5 Books Every Business Owner Should Read

Turn to Page One

If you turn to page one in a great book, the opening line is everything. The tone is set, the foundation is laid and the protagonists are invited to the scene. A book can teach us many things, and an answer can be found within a story. Take a lesson from the greats – there are books every business owner should read.

The bottom line is that as an entrepreneur you should be an avid reader. It is a cultivated skill for most, but a means to an end for all. For many business owners just like you, you share an insatiable thirst for knowledge, for forward progress. And, a book can communicate the who, the what and the why for entrepreneurship straight from the leaders themselves. I am here to tell you that there is a lot to be said for learning this way. Here are 5 books every business owner should read from my personal library.

Start at the Beginning

You are the protagonist in your story. It’s about time you played the part. Learn from the best, and the best way to learn from the best is to read the book on it. For a leader, the game is never over and the learning is never done.

True Fact: Working on your business is working on yourself. I am asking you to reflect on the different aspects of your role as a business owner, entrepreneur and person. Learn how to maximize your potential, instead of maxing out in each of these roles. As a small business owner, you wear many hats. (Trust me, I have been there.) But, don’t forget to wear the hat of someone who studies the part. No matter what level you are at, there are 5 books every business owner should read.

5 Books Every Business Owner Should Read

Are you ready to turn the page? A must read is book that you simply cannot do without. That is why in my library there are 5 books every business owner should read. If you are ready to play the part of a millionaire CEO, fulfill the role of a leading entrepreneur and cast yourself as a 7-figure plus business owner, then these are a must read. And, you deserve to play the part! 

1. Getting Things Done by David Allen

Make space. Now, more than ever, Allen’s words resonate with every small business owner. As an entrepreneur, we always think that we need more time, when we actually just need more space. Stop giving yourself more time than you actually need, and focus on decluttering your life personally and professionally. It’s time to reframe your outlook on the tasks at hand versus the big picture.

In his words, Allen levels with us: “Entrepreneurs need space to stay focused. They need room to talk to the right people about the right things. They need room to think.” Take a book from my personal library. It is a book every business owner should read and must read, because it has stayed relevant for 15 years and counting!

If we want to stay relevant, experiencing exponential success, multiplying our revenue and manifesting our dreams, then we have to take a lesson or two from David Allen. Learn how to quit giving yourself the wrong gift and give yourself the right gift to succeed – space.

2. 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey

Make a difference. Every business owner needs a book that changes their life and leaves an imprint. I am not talking about just on your business, but every aspect of your life. As I always say, you have to walk the walk, and doing so means living passionately and successfully in all areas of your life.

This book is rare. That is what makes it a must read. It has influenced presidents, CEOs, educators and individuals around the world. It has inspired readers to not only improve their businesses and careers, but to live with integrity, service, dignity and success in every way possible. If you want live a full life as a business owner and entrepreneur then lend your eyes and ears to Stephen Covey in this book every business owner should read.

3. Start with Why by Simon Sinek

Start with Why. It’s not what, or how, it is first about the why. If you are the type of business owner that aspires to be a leader, like the thousands of entrepreneurs I work with, then the why is most important. Why you do what you do comes first and inspiration is the key to success. And, it is laid out in this book every business owner should read.

Any person or organization can explain what they do; some can even explain how they are different or better; but very few can articulate why. In this book every business owner should read, it’s simple. Beyond the money and profits, is the why. It is the source of inspiration. They say build it and they will come. Well, if you communicate the inspiration, you will inspire results and exponential success is sure to follow.

Your why is the reason that consumers buy your product or clients invest in your services. It is the reason you get out of bed in the morning, despite the daily challenges. It is the reason that you decided to embark on this journey. If your dream is to be a leader in your industry, then it is time that you identified and communicated the why.

4. The Lean Startup: How Today’s Entrepreneurs Use Continuous Innovation to Create Radically Successful Businesses by Eric Ries

Get lean. Risk is goes hand in hand with entrepreneurship. But, that doesn’t mean that there is not a formula for success. Every business owner should read Ries’ fresh approach to building a small business. There is a better way to build a lean startup, and it promises to boost innovation and reduce your rate of failure.

Don’t misunderstand me. Failure is definitely a learning opportunity, especially when you are entrepreneur. But, why not blast off to entrepreneurial success when you can learn from the best? And, the best learned from the lean manufacturing process.

There is no better time to learn how to better guarantee success with a profitable, scalable business model. If you do, you will eliminate any work or investment that does not produce value for customers, and you will develop the product or service that fits your right-fit client.

5. The Power of Habit: Why we do What we do in Life and Business by Charles Duhigg

Harness the power of habit. Practice makes perfect, right? As we come to find out, this is both true and not true. From the mind of an investigative journalist for the New York Times and a Pulitzer Prize winner, learn how to break down the formation of habits and harness the power of habit to change.

Every business owner should read how repetition can align with good and bad habits. Just remember that you are not alone. Every entrepreneur has good habits they want to reinforce and bad habits they wish they could kick!

And, there is no better book that details such a wide range of stories and case studies on the subject. I encourage you to pick up this must read and take a moment to relate. You will be left with a powerful take away. There is hope for change if you only harness the power of habit!

Play the Part

Only when you actually play the part do you get to see your dreams become a reality. And, only you can get out of your own way. You are the millionaire CEO, a leading entrepreneur and 7-figure plus business owner, if you choose to do the work.

Read the 5 books every business owner should read and get to work. The motivation is there and the inspiration will come if you play the part. I guarantee that you will see results. There is no ceiling and no limit to you success. It’s time to experience your next breakthrough!

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