When I was a little kid, I got in trouble all the time. (I’ve always been a rebel.)
And, whenever I got grounded, the very worst punishment was not being allowed to read all my books.
I hated that so much! Instead of reading, I would have to do something dumb, like go play outside, lol.
That’s right, I really loved books that much.
I didn’t just read them, I devoured them.
Fast forward to today, I still read at least one or two books per month, although I’d love to read many more.
Business books blow my mind.
Not even kidding, it literally blows my mind that we can go and buy a book for around $10 (give or take) and learn something that could completely change the course of our life.
I love that we can learn from business moguls (current and past!!)
2020 was a really good year of reading just absolutely bangers (maybe it’s because I had so much time in quarantine.)
These books I’m sharing absolutely changed my life completely. If you are an entrepreneur looking to make big moves, you need to read all of these!
I hope you find this list helpful!
Book #1: “Dollars Flow to Me Easily” by Richard Dotts
Note from Maria: This book taught me everything I had been doing wrong with manifesting. Manifesting isn’t really an action we do, it just is. It’s an extremely nuanced difference but it’s important and Richard Dotts explained it to me very well in his book. It made all the difference and I attribute his book as the #1 reason I made over a million dollars in 2020.
From the Amazon description: Richard explains that these spiritual principles have never been about “attracting” more money or stuff into our lives. Instead, these Universal truths all speak of recognizing the inherent abundance that is already there for our taking. Is it any wonder that traditional Law of Attraction techniques that focus on “doing” and “attracting” something from out there to fill a perceived lack in our lives do not create lasting results?
Click here to buy a copy (no affiliate links).
Book #2: “Chillpreneur” by Denise Duffield Thomas
Note from Maria: Denise and I are in the same business mastermind together and I became familiar with a few of her books. (You may have heard of her most popular one, Get Rich, Lucky Bitch). I found Chillpreneuer to really take things to the next level. This book is especially helpful for the intermediate to experienced entrepreneur.
From the Amazon description: In this book, Denise shares invaluable business advice and counterintuitive millionaire mindset lessons (no blood, sweat or tears necessary) which will set you on the path of abundance - without the hard work. Full of reassuring and practical advice, Chillpreneur challenges the old, boring assumptions of what it takes to create success in business, so you can create financial independence with ease and grace.
Click here to buy a copy (no affiliate links).
Book #3: “Community: The Structure of Belonging” by Peter Block
Note from Maria: This book helped me understand what really makes a community be inclusive, welcoming and successful. I attribute much of the wisdom from his book as part of the reason I was able to take my FB group from 15,000 to 60,000 in about a year. Peter Block gets community and he teaches it effectively.
From the Amazon description: As a response to the increasing violence in our culture, the widening ideological divides, and the growing gap in economic well-being, there is greater awareness that a deeper sense of community is desperately needed. encouragingly, Block insists this is really simple, once we decide it is essential. He offers a way of thinking that creates an opening for authentic communities to exist and details what each of us can do to make that happen.
Click here to buy a copy (no affiliate links).
Book #4: “The Audacity to Be Queen” by Gina DeVee
Note from Maria: If you need a confidence boost, this is the one to read. This book reminded me that all of us struggle with similar limiting beliefs and blocks that hold us back from our true potential. I found myself finishing this book with a bigger vision for myself & my business.
From the Amazon description: In The Audacity to Be Queen, women's empowerment and success coach Gina DeVee invites modern-day women to embrace the endless possibilities that are rightfully ours. Permission granted to take ourselves off the back burner financially, romantically, physically, and socially-and step into our greatness. The days of dismissing ourselves and our desires end here. No longer must we pretend to be anything other than brilliant, capable, and fabulous. The world needs women like us to own our power, raise our standards, and contribute our talents like never before. When a woman chooses to be a Queen, everyone benefits.
Book #5: “The 10X Rule” by Grant Cardone
Note from Maria: this book was a simple confirmation that most people underestimate what really goes into running a successful business. If you are looking for a way to really, truly foolproof way to guarantee you will be successful, I highly recommend you check this one out.
From the Amazon description: While most people operate with only three degrees of action-no action, retreat, or normal action-if you're after big goals, you don't want to settle for the ordinary. To reach the next level, you must understand the coveted 4th degree of action. This 4th degree, also known as the 10 X Rule, is that level of action that guarantees companies and individuals realize their goals and dreams. Instead of behaving like everybody else and settling for average results, take Massive Action with The 10 X Rule, remove luck and chance from your business equation, and lock in massive success.
Book #6: “EntreLeadership: 20 Years of Practical Business Wisdom from the Trenches” by Dave Ramsey
Note from Maria: Everyone has different feelings about Dave Ramsey and I think your opinion of him shifts based on where you are at in your life. Personally, he helped me pay off over $100k in debt by following his Baby Steps. I found his book on entrepreneurship to be incredibly practical, solid, and tangible with actionable steps you can implement to create a more stable company.
From the Amazon description: From the New York Times bestselling author of “The Total Money Makeover” and radio and podcast host, Dave Ramsey comes an informative guide based on how he grew a successful, multimillion-dollar company from a card table in his living room. EntreLeadership is a one-stop guide filled with accessible advice for businesses and leaders to ensure success even through the toughest of times.
Book #7: “Attention Pays” by Neen James
Note from Maria: sometimes it’s the tiniest nugget from a book that makes all the difference. This book was given to me by a friend and one little paragraph ended up being the total catalyst for improving my entire business. (She taught me how to structure my work time and goals into 90 days.) The rest of the book was okay but that one little paragraph was so powerful I am including the whole book.
From the Amazon description: To create extraordinary lives, we must learn to “unplug” from the constant barrage of disruptions and “plug in” to the tools, strategies, and mindsets that allow us to harness our attention to reach our highest potential―and this book shows you how. Attention Pays spotlights on the power of attention and absolute focus. Personally: WHO we pay attention to. Professionally: WHAT we pay attention to. And Globally: HOW we pay attention in the world―and to the world. In an on-demand, 24/7 society, where distractions cost millions of people productivity, profitability, relationships and peace, it's time to pay attention to what matters most.
Book #8: “How to Be a Power Connector: The 5+50+100 Rule for Turning Your Business Network into Profits” by Judy Robinett
Note from Maria: Over the years, I have learned that your network can be a very powerful tool to grow your business. But networking naturally really didn’t come easily to me (and as an extreme introvert, I still really struggle with this sometimes.) Judy Robinett’s book really broke down a system to follow to grow and expand my network so I was meeting and building relationships with the right people.
From the Amazon description: With high-value connections, you'll tap into a dynamic "power grid" of influence guaranteed to accelerate your personal and professional success. Robinett has based her methods on solid research proving that social groups begin to break up when they become larger than 150 people, and that 50 members is the optimal size for group communication. As such, she has developed what she calls the "5+50+100" method: contact your top 5 connections daily, your Key 50 weekly, and your Vital 100 monthly. this is your power grid, and it will work wonders for your career.
Book #9: “The Richest Man in Babylon” by George Conrad
Note from Maria: So many books teach us how to make more money, so few teach us how to make our money work for us. This book was written in 1942 but the lessons are truly life-changing. I cannot recommend this book enough! If you only purchase one book from this list, I would recommend this one!
From the Amazon description: The ancient Babylonians were the first people to discover the universal laws of prosperity. In his classic bestseller, "The Richest Man in Babylon," George S. Clason reveals their secrets for creating, growing, and preserving wealth. Through these entertaining tales of merchants, tradesmen, and herdsmen, you'll learn how to keep more out what you earn; get out of debt; put your money to work; attract good luck; choose wise investments; and safeguard a lasting fortune.
Book #10: “Profit First” by Mike Michalowicz
Note from Maria: I had the pleasure of meeting with Mike thanks to the same business mastermind I’m in with Denise. Mike solved a huge problem for many entrepreneurs; how to actually make a juicy profit as a small business owner. As he says, a business can be a cash-eating monster...if you let it. Implementing the Profit First system into my business dramatically changed how much I paid myself and how much I was able to invest into retirement.
After implementing the Profit First system, I actually made a whole youtube video about this, with a breakdown of where all my money goes.
From the Amazon description: Conventional accounting uses the logical (albeit, flawed) formula: Sales - Expenses = Profit. The problem is, businesses are run by humans, and humans aren't always logical. Serial entrepreneur Mike Michalowicz has developed a behavioral approach to accounting to flip the formula: Sales - Profit = Expenses. Just as the most effective weight loss strategy is to limit portions by using smaller plates, Michalowicz shows that by taking profit first and apportioning only what remains for expenses, entrepreneurs will transform their businesses from cash-eating monsters to profitable cash cows.
Click here to buy a copy (no affiliate links).
Remember, any of the strategies you learn about in these books are only good if you implement them.
I recommend you go through the list one at a time and just soak all the wisdom up -- and then decide what changes you are going to make.
Happy reading!!
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