“Not all readers are leaders, but all leaders are readers”. – President Harry S. truman
I love this quote, and not just because I love to read.
You are reading: Best books for success
I have an average of 55 books a year, more books than weeks in a year. While all of this reading is super relaxing, can be entertaining, and is always eye-opening, it has also made me a better leader, businesswoman, and mother.
another defender of reading is dr. Alan Zimmerman, who has written several books on achieving success in business and personal life, as well as being a successful speaker.
In a 2012 blog post, he expressed his opinion on the importance of reading: “one of the most important things you need to do to achieve extraordinary success at work and at home? Reading.” Zimmerman says that reading will open you up to career success and a host of opportunities that can take you down a new and exciting path. I don’t know about you, but I’m always up for a new and exciting path!
So, with all the great reasons to start reading, what should you read? Here’s my personal list of the top 6 books to read:
jack canfield’s principles of success
Why Read This: You may be familiar with Jack Canfield from his feel-good chicken soup for the soul series, but Jack’s real focus is on the principles of success. If you’re a detail-oriented guy, you’ll love how Canfield breaks down 67 strategies of highly successful people that you can adapt to your own life, no matter your goals. My new book, How to Live the Best Day of His Life, is loosely based on how Jack Canfield put together his own book, with chapters short, digestible, and practical.
The Bottom Line: Jack’s book is about the power of belief and mindset. To be great, you must first strengthen your mind. this is done with positive lifestyle habits, surrounding yourself with great people and finding your ‘why’ and working towards it every day. This book is a foundational book for living your best life.
seven habits of highly effective people by stephen covey
Why Read It: This classic has been a must-read for nearly 30 years, and for good reason: Covey’s 7 Habits are simple, focused core values that resonate with many of us. From “win-win” to “sharpening the saw,” Covey’s ideas have shaped much of the business lexicon.
The Bottom Line: This living system provides a solid framework for building elegant and meaningful living. Stephen guides you through each central step, similar to climbing a ladder, to help you reach your full potential in a world full of distractions and quick fixes.
the four agreements: a practical guide to personal liberty by don miguel ruiz
Why Read It: This New York Times bestseller draws on the Toltec wisdom of Ruiz’s ancestors to give us the Four Agreements: Be impeccable with your word. don’t take anything personally. don’t make assumptions. always do the best you can. use agreements to break down self-limiting beliefs that create obstacles and get in the way of your happiness.
The bottom line: Although this book starts out a bit on the mystical side, it boils down to the practicality of what it takes to build and maintain strong relationships in every area of your life. It doesn’t take money to lead a life of connection and wholeness; a moral compass is needed. this book draws that map and combines it with a dose of tough love to inspire action.
brendon burchard’s motivational manifesto
Why Read This: Burchard argues that each of us seeks personal freedom, and keeping the fire of motivation burning can be one of the hardest things we’ll ever do. burchard draws on the fire of the founding fathers to inspire our own motivation.
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The Conclusion: Written in a distinctive style that draws heavily on itself to reach a moving conclusion, you cannot read this book without feeling compelled to act, and act today. every moment is valuable. There is no time to lose. find the gift you have to offer the world and start moving towards your great goal, today.
the obstacle is the path of ryan holiday
why read it: life is not easy. It never has been but too often we give up before reaching our final destination. In this book, Ryan draws on the wisdom of the Stoic tradition to inspire, gift, and motivate you to overcome any obstacle, climb any mountain, and dig under any obstacle in your path. Ryan was apprenticed to another titan of motivation, Robert Greene, and it shows in this short and easy to digest book.
The bottom line: It turns out that whatever problem you’ve ever had, someone else has dealt with the same thing you’re dealing with. and there is a tried and true formula and method to overcome it. This book does not relieve you of the responsibility of achieving your dreams. It gives you both the motivation to move forward as well as practical techniques and tricks to get through, climb and get around any obstacle.
the map of desire by danielle laporte
why read it: laporte provides a roadmap to loving the life you live using your core desires as your guidance system. The Desire Map is part book, part workbook intended to help you clarify how you want to feel in life and how those feelings can inform your goals.
The bottom line: Goal setting isn’t always about the end goal; it’s about how you want that accomplishment to make you “feel.” laporte turns goal setting on its head by having you approach the entire experience through the softer lens of feelings. If you hate the militaristic way most business books approach goals, you’ll feel relieved and energized with this unique exercise-based book.
Happy reading, leaders!
anne-marie faiola is the founder of brambleberry.com and the author of live your best day ever with forbesbooks. she loves creativity and thinks that handmade is the best. she personally follows @comemakewithme on instagram, and for her soap making feed, she follows @brambleberry. Sign up for a lifestyle challenge to embed the principles in The Best Day Ever book at bestdayever.com.
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