GypsySpirit … and I’m not exaggerating! Not even a little bit.
No matter how busy you may think you are, you must find time for reading, or surrender yourself to self-chosen ignorance ~ Confucius
This book is D first book ever about mindset that I know of. All other books written regarding this topic stem from the ideas in this book. I’ve been a witness to the mindset craze the last decade. If you’re interested in working on your thoughts and what your subconscious/auto-pilot focuses on all day long (which is 95% of our thinking), you cannot skip reading this book. It’s one of those books I bring with me while traveling around the world because I like to be able to refer to it any time I want. I’ve read it twice from cover to cover and I’ve referred to different sections many, many times when I need a refresher. It’s a book to keep by your side throughout your entire lifetime. I mean, 25 years of research of this kind, in a time when there was financial turmoil and the first billionaires were made, is not to be taken lightly. We’re in times of turmoil right now. The answers to what to do are in this book.
THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS, MEANING I GET A COMMISSION IF YOU DECIDE TO MAKE A PURCHASE THROUGH MY LINKS, AT NO COST TO YOU.
The 4-Hour Work Week: Escape the 9-5, Live Anywhere and Join the New Rich
#2 of all my books that changed my life for the better. As a matter of fact, it’s time I read it again as it’s been over a decade since I did. I literally live this book now. There are weeks I work 10 hours, there are weeks I work 4 or 5, and there are weeks I work zero hours. If you’re wondering how I take care of my clients, I have a team. I’ve had a team since the 2nd year in business (that I started 17 years ago at the time of this writing- in 2005 to be specific). I’m a master delegator and I created systems very early on. I always acted as if my business was bigger than it really was in terms of branding and marketing and client service. From early on I was asked if it was a franchise I had purchased. I’m very proud of that. I focused on systems and processes from early on. (The book The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don’t Work and What to Do About It had a lot to do with that too). A lot of people are living this now with the new digital nomad phase but there’s a difference in self-employment which is creating a job for yourself vs. creating a business that runs without your daily presence.
Rich Dad, Poor Dad – What The Rich Teach Their Kids About Money
Entrepreneurs contribute to the economy by creating businesses, residences and jobs, is Robert Kiyosaki’s message. Everything in this world has been upside down until now (the tides are changing significantly) and this society of ours has taught us somehow that rich or well-off people are lazy and don’t work for their money.
Robert Kiyosaki says it best “People tell me I’m lazy because I don’t have a job“
Paraphrasing his words here: …because he doesn’t trade his time for money.
He says of poor people “you’re the ones who are lazy.”
Paraphrasing his words here: The poor person is selfish and only worries about him/herself. The entrepreneur worries about everyone and creates value in society by building companies and/or residences, and creating jobs.
I believe this is why [honest!] entrepreneurs and business owners (not the same thing) with good intentions are rewarded with money and a good life.
I forgot in which of these books I read it or where I heard it- that our level of riches correlates to how much we give. It might be any one of these authors I already mentioned but the one that comes to mind is the one I mention next.
Money: Master the Game: 7 Simple Steps to Financial Freedom
I ignored Tony Robbins for a long time. This is because like almost everyone else I thought he was just a motivational speaker. Boy was I wrong. This man is an example of how ALL OF US should live our lives, how much passion we need to have for life, love, and helping others; and finally he’s a perfect example of how much we should contribute to society. What a different world we would live in if the majority did some of what he does. Or at least learn from him. I haven’t read any of his earlier books although they’re in my to-read list. This one is a guide to understanding economics, the world of money, and what the rich do. It’s kind of what Napoleon Hill did in Think and Grow Rich above. He interviewed rich people to find out what and how they’re thinking, and what sort of decisions they make. If you want a guide on how to master money, and also learn to invest, this is that book. It takes years to implement what’s in this book, if not decades. Time is your ally in accumulating money so you better get started now.
The Mastery of Love: A Practical Guide to the Art of Relationship
I read this book early 2004. A year before starting my business. It’s not a business book as you can read in the name and I remember the impact this book had on me about life, love, and relationships. Who knows? Maybe something clicked when combined with other knowledge I’d acquired in the past about life, business, etc. and it enabled me to focus on building the foundation to the life I have now. I’m divorced but that doesn’t mean I failed at whatever he’s teaching here. Just like we can find ourselves in the wrong job it’s possible to find ourselves in the wrong relationship. Either way, this book taught me about the thinking patterns we let ourselves be swallowed in when it comes to relationships and the unnecessary drama we create. It demonstrates how we get sucked into drama or create it to occupy ourselves, having nothing better to do, like, oh I don’t know? Build a great life! At the age of 26, this book started confirming my suspicions that we make life more difficult than it is and that we create unnecessary problems for ourselves. Most everyone I come across knows about his other book I also read: The Four Agreements. I love this one so much more. It had an important impact in my life. It’s possible that it contains knowledge that is more mainstream now, but trust me, it wasn’t at the time I read it. I was ahead of the curve reading this in 2004 while 26 years old, married and raising my young kids. This book makes me remember that time in my life the way a bookmark reminds you of the page you’re reading in a book.
This is one of the first business books I read right when I decided I would start one. I actually did. Even placed an ad in the local newspaper (remember those?) but right after, I decided to move states and it would be another 5 years before I would seriously take the leap. I’ve never looked back. The copy I have is so beat up with an older cover and tons of post it notes. It’s a good guide on what you need right away to start a business.
Built to Sell: Creating a Business That Can Thrive Without You
Bought and read this in 2011, after 6 years of working for myself. It’s when I got really serious about automating a lot of my business and hiring a solid team. This book was a guide. It teaches you the same thing the 4-Hour Work Week teaches you. How to not make your business dependent on you. How to work ON your business, not IN your business. Stop being the main worker as soon as you can and build a reliable team. Unless you’re like Elon Musk and love tecknoking in the assembly line forever. Nothing wrong with that. We should all do what we love. I’ve always thrived training and directing a team and that’s where I wanted to be.
Mission accomplished.
The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourself
I don’t have a description of this book that will do it justice. I’m currently in Brazil and I have this book with me, just like Think and Grow Rich. I like to refer back to it. It’s really powerful, is the best way I can describe it.
More Natural Cures Revealed: Previously Censored Brand Name Products That Cure Disease
There is a lot of controversy about this man. Last I heard he was finally imprisoned. I say finally because they were trying for a long time. I’m about to go into a deep, deep rabbit hole because I still haven’t gotten answers to my questions about what happened to him. It is very likely I never will. I mean, there’s what they tell you and there’s the truth. I hope you don’t let propaganda keep you from reading this book.
I won’t even try to tell you about it. All I can I tell you is that I would either be really, really sick or dead if it wasn’t for this book. It was literally the answer to some serious prayers in 2005-2006.
To whom this may concern (if it’s not you, move on): If you are here reading this it’s not a coincidence. I don’t believe in coincidences. No such thing. You are being presented information and sources that will answer so many of the questions you’ve had either all your life or at some point or most likely very recently and are seeking answers. Well my friend, I’ll tell you! You have found them. All you have to do is take time for self-care and read.
Sometimes you come across books, art, creations, movies or thought leaders that seem to cross your path just to confirm you’re doing ok. You’re on the right path. This book was that for me. It received a lot of criticism.
For some people it was eye-opening and for others it was offensive because of how utterly simplistic it is and how “it makes people out to be stupid?” or something to that effect. I can’t remember the exact words of the commentaries at the time (around 2012). It was neither for me. It just confirmed to me the level of fear and complacency some people operate under. Read it and just like anything else, you have the right to form your own opinion and see what you get out of it regardless of what others say.
Reading is an exercise in empathy ; an exercise in walking in someone else’s shoes for a while ~ Malorie Blackman
Simple concept that’s been around for centuries according to the book. I had to read it since it’s a classic about finance. It taught me consistency can pay off even if very, very slowly. I myself don’t have the patience and that’s why I day trade.
And that my friends are some of the main books that changed my life.
I have read more books than I can remember. I’ll share what I’m currently reading on and off, or simultaneously, depending on my mood:
The Kybalion | Hermetic Philosophy by Three Initiates
This is ancient philosophy, which I love. I started it about three years ago and I’m almost finished but every time I pick it up I feel like I have to go back a few chapters or just start over to remember what I read so far. I think I resigned to starting over and that’s why it’s taking me so long to finish it. Plus, I can’t be reading anything else. This book will blow your mind as it goes over concepts and takes your mind to places school or life never even planned to take your descendants. I would take much needed breaks to ponder about life between chapters.
The Mastery of Self: A Toltec Guide to Personal Freedom
The son continues the legacy of his father (author of Mastery of Love I listed above) teaching us that we can have total control of our life, emotions, and reactions. All you have to do is not let yourself get sucked into the drama of the party. Highly recommended and I’m taking my time with it for good reasons.
Just started it and I’m very entertained so far.
I can’t think of any books I’ve read about health since 2006 as mentioned above. This is a second one about health I read earlier this year that solidifies and puts together everything I believe about our bodies and then some.
The Perfect Day Plan: Unlock The Secrets of Your Body Clock
Not reading was not an option in my household. My kids are all avid readers. It’s something we’ve always done. It’s been harder to implement it with the youngest one because of gaming but he finally found the genre he likes and I don’t have to force him. He picks the books he wants to read as part of his homeschool curriculum (plus some classics and important ones to culture that I make him read).
Reading is a discount ticket to everywhere ~ Malorie Blackman
THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS, MEANING I GET A COMMISSION IF YOU DECIDE TO MAKE A PURCHASE THROUGH MY LINKS, AT NO COST TO YOU.
