JoeJoeBoy's Blog: July 2011

Think and Grow Rich by Napolean Hill
This is one of the first books written on personal achievement and is still one of the best. It is based on two decades of research conducted on over 500 successful people including Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, Alexander Graham Bell and John D. Rockefeller. If there is something you want to achieve in life this book will definitely help you succeed.

Maximum Achievement by Brian Tracy
This all encompassing personal development book is one of Brian Tracy's best selling books. You will find insights into the mind as well as success principals for every area of your life; career, income, relationships, family and spirituality. Although this book is quite long at 350 pages, if you commit and discipline yourself to apply the principals shared will be guaranteed great results.

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Steven Covey
This book has been a fantastic success selling over a million copies each year since its release. It is a compelling self-help book as well as an excellent management leadership manual. Covey studied success literature going back 200 years for his doctoral dissertation and believes that outward success is not success at all. He also puts effectiveness at a higher level than achievement and outlines that real effectiveness comes from having clarity about your principals, values and vision. This is not a book of tips and tricks that you can browse through, it is a comprehensive guide about personal and professional effectiveness.

Recommended Books on Success - Feel the Fear and Do it Anyway

Feel the Fear . . . and Do It Anyway by Susan Jeffers
This easy to read book will help you understand more about your fears so that you can go beyond them. The beauty of this book is its simplicity and even the title itself is a great mantra – feel the fear and do it anyway.

Outliers: The Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell
Malcolm Gladwell examines the background of people who achieve over and above what is normally expected of them and reveals what they have in common in this really engaging book. You will find interesting facts and well told stories that explain why some achieve outstanding results in life. A great read for parents and educators.

The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari by Robert Sharma
This is an easy to read story of a high profile lawyer who after a near fatal heart attack decides to 'leave it all behind' in search of the real meaning of life. He travels to the Himalayas where he meets a group of sages who impart their wisdom. The success principals shared are a blend of eastern wisdom and western guidance. In many ways this book is like an old wine in a new bottle, you may have heard many of the principals before, nonetheless good advice is always worth repeating!

See You at the Top: 25th Anniversary Edition by Zig Ziglar
As you read this book, you will feel like the author is sitting beside you giving you no nonsense guidance on the topics of self-image, goal setting, teamwork as well as the importance of having good habits and attitudes. While some find that the language is old fashioned and that there is too much reference to religion, this is certainly an upbeat optimistic motivational book.

The Magic of Thinking Big by David Schwartz
The key message in this book is that success is determined by the size of your belief, so why not think big. Unconsciously, you have decided what you can and cannot be, have and do in life. This book will help you enlarge your thinking and act on it. As you read, you will find the language of the book conversational and the techniques simple and practical. The stories sprinkled throughout are fun and will really hold your attention. What is great about this book is that you can pick it up anywhere and begin reading.

Unlimited Power : The New Science Of Personal Achievement by Anthony Robbins
Although this book is quite long, it is easy to read and filled with clear and inspiring ideas. As with all of Anthony Robbins books he is very clear about the importance of taking action in your own life and requires you to develop your own strategies rather than following a set of recommended tips.

As a Man Thinketh by James Allen
Although it has been 100 years since this book was first published, readers continue to rave about it. It is a slender little book that has been described as a masterpiece and the work of a genius. The central message of self help literature i.e. “we are what we think” is explored in a way that will re-ignite your thinking. in a priceless, timeless and lasting way.