If there’s something everyone could agree on, it would be that books are timeless.
For countless centuries, books have been educating and influencing the lives of millions.
In modern times where we have access to more information than we could ever imagine, there has never been a better time to discover the best books for entrepreneurs.
In no particular order, here are the top 5 life-changing books for aspiring entrepreneurs:
Number 1: Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki
Rich Dad Poor Dad features in my top 5 life-changing books for aspiring entrepreneurs as it creates a solid foundation for people who may lack a financial background.
No matter what industry an aspiring entrepreneur is in, having a sense of financial literacy is a must in order to be successful.
In contrast to what people may learn from their parents or school, Kiyosaki’s book explores how the rat race isn’t the answer when wealth is your long-term goal.
Kiyosaki also suggests that the modern schooling system is not effective in teaching young people about money, and instead discusses the importance of understanding the concepts of liabilities, assets and investments.
This book is a must have in my top 5 life-changing books for aspiring entrepreneurs, as learning about concepts that aren’t taught in traditional educational institutions is a world worth exploring for any person wishing to become an entrepreneur.
Number 2: How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
Although our focus is on the top 5 life-changing books for aspiring entrepreneurs, Carnegie’s ‘How to Win Friends & Influence People’ will benefit you in all walks of life.
Creating and building strong relationships within your network are pivotal skills for any entrepreneur. Education that people receive during school or university is often theoretical, however rarely covers the practical aspects.
You can have all the knowledge in the world, however without being able to influence the people who you sell to and work with, there is no end product.
With the modern era becoming increasingly more dependent on online communication, being equipped with the skills and knowledge required to be influential in the real world is the reason why this book is in my top 5 life-changing books for aspiring entrepreneurs.
Number 3: Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
This book makes the list for the top 5 life-changing books for aspiring entrepreneurs as it captures a key component for success that tends to be overlooked in modern times.
People often think you need to have a hard work ethic or have the most connections to be successful. Although these traits are beneficial, entrepreneurs can sometimes fail to realise that their mind is their strongest asset.
One of the most notable quotes from Napoleon Hill in this book is ‘Whatever the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can achieve’. He explores the concepts of how the thoughts in one’s mind turns into desire, which ultimately results in action.
Think and Grow rich is truly a must read for any aspiring entrepreneur, as it will unlock a mentality and mindset that will position you for overwhelming success.
Number 4: The Subtle Art of Not Giving A F*ck by Mark Manson
Let’s face it.
A lot of us are afraid to do the things we want solely because we are afraid of what other people may think.
Thinking of starting a business? Too risky, what would everyone think if it were to fail?
Don’t want to go out on the weekend and work on your craft? I can’t do that; my friends will talk bad things about me behind my back.
These are some of the many potential thoughts that aspiring entrepreneurs may have when finding their feet within this lifestyle.
This is exactly the reason why Mark Manson’s book makes the top 5 life-changing books for aspiring entrepreneurs. By highlighting how we all waste time thinking about trivial things, when we could be doing something more productive instead.
The truth is, people will not remember what you did 1 or 5 years ago, nor would they care. However, what you did choose to do 1 or 5 years ago will have a direct influence on where you are now in life.
It makes you wonder, what if I actually had the courage to do what I wanted and spent my time on productive things, rather than worrying what people thought of me?
Mark Manson’s ‘The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck’ makes my top 5 life-changing books for aspiring entrepreneurs as it will shift your mindset from worrying about others into focusing your energy into being happier and more productive.
Number 5: Zero to One by Peter Thiel
Peter Thiel is no stranger in the world of entrepreneurship, as he co-founded PayPal, Palantir and was also the first external investor into Facebook.
When it comes to being an entrepreneur, it would be fair to say that Peter knows a thing or two. With the credentials behind the man, it is no surprise that this book makes my top 5 life-changing books for aspiring entrepreneurs.
The concept behind Zero to One refers to the idea that taking something that has already been done and improving it, simply takes the world from 1 to N. This means, now the world has more of that particular business idea, however it isn’t something new that has never been done or seen before.
As you may have guessed, this concept is where the title of the book is derived from. It can be argued that aspiring entrepreneurs are the building blocks of the world as we know it in the future, and for that to happen, innovation is a must.
Peter Thiel explores this idea, as he suggests that the world is at a technological stagnation, however, tries to shed light on the possibilities of a brighter and more innovative future.
This book features in my top 5 life-changing books for aspiring entrepreneurs, as any individual embarking on their journey can gain a lot of valuable insight and knowledge from one of the world’s most successful entrepreneurs.
After reading this article and exploring the concepts discussed within my top 5 life-changing books for aspiring entrepreneurs list, you should definitely have a better understanding of what book may help you work towards your aspirations and interests.
Happy reading!
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