We like to think that ‘success’ is more than a financial breakthrough and nabbing millions of Twitter followers. We also like to think that ‘success’ is defined by purpose and enrichment, rather than yachts and caviar martinis. And what better way to show it off than with an awesome bookshelf oozing with inspiration?
Trouble is, it’s all too easy to get caught in the mill of cliche business books. The tech gurus and start up stars tend to get all the fame when it comes to serving us commoners our dose of inspirational recommendations, and you always end up with roughly the same list – How to Win Friends and Influence People, Good to Great and the likes. Why not dip just below the brim of Zuckerburg-Jobs celebrity fame and try try some non-cliche reads from real entrepreneurs?
Here’s a few you’ll definitely want to add to your shelf.
Javier Camara, CEO of beBee – Abundance: The Future is Better than You Think by Peter H. Diamandis
“This book has had a profound impact on my thinking and how I run my business. It raises questions and concerns about current industrial and societal trends and where they will take us in the future. It’s also an enormously optimistic book, and for me, the global challenges the authors envision also serve as a daily reminder that change creates numerous opportunities and can be used as a force for good, if we harness the power of technology to make a positive impact.” – Camara
Nikki Hollier, founder of Styling Homes and Gardens – The Breakthrough Experience by John Demartini
“It helped define my business by clarifying my thoughts, ambitions and values, but mainly it helped me to deal with the emotional side of being my own boss after being in the corporate world of IT for 20 years, and to handle the highs and lows and understand the balance between the two.” – Hollier
Arnar Olfsson, CEO of Kaptio – Execution: Getting Things Done by Ram Charan
“The book enabled me to understand the right techniques and pair them with disciplined approach. I use the methods outlined in this book on a daily basis, from dealing with people and implementing strategies, to handling ongoing operational processes. It has helped me create the success I’ve had to date, and I’m certain it will continue to do so in years to come.” – Oflsson
Anthony Quigley, founder of Digital Marketing Institute, Code Institute and 3XE Digital – Elon Musk: How the Billionaire CEO of SpaceX and Tesla is Shaping our Future by Ashlee Vance
“Elon Musk is a hero of the modern era and an extraordinary entrepreneur, and the book charts the various ups and downs of his entrepreneurial life so far. What really impresses me is that he believed in what he was trying to achieve and kept at it, and his tenacity and ability to ignore the naysayers has certainly influenced my entrepreneurial journey.” – Quigley
Heather Baker, CEO of TopLine Comms – Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown
“It taught me a valuable lesson about focusing on what’s most important and saying no to everything else,” she says. “This approach freed up my time dramatically; suddenly focusing on sales and strategy was something I did, not something I wanted to do.” – Baker
Featured image courtesy of Entrepreneur. Quotes courtesy of Forbes.