10 Books That Changed My Life and Business
As a 4x Founder, here are 10 books that changed my life and business.
Ready, Fire, Aim
By Michael Masterson
summary
Provides a step-by-step guide for entrepreneurs to build and grow successful businesses. The book emphasizes the importance of taking action quickly, testing ideas, and making adjustments based on feedback, rather than waiting for a perfect plan before taking action.
key takeaway for me
Reaching a revenue milestone of $1 million should be the primary initial focus of entrepreneurs, with other goals being secondary until this benchmark is achieved
Influence: The Power of Persuasion
By Dr. Robert Cialdini
summary
Explores the psychology of influence and persuasion. The book identifies six key principles of persuasion – reciprocity, commitment and consistency, social proof, authority, liking, and scarcity – and provides practical examples and strategies for applying these principles in various situations to influence and persuade others.
key takeaway for me
So hard to narrow it down to just one but if push came to shove… the rule of reciprocity.
Blue Ocean Strategy
By W. Chan Kim and Renée Mauborgne
summary
Proposes a new approach to business strategy that focuses on creating uncontested market space, or “blue oceans,” rather than competing in overcrowded and competitive “red oceans.” The book provides a framework and tools for identifying and creating new market opportunities by delivering value innovation and breaking away from traditional industry boundaries.
key takeaway for me
Businesses can succeed by creating new and unique markets that make their competition irrelevant.
Traction
By Gino Wickman
summary
Provides a practical system for entrepreneurs and leaders to achieve business success. The book outlines a framework called the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS), which includes six key components – vision, people, data, issues, process, and traction – and provides tools and exercises for implementing each component to build a strong foundation for growth and achieve business goals.
key takeaway for me
Even if you get an MBA from a top-tier business school, they still don’t teach you the fundamentals of how to run a small business. EOS is the simplest operating system in a box that you’ll find.
The E-Myth Revisited
By Michael E. Gerber
summary
Explores the common myths and misconceptions that entrepreneurs have about starting and running a successful business. The book emphasizes the importance of working on your business rather than in it, and provides a step-by-step guide for developing a successful business model based on systems and processes, rather than relying on the skills and talents of the individual entrepreneur.
key takeaway for me
The importance of working on your business instead of in it.
Subscribed
By Tien Tzuo
summary
Explores the shift from traditional product-based business models to subscription-based models. The book provides a framework for building and scaling a successful subscription business, and covers topics such as customer acquisition and retention, pricing strategies, and organizational structure. Tzuo also provides real-world examples and case studies of successful subscription businesses to illustrate his points.
key takeaway for me
Subscription businesses are the greatest business model on the planet that prioritizes ongoing value and customer alignment.
Getting things done (GTD)
By David Allen
summary
Provides a comprehensive system for managing workflow and increasing productivity. The book offers practical techniques for organizing tasks and projects, prioritizing work, and reducing stress and overwhelm. The GTD system emphasizes the importance of capturing and processing all commitments and information, and provides a framework for staying focused and achieving goals.
key takeaway for me
Individuals can increase their productivity and reduce stress by organizing their tasks and projects into buckets.
The One Thing
By Gary Keller
summary
Focuses on achieving success by identifying and prioritizing the most important task or activity that will have the greatest impact on one’s goals. The book provides a framework for identifying the “one thing” that will make everything else easier or unnecessary, and offers practical tips and strategies for staying focused, setting priorities, and achieving success.
key takeaway for me
Focusing on the most important task that will have the biggest impact on achieving one’s goals is essential for success.
Grit
By Angela Duckworth
summary
Explores the concept of grit – the combination of passion and perseverance – and its role in achieving success. The book provides a framework for developing grit, and includes real-world examples and case studies of individuals who have demonstrated grit in their personal and professional lives. Duckworth argues that talent and intelligence are important, but that grit is ultimately what separates successful individuals from those who give up in the face of challenges.
key takeaway for me
The fusion of passion and perseverance is a superior predictor of success compared to factors such as education, intelligence, or talent.
From 0 to 500 Properties in 5 Years
By Brooke Pfautz
summary
This is a playbook on how you can grow your short-term vacation rental inventory.
key takeaway for me
I know it’s “poor form” to promote your own book but let me explain… I learned that if you set a goal, make a plan, surround yourself with good people and work your ass off, you can accomplish anything.
Author: Brooke Pfautz
Brooke is the founder and CEO of Vintory. He literally wrote the book on how to grow your short-term rental inventory, and it's a 3-category Amazon best seller (get it free here). Brooke and his team have helped more than 500 companies add more properties and grow their revenue.
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