1. Essentialism
This book is about a new approach to business and responsibilities that will make your life easier and you happier.In the modern world, in addition to virtual attacks, an incessant stream of work and personal requests, we are faced with a choice every day: which of our hobbies to spend time on, which projects to take on, where to go to study...
How to change the rhythm of life, free yourself from everything unnecessary and find your way, says writer and business coach Greg McKeon. His advice will be useful to anyone who lacks time for the most important things.
2. Be the best version
Anyone can become outstanding, no matter what they do. After all, it's not what you do, but who you are that matters.This conclusion was made by Dan Waldsmith, who studied more than 1000 stories ordinary people who have achieved success in business, science, politics and sports. It turned out that they all had several common features, which the author talks about.
This book will inspire you to new achievements in work and any other areas of life. You'll discover why you're not where you want to be yet and how to fill your life with incredible possibilities.
3. Important years
Some call the years from twenties to thirties the second youth, others the beginning of adulthood. Dr. Meg Jay, a clinical psychologist, says this is the most important decade in a person's life.In her opinion, during this period it is worth thinking seriously about work, love, physical and intellectual development. A smart and constructive book about the years that should not be wasted.
Real life stories and fresh scientific research await you. As well as observations of psychologists, sociologists, neurologists, economists and top managers involved in personnel policy.
4. Dreaming is not harmful
A 35-year bestseller on how to turn your dreams into reality. This legendary book will help you discover your strengths and hidden talents, and then outline the path to the goal and implement your plans.Barbara Sher is sure: becoming the creator of your own life is easier than it seems. You just need to be bolder: dream, read, do.
The book is truly admirable (no wonder it was published in 1979 and is still popular). It is written to make you a winner. A person who gets what he wants.
5. Development of willpower
A book for those who want to learn self-control and become the master of their destiny.Famous American psychologist Walter Mischel tells how to develop willpower and use it when faced with everyday challenges: the need to lose weight, quit smoking, prepare for dismissal and other important problems.
The publication is included in the top 100 on Amazon.com in the “Cognitive Psychology” section.
6. Mindsight
Many people suffer from “mental traps”: obsessive states, mood swings, anxiety, unpleasant memories. How to get rid of these problems and become a happy person?Psychiatrist Daniel Siegel talks about an important skill that can change your life for the better. This skill is the ability to focus on one's inner world and abstract from “autopilot” - ingrained irrational habits.
Real stories from the book prove: we have the power to change ourselves, our brains and our lives.
7. Memory does not fail
Neuroscientists say that there is no good or bad, short or long memory. There is a memory that is well trained or poorly trained.“Improving your memory is not only possible, it’s also fun,” says psychologist Angels Navarro. You will agree with this statement when you see the fun brain training exercises in this book.
By doing them, you will not only train your memory, but also develop other cognitive abilities, which include attention and thinking.
8. Energy source
This book will help you get rid of overwork and stress. The author, a productivity expert, explains how to stay energized during your 15 to 19 hours of wakefulness without feeling tired.Your workdays will no longer seem too stressful and busy, and you'll be active enough in the evenings to work on your personal goals.
A book for everyone who wants to get more done at work and find time for family, recreation and hobbies.
9. An easy way to stop procrastinating
This book will be useful to anyone who constantly puts off difficult and unpleasant activities, and then tries to do the impossible in one day.Renowned psychologist Neil Fiork has been helping his clients overcome procrastination for 30 years; and he believes that the tendency to procrastinate is a symptom of deeper phenomena, namely loss of motivation and perfectionism.
10. Never eat alone
Forbes magazine called the author of this book “one of the most sociable people in the world.” And for good reason: Keith Ferrazi is the No. 1 networker. He, like no one else, knows that the most important skill in business (and not only) is the ability to build relationships.Kate states, "Of course, building a strong network isn't the only thing you need to be successful, but building your career and life with the support of your friends and acquaintances is a definite advantage." The book is recommended reading for anyone who wants to communicate openly and sincerely with people, while building a network of useful contacts.
Blaise Pascal said: “To foresee is to control.” In order to become a good leader, you need to anticipate and know a lot. A selection prepared by Rusbase together with the publishing house Mann, Ivanov and Ferber will help you understand all the intricacies of management.
Management
Maxim Batyrev. 45 manager tattoos
A tattoo is something that will stay with you for life. Maxim Batyrev, one of the successful Russian managers, tells what 45 “tattoos” are on his “body”. These are 45 rules that he developed during the time he was the head of the company. How to motivate employees? How to create an atmosphere that would help people open up? How should you behave if you are going to fire a loved one from the company? What does it mean to be a leader in Russian? How to survive ups and downs? The author's experience will be close and recognizable to all Russian leaders! And you decide whether to accept it or challenge it.
Richard Branson. To hell with all of it! Take it and do it!
Richard Branson is probably known to many people. Even those who are completely far from the world of business. After all, Richard is not only an iconic entrepreneur, the founder of Virgin and one of the richest people on Earth, but also the number 1 business bully in the world. His company today unites under its brand almost 400 companies from various fields of business. From the outside it seems that everything comes very easily to Richard. He embodies the rule: “Take everything from life!”
How does he do this? What lessons did Richard have to learn before he got to the business Olympus? Richard is confident: “Anyone can achieve anything if they have a head on their shoulders and love what they do.” In this expanded version of his best-selling book, Branson offers the “rules for life” that led him to success. It will charge any leader with a spirit of optimism and motivate him to new achievements.
Isaac Adizes. Ideal leader
Isaac Adizes is considered one of the most famous and effective business consultants in the world. He has not only worked with hundreds of companies around the world, but also advised entire governments of individual countries. Isaac believes that ideal managers can be compared to unicorns. And do you know why? Because neither one nor the other exists in nature.
But at the same time, Isaac has an answer to the question of how to become an ideal leader. Agree, this is always relevant. In this book, Isaac Adizes tells how to increase personal effectiveness and learn real leadership wisdom.
Jim Collins. From good to great
How can you make an unremarkable company become great? Business consultant Jim Collins has the answer to this question. He spent years studying the subject of business greatness.
Why do some companies succeed while others fail? Why do some companies manage to shine for decades, while others fade away in the first few years? Why do some achieve phenomenal results, while others are forced to pick themselves up piece by piece every time?
The book is a must-read for anyone who wants to build a business “to last.”
Marketing
Philip Kotler. Marketing Basics
One of the “fathers of marketing,” Philip Kotler examines its key concepts. What does “balanced marketing” mean? How much attention and resources should you devote to marketing? How can you quickly adapt your marketing machine to a world that is changing at lightning speed? How to find a compromise between the needs of consumers and the commercial interests of the company?
All this is under the cover of the book. It will be useful for any leader or manager to read to understand how marketing works.
Dmitry Rumyantsev “Business Promotion on VKontakte”
VKontakte is the largest social network in Russia and, perhaps, one of the main communication tools in our country. 55 million users visit the site every day. Such traffic can only be compared with the traffic to pages of major search engines.
How to promote your VKontakte business? How to create an effective community that will help position your product correctly? Which promotion tools work best? Dmitry Rumyantsev is ready to answer all these questions. All you have to do is take it and do it.
Management
Dan S. Kennedy "Hard Management"
Dan Kennedy is confident that subordinates can and should be forced to work for results. And all because no one will be as passionate about your business as you are. If suddenly your business starts to fall apart, no one will help you: hired workers will simply go elsewhere.
Employees who are endlessly late and show disdain for work do not deserve mercy. Is it worth “re-educating” people? Is it possible to “remotivate” them? And in general, how can we turn those who simply “work for their uncle” into a real team? Dan Kennedy will tell you. After reading the book, you will learn how to get the most out of your business.
Project management
Jeff Sutherland. Scrum
Have you already heard about the Scrum methodology? This is a unique method that will allow you to implement projects much faster! Many companies that implemented Scrum admitted that thanks to this, projects were launched several times faster. For example, when a well-known insurance company expected to create its online store, managers budgeted 15 months for the entire process. But the Scrum methodology made it possible to implement the project within 2 months.
The creators of the system assure that in the future historians will divide all knowledge about business process management into “before scrum” and “after”.
Time management, stress resistance
David Allen. How to get things in order
This is an updated version of David Allen's bestselling book, Getting Things Done. The book is rightfully considered the best guide on how to organize yourself. David talks about his proprietary GTD technique, which will help increase personal effectiveness and productivity many times over. The reader will learn how to maintain order in his head, diary and desktop, as well as how to work with a huge amount of incoming information and minimize distractions.
In addition, this technique will allow you to find free time for those important things for which you cannot find a minute.
Edward Hallowell. Don't distract me
Do you know that a modern person, according to the most conservative estimates, checks his smartphone 118 times during the day? Can you imagine how much time we can save if we stop being distracted?
Psychiatrist and concentration specialist Edward Hallowell offers an accessible system that will teach you to be focused whenever you need it. You will learn whether multitasking exists, how empathy helps you become more concentrated, how to stop depending on gadgets and achieve your goals faster.
Communications
Larry King. How to talk to anyone, anytime, anywhere
Whatever one may say, our whole life is negotiations. And a lot depends on the ability to lead them. By mastering all the techniques of verbal kung fu, you can make your life much easier. For example, getting a more lucrative contract or a first class seat on an airplane.
The legendary Larry King teaches how to learn to talk with people, and also how to overcome fear and embarrassment, speak skillfully in public, negotiate, about anything. King provides tools that actually work and dozens of useful tips that you can use immediately.
Motivation
Eric Bertrand. Without self-pity
Erik Bertrand Larssen is one of the most popular people in Norway. First, he served in the special forces for 8 years, where he learned how to be unbending and develop willpower. Then, as a psychological coach, he helped athletes prepare for the Olympics.
And after that, Bertrand published the book “Without Self-Pity,” which was bought in Norway by every 20th person in the country. In it, the author tells how to learn to motivate yourself and others, achieve goals and push the boundaries of your capabilities.
Here I will publish the best self-development books that I have studied myself. Fame and reviews of the product will also be taken into account! This is a selection of the 10 best self-development books! For people who want to develop and grow as a person:
1) “Rich Dad Poor Dad” - Robert Kiyosaki 
The book is based on 2 opposing principles of education on problems related to finances, which Robert will take from his father - the state. employee and from the father of his close friend Mike, an entrepreneur who eventually became the richest man in the Hawaiian Islands.
When he was little, he chose the path suggested by that friend’s father (“Rich Dad”) and achieved financial independence. At 47, he was “able to leave his business and move into educational supervision.” According to this book, “If you want to become successful and happy, don’t go to school,” education is your business. “The J.P. Morgan company has made the book “Rich Dad Poor Dad” mandatory reading for all millionaires.”
2) “Cash Flow Quadrant” - Robert Kiyosaki
The book explains why some successful people work less, but earn more, pay less taxes and feel more financial independence than others.
The essence of the book is to understand and realize the thinking of rich people and move to their successful side.
3) “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” - Stephen Covey
This book outlines a general approach to personal effectiveness. Covey defined skills as a cross-section of knowledge, ability and desire. His 7 skills are laid out along a continuum of personality maturity: from dependence (“You showed concern for me”) to independence (“I am responsible for my actions”) and then transition to interpersonal dependence (“We can do this together”).
4) “Screw it all, get on with it” - Richard Branson
Richard's book is a manifesto of his life, actions, risks. The credo of the book is to take everything possible and impossible from this life. This means not being afraid to do what you really want.
With all this, it doesn’t matter at all whether you have enough knowledge, life experience or education. Life is too short to waste time on things that don't interest you. If you have a head on your shoulders and ambitions that overwhelm your heart, any goal will be within your reach. If you like something, take it and do it. If you don’t like it, quit and don’t think about it anymore.
The book will bring you a huge charge of positivity, wisdom and faith in your own capabilities.
5) “Think and Grow Rich” - Napoleon Hill
If you want to know how to overcome all obstacles and achieve success, then read this great book. For many years it was a bestseller in America and lasted 42 editions there. But to this day, Napoleon Hill’s book changes people’s lives. It will give you a clear plan on how to achieve success in life. And you will need this in any business.
6) “How to Win Friends and Influence People” - Dale Carnegie
Dale Carnegie's most famous and popular book is “How to Win Friends and Influence People” - a vibrant collection of practical lessons and advice, as well as life stories under the slogan “Believe that you can do it - and then it will work out.”
In fact, the book is quite old, but psychologists still study from it and build on the materials of this wonderful book.
7) “How to work 4 hours a week and not be stuck in the office from bell to bell, live anywhere and get rich” - Timothy Ferris
Timothy Ferriss in this book will describe to us his philosophy of life, which in Lately became very popular. People who live by this philosophy do not throw life away for later, they do not work until they are blue in the face and do not want to deprive themselves of all the joys of life before they become successful. They know perfectly well what they need, they know why they live, but this cannot stop them from enjoying their life, because they know perfectly well how to cope with life and how to achieve success.
Read and enjoy this useful book in all respects!
8) “The Psychology of Lying” - Paul Ekman
Based on a huge amount of everyday, experimental material, Paul analyzes the phenomenon of deception from the point of view of new modern psychological science. You will learn about what features of behavior, facial expressions, speech and gestures reveal the speaker’s lies. This book is an amazing textbook for lovers of psychology, including nonverbal gestures, social psychology. Moreover, this practical guide for those who are not going to become victims of deception and psychological traps in any area of life.
Today, a lot of such literature is published and distributed. You can understand how to choose the right one among the stacks of books and start implementing your plans by studying our TOP-10.
So, our hit parade - books on how to become a successful person.
1. “The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People” by Stephen Covey. This publication primarily reveals the topic of personal growth, thanks to which several million people on the planet have changed their lives, among whom were such famous public figures included in different times V world rankings, like Bill Clinton, Stephen Forbes, Larry King.
2. “Build Your Future”, Brian Tracy. This literature is based on theoretical and practical principles of successful work, which confirm twelve factors that help to achieve great heights.
4. “The Richest Man in Babylon” by George Clason. This book offers recipes through studying the secrets of money, how to learn to earn and increase your capital.
5. “Why are you stupid, sick and poor... And how to become smart, healthy and rich” by Reidy Gage, this book reveals the secrets of attracting health, prosperity and happiness. Millions of people all over the world, having read this book, began to look at their lives with completely different eyes, discarded all previous beliefs and, using practical advice, achieved a lot.
6. “The World's Greatest Success” by Og Mandino. This book is written in the style of a fascinating story, it is easy to read and at the same time reveals to the reader the basic laws on how to earn, save and increase money.
8. “Am I a Genius?”, Vin Wenger. The author sincerely believes that hidden talents and abilities are hidden somewhere deep inside every person; you just need to recognize them and be able to bring them out. How to do this correctly, and then develop your abilities, you will read all this in this book.
9. “The Power of Spiritual Intelligence,” Tony Buzan. This publication, like biography books of successful people, offers to learn from those very great personalities of humanity of the past and present a correct and deep understanding of the events taking place around us. For nothing happens by chance.
10. “Delivering Happiness,” Tony Hsieh wrote. true story one of the outstanding zero to billion companies. The author is the main character of this work and talks about the formation and development of the Zappos company, which was later bought by Amazon for one million two hundred thousand dollars.
Try not only to purchase one of the copies of the above literature and read it, but also to use the book as a reference book, on your desktop. Even if it just lies in a visible place, the work will do its job; among other things, it can be used when arranging.
Recently, various books dedicated to achieving success in various areas of life have become very popular. The best business and self-development books are in great demand both online and in brick-and-mortar bookstores. Such works allow a person to become smarter, provide him with the opportunity to reveal his own potential, as well as improve his financial situation. In this article we will present the ten best books dedicated to self-improvement.
10. “Get out of your comfort zone. Change Your Life, Brian Tracy
This is a great book that will help anyone change their life. It has been translated into forty languages. Already, more than a million copies of this work have been purchased around the world. Brian Tracy presented readers with the fruits of his long-term research into issues related to time management.
The book “Get Out of Your Comfort Zone” makes a person believe in himself. It is filled with positive energy and optimism. Anyone can quickly and effectively implement the useful advice that Tracy gives out on the pages of her work. The following words can briefly describe the book: “Change yourself and your outlook on life.” Experts recommend this book to optimists who strive to achieve success. It will also be useful for specialists who are tired of their work.
People who embark on the path of self-improvement sometimes find it difficult to cope with the barrage of plans and ideas. Sometimes you get the feeling that you do a thousand things in a day, but you are still marking time in one place. It is important to understand that a large volume of work performed does not always guarantee high efficiency. By the way, in some cases people hide behind vigorous activity in order not to take on truly important matters. Brian Tracy in his book reveals to the reader ways in which these problems can be dealt with.
The author points out that a feeling of uncertainty and confusion in the head are the main reasons why a person cannot achieve success in his affairs. This condition leads to the fact that the list of required tasks becomes very vague. This is why Tracy is encouraged to strive for clarity in all situations. For example, when thinking about something in life, it is important to always pick up paper and pen. The author claims that only 3% of people alive today know how to formulate their goals in writing. According to him, such people always achieve the highest level personal effectiveness.
Tracy is convinced that the key to success lies in... proper planning. The author wonders why the vast majority of people neglect this rule, because it is so simple - you just need to take a pen and a blank sheet of paper.
The author talks about how to correctly compile lists of tasks and goals. For example, when you have a new task, you should not immediately complete it. First of all, this task needs to be added to the list. If you adhere to this rule, the efficiency of your work will increase by a quarter, and maybe even more.
The author also points out that no person will ever have enough time to do everything that needs to be done. In some cases, the workload reaches 110%. Things pile up and many of them remain unfinished. Tracy is convinced that a person cannot race against time. To be successful, you need to get rid of empty dreams. The most important thing is to deal with the things that really matter most.
The book “Get Out of Your Comfort Zone” contains 21 ways to increase personal effectiveness. After reading this work by Brian Tracy, you will learn how to correctly prioritize to achieve the desired results. Using the proposed methods in practice, over time you will gain the ability to achieve any goals. In other words, you will become the rightful master of your destiny. Time is the most precious thing we have. That is why everyone must learn to manage this limited resource effectively
9. Good to Great by Jim Collins
Many experts claim that Jim Collins writes the best books on business and self-development. This is a recognized classic of business literature. The circulation of his books, published all over the world, exceeds 10 million copies! Jim's scientific career began at Stanford on the faculty of High school business." In 1992, Collins received an award for excellence in teaching. Three years later he opened a management laboratory. For more than twenty years, Collins has been studying the work of a wide variety of companies - from “long-lived” companies that are more than a hundred years old to startups that have immediately risen to the top of success.
In the book “From Good to Great” you will find an analysis of the work of companies that managed to move from good results to the outstanding. We are talking about companies such as Nucor, Kroger, Gillette, Fannie Mae, Pitney Bowes and Wells Fargo. The author was able to study the conditions and factors that contributed to the transition “from good to great.” Consistent implementation of the concepts and ideas presented in this book can help almost any company.
Currently, Jim Collins' work "Good to Great" is a "guide" in the world of business for many entrepreneurs. The author managed to refute the principle that the best is the enemy of the good. Such famous businessmen as Sergei Polonsky, Mikhail Prokhorov, Evgeny Kaspersky and David Yan declared their sympathy for the presented book.
Collins examined data from 1.5 thousand US companies. The information was taken approximately from the mid-60s of the last century. The main selection criterion was the unexpected success of the companies. Collins was only interested in those organizations that managed to dramatically improve their performance and maintain it for 15 years. Based on his research, Collins was able to formulate eight key elements of success:
- “Level 5 Leader.” According to the author, the fifth level is located above the traditional four levels of the business hierarchy. The main qualities of such a leader are unique professional will and unique modesty;
– People, not business! Collins argues that the focus must be on the “right” people. That is why the question “What to do?” is relegated to the background. A team of equally passionate and talented people will achieve great things;
– All problems should be visible. Auto books states that problems cannot be ignored or hushed up. This statement may seem simple and banal, but in practice the situation is different. Employees in many companies really turn a blind eye to many important issues;
- Act like a hedgehog! Collins refers to an essay by Isaiah Berlin entitled "The Hedgehog and the Fox." The fox has many ways to eat the hedgehog, but the latter does not give up, using only one defensive technique. No matter how strange it may sound, it is the hedgehog that wins. The author points out that success can be achieved by acting in this way. The most important thing is unwavering persistence and simple solutions;
– Business should be a passion. To determine the area in which you want to work, you need to answer three questions: “By what indicator will you measure your success?”, “In what area can you be the best?” and “What do you have a real passion for?”;
– Clear rules and discipline. The company must be clear about what is not included in its rules. Collins suggests throwing away everything that is not part of the hedgehog strategy;
- “Flywheel effect.” Collins notes that all the companies he studied developed like a flywheel. In other words, they didn't have any rapid revolutions. Every business moves slowly at first, but if you continue to rotate the “flywheel” in the right direction, it will accelerate.
8. “Be the best version of yourself,” Dan Waldschmidt
To understand the true ingredients of success, you must read the best self-help books. After reading the work of Dan Waldschmidt, you will understand who you really are. The author encourages you to work harder and be persistent. You should remember these words for the rest of your life!
Dan Waldschmidt studied more than 1,000 stories of people who achieved success in a variety of fields: sports, politics, science, business. The list of these personalities includes a chef who managed to overcome a fatal disease, a famous figure skater who achieved success after severe life turmoil, as well as female cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova. The author and his assistants were able to identify several traits that are common to all people who achieve success. The stories collected in this book will not leave anyone indifferent. It is possible that your personal inspiration lies in this work.
“Be the best version of yourself” is intended for those:
– who dreams of achieving outstanding results;
– who loves inspiring and bright stories that give them the desire to move forward;
– who dreams of giving a loved one a book that can change lives.
The author points out that none of us should chase “other people's happiness.” You should not let thoughts in your mind like “He was luckier in this life...” or “I have to huddle in a small room, and they enjoy the comforts of a huge mansion.”
Everything is truly learned by comparison. However, you also need to compare wisely. Such comparisons help some people achieve success, while others, on the contrary, become depressed due to constant complaints about life. According to Waldschmidt, many people are currently suffering due to low level spiritual development. That is why we so often look at the external world, and not at the internal one. In the eternal pursuit of mythical happiness, we forget to appreciate everything that is really important!
The most important aspiration of a person, according to the author, should be the realization of the desire to become the best version of himself. Many experts unanimously declare that this is one of the best books that clearly shows the successes of ordinary people.
By the way, Dan Waldschmidt learned many lessons of success from his own life. The author had a great desire to live beautifully, and he quickly realized it. But at some point everything collapsed! Waldschmidt even thought about suicide. However, heaven gave him another chance... a chance to live this life with meaning and gratitude.
There aren't any step by step instructions achieving success. In addition, this work can cause resentment and indignation among people who are accustomed to doing nothing, constantly looking for excuses for their failures. You shouldn't be surprised. There are a lot of such people around us. They are afraid to look their problems in the eye, blaming everyone and everything for their troubles!
Simply read about the four principles that are presented in this book and begin to implement them in your mind. These principles should become the core of your nature! Every piece of advice the author gives will make you look at your plans in a new way.
It is also important to note that the book “Be the best version of yourself” perfectly motivates you to work on yourself. The book is beautifully designed: play of colors, successful drawings, extraordinary writing of the text. All this will help you focus on the author’s main idea.
“Be the Best Version of You” is a truly unique book. And this fact does not need to be emphasized with colorful presentations and words of praise. This work deserves your attention. And all because this is where invaluable knowledge is contained that will help you open the door to the world of true success and happiness.
7. Business Without Prejudice, Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson
In seventh place is a book called “Business without Prejudice.” This work will help all those who dream of starting their own business. The best ones give an idea of how you can conduct commercial activities even in parallel with your main job. This book is no exception! By applying the principles outlined in this work, you will achieve incredible freedom in the implementation of your business projects.
“Business without prejudice” talks about how and what every entrepreneur actually needs to plan, what size a company should achieve, and how to develop a business correctly. It is important to consider that David Heinemeier Hansson and Jason Fried are themselves quite successful Internet entrepreneurs (they are the founders of the legendary 37signals). That is why all their methods presented in the book have been tested in practice.
The book is very easy and simple to read. All your doubts will be dispelled after reading the first pages. You didn’t even suspect that a business could be built this way. The authors convince us that we are surrounded by people who are full of despair and pessimism. People who constantly live in despondency try to drag the rest of the inhabitants of this world into their “graves”. As soon as someone has hope, pessimists begin to shout that nothing will work out anyway. However, you should not listen to such people. If a world filled with negative emotions is a reality for them, this does not mean that you should live in it.
At one time, the book “Business without Prejudice” became a real sensation. This work takes 28th place in the Amazon.com rating, compiled in the entire history of the portal.
Hensson and Fried's book is intended for:
– Small business owners. Such people are always focused on their work. They are constantly looking for competitive advantages to get ahead;
– Distinctive class “A” businessmen. Such people are born to create and conquer;
- Those who dream of own project. Such people are completely immersed in their work, but they are haunted by the desire to do something else at the same time. They dream of doing what they love and getting paid for it.
The authors convince the reader that today anyone can do business. You can use expensive technology by paying just a couple of dollars. One person can do the work of an entire department. To do this you will need only 40 hours a week. Moreover, you will not have to take on excessive risks or spend your savings. You don't even need an office.
Today you can do business together with people who live thousands of kilometers away from you.
Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson challenge critics who argue that a company cannot thrive without budget approval, meetings and board meetings. The authors urge you not to listen to the opinions of such people. And for this they have a very serious argument! The thing is that 37signals has been thriving for many years.
The authors of the presented work pay special attention to inspiration. They indicate that it is not eternal. You need to start working immediately at the moment when you have the desire to do something. For example, if inspiration came to you on Friday, then give up things planned for the weekend.
It’s best to immediately dive into the implementation of a new project! According to the authors, inspiration is real magic that should not be lost. This magic will not wait for the moment when you find time to implement your own business.
6. “The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People” by Stephen Covey
In sixth place is the world bestseller by Stephen Covey. The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People has had a tremendous impact on the lives of many people around the world. The value of Covey's work is confirmed by positive reviews from such famous personalities as Stephen Forbes, Larry King and Bill Clinton, and they, without a doubt, read only the best self-help books.
The philosophy of efficiency, which is presented in the “Seven Habits,” is known to thousands of employees of the world's largest corporations. In many of them, reading this book is a prerequisite for hiring.
Stephen Covey introduced a systematic approach that allows a person to determine his goals and priorities. His book provides advice on how you can achieve your goals. Covey believes that every person can become a better person. At the same time, we are talking about real, fundamental changes.
However, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People does not promise instant miracles or easy solutions. It is important to remember that any positive change requires persistence, work, patience and time. That is why for people who strive to realize their full potential, this book will become a real “road map”.
The presented book is good from all sides: it combines thoughtful practice and well-structured theory, it is interesting and pleasant to read. For each of his theses, the author offers serious arguments. This way, you don't have to take all these things for granted.
What does the author mean by efficiency? First of all, this is the ability to achieve your goals with minimal costs resources. To work as effectively as possible in this direction, you need to learn how to set goals correctly. If they are placed incorrectly, then all the work may be in vain. Covey uses an interesting metaphor when he states that the ladder of success can only be climbed when it is against the right wall.
Thus, the ability to set worthy goals is of utmost importance. The first part of the book is devoted to precisely this. The author also introduces the concept of “personal mission”. Covey compares it to the constitution of a state. This is a kind of document that describes the most important priorities, goals, values and obligations to others and to oneself.
Having decided on his mission, the reader must pass each of his decisions through the prism of compliance with the principles and provisions that are in it. Covey explains that this is sometimes extremely difficult to do. Unpleasant facts immediately come to the surface, indicating that your actions do not fit well with your existing goals.
The original title of the book does not use the word “skill”, but the word “habit” (The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People). As we know, habit is second nature. That is why, over time, habits introduced into our consciousness become part of our character. Each of the skills (or habits) presented in the book is independent, but they all complement each other perfectly. The first three concern what needs to be changed in yourself. The second three are devoted to relationships with other people. Well, the seventh skill concerns continuous improvement.
It is important to note that Covey has an incredible ability to cover every topic he touches on. You absolutely agree with every point he makes. Among other things, the book contains exercises that should be performed. At the same time, reading is so fascinating that you want to skip the tasks. The author does not recommend doing this. As a last resort, you can return to the exercises after reading the book.
5. Lessons from Great Leaders, Bill George and Peter Sims
We present to your attention the book “Lessons from Great Leaders” by Peter Sims and Bill George. Before we move on to the story of the work itself, we should say a few words about the authors themselves.
Bill George served for many years as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Medtronic, a global leader in medical technology. His work helped increase the company's market capitalization from $1.1 billion to $60 billion (in other words, an average of 35% per year).
Bill George is currently a faculty member at Harvard Business School, where he teaches practical management to students. The United States Public Broadcasting Service recognized George as one of the top 25 leaders of the past 25 years.
Peter Sims is the founder of the Leadership Course at Stanford University Business School. Previously, he worked at the investment company Summit Partners. Sims' work has been published in such prestigious publications as Fortune, Tech Crunch and Harvard Business.
Lessons from Great Leaders is based on conversations with 125 successful people. The authors of the work came to the conclusion that values and character are the main components of any leader. The word “values” in this case means a certain internal compass that guides a person in various life situations towards a goal that makes it worth being a leader. A leader, remaining himself under any circumstances, makes people want to follow him.
The authors have provided a whole range of exercises that will allow anyone to develop leadership skills. It is important to note that the work presented by George and Sims has been translated into 12 languages. The Harvard Business Review has listed this book as one of the must-read books for every leader.
In some ways, Lessons from Great Leaders is a unique book. And all because this is the only work on leadership based on real conversations with successful people.
The authors of the book argue that every person should be “real”: if you imitate someone, then you will not be able to be yourself. You shouldn’t try to be similar to the leaders, you just need to learn from them. People believe only the real and sincere; they do not need fakes. George and Sims also point out that you shouldn't create a detailed career plan right away.
To support this point, the book quotes Jack Brennan, CEO of Vanguard: “People who act on a clear career plan tend to be dissatisfied with their lives.”
Recognized leaders of our time teach on the pages of the book that the heart is one of the main components of a successful person. If a person acts according to the dictates of his heart, then he cannot be called a weakling, as some people think. On the contrary, it is a great way to achieve success. The authors note that leaders' life priorities change over time. If in their youth they constantly strived to be first and demonstrate their strengths, now the main thing for them is to inspire other people and help them develop.
The book “Lessons from Great Leaders” is recommended for reading by many famous people. Here’s what, for example, Rosabeth Kanter, a professor at Harvard Business School, said about this: “This book succinctly and beautifully outlines the path to success for 125 people. They proved that you can change the world without giving up your values.”
Andrea Jang, CEO of Avon Products, also appreciates the work presented: “This book is about true leadership. Great leaders have vision and passion. Each person can find their own inner compass if they enjoy their work."
4. The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari by Robin S. Sharma
The book "The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari" occupies a special place in the library of people who are looking only the best books on business and self-development. This is a fable by Robin S. Sharma about taking control of your destiny and achieving your dreams. Sharma's works have been translated into more than 70 languages. His books are read in 50 countries around the world. For a long time, the book “The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari” was considered the best-selling book in a number of countries (Japan, Spain, Turkey and England).
Robin S. Sharma's work will make you think about your goals and place in life. The author filled the book with his own life strategies. That is why this work is valued all over the world.
The plot centers on a lawyer named Julian Mantle. All his priorities are based on prestige, power and money. Mantle symbolizes the values of our society. The story itself is told by one of Mantle's friends. He admires his colleague and strives to imitate him. At one point, Mantle disappears from view due to heart attack. He decides to sell all his property and go to India. Now the main goal of a lawyer is to find the meaning of life. Mantle returns from India a changed man. During the voyage, Julian received a huge amount practical advice from the Himalayan gurus.
Advice on enlightened learning occupies a special place in the book. Their list includes the following:
– Live in the present;
– Serve others with selflessness;
– Remember the value of time;
– Be a disciplined person;
– Practice kaizen;
– Follow your goal;
– Sharpen your mind.
The author discusses each of the tips presented in as much detail as possible. All chapters are filled with recommendations that can help in the matter of self-improvement. The vast majority of Sharma's advice is very helpful indeed. The author suggests applying the outlined habits simultaneously. However, this may cause certain difficulties. Still, keeping such a large amount of information in your head is quite problematic.
This book can teach you the following:
- Calm. You will be easier to relate to things that previously irritated you;
– Business planning. Every person should strive to do things that truly bring pleasure;
– Time planning. Many readers note that after reading Sharma's work they have much more free time. And this is very important, because time is a non-renewable and most expensive resource in our time;
- Discipline. You will learn to do much more things than before;
– Positive outlook. The author encourages you to suppress negative thoughts within yourself. By familiarizing yourself with the principles outlined in this book, you will learn to preserve positive attitude in almost any situation, and you will also understand that mistakes are great life lessons;
– Fixing goals. The author recommends always recording your goals on paper. You must always see your goal clearly. Are you dreaming of a car? Then what's stopping you from printing out his photo and hanging it in front of your desk? It is important to remember that desires and thoughts materialize;
– Fighting fear. By applying the principles of Robin S. Sharma, you will learn to manage your fear. Many people claim that after reading this book they began to do things that they were previously very afraid of;
– The ability to live today. Don't dwell on the past! No need to worry about the future! Take action today!
. "Rich Dad Poor Dad" Robert Kiyosaki
Robert Kiyosaki is among the authors who, according to many experts, write the best books on business. His work “Rich Dad Poor Dad,” which was one of the top ten bestsellers in publications such as the New York Times, BusinessWeek, and the Wall Street Journal, simply must be included in this ranking.
The basis of the book “Rich Dad Poor Dad” is the story of two “dads”. The first dad is the author’s own father, the second dad is best friend father, who, according to the author, is "the richest man in Hawaii."
Kiyosaki tells readers about the impact the lives of two popes had on his life. The author compares two different approaches to saving money, two principles of education, two different opinions regarding financial investments.
At the end of the story, Kiyosaki says that the path of Rich Dad is much more preferable for him. This is a story about how to change your attitude towards life and how to become a rich person. Kiyosaki argues that money is a tool that can determine the reality around us.
What can a classical education give a person? Each of us studied sciences such as literature, chemistry and mathematics at school. But have they helped us in life? Can they give us knowledge regarding the ability to make money? Schools don't teach you how to be rich. According to the author, acquiring financial literacy is not part of the plans of those at the top of the money pyramid.
Only 5% of the world's population are truly rich. They are the ones who dictate the rules of life for the other 95%. Kiyosaki invites everyone to try to become one of those who determine laws and rules. You must change your life so that the person controls the money, and not the money the person.
The book “Rich Dad, Poor Dad” can hardly be called an instruction manual for building any business projects. This is just an illustration of how people's thinking can differ. Some spend as much as the asset allows, others spend as much as they earn, and spend that much. This work in a sense, it can be called the foundation of a businessman’s thinking.
Here are the common traits of people who look beyond their own salary. It's the difference between a doctor of science who couldn't get out of debt his whole life and a businessman who only has an 8th grade education. The book is about financial illiteracy and the lack of understanding of why money disappears.
There are no complicated diagrams or scary terms in the book. Kiyosaki simply recalls his childhood, the time when he received instructions from two “dads”. Poor dad constantly advised Robert to study well at school in order to get a decent position in the future. Another father acted differently. His main goal was to break the stereotypes that society imposed on Robert.
The style of the book is light and simple. The author's thoughts will be understandable even to a schoolchild. Kiyosaki writes in the style favored by authors who specialize in books about success. He repeats his ideas many times. Initially, it may seem quite boring, but this approach is necessary to consolidate the necessary principles in your mind.
In the book "Rich Dad Poor Dad" no universal recipes how you can become rich overnight. Recommendations and advice are presented here in the form of aphorisms, anecdotes and all kinds of life stories. The author points out that nothing in this life is given for nothing. That is why initial capital should be your main goal.
2. “To hell with everything! Go ahead and do it." Richard Branson
If you only read the best business books, then this work by Richard Branson is for you!
Richard Branson is an outstanding British businessman who is one of the richest people on the planet. At one time, Branson founded the Virgin corporation, which currently unites under its brand almost 400 companies specializing in a variety of areas - from underwater tourism to publishing.
Branson is an unconventional and bright personality. He believes that you need to take everything from life. According to Branson, there is no place for fear in life. You shouldn't be afraid to do what you want. It doesn’t matter at all whether you have enough education, experience or knowledge.
Any goal will be within your reach if your eyes are shining. Life is too short to waste precious time on things that don't bring you joy. If you don’t like something, then quit it immediately. If you like it, then keep working.
In the book “To hell with everything! Take it and do it” Branson offers life rules that can help achieve spiritual growth and find yourself in creativity. This work is a real treasure for those who strive for wisdom and optimism.
The author points out that life modern man has long turned into an endless struggle. Today you can't be sure of anything. This is why people have to do difficult elections. The most important life lesson is this: take it and do it! No matter how difficult it seems! Branson tells the reader about a key decision he made in 1984. Then he was offered to invest in a new transatlantic airline. And he was right!
Branson claims that he has a well-developed intuition: “I trust my intuition, I have the ability to achieve all my desires.” According to the author, the main thing in this life is to watch, listen and learn.
It's important to note that Branson is not only known as a billionaire who founded a huge brand. He is also known as a man who can serve excellent example for all those who do not know how to enjoy life. Branson simply loves risk and adventure.
The author of the book urges the reader not to look back at those around him. You should not pay much attention to what your relatives, parents or friends think about you. They strive to achieve stability. They don't want to make mistakes. They don't want to be laughed at. However, such thinking carries certain risks. The thing is that at some point a stable job will turn into a tedious routine.
It is possible that there are things in your life that you were afraid to do before. This book will be a great incentive for you to help you make the right decision.
"To hell with all of it! Take it and do it” – the title of the book reflects the main life rule of Richard Branson. It was this rule that guided the author of this bestseller when he decided to take on the publication of Student magazine when everyone told him that he needed to go to college. It was this rule that Branson used when creating new companies in the fields of mobile communications, air travel and sound recording.
It is important to point out that Branson, despite all his achievements, is very a modest person. On the pages of the book “To hell with everything! Take it and do it!” He talks about his stupid mistakes every now and then. Many experts note that Branson's fearlessness borders on madness. For example, at one time Branson almost died after crashing while flying his plane. It is possible that it is precisely in the ability to risk one’s own fear that lies main secret his success.
Success stories of outstanding people are great motivation. That’s why don’t miss the opportunity to check out one of Richard Branson’s most important works!
1. "The Richest Man in Babylon" by George Clayson
The book “The Richest Man in Babylon” was written for people who dream of “getting on top” in their relationships with money. George Clason talks about the most important rules for using and accumulating financial resources.
The entire storyline of the work is carried out through Ancient Babylon. This is precisely the novelty of Clason’s work. The protagonists of the story are Babylonian artisans and traders. The book is very easy and interesting to read. Ancient Babylon is considered the cradle of basic financial laws that are relevant even in our time.
Clayson offers anyone a set of rules that can save you from a thin wallet. According to the author, every person can understand financial laws. If you strive for success, then first learn the secret of money. All you have to do is accumulate capital and then put it to work.
The author of the book is convinced that only success in financial matters will help a person fulfill all his desires and plans. Clason outlines ways to achieve financial well-being in short parables. The “secrets” of financial success in the book are passed down from traders who learned from their own bitter experience. According to the author, a person will be a slave if he has the soul of a slave. If a person’s soul is free, then he will always be respected.
Arkad, the richest man in Babylon, earned far more than he could spend. How did he do it? Everything is very simple. He knew several simple rules! Without a doubt, every person living in our time dreams of earning more. Everyone wants to pamper themselves and their relatives with all kinds of surprises and gifts. What's the problem? We simply lack basic knowledge about finance.
This book will help all those who experience constant difficulties with money. This work by George Clason can be a great foundation upon which to build your wisdom in financial matters. This book is ideal if you want to instill financial literacy in your children. The small volume and simplicity of the rules outlined made this work a classic of literature regarding business building and self-improvement.
The list of rules that George Clason suggests includes the following:
– Top up your wallet. Each of the crafts is a “golden stream” that will help you accumulate capital. Of the ten coins you receive, spend only nine!;
– Cost control. There should be enough money for necessary needs, worthy of desire and pleasure. In this case, all costs should not exceed nine-tenths of income;
- Wealth should be increased. Profits should grow, regardless of whether you travel or work;
- Beware of losses. You need to be able to protect even the most modest savings. It is in this case that heaven will reward you with even greater wealth. Save your savings by investing only in those projects that are safe for investors;
– Your home should become a profitable enterprise;
– Provide income for the future. Be sure to think about your old age. Remember that youth is not eternal. At some point you will no longer have the strength to study. This is when your wallet will come in handy! A person who knows the laws of accumulation ensures constant growth in profits by thinking about the future. All investments must be profitable for many years to come, so that their results can be used in old age;
– Hone your skills. The desire to be rich can be compared to a dream.
As income increases, a person replenishes his stock of knowledge necessary to earn money. The wiser we become, the more we earn!
