Welcome to another edition of my reading list.
In addition to the books below, you’re welcome to browse my complete list of the best books I’ve read. As always, I only share books that I have finished myself.
With that said, here’s what I’ve been reading recently.
What Got You Here Won’t Get You There: How Successful People Become Even More Successful by Marshall Goldsmith
The Book in Three Sentences: Behavioral problems, not technical skills, are what separate the great from the near great. Incredible results can come from practicing basic behaviors like saying thank you, listening well, thinking before you speak, and apologizing for your mistakes. The first step to change is wanting to change.
5 Key Ideas: This is a list of key ideas that I recorded while reading the book. These notes are informal and include quotes from the book as well as my own thoughts.
- The higher you go in an organization, the more your suggestions become interpreted as orders.
- You can’t control the outcome, but why wouldn’t you want to try to control what you can? Even if the cards are stacked against you in life your best bet is to try your hardest.
- Create a list of people you should give recognition to and then review that list each week to see if you should send someone praise.
- The question to ask yourself when making a destructive or critical comment about someone is not, “Is it true?” But, “Is it worth it?”
- Forgiveness means letting go of the hope for a better past.
Read all my notes and takeaways here.
3 Reasons to Read This Book
- You’re already successful, but you’re know you’re not perfect.
- You already successful, but you think you are perfect.
- You’re serious about improving your flaws and you’re willing to take criticism and feedback seriously.
Buy This Book: Print | Kindle | Audiobook
The Practicing Mind: Developing Focus and Discipline in Your Life by Thomas M. Sterner
The Book in Three Sentences: All of life is practice in one form or another. Actively practicing something is very different from passively learning. You will never reach a level of performance that feels complete, so learn to love the art of practicing your skill.
5 Key Ideas: This is a list of key ideas that I recorded while reading the book. These notes are informal and include quotes from the book as well as my own thoughts.
- All of life is practice in one form or another.
- Actively practicing something is very different from passively learning.
- Judging your work is wasted energy that can’t go into the work.
- There is no point of performance you can achieve where you will feel “done”.
- Make time to just sit. You need relaxing time.
Read all my notes and takeaways here.
3 Reasons to Read This Book
- You want to be reminded of the simple path to mastery.
- You need a wake up call on why practice is important and why you can’t just roll out of bed and expect success.
- You want to reframe your mind so that you stop obsessing over results and start focusing on the daily habits that will lead you to your goal.
Buy This Book: Print | Kindle | Audiobook
The Art of Profitability by Adrian Slywotzky
The Book in Three Sentences: There are many ways to make profit and it is unlikely that your business all of them. People will pay different prices for the same thing in different situations (think: Coke in the grocery store vs. Coke in a nice restaurant). Good profit models are easy to brainstorm and hard to execute.
Key Ideas: This is a list of key ideas that I recorded while reading the book. These notes are informal and include quotes from the book as well as my own thoughts.
- Always do the math yourself. Too many people take numbers from unreliable sources.
- There are 4 levels of learning: Awareness, Awkwardness, Application, Assimilation
- Entrepreneurial Profit: Operate lean and avoid all the wasted resources that major corporations can afford to have. “We can’t afford to subside non-entrepreneurial activity.”
- Installed Base Profit: Initial sales margins are slim, but money is made on the follow up sales. (Think: revenue from cars vs. revenue from car repairs.)
- Local Leadership Profit: Be everywhere and then every store is like a billboard (Starbucks, Walmart, etc.)
Read all my notes and takeaways here.
3 Reasons to Read This Book
- A list of ways to make more profit for your company sounds interesting to you.
- You like being reminded of business strategies you should be using, but aren’t.
- You are an entrepreneur.
Buy This Book: Print | Kindle | Audiobook
How to Get Free Audiobooks
Listening to audiobooks is another great way to finish more books. Right now, if you start a 30-day free trial with Audible, you can get your first 2 audiobooks free. Audible is a great service, but here’s the best part: You get to keep the 2 audiobooks, even if you cancel the trial. It’s a no-brainer. You can sign up here.
More Book Recommendations
Looking for more good books to read? Browse the full reading list, which lists the best books in each category. I’ll be back next month with more reading suggestions.
Happy reading!