As Jim Rohn once said: “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.”
So if you want to be successful in life, it makes sense to spend time with successful people. While we can’t all rub shoulders with the likes of Branson and Jobs, we can do the next best thing. We can read books from world-class leaders. We can soak up their soul while we read their stories. Messages of inspiration, lessons learned and strategies for success.
So grab a good book and you’ll be a roaring success in no time.
1. Thrive by Arianna Huffington
Arianna Huffington is the cofounder and editor-in-chief of the Huffington Post Media Group and one of the world’s most influential women. She graces the covers of magazines and is extraordinarily successful. In Thrive, Adrianna compels us to redefine success. She shows us what many people around the world are learning – that our current definition of success is literally killing us.
If you suspect there’s more to life than a fat salary and a luxurious office, this one is for you.
2. The Icarus Deception by Seth Godin
Seth Godin is the author of eighteen international bestsellers that have changed the way people think about marketing and work. He is one of the most inspiring people I can think of, and this is his most inspiring book. In The Icarus Deception, he challenges readers to leap into the unknown, dive deep into their psyche and discover the courage to treat work as art. He reminds us that conformity doesn’t lead to comfort and that creativity is more scarce and valuable than ever before.
Godin shows you that you can become an artist. He teaches us how it’s possible and convinces us why it’s essential.
3. Make Every Man Want You by Marie Forleo
Marie Forleo has been named by Oprah as a thought leader for the next generation and one of Inc.’s 500 fastest growing companies of 2014. Her book, Make Every Man Want You , is not about finding a man – it’s about you.This book will show you how to become more appealing to others in almost every situation. It’s a crash course in desirability and a life-changing lesson in loving yourself.
Marie will give you a confidence boost so you learn to love yourself inside and out. Then you’ll be well on your way to achieving success on your own terms.
4. Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook by Gary Vaynerchuk
Social media expert and bestselling author Gary Vaynerchuk tells us how to stand out in our noisy world. If you crave success, Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook is your blueprint to social media marketing strategies that really work. Vaynerchuk also articulates the massive change that’s occurred in social media and says that to be successful, social media needs to be platform specific. That is, we need to tailor our message for each community, whether it’s Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or elsewhere.
This book will show you the value of giving to your customers before asking for the sale.
5. The Fire Starter Sessions by Danielle La Porte
Danielle LaPort is an inspirational speaker, poet, former think tank exec and business strategist. Her website is deemed “the best place on-line for kick-ass spirituality”, and was named one of the “Top 100 Websites for Women” by Forbes. This book will show you that chasing life balance causes you stress and that being well-rounded is over-rated. You’ll learn that we have ambition backwards, fulfillment comes from getting clear on what you want in life and work.
In The Firestarter Sessions, LaPorte kicks apathy to the door and encourages you to define success on your own terms.
6. The 7 Day Startup by Dan Norris
This is the story about failure because all great entrepreneurs fail, and Dan Norris is no different. Dan is the passionate startup founder and award winning marketer behind wpcurve.com, one of the fastest growing WordPress support companies in the world. The 7 Day Startup is Dan’s bible for bootstrappers who want to launch a product. In this book he demonstrates that you don’t know how successful something will be until you launch it.
He gives practice advice on generating ideas and gaining your first paying customers, and how to build a website in 1 day for under $100. Read it before you launch.
7. The Universe Has Your Back by Gabrielle Bernstein
In The Universe Has Your Back, New York Times best-selling author Gabrielle Bernstein teaches us how to transform fear into faith so we can live a divine life. The stories in the book guide readers to release the blocks to happiness, security and direction to what they most long
This book aims to give you a sense of power in a world where we often feel powerless. It will help you stop chasing your dreams and start living them.
8. The 4-Hour Workweek by Tim Ferris
Tim Ferris is a serial entrepreneur, #1 New York Times bestselling author, best known for his rapid-learning techniques. In this book he will teach you how to forget the old concepts of work and retirement, and embrace success in these unpredictable economic times. The 4-Hour Workweek is the blueprint to living your dream, regardless of whether you want a high income, world-class travel or want to escape the rat race.
This book will show you how to live more and work less.
