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A few days ago someone asked me, “What are your all time Top 10 (or more) favourite books for life and business? I have heard or read you mention the odd one here and there but thought a list would be so great. Probably doesn’t warrant a vlog but would be a really interesting and wonderful blog post?”
I set out to make a list and realized it’s MUCH harder than I thought it would be.
That’s because some books had a HUGE influence on me at one point in my life… but would no longer be that useful. At the time though, I really needed them for my evolution!
So with that said, here’s a list of lifelong list of the most influential books for me… and why:
Business
Secrets Of The Millionaire Mind – This book led me to go to a Millionaire Mind Intensive, which led me to Warrior Camp. Warrior Camp was amongst one of the top 2 or 3 life experiences I’ve ever had. The book also helped start me on my journey to spirituality.
Influence – Everyone cites this book, I know, but it is a marketer’s DREAM. It tells you all the emotional points on how people act the way that they do. It’s amazing.
Predictably Irrational – This book gives more amazing insight into why people act the way they do with absolutely brilliant examples.
4 Hour Workweek – This is the only book that I’ve ever finished reading and then opened right back up to read again (even with my waiting list of books to read). It’s UNBELIEVABLY AMAZING and totally transformed my life. I’ve gotten to live the 4HWW lifestyle for so long thanks to the principles I got here.
Psycho Cybernetics – Awesome book about the power of visualization. The regular book is beyond boring to read but the audiobook is actually REALLY good.
Anything by Dan Kennedy – He is BRILLIANT. The first book I read of his was “The Ultimate Sales Letter” but I really glean out so much from everything he writes.
Rhinoceros Success – Philip Cordova sent this book to me a while ago. He said it’s his #1 business book and really helps motivate him. For a while I had index cards with the “Rhinoceros” sayings around my bed. It was very motivational and brilliant in its simplicity.
Crush It – This book is SO MOTIVATIONAL and really gives an awesome step-by-step plan outline on how to prosper with your passions online.
Inspiration/Personal Development/Spirituality
Three Cups Of Tea – The story in this is not only amazing to hear, but it inspired me to be a better person. It’s the reason I am so passionate about building a school and why I’m working with someone now to deliver backpacks to underprivileged children in Brazil.
Mother Teresa Autobiography – I lent my book out and haven’t gotten it back, and Ican’t remember the title. All I know is reading the biography I read (there are a few) was so impactful and life-changing for me. It was so amazing to see how Mother Teresa got so much done with just sheer willpower and faith. She inspired me beyond words.
Attractor Factor – This is a book that seems so elementary spiritual-wise, but it really helped me. I don’t know what it is about the book, but good things seem to happen whenever I read it. In my opinion Joe Vitale doesn’t always come across the best online… but his books are REALLY good. Hypnotic Writing is also a phenomenal book of his.
The Big Leap – This is a GREAT book on getting out of your self imposed limitations and really shining your greatest gifts to the world.
Trust Your Vibes (or any book by Sonia Choquette) – When I first got into the whole world of spirituality I read Sonia’s books nonstop. They helped me out a lot.
Celestine Prophecy – This is a book I don’t know if I’d vibe with now, but at the time it was really huge for me. I found it randomly, in an all-Portuguese bookstore when I was living in Brazil, and it seemed to pop out at me.
Conversations With God – My mentor at the time recommended this book to me and it was so nourishing for me. I often think about things I read in there.
The Shack – This is actually a more religious book (I am NOT religious), but at the time, I really needed the message. I haven’t read it in years but still think about it fondly.
Like The Flowing River – After reading Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist, I was in love with him. This book just makes me love him more and more. He writes so beautifully, he is so eloquent, and the stories that he shares are like food for my soul. I absolutely LOVE this book and refer to it often.
The Psychology Of Self Esteem – This is a GREAT book that has been really helping me boost up my self esteem.
Relationships
Do Gentlemen Really Prefer Blondes? – I LOVED this book. It read almost like a “Cosmo”, and I think it’s underrated because of that, but I learned so much about male psychology from it.
Using The Power Of Pleasure To Have Your Way With The World – Jena LaFlamme sent this book to me and I absolutely love it. It’s so great in coming to terms with my greatest desires, and being such a better woman because of it.
Keys To The Kingdom – I learned SO MUCH about men and how to relate to men because of this book. It seriously changed my relationships in a very profound way.
How To Make Anyone Fall In Love With You – I got brilliant psychological insights from this book.
Wisdom Of Your Face – People underestimate face reading, but it’s really quite remarkable how much you can tell from what someone looks like. Just by looking at someone, you can change how you convey your message to make sure it gets delivered. The author of this book started using face reading to be able to better communicate with her clients but the uses for this run rampant. I’m going to a face reading workshop of Jean’s later this month and cannot wait!
Health
Mindless Eating: Why We Eat More Than We Think – This had really fascinating insights into why we eat the way we do and how we can stop acting out of subconscious autopilot so often. The stories and case studies in here were REALLY thought provoking.
12 Steps To Raw Foods – This book is REALLY simple, but it helped me a lot. It helped me understand why raw food is so important and exactly how much wisdom there is in our bodies.
Prakriti – I’m learning a ton about ayurveda through this book. The messages in here are super-interesting and I love that it does NOT offer a “one size fits all” approach to health.
The Hidden Messages In Water – I learned so much about how water is affected by different things here. The book shows how water molecules actually change when exposed to negative words, different types of music, etc… it’s SO fascinating and totally scientifically backed.
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Wow… making this list was really interesting. There are SO MANY more books I could add!!! I have a feeling I might be forgetting some of my favorites, too, and will have to come back and edit when I think of them.
It’s also really interesting that two of the authors here (Neale Donald Walsch and Victoria Boutenko) live in Ashland, where I live. I should go see them before we move. :)
WOW really interesting list. I have added a heap to my wish list thank you!
You have talked about “the money being in the list” and back end sales etc. I understand the concept to first get people on the list. But how often and what types of offers do make to your list? And given that only a fraction might open the email what sort of total conversion rate would you typically expect at a given price point?
I have only just stumbled upon internet marketing and find it amazing that so many people are making a good living at it!
Wonderful post – thank you again!! :)
PS Actually I would also love to know more about LotsofVisitors (dot) com, how it works, what results customers could expect, if its still active etc etc? It would be something we could be keen to use, and also have a bunch of off-line clients that might benefit from your services and a very simple e-commerce page.
Hey Rod!!
Thank you so much for asking your questions :)
I just made a blog post on list building – I really hope it helps, let me know if I can clarify.
As for LotsOfVisitors, I haven’t done much with it, but if you want to shoot an email to my assistant at [email protected] with some details about your site and your goals, I’d love to chat with you. Even if I can’t help personally, I can point you to people who will :)
PS: make sure it’s the Gregory Hays translation – makes all the difference!
Great list Rachel – a couple of those will likely end up in my next purchase so thanks!
I just bought my third copy of Meditations by Marcus Aurelius (I keep giving it away… it’s THAT good). Timeless advice from a Roman emperor, check it out if you haven’t already.
Take care!
Oo THANK YOU!!
You know, that book is actually free now, for the Kindle! WOOHOO!!
http://www.openculture.com/free_ebooks
(Unless it’s not Gregory Hays – I’ll go check :))
I hope you’re doing extraordinarily!! I’d also love an update on your card business!! :)