I read an awful lot of books - something to do with an insatiable appetite for learning apparently.
I mostly read property investment or business books, but occasionally dip into a biography or two. With that in mind,I thought I would share the topfive books that have helped and influenced my property business so far:
1)Rich Dad, Poor Dad - Robert Kiyosaki
Literally everyone should read this book. Its not so much about Property Investment or Business, but just about money. It explains very simply, how some people get out of the rat race, and how some people get stuck in it. If you haven't read it, do. Simple as that. The basic premise is that it explains very clearly the difference between an asset and a liability. A simple concept, but one that it gets across brilliantly.
2) E-myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don't Work and What to Do About It - Michael Gerber
The original E-myth was a phenomenal book aimed at getting a small business to work. However, it was a bit textbook-like, in that it was ENORMOUS. The smaller revisited version, looks at the principles a few years on, and nicely ties it all together with a case study throughout the book.
3) The Snowball: Warren Buffett and the Business of Life- Alice Schroeder
The best biography about Warren Buffett. An insight into his life and his philosophy. Anyone interested in business and making money should definitely read this book. I have read it aboutfive times now, and it always sharpens my focus on what I am trying to achieve by buying assets and generating cash flow each month.
4) The 4-hour Work Week: Escape the 9-5, Live Anywhere and Join the New Rich- Timothy Ferriss
This is a very entertaining read. Occasionally the message behind the book gets bogged down in one too many anecdotes, but the idea of outsourcing much of life, and working remotely is a dream of mine, and anyone interested in similar things will definitely find much of use in this book.
5) How to Get Rich- Felix Dennis
The title is a bit misleading. In now way a get rich manual, more of a biography of someone who has been there, got rich, and spent a lot of money.Felix Dennisis decribed as an "engaging monster", and you can tell he would be a bit of a handful! A good read though, of someone who has done it his way, and as now reaping the benefits, writing his slightly cringing poetry, living on the island of Martinique.
So which one has worked for you the best?
I think the first book was very useful for me. It contains many interesting concepts on which I learned to do business. The fifth book is very useful not only for business, but for life. The rest of the books are very narrow-minded.
I've got that first one somewhere I believe. The only one I've read is The Wealthy Barber and the only useful advice there was to save 10% of your income.
Maybe you're right. This tip is really useful :)