10 Must Read Books for Aspiring Entrepreneurs during lockdown
It’s been a few weeks since most of us get lockdown because of COVID-19 crisis, it is quite easy to get bored during our free time, not sure what to watch in Netflix or what to do next? This may be a good time to retrospect on the things and ideas, that have been kept aside for a while for a brighter day.
I love reading, hence thought of sharing the list of books I enjoyed that would help a fellow Entrepreneur in their journey in these difficult times. The journey may be hard, but I assure you it may be worth a try. Most would not wanted to leave their comfort for the rewards of tomorrow. There is no such thing called free lunch, everything comes with a price.
Entrepreneurship is a journey full of perseverance, moving with confidence when things are tough without losing the enthusiasm. Most likely entrepreneurs job is a lonely enterprise, no one would see their achievements until their venture become a success. These books will help them in their mission and would serve as a guide in their journey.
Below are some of the tops books I enjoyed and would recommend to anyone who are looking to venture into their entrepreneurship to leverage their full potential.
1. The Alchemist by Paul Coelho
The Alchemist is one unique book, that would inspire you to uncover the hidden treasure lies within oneself. For some reason, already our subconscious mind know what we want to become however the challenge is to make our conscious mind believe in that and take the necessary actions to make our dreams into reality. Paul Coelho, has a unique way of narration and that is very inspiring to the reader to understand the enormous potential lies within oneself, all it matters is having the right attitude to see things under the right light.
2. The Slight Edge by Jeff Olson
The Slight Edge is my next favorite book that highlights the importance of self discipline, and the power of simple choices we make every day. Success is not just a destination but a journey, and it can’t be fulfilled only by few massive decisions time to time but also with numerous simple choices that we make every day. Jeff Olson emphasize more on the significance of taking care of our simple and tiny actions everyday which would set the course for taking in charge of our most important tasks like a domino effect.
3. The ONE Thing by Gary Keller
The ONE Thing will make you to understand the importance of prioritization and focus. As the cover says we just need to focus on that one thing that will take us to greater heights, rest all is a distraction. We often struggle with a big bucket list of things to do and most likely struggle to find time to strike out even few in the list. This book will help you eliminate the trivial many things that may otherwise demystify your focus and make you to focus on the most important tasks in hand. We all know our time is limited, and it is impossible to squeeze in everything we wanted to do into that. Gary Keller insights will help you to design a framework to declutter the big pile and focus on things that matters the most for a greater success.
4. The Entrepreneur Roller Coaster by Darren Hardy
The Entrepreneur Roller Coaster is another interesting book, that highlights the highs and lows of this journey, and show the importance of attitude towards what we do. It is so obvious, that people have to stay balanced when they are at their peak, and should keep themselves upbeat when they are at their low. Darren Hardy has the knack of pulling it all together in a interesting way, that help the reader to understand the importance of the journey that has full of self-doubts, pain, rejection while ending it with appreciation for self-motivation, independence and self-accountability. Now may be the best time to join this Ride.
5. Built To Sell by John Warrillow
Built to Sell this is my other favorite as it emphasize more on the process and systems that needs to in place for a business to thrive. This book highlight the importance of having things in order, needed systems in place so that it will take care of the business today and also pay way for more robust process for future growth and sustainability. The main takeaway is the systematic approach we need to follow, so that business run even without your presence as a business owner. If you have the intention to sell your business in future, better prepare from day one.
6. Think and Grow Rich by Napolean Hill
Think and Grow Rich this is one of the old classic and tested by time. It is one of my all time favorite. This book is full of motivation, and inspiring stories from successful people. This was written in early 1900s but still hold the valuable insights for today entrepreneurs. This book is loaded with much needed motivation and will give the needed courage to pursue a journey in the uncharted waters with a right attitude.
7. Three Feet from Gold by Greg Reid
Three Feet from Gold is so inspirational, and will insist the importance of keep moving at the time of adversity and nothing can stop you in achieving what you want. This book teaches and show stories of people who are consistent, persevere at the time of adversity. No matter what your age or background you come from, everyone can be a success. If you are stuck ask for help, it will come, you might be just three feet from gold you never know if you quit. Pickup a copy of this book, you will be inspired to change your life forever.
8. Crossing the Chasm by Geoffrey A Moore
Crossing the Chasm This is the only marketing bible you need, to sell and grow the business. People often are obsessed with the merit of their idea or product, and do not pay the needed attention to marketing and sales. This book will be like an advisor/counselor you wish to have when things are going off track with sales and marketing. It largely talks about the psychology that derives from people personalities, and analyze how they make buying decisions which will help startups in shaping up their product offerings that will appeal to larger audience, defining their strategies and roadmaps.
9. Getting things done by David Allen
Getting Things Done is go-to book to leverage productivity. A key part of the getting things done strategy is getting all ideas and projects into a system for you to manage it optimally, so that at end of day things get done with least resistant as possible and will make you less stressed. One of the fundamental ideas behind GTD is that the human brain is excellent at processing ideas and being creative, but not a great storage facility. The key part of GTD is getting all ideas, projects and commitments out of your brain and into a trusted system, which will free up our mind to focus on doing more greater things.
10. Entrepreneur’s Handbook by Harvard Business Review
Entrepreneur’s Handbook is an another awesome book, and a must to have in every Entrepreneur’s library. This comes with a tons of insights about how to run a business and covers wide range of topics essential for startups including but not limited to business models and strategy, organizing the company, writing the business plan, financing including both early and growth stages, venture capital, angel investing, equity, business structure, leadership for the growing business. It also help the business owner to understand financial statements, breakeven analysis, business valuation and much more.
