Books That Motivate Me
I have been contemplating starting a ShoeMoney book of the month club. Seems kind of ironic since I never read a book eh? Well lucky for us they have books on itunes. Anyway it might be interesting for some of the ShoeMoney readers to pickup what I am into book wise (itunes) cause its really my mindset.
For instance right now I have listened to tipping point by Malcom Gladwell like 10 times in the last 2 months. I listened to it on the way to and back from Miami and a lot at home while I am working on stuff. I think its a fricking fa nominal book and a must read for any online marketer. Tipping points and being able to recognize them are so important.
Other books that have made a huge difference in me in the business sense are
Donald Trump:
Trump - The Art Of The Deal
Robert T. Kiyosak - Rich Dad Poor Dad
So what books motivate you?
I recently read “Talent is Never Enough” by John Maxwell and I really liked it.
thats a good read… I also enjoyed 4 hour work week Has some good thoughts and ideas. I also like the Tipping Point. another one is 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership.
John Chow is giving out a copy of the 4 hour work week right now.
He has a whole box full
I’ve read it a little. Pretty good especially if it’s free.
I’m down for free stuff, but most people won’t respect something unless it costs them something. (blow a buck)
I agree… very insightful book.
Yeah, i recently got that. It seems really interesting.
The Richest Man in Babylon by George S. Clason is a great read.
This is a great book. I need to read it once a year to keep on track.
This is fab read. Principals of making money never change regardless of century.
“The Richest Man in Babylon” motivated me recently.
I’ve read Trump’s “How to Get Rich” and “Rich Dad Poor Dad” as well. Each had some good points to take away.
I tried reading “The Tipping Point” but couldn’t seem to get through it.
The Richest Man in Babylon is a MUST read!!!!
I might have to check this one out - never heard of it!
Is a non-fiction or fiction?
The Richest Man in Babylon by George S. Clason is a great read.
The Rich Dad Poor Dad book really has motivated me. It really doesn’t do much in the way to tell you how to make money, but it has sparked a lot of creative thinking one how to do it myself. Great book, and thanks for the list.
1. The Science Of Getting Rich
2. Think And Grow Rich
3. Awaken The Giant Within
4. Secrets of The Millionaire Mind
5. The Success Principles: How To Get From Where You Are To Where You Want To Be
6. The Lazy Mans Way To Riches
7. The Attractor Factor
8. Wealth Beyond Reason
9. Rich Dad, Poor Dad
10. Cashflow Quadrant
11. Body For Life
12. Mentored By A Millionaire
13. The 4-Hour Workweek
And a *MUST WATCH* DVD… The Secret
nice list. Amazon here I come
yep, on this list “Think and Grow Rich” gets my vote too…that’s an old school motivational book, but it’s still awesome after all these years.
I have to take issue with the last one on your list there. “The Secret” is soooo full of crap. For anyone who doesn’t know about this “the secret” basically says you just have to want something and then it will come to you. Its a load of crap.
Your list sounds a lot like mine. Think and Grow Rich, Secrets of the Millionaire Mind, Rich Dad Poor Dad, Cash Flow Quadrant, Mentored By A Millionaire, and The Secret are all great books that have inspired me in some way. I would like to add to that list, The Instant Millionaire…..this is by far my favorite. Other books that have made an impact or changed my paradigm in some way include The Total Money Makeover By Dave Ramsey, Lessons From The Richest Man Who Ever Lived by Steven K. Scott, Twelve Pillars by Jim Rohn & Chris Widener, It’s Called Work For A Reason by Larry Winget, The Millionaire Next Door, Smart Couples Finish Rich and I am currently reading Rich Woman by Kim Kiyosaki. There are many more I’ve read and have on my list, but too many to put down here. The most successful people read at least one non fiction book a month. Really, they emerse themselves in books, audiotapes and seminars. Books and learning are my passion!!!!
Rich Dad Poor Dad is an oldie but a goodie, should also read ‘the goal’ by eli goldratt.
I agree, I really enjoyed Rich Dad, Poor Dad. It might be time to go read it again as a matter of fact! As for the others, I haven’t read them yet, but I’ll be sure to check them out soon. Thanks for the suggestions.
Ehh, I tend to disagree. Read the first 1/3 of the book and you’ll get the whole picture without having the same ideas regurgitated on you two more times.
I agree. I liked his concepts and perspectives, but found it was a bit repetitive.
That is definitely true, and holds true some of his other books as well.
Repetitive is good. I had an instructor during a lot of my MCSE training, that said “I repeat everything important three times: twice in the same tone of voice, and the last with emphasis.”
Sure enough, using that same trick in other things in life, I tend to remember better, as it sinks in more…
Yes, I did get tired of hearing the same thing over and over (audio books) but it reinforced better. Sort of like listening to ShoeMoney’s podcasts a few time. “Wow, I totally missed that the first time I listened!”
These motivational books all look great. But I have also found that those outside of the business world, such as sports books on this subject, are also quite helpful!
Atlas Shrugged (or anything by Ayn Rand), Rich Dad Poor Dad, Think and Grow Rich
Trump - The Art Of The Deal - about to order it!
Think Like A Billionaire - About to order it!
How To Get Rich - CHECK! have it..
Robert T. Kiyosak - Rich Dad Poor Dad CHECK! best book ever!…I try to re-read it once per year when i feel in a slump.
- I also like 48 laws of power
- Cashflow Quadrant (this is rich dad poor dad part 2)
I recently read one of Richard Bransons books, called “Screw it… lets do it” only a little quick read book but entertaining and very inspiring.
Think Grow Rich, Napoleon Hill
“Whatever the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can achieve.”
I recommend “The alchemist” before getting into the real business. It teaches you more than the book “How To Get Rich”.
i love rich dad poor audio books
Playboy
Actually, a few of my favorites have been Iacocca, Pizza Tiger by Domino’s pizza founder Tom Monaghan, Managing by Harold Geneen (former CEO of ITT) and How To Sell Anything To Anybody by Joe Girard,
Do you really not have affiliate tracking in those links to the Amazon books? That’s like flushing money down the toilet. I know you are rick and all, but taking 5 minutes to put up the aff link should net you a hundred bucks. You could at least pay one of your lackeys to do it.
A couple that I highly recommend:
How to Win Friends and Influence People – Dale Carnegie
Never Eat Alone- Keith Ferrazi
Winning – Jack Welch
If you are a fan of the Sopranos read Leadership Sopranos Style - Deborrah Himsel
I was just skimming Seth Godin’s, “All Marketers Are Liars” at the bookstore the other day. Seems like an interesting read.
Jeremy, you need to next start a post and thread for motivating songs. I often find that when it’s time to get down to it, I have certain playlists to do certain things.
Just a suggestion!
Donald Trump are good reads too, haven’t read any of his books yet
Good but heven’t read it?? That makes sense.
I have read two of his, they are good (quick and easy).
Also Tony Robbins. Need to take him with a grain of salt but has some good stuff in there with all the hype.
I’ll second Winning
Shoemoney when are you going to write your own book?
I agree - when will shoemoney write his own book? We should come up with titles to encourage him to write it…I say it should be called “Shoemoney - making money online the OG way”
I have been approached a few times by publishers to put one together… I would like to do one sometime (hardcopy not ebook).
Do the Amazon Press thing then. Like a vanity press, but they print to order in the style you want. If it works , then you invest in inventory.
Anything by Tom Peters, plus the 48 Laws of Power
Recently -
Seth Godin’s - The Dip (encouragment for how and when to quit)
Chris Anderson’s - The Long Tail (just about every internet marketer is a beneficiary of this phenomenom)
All time favorites -
Michael Lewis - Liar’s Poker ( entertaining + teaches you to watch out for yourself because no one else is going to)
Jack Schwager - Market Wizards (shows how about a dozen guys make money on wall street - they all have a different approach - great outside the box kind of book)
Absolutley. The whole Market Wizards series is awesome.
The biggest conclusion I picked up from them: You can make money doing ANYTHING, regardless of what the investment “experts” tell you.
I also noticed even some of them say “That doesn’t work”. Then you turn the page and see another guy doing what doesn’t work.
Tipping Point is next on my list. I am currently reading The Little Red Book of Selling. Its no nonsense in its approach, and most of it is probably geared toward “regular” selling, but still a good read.
If you haven’t checked it out before, The Personal MBA has a great list of business related books – and a pretty cool idea behind the site in general.
Couple of my authors and their books:
Zig Ziglar-Secrets of Closing the Sale
Peter Drucker-deep stuff normally, but good! Just finished Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Napolen Hill-Think and Grow Rich
Stephen Covey-Any thing related to 7 Habits
“The millionaire next door” is also a great book.
Yep! That one is great too.
Almost bought a Trump book once, but he seems like such a butt crust.
Reading articles like the one the other day on Businessweek (that you’re in) pumps me up, but I try to avoid hype books when I can get it for free online. So I haven’t really read one…
The books which influenced me the most are
1) Magic of thinking Big
2) Master key to riches
3) Think and grow rich
4) Rich Dad poor dad (I liked the first half of the book then it goes into real estate)
5) Billionaire Secrets to Success: Bill Bartmann
And some more….
and many more to read and learn…..
Vijay
A bit of a sucker for these type of books & love most of them, one im suprised that hasnt cropped up:
Think & Grow Rich by Napolean Hill
Was talking about “The millionaire next door” is also a great book comment….
I absolutely agree about The Tipping Point. I’ve read it twice. His other book, Blink, has an interesting premise, but was not as rich with information as The Tipping Point.
So anyone actually gotten rich by reading these books except shoemoney ?
good question…
I recently posted about a book I found pretty motivating: The 4 Hour Workweek.
The latest book that motivated me was “Into Thin Air” by John Krakauer. Great book that will want to make you live life to the fullest.
thank you I checked out this book on amazon
Great post! Any chance you could put those books together in a “deal” and sell them all at once? Just a thought.
Malcolm is great–had a chance to meet him a while back at Brett Tabke’s Pubcon where he was a keynote speaker. His other book, “Blink” is also a great read.
Oh yeah, I forgot to add…rich dad poor dad is also a great book, and any of the books by Clark Howard are pretty decent, too.
Have you turned over a leaf? I thought I read in a previous post that you’d not read a book to the end, so well done.
I read too much, so if I narrowed it down, I would choose Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill.
Clearly you fail at reading in general.
Oh I see - he listens the them. Funny how I never noticed that before but it stuck out like a sore thumb when I returned to the blog. I didn’t realise you could also get audio books on itunes.
i have read that trump book, all it motivates me to say is that trump is an asshole!
Best in last few years…
Freakanomics - Amazing
Tipping Point
Good to Great
Great Game of Business (dated, but clearly shows how even Old Economy can move quickly with the right mindset).
Anything by Tom Peters
Same for Seth Godin
Jeffrey Gitomer, (but I am a sales person)
Rich Dad, Poor Dad - eye opener on “work” vs. “life”.
The Wealthy Barber - why you waste so much money in life.
Never Eat Alone - network, network, network
How To Become CEO -
More, lots more out there.
Winning-Jack Welch
Good To Great - Jim Collins
Blink-Malcolm Gladwell
All these are great for when you are trying to get motivated to take your online business up to the next level.
Good to Great was excellent
Have to agree. “Good to Great” by Jim Collins is an excellent business book.
Shoe,
I have a great book if you do a lot of ringtone traffic.
The book is called Who Moved My Cheese.
Ive included a short video for those who either didnt get the book or are so hell bent on doin it all the hard way. Enjoy! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhs0ejEKhgY
I’ll second Freakanomics.
A series of books I haven’t seen mentioned are the Harvey MacKay books “How to Swim With the Sharks Without Being Eaten Alive”, “Sharkproof”, etc. The guy was in the envelope business … not a lot of margin, loads of competition, etc. … and he got rich at it.
“Think & Grow Rich”by Hill - timeless and wealth building beyond the monetary.
“The Razor’s Edge” - again, still relevant in the pursuit of deep desires.
“I Am That” - when I need my sensibilities shaken.
Great list of books that I will definitely check out. Of those, I’ve only read “Rich Dad, Poor Dad” and it blew me away. The guy’s a little pompous, but if what he says is true he has every right to be.
Coincidentally, I just posted a YouMoz article on my top 5 books all search engine marketers should read. Would love your feedback.
I like Trumps and Kiyosaki’s book. I also finds Patton’s biography pretty inspirational.
I don’t read near as much as I used to. Seems like the Internet has ruined my reading skills, I now “skim” everything and I don’t seem to have the attention span any longer to sit and read a novel. I’ve been trying to finish the Lewis & Clark book for damn near a year!
Just finished Four Hour Work Week, which left me really motivated to automate more of my business processes and analyze where my time and effort is really being spent.
I’ve read lots of Kiyosaki and am a big Rich Dad, Poor Dad fan aswell. I read at one point though that attempts to independently verify a lot of claims in the book had failed.
I found “Never Eat Alone” very motivational, too.
Think and Grow Rich, The Millionaire Mind, 7 Highly Effective Habits
Ditto on the Millionaire Mind. That’s a must read. Main pts i got from it … 1) be an entrepreneur and work in less competition markets 2) surround yourself with successful people 3) your spousal choice is one of your most important financial decisions
7 highly effective habits had a lot of interesting thoughts.
I like:
4 Hour Workweek
Rich Dad, Poor Dad
I couldn’t stand Rich Dad, Poor Dad because if you pay attention, never actually says anything other than the usual rah rah Amway type speak. That said, I was suckered into buying and reading it, so the marketing surrounding the product was at least good.
What is inspiring to me? Autobiographies from people who have been seemingly lost in the sea changes of history, business biographies (rise and fall of RJR Nabisco, history of the Thinkpad, and Nuts! [Southwest] get thumbs up from me), and anything else non-fiction that is laying around. I try to juggle between reading a book on management/entrepreneurship, hard science/tech, and then a subject I know absolutely nothing about.
Cheers,
joe
Cygnus - the best take away from Rich Dad Poor Dad was this - working in a “secure job” as a “loyal employee” is no guarantee of financial rewards or success. Rather, the wealth individuals are the ones who own and invest rather than earn and survive.
But you have a point - too much of Kiyosaki’s writings and interviews reek of MLM and Amway. In fact, I think he brags in one of his books about how good a certain MLM scheme was for him.
It’s funny that you mention Amway.
RD/PD got no traction initially in the marketplace, couldn’t even find a real publisher, until he introduced his book to several Amway “Diamonds” (the people at the top of the pyramid) who started promoting it to their underlings.
These Diamonds helped RD/RD push his book to all the hundreds of thousands of Amways downliners, until the book became a bestseller. Then, it went mainstream because of its “Bestseller” status.
After you read RD/PD, read this guy’s analysis:
http://www.johntreed.com/Kiyosaki.html
(No, I’m not JTR, nor do I get a commission)
Yeah, I ran into that Johntreed post a few years back when I had that similar funny taste in my mouth, regarding the veracity and necessity of what was written. I have encountered many excellent books on real estate, but they have been more technical in nature…as much analysis usually is.
Here in the Phoenix area the commercials for Kiyosaki’s australian friend have been popping up — another real winner (sic).
Rich Dad, Poor Dad was really mind blowing the first time I read it. After I finished for the first time I stopped a while and seriously reconsidered my priorities.
Rich Dad Poor Dad was the first book that motivated me a few years ago. The book that motivates me now is The 4 Hour Workweek.
I think the “How to get Rich” book is a great and motivating book. It’s details and highlights are strong points to a business to consider.
Rich Dad Poor Dad is recommended book.I got so many good input from it.
I read a little of this book. Cool idea.
“The Richest Man in Babylon” by George S. Clason
“Wellness Revolution”, “The Next Millionaires” and “The Next Trillion” by Paul Zane Pilzer
Two books by Flemming Østergaard - A danish business man who started from scratch and built up several businesses including two soccer clubs. (Lyngby and FC Copenhagen)
1. “Think and Grow Rich” by Napoleon Hill
2. “Unlimited Power” by Tony Robbins
3. “Awaken the Giant Within” by Tony Robbins
4. “4-Hour Workweek” by Tim Ferris
5. “Life 101″ by Peter McWilliams
The Bible, especially Proverbs for business motivation and a book called “Business by the Book - The complete guide of Biblical principles for the workplace” by Larry Burkett.
I like the how to get rich book by Wattles. The Science of Getting Rich -
It’s a good book even if a little dated.
The Robert Kiyosaki book - Rich Dad Poor Dad is really motivate me..great book..i really mean it..
Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill is one of my favourite.
Harry Potter series are quite motivating…..can wait for the latest one….;)
48 Powers of Law