Richard’s Book Reading Challenge 2015 – May Update

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At the start of this year, one of the goals I set for myself was a book reading challenge.

It goes like this: Read at least two books per month

April Update: My revised 'elastic goal' is still 24 books but within 8 months now and so 36 books in 2015

'Read' includes audio and includes the following sources:

• Traditional paper-based books - as available in bookshops or via Amazon for example
• Digital reader books - such as Kindle books and eBooks
• Audio books - such as those available via Audible and audiobooks.com
• Video streamed books - some classic self-improvement books are surprisingly available through YouTube

I will update this post each month with my progress, to share the material and also to hold myself to account 😉

To receive updates on this post enter your details in the big sign up box on the top right >>>===^^^^^^

Why not share your reading challenges or recommendations in the comments section and then we can keep each other motivated...

My own book...The Property Investor Toolkit: A 7-Part Toolkit For Property Investment Success is now available in book format!

The book is also available NOW on Amazon

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Current Read or Listen:

Total Recall: My unbelievably true life story - Arnold Schwarzenegger

The Slight Edge - Jeff Olson

 

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May 2015 Update

Book reading challenge revised goal status 18/15 - still ahead of the upwardly revised goal by the end of May, although, with Arnie's mega-long autobio in hand this month, it could be a challenge to maintain that level of activity!

My revised 'elastic goal' as of April is still 24 books but within 8 months now and so 36 books in 2015.

Who has been inspired enough to join in with their own book reading challenge then?

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Successful Property Investing - Steve Bolton

Format: Paperback

Key Idea:

Investing in property to create an income stream and long-term wealth; primarily through houses of multiple occupation (HMOs).

The Property Voice Insight:

Great property book from a highly respected property investor and general businessman with real integrity. The book does rather lean towards supporting the author's property franchise model of HMO investing. This by admission requires a substantial starting fund of at least £300,000, which will automatically exclude many.

However, that is not a reason not to read the book, as many of the principles and ideas are transferable to general property investing. As a compliment to the Steve Bolton, the author, I have incorporated his 'Have, be, do, give model' into my own personal life plan...that should tell you in itself that along with many other aspects of the book, that it is sound and so one for the collection.

The Millionaire Master Plan - Roger James Hamilton

Format: Kindle

Key Idea:

Discover what type of entrepreneur you are with the free test included when buying the book: Dynamo, Blaze, Tempo or Steel. Knowing this, then allows us to enter into business in a way that suits our style, personality and natural strength.

Similarly, understand our position on the 'Wealth Lighthouse' of business stage development and by combining with the entrepreneurial profile above, understand how you got there and then how to get to the next level.

The Property Voice Insight:

I really enjoyed reading this book. Think personality test from a business owner point of view and here you have part one. Then add in the various stages of business evolution and what is required to get there, or give up to get there, and you have part two. A powerful combination that really did open my eyes to my next challenge, and who I should be partnering with to plug my own gaps!

Highly recommended; the test alone is worth around £100.

The 10X Rule - Grant Cardone

Format: Audio

 

Key Idea:

Do not settle for mediocre goals and results

Do not put in mediocre effort to attain those goals and results

Yes...10X everything!!

The Property Voice Insight:

I started listening to this at twice speed in Audible, which was kind of crazy, as the author already talks at 100mph! In the early stages, I was thinking, this sounds like a very fast-talking super-slick sales guy from the US and I almost, almost stopped after a couple of chapters. I am glad that I didn't as there is some great content later, especially one of the last chapters about personal qualities and characteristics.

The concept is very simple 10X everything! Think big and act big...VERY big in fact! I definitely

I definitely subscribe to a principle of a multiplier effect in my business life...perhaps not as high as 10X but definitely along the lines of 3X or 5x. I would add one more dimension if I were the author...in addition to goals and effort, I would add value. value is what I aim to most deliver on as a multiplier, but I guess the concept would be easy to apply...just 10X the value delivered!

Glad I read this book, although the speed, volume and x-factor could be turned down just a little...even if that implies I am selling myself short lol.

The Power of Real Estate Investing - Kemi Egan

Format: Kindle

Key Idea:

Part biography and part property (real estate) investing handbook. Kemi's journey in property investing is truly inspiring and is worth buying the book to hear that alone. Homeless, living in a room in her workplace, showering across the road at the local gym and now multi-millionaire property investor and social entrepreneur...what a story.

Kemi also shares many of her own investing and personal principles in property investing. Kemi is British, yet the book uses the term Real Estate, with her audience centered mainly over there.

There are lots of great takeaways in this book and it's another that gets better as you progress through it.

 

The Property Voice Insight:

I first heard of Kemi through a podcast interview, and her homeless-to-property millionaire transformation is truly breathtaking and inspiring at the same time.

I then had the pleasure of meeting her, and she is a truly humble and giving person, who not only is a savvy and successful businesswoman but a caring social entrepreneur as well. I admire her and what she stands for greatly and so I have no hesitation in recommending her book...despite the Americanisms 😉

I and others have much we can learn from Kemi and her rather more shy business partner.