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 Goal Revision: My revised 'elastic goal' is still 24 books but within 8 months now and so 36 books in 2015. As of July, I reached my original reading goal and so I am pressing on with my revised 'elastic goal' of 36 books before the year is out.
As at November I have now read 37 books this year to date...and so have reached and surpassed my stretch target for the year with one month to go! I should be able to reach 40 books in the year now, surely?
'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
- Audiobooks – such as those available via Audible and audiobooks.com
- Video streamed books – some classic self-improvement books are surprisingly available on YouTube
I will update this post each month with my progress, to share the material and also to hold myself to account 😉
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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
Current Read or Listen:
Winners: And How They Succeed - Alastair Campbell
Penguin Great Ideas: On the Shortness of Life - Seneca
October & November 2015 Update
The Millionaire Fastlane: Crack the Code to Wealth and Live Rich for a Lifetime! - MJ DeMarco
Format: Audio
Key Idea:
Many wealth creation teachings focus on 'slow lane' thinking according to MJ DeMarco...save & be prudent for 40 years and you may end up being the 'Millionaire Next Door'. DeMarco adopts a different position, not exactly 'get rich quick' where there are claims of being a millionaire in say a year, but rather an approach that can accelerate wealth creation within say 6-7 years instead. The magic formula: Business. The author extols the virtues and benefits of starting a business (or indeed several) to accelerate wealth creation success. He then elaborates as to which businesses are best equipped to do this and why.
Richard's Insight:
I enjoyed this book, even if I found myself screaming at some of the claims at times. I agree that starting a business can indeed accelerate our wealth, however, it is by no means certain or guaranteed that it will. Business failure rates are pretty much ignored or estimated to be equivalent to the chances of our long-term savings resulting in a decent payout, avoiding a stock market crash say. I disagree with this analogy, whilst at the same time agreeing with the idea that businesses CAN indeed accelerate our wealth. Business carry with them risk and uncertainty, do not overlook this fact.
That aside, I really like the approach that DeMarco adopts and how he explains how certain business types allow the greatest leverage and scale, which neatly enough includes Property or Real Estate business. Lots of great content from a man that has made it himself so has earned the right to share his teaching - he has done what he tells us we can do too. A bit of a cheesy title belies some very good content I found.
Therefore, in conclusion, it has to go on the 'must read list' of wealth creation books for anyone interested in the topic. However, my advice would be both / and, not either / or, in terms of the business vs. investments argument for wealth creation.
Go-Givers Sell More - Bob Burg and John David Mann
Format: Paperback
Key Idea:
Following on from the original book: The Go-Giver, comes a natural follow-up that explores the concepts outlined in the first book, specifically relating to sales. Rather than seeing sales as a kind of push mindset, where we seek to convince people to do what we want then to do: buy our product, the book explains how we can adopt the principles of service to create a pull effect from potential buyers instead.
Richard's Insight:
I really enjoyed the Go-Giver and happily so as I subscribe to the ideology and values it contained within it. Therefore, it was easy to like, enjoy and subscribe to this book too.
This books takes the parable from the first and breaks it down step-by-step into an actionable sequence that we can adopt in our sales messages and conversations.
In today's environment, we often have to give value before we get to receive something back (sales revenue) and so it is definitely a sign of the times, as well as extolling the merits of what many would consider to be an ethical and values-based approach to selling and business in general.
The principles may come as a shock to some, but that is precisely why the book deserves it's place in any sales / business person's reading list.
Passion into Profit: How to Make Big Money from Who You are and What You Know - Andy Harrington
Format: Paperback
Key Idea:
How to profit from public speaking about the things you enjoy/care about! The title really does say it all.
Richard's Insight:
A good introduction to public speaking in book format, along with lots of external links such a videos and checklist. The idea is to sell from the stage and Andy certainly explains how that can be done.
By reading the book alone, we will get some good ideas, however, the best way to learn these concepts is by doing. That will involve practice and could also mean undertaking further training. Guess what, Andy provides training in the subject too 🙂 That' s not a problem at all as far as I am concerned and whilst I have not looked into Andy's public speaking training, I did coincidentally undertake a similar training programme from a different provider at a similar time as reading this book.
The point is, speaking skills can be systemised and learned and so we can all improve our public speaking...and business results...by studying them.
Protect Your Tech: Your geek-free guide to a secure and private digital life - Mish Slade and Rob Dix
Format: Kindle
Key Idea:
A layperson's guide to staying safe in the big, bad world of technology.
Richard's Insight:
I loved this nifty little book from my buddies Mish & Rob. Taking away any bias, the book takes us through simple ideas of how we can stay safe when using technology...step by step.
I was aware of some of the concepts, thank God! However, many I was not, or at least, was not using to the fullest extent. Learn how easy it is to crack our passwords, or sniff into our online activity over unsecured wifi connections, or how our data can be compromised whether stored on our devices or in the cloud. Fixes are shared for all of these potential risks and more.
Anyone and everyone could benefit from reading this book...I know I did!
The Compound Effect - Darren Hardy
Format: Paperback
Key Idea:
Small, incremental changes will magnify and multiply into a big end result over time – positively or negatively!
Richard's Insight:
There are two must-read books on incremental change: The Slight Edge is one and The Compound Effect is the other. I have now read both and they give similar, yet distinct tips and techniques of how to apply the principle of 'marginal gains' adding up to big payoffs.
If we look at sports, for example, and cycling, in particular, we can see how the impact of lots of small changes can add up to a massive end result. Look at Team Sky in Cycling, or the England Rugby World Cup winning team as perfect examples. Both of these successful teams adopted the idea of 1% improvements adding up to a great overall result.
The compound effect is quite simply an illustration of how the little things we do or don't do, will eventually add up to either pull us upwards towards our goals or drag us down catastrophically instead.
REAL MAGIC; Creating Miracles in Everyday Life - Dr Wayne Dyer
Format: Audio
Key Idea:
Achieving lasting change through the power of our thoughts and mindset.
Richard's Insight:
It's all in our mind. We learn to become conditioned by our environment, our encounters and most of all, our thoughts. Dr Dyer, who sadly passed away this year, breaks the idea that 'we are what we are' and rather explains that 'we can be what we want to be' instead.
It is a motivational & inspirational how-to guide to help us reframe our thoughts and bring about positive change in our lives. The miracles and magic referred to are merely references to the fact that what goes on inside our minds is unseen and something of a mystery to many.
The idea that we are all connected by a spiritual realm is also explored and there are scientific references to address the scepticism of the scientifically minded among us too.
I found myself hooked to the author's voice and style of delivery as much as the content - he is a natural teacher and has much to share that will live on as his legacy. If you have ever doubted the power of our thoughts, then read this book, apply its principles and then assess whether the doubts are justified or not.