Self development has today become part and parcel of every entrepreneurs and freelancers life. If you an entrepreneur and you are not investing your time on self development, then you are missing out on one of the most important ingredient to growth.
As an entrepreneur or a freelancer, you need to always stay positive as you build your business lest you fail. Among the many tools of self development is books. How much do you invest in self development knowledge today?
It’s important to mention here that not every self development book ticks with everyone. In my journey as a freelancer and entrepreneur, I have drawn many lessons from books, audio books and videos.
Here are are 5 self development books that I recommend for entrepreneurs.
#1 The Richest Man in Babylon -By George Samuel Clason
This is one of the best classics when it comes to finances and building wealth. The book was published in the year 1926. The author uses parables set 4,000 years ago to pass his message on financial management.
The parables are told by a fictional Babylonian character called Arkad; a poor scribe who became the richest man in Babylon.
My take away from the book
Before your spend your earnings from business or salary, put aside part of it. It should be not be less than a tenth no matter how little you earn. It can be as much more as you can afford. The point is, pay yourself first. The author goes on to emphasize this point under 5 Laws of Gold and I quote;
Gold cometh gladly and in increasing quantity to any man who will put by not less than one-tenth of his earnings to create an estate for his future and that of his family.
The Richest Man in Babylon.
#2 The 80/20 Principle – By Richard Koch
The 80/20 principle is one of the great secrets of highly effective people and organizations.
80/20 principle asserts that a minority of causes, inputs or effort usually lead to a minority of the results, outputs, or rewards. Taken literally, this means, 80 percent of what your achieve in your job comes from 20 percent of the time spent.
The 80/20 principle can and should be used by every intelligent person in their daily live by every organization and by every social grouping and form of society.
This book is very helpful if you are fond of multitasking or overworking. After reading this book, you will be able to narrow down to only those things that brings you value.
#3 Winning Through Intimidation -By Robert Ringer
Winning Through Intimidation is one of the best books ever written By Robert Ringer on being intimidated while doing business by prospective clients. At the end, you learn how to handle intimidation and finally come out as a winner.
My biggest take away from the book on being intimidated ;
The theory of NEXT states: The key to maintaining a positive mental attitude is to recognize that no one deal is important. The person with a true positive mental attitude possesses the power to say ‘NEXT!’ and quickly move on to the next deal when things don’t work out.
Robert Ringer
The author writes; The reason its okay if a deal falls through is because day-to-day ‘failure’ is an integral part of a long-term success. So part and parcel of to a true positive mental attitude is to quickly move to the next deal when the deal you’ve been working on blows up.
#4 Cashflow Quadrant – By Robert Kiyosaki with Sharon L. Lechter
Rich Dad’s CASHFLOW Quadrant is the second book in the Rich Dad Series and reveals how some people work less, earn more, pay less in taxes, and learn to become financially free.
No matter what you do in life, its very important to know where you fall in the cashflow quadrant. It represents four different methods in which income or money is generated.
These are Employee, self-employed, business owner and investor. For example, an employee earns money by holding onto a job.
The concept behind cashflow quadrant is, different methods of income generation require different frames of mind, different technical skills, different educational paths, and different types of people. Different people are attracted to different quadrants.
#5 The Game of Life and How to Play -By Florence Scovel Shinn
First published in 1925, this book has inspired thousands of people around the world to find a sense of purpose and belonging. It asserts that life is not a battle but a game of giving and receiving, and that whatever we send out into the world will eventually be returned to us.
Most people consider life a battle, but its not a battle, it is a game.
It is a game however which cannot be played successfully without the knowledge of the spiritual law, and Old and New Testaments in the Bible gives the rules of the game with wonderful clearness. Jesus thought that it was a great game of giving and receiving.
And that is it from me.
Is there a book you have read that inspired you and you will like to share here?
Let me know in the comments section below.
If you need help to create and produce professional scripted video content, let me know here. You will get a response within 24 hours.
Until next time, bye bye and take care.
Follow me on twitter @cheptiony.
