10 Books That Could Change Your Life
Some of you may know that I started my sales career after having been the drummer in a heavy metal band. Black hair? Check. Motorcycle jacket? Check. Leopard shoes? Check.
I was extremely lost and heading nowhere in a hurry. Fortunately, I was introduced to a man named Steve Welch, who was ultra-successful and looking to mentor someone. That someone was me.
I recall one day Steve asking me what I was reading. I looked at him as though he had three heads. Reading? I was just out of college and had finally escaped ‘reading’. Why on earth would I be reading anything?
I felt I had to answer him so I told him I was reading Guitar Magazine. Looking back, I am sure he questioned if he picked the right person to mentor!
In that moment, Steve went to his bookshelf and grabbed a copy of How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie. He handed it to me and told me to finish it in three weeks.
From that point forward Steve had me in the habit of reading at least one book a month. That was in 1996. It is 20 years later and I can tell you that I still have a yearly reading plan.
If you want to grow personally and professionally, reading is one of the most effective ways to do so. With that in mind, below are 10 books you may want to consider reading this year.
In order to avoid seeming self-serving, I have left any and all Shore Consulting books written by Jeff Shore, Amy O’Connor or myself off the list… even though I do recommend them!
If you have any additional books that have changed your life, please tweet @rgtaft or @jeffshore with the names of them!
1. How to Win Friends and Influence People – Duh. As if you didn’t see this one coming. In this book you will learn how to engage people better in social settings, be a better conversationalist and increase your influence skills.
2. Rich Dad Poor Dad – Author Robert Kiyosaki helps readers understand the two most important words in finance, “Cash Flow”. I also recommend just about any book Robert has written.
3. The Power of Habit – Charles Duhigg explains how habits affect our lives’ and how we can change them to work for us rather than against us. I really enjoyed this book!
4. The Charge: Activating the 10 Human Drives That Make You Feel Alive – Author Brendon Burchard challenges you to live more fully and passionately. This book really helped me when I was lacking motivation and drive.
5. Getting Things Done – David Allen addresses how to handle the amount of information coming your way in arguably the most productive way possible. If organization and priority management is a struggle for you, get this book!
6. Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion – What I love about Robert Cialdini’s book is that he takes selling and persuasion from an art to a science. He explodes the myth that says “you are just born as a great sales person.” His research is top-notch and you are sure to enjoy it.
7. Awaken The Giant Within – There is no one better at understanding and explaining human behavior than Tony Robbins. In Awaken The Giant Within, Tony will help you with self-mastery, arguably something we all need. This book is a game changer when it comes to managing your emotions, thoughts, feelings and your overall life.
8. The Success Principles – This is one of the best all around self-help books I have come across. Jack Canfield, co-author of the Chicken Soup for the Soul books, touches on every area imaginable. If you could only read one book this year, this would be the one.
9. Why We Buy: The Science of Shopping – Paco Underhill unravels how people make buying decisions. His research company studies buying behaviors and searches for the patterns. His book will blow your mind when it comes to understanding why people buy.
10. Never Eat Alone – Contrary to popular belief, I am not a great networker. I have never enjoyed going to networking events and giving people my 60-second elevator speech. After reading Keith Ferrazzi’s book, I have a completely different outlook. If you need to get more connected to people, follow Keith’s advice and you won’t be disappointed.
There you have it, 10 books that could change your life. But remember what the great philosopher Jim Rohn, once said, “The book you don’t read won’t help.” I don’t know about you, but I need a lot of help so I will keep reading. I hope you will as well.
