It was none other than Dr Seuss who said: “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you will go.” For countless people, reading is primarily a source of relaxation. For aspiring entrepreneurs, however, reading the right books (especially those by unapologetic, outspoken authors) can open a whole new world of ideas, knowledge, and inspiration. Here are three must-read books to get your hands on before the year comes to an end.
Table of Contents
Practical Advice is Always a Winner
Canadian-born Jordan Peterson, who may just be one of the most polarizing authors around, has written a number of books that can inspire aspiring entrepreneurs to greatness. While all the books of Jordan Peterson can be considered exemplary, one can be especially inspirational to aspiring entrepreneurs. 12 Rules for Life is very different from Peterson’s first book, Maps of Meaning. It provides readers with psychological insight and scientific research in an easy-to-consume package that is perfect for everyday use by aspiring entrepreneurs. 12 Rules is written like a story and is filled with practical advice on how to be a more successful, well-rounded individual. The rules in the book must not be taken literally, however (Rule 12: Pet a cat when you encounter one on the street). Instead, they are designed to trigger out-of-the-box thinking and change in readers – both of which can boost an entrepreneur’s prowess considerably.
Always Start with a ‘Why’
As a rule, South Africans are known to be, among other things, very outspoken. This is no different for esteemed motivational speaker and author Simon Sinek who spent the first five years of his life in South Africa before relocating to the USA. Often described as an outspoken visionary with a rare intellect, Sinek has written a number of business-oriented books that serve as a powerful inspiration to aspiring entrepreneurs. One of his finest pieces of work, which was first published in 2009 and is titled Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action, was considered to be the best leadership book of its time. Sinek drew on a number of real-life experiences when weaving together a clear and concise vision of what is really required when leading and inspiring. Start with Why is ideal for entrepreneurs who want to inspire others or want to draw inspiration from others.
Longer Isn’t Always Better
When it comes to inspirational books written by outspoken authors, longer isn’t always better. Who Moved My Cheese is a 96-page best-seller that was first published in 1998. By 2018 the book was translated into 37 languages and more than 30 million copies have been sold across the world. Featuring four mice, Sniff, Scurry, Hem, and Haw, the book almost instantly became a New York Times bestseller upon its release. The book will inspire both aspiring entrepreneurs and those who have been in the game for many years. It teaches the importance of flexible decisions and how to muster the courage to pursue your dreams and passions without reservations.
Inspired entrepreneurs have a greater chance of enjoying long-term success than their uninspired counterparts. One of the most effective ways to get inspired is by reading one of the many superb books written by outspoken, inspiring authors.