and focusing on personal attitudes and behaviors.
3. The Four Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere and Join the New Rich, by Timothy Ferriss (PDF)
Written by entrepreneur Timothy Ferriss, this book is inspirational and motivational. Learn about automating your life to relax more and work less.
4. The Innovator’s Dilemma, by Clayton Christensen (PDF)
Being a Professor of Business Administration at the Harvard Business School and the author of New York Times best sellers, Christensen knows when it’s time to move your company forward into technology. Understanding the market is the money-maker of tomorrow.
5. Think and Grow Rich, by Napoleon Hill (PDF)
Hill’s Think and Grow Rich is a classic that will help you be successful in anything you want out of life. If you are looking for a way to change the way you think about success, this is the book for you.
6. The Four Steps to the Epiphany: Successful Strategies for Products That Win, by Steve Blank (PDF)
The Four Steps to the Epiphany is one of the most influential and successful books on startups. Understanding Brink’s four step customer development process is what will make your startup a success and his examples of practical and proven insights will steer you to a successful launch.
7. The Start Up Playbook: Secrets of the Fastest Growing Startups from Their Founding Entrepreneurs, by David Kidder
If you want to succeed in starting a business, The Start Up Playbook will help you do just that. Learning from successful entrepreneurs by asking the question, “What Makes You Successful” gives you insight and understanding into today’s most successful business leaders.
8. How to Win Friends and Influence People, by Dale Carnegie (PDF)
Dale Carnegie’s How to Win Friends and Influence People is one the best-selling self-help books ever published, selling in excess of 15 million copies since its publication in 1937. Carnegie teaches you skills to successfully work with people in all areas of your life.
9. The Start Up of You: Adapt to the Future, Invest in Yourself, and Transform Your Career, by Reid Hoffman & Ben Casnocha
LinkedIn co-founder Hoffman and Silicon Valley Entrepreneur Casnocha write an excellent book about taking control of your professional career and moving beyond traditional assumptions.
10. Zero to One, by Peter Thiel (PDF)
Learning the important questions that your business needs to answer is as critical to success as understanding what has to be done to build a business from scratch.
11. The Lean Start Up, by Eric Ries (PDF)
Ries believes success comes from testing, adapting, and adjusting continuously. Skip the market research and get your product or service on the market and improve along the way.
12. True North: Discover Your Authentic Leadership, by Bill George & Peter Sims (PDF)
Follow your internal compass and become an authentic leader. Learn how to create a positive impact on others by building upon your own values and passions.
These books are invaluable to leaders, entrepreneurs, and anyone who wants success in life. If you’ve read a book that has changed your life, please share with the rest of us!
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