Page 1 4 Books Every Entrepreneur Must Read | Entrepreneur.com 2/10/2014 12:33:36 AM http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/228231 Subscribe | Bookstore | eServices BY LEWIS HOWES | September 9 , 2013 | 30 Comments | 4 Books Every Entrepreneur Must Read Tweet 2,064 Share 260 The greatest lessons you ll ever learn will most likely be from your own experience . But entrepreneurs can also learn a lot from the advice and experiences of others , as long as we allow ourselves to be teachable . Perhaps you were in grade school the last time you heard this but it s as true today as it was back then : one of the best ways to gain information , inspiration and education is by reading books . As an entrepreneur , I ' ve read a number that I ' ve found invaluable to my professional success . Consider the following four books your mentors and teachers as they reveal skills and lessons that can possibly shave years off your learning curve , and thousands of dollars from avoidable mistakes : 1 . First Things First by Stephen R . Covey ( Free Press , reprinted edition January 1996 ) As entrepreneurs , we already know our most valuable asset is time , but not every entrepreneur knows how to properly use that time . At first glance , First Things First may seem like just another productivity book but , as you ' ll learn , true productivity is not about getting more things done in less time but rather doing things that matter with the time you have . While many people will recognize Covey for his book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People , this writing focuses on what I consider to be the most important habit : putting " first things first . " Anyone who implements even a fraction of what is outlined in this book should begin to see a dramatic shift in his or her life . 2 . Built To Sell by John Warrillow ( Portfolio Trade , reprint edition December 2012 ) Clip it 4.5k Like Like 520 7K Startups Run & Grow Money Marketing Technology Franchises The Treps Answers Magazine Video Search Entrepreneur Log In | Join
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Page 14 Books Every Entrepreneur Must Read | Entrepreneur.com
BY LEWIS HOWES | September 9, 2013 | 30 Comments |
4 Books Every Entrepreneur MustRead
Tweet 2,064 Share 260
The greatest lessons you'll ever learn will most likely be from your own experience. Butentrepreneurs can also learn a lot from the advice and experiences of others, as long as we allowourselves to be teachable.
Perhaps you were in grade school the last time you heard this but it's as true today as it was backthen: one of the best ways to gain information, inspiration and education is by reading books. As anentrepreneur, I've read a number that I've found invaluable to my professional success.
Consider the following four books your mentors and teachers as they reveal skills and lessons thatcan possibly shave years off your learning curve, and thousands of dollars from avoidable mistakes:
1. First Things Firstby Stephen R. Covey (Free Press, reprinted edition January1996)
As entrepreneurs, we already know our most valuable asset istime, but not every entrepreneur knows how to properly use thattime.At first glance, First Things First may seem like just anotherproductivity book but, as you'll learn, true productivity is notabout getting more things done in less time but rather doingthings that matter with the time you have.
While many people will recognize Covey for his book The 7Habits of Highly Effective People, this writing focuses on what Iconsider to be the most important habit: putting "first thingsfirst." Anyone who implements even a fraction of what is
outlined in this book should begin to see a dramatic shift in his or her life.
2. Built To Sellby John Warrillow (Portfolio Trade, reprint edition December2012)
Clip it
4.5kLikeLike520 7K
Startups Run & Grow Money Marketing Technology Franchises The 'Treps Answers Magazine
Video
Search Entrepreneur
Log In | Join
Page 24 Books Every Entrepreneur Must Read | Entrepreneur.com
You may have heard the advice "Have an exit strategy" whenstarting a business. But not many entrepreneurs haveconsidered what it takes to actually sell a business. In Built ToSell, John Warrillow presents a compelling case forentrepreneurs to approach their business from the perspectiveof selling it one day.
While this may seem counterintuitive for the passionateentrepreneur who loves his or her work and wouldn't want to stop doing it, the real genius of thisapproach is that it can help readers create more value in their business. Namely, developing abusiness that is built on systems rather than a legacy business for which the founder has his or herhand in every day-to-day affair. That's just not scalable.
Not only is this book a must-read, but it's also written like a story, which means you should have noproblem following along -- unlike other business books which can read more like text books.
3. Choose Yourself!by James Altucher (CreateSpace Independent PublishingPlatform, June 2013)
Author James Altucher will most likely have you shaking yourhead in disbelief when you hear his story. I loved it so much thatI had to get him on my podcast, The School of Greatness.
I believe there are two pivotal moments for every entrepreneur.The first is when they choose to become an entrepreneur, andthe second is when they take 100 percent responsibility for theirsuccess or failure. Choose Yourself! is about that second part-- taking responsibility.
It's not enough to simply want success or to believe in thepossibility of success. Instead, every entrepreneur must facethe reality that nobody else is responsible for you. Altucher
speaks from experience as someone whose story takes so many twists and turns that you may findyourself loving him and becoming frustrated with him at the same time. But ultimately you'll probablyarrive at the same conclusion he did -- that we must choose ourselves if we wish to succeed. Thisbook can be is a wake-up call for entrepreneurs who have not taken the reigns of their life andbusiness.
4. Masteryby Robert Greene (Viking Adult, November 2012)
You may recognize Robert Greene from his other books:
The Art of SeductionThe 33 Strategies of WarThe 48 Laws of PowerThe 50th Law
Greene is no stranger to influencing lives, and exactly why Iinterviewed him on my podcast. What I enjoyed the most aboutGreene's book Mastery are the following principals:
The value of apprenticeship: Too many entrepreneurs want to"fake it till they make it" instead of taking the time to develop thenecessary skills it takes to succeed with their craft. It alsoacknowledges the fact that mastery is a process, which should alleviate entrepreneurs from the ideathat greatness is either achieved quickly, or not at all.
Page 34 Books Every Entrepreneur Must Read | Entrepreneur.com
A Conversation on Poetry, Life and theVulnerability of Pursuing Dreams
How to Build Your Business Around YourPassion (and why most never do)
Read more on Lewis Howes »
Lewis Howes Follow @LewisHowes
The myth of mastery being reservedfor 'special' people: It's easy to look at asuccessful entrepreneur on the cover ofa magazine, or a TED speaker onYouTube and think that the person hasbeen blessed with luck, financing orsuperior genes. But everyone walks thesame path to "mastery." And that pathcontains failure, setback and sometimesyears of wandering.
The only thing "special" about peoplewho achieve mastery is their decision tostay committed.
The author is an Entrepreneur contributor. The
opinions expressed are those of the writer.
A former professional athlete, New York City-based Lewis Howes is co-author ofLinkedWorking (418 Press, 2009) and creator of the LinkedInfluence training program.
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Page 44 Books Every Entrepreneur Must Read | Entrepreneur.com
They look like good reads! For your 'younger audience', check out "6th GradeEntrepreneurs".
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Great list but ummmmmm..... "Four-Hour Work Week" !?
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I recommend "Maverick" by Ricardo Semler. Transformed my business into one based ontrust and freedom.
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Street Smart Franchising , by Joe Mathews , Don DeBolt and Deb Percival , speaks clearly tofears and your own roadblocks.
1 Like Reply
must read !
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.. little red book of selling? ...
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Great list! Thanks for sharing Lewis and ignore all of the people commenting with negativeresponses. Sheesh people... And I 2nd E-Myth!
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Also, Stephen Covey's "The Speed of Trust"
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At least they are different than the same old titles.
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" B2B means back to basics" by Dr. Bill Quain is one classic book I ever read as an earlystage during my entrepreneurship. I strongly recommend it in your list.
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Just downloaded 3 of them on audio! Thanks for the tip!
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Page 64 Books Every Entrepreneur Must Read | Entrepreneur.com
Brains versus Capital. Quite new, but worth adding to the list.
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I would ad 'Brains versus Capital' by Guenter Faltin to the list.
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I'd recommend E-Myth by Michael Gerber
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Wow..napoleon hill..yeah..remind me to LOA
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Rich dad poor dad-Robert Kiyosaki, Eat that frog-Brian Tracy
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Think and grow rich by Nepolian Hill
1 Like Reply
I would add "The Magic of Thinking Big" by David J. Schwartz and i highly recommendwatching the documentary "The Secret" by Rhonda Byrne.
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I would recommend Peter Church's book Added Value-the life stories of Indian businessleaders. Amazing insight on some truly inspirational people. You should read this book notonly because it was fantastically insightful and interesting in relation to the individuals but alsogives the reader an incredibly helpful view of the mindset of the business leaders. The bookis an excellent primer for anyone seeking to do business.
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Added Value - the life stories of IndianBusiness LeadersMore about this product
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Great list, Lewis! Choose Yourself and Mastery are two of my favorite business books of thepast several years. Brilliant advice in both.
Page 74 Books Every Entrepreneur Must Read | Entrepreneur.com