After receiving positive feedback last week when I shared my 4 top tech tools for success, it got me thinking about the other tools I use for personal and professional growth. It dawned on me that I have books laying around every corner of my home. These books are filled with a wealth of knowledge and I often find myself incorporating principals I learn from different books in my every day life.

I personally do not implement every single thing I learn from each book I read, but I do find myself learning at least one or two new things that help with my success. Here’s a list of my 6 must read books for personal and professional growth. What is my?criteria for a “must read” book you ask? When I find myself recommending the book over and over again, quoting things I learn from the book to clients and friends or when I personally adopt principals and strategies that help with my ongoing success, then I know it’s a must read!

1. The Road Less Traveled by?M. Scott Peck- I often refer to this book as my Bible. ?I know, that’s heavy company to put this ?book in, but I think it is well deserved. ?The focus of the book is Spiritual Growth…and the path to our growth is paved with Discipline, Love and Grace! ?Do you want to know what it means to: ?delay gratification, dedicate to reality, embrace vulnerability and surrender to a(ny) higher power? ?So many people are waiting for the world to make them happy when happiness, joy and spiritual growth is ALWAYS an INSIDE JOB! ?If you haven’t already, take/read The Road Less Traveled!
2. Getting Things Done by David Allen- This book taught me very clear systems to stay organized with both my business and personal to do lists. ?More than just a “system” of organizing our work, GTD is a MINDSET for stress-free productivity! ?A concept I often quote that I got from this book is something Allen himself credits learning from Martial Arts: ?Mind Like Water. ?When a rock is thrown into water, it neither UNDER reacts nor OVER reacts…it simply interacts and returns to calm. ?When our workflow and time is managed, our mind becomes like water in regarding to unexpected occurrences we must integrate.
3. ?7 Habits of Highly Effective People by?Stephen Covey- It’s more than just a time management book! ?Or is it? ?I have always said that the #1 strategy for Time Management is Goal Setting. ?Covey goes deeper to the Personal (or family) Mission Statement…why are you here…what is your purpose in this life? ?Covey forces us to think about it. ?If we do, time management becomes easier! ?Additional habits like having an “abundance mindset” and developing our “Character Ethic” and the importance of listening (seek first to understand, THEN to be understood) are not easy habits to develop…exactly why they are worth the effort!
4. Eat That Frog by Brian Tracy– Compared to the books I’ve already mentioned, Eat That Frog by Brian Tracy is A VERY simple book to read…but equally powerful in its transformative powers. ?The focus is on Time Management and the main concept helps us?realize that while there is NEVER?enough time in the day to do EVERYTHING, there is ALWAYS enough time to do the MOST IMPORTANT things. ?The key is deciding what the most important things are. ?Once we’ve done that, Tracy helps us with over 20 practice tips to manage our time on a day to day basis.
5. Four Agreements?by Don Miguel Ruiz- Making it sound easy through beautifully written quotes and examples, Don Miguel Ruiz reminds us of the importance of: ?being impeccable with our word, not taking things personally, avoiding assumptions (especially negative and judgmental ones) and, finally, always doing our best! ?That’s it. ?But there’s so much more waiting for you in The Four Agreements. ?If Life were simply a game of story-telling, Miguel-Ruiz will help us evaluate the stories we are telling…help us see them from other perspectives and ultimately how to positively re-write and RE-TELL our stories.
6. Outliers by?Malcolm Gladwell-? I love this author and each of his books that I’ve read (Tipping Point, Blink, What the Dog Saw and David & Goliath)…but the single concept from Outliers that remains burned in my brain is the concept of 10,000 hours to Mastery. ?True Mastery is achieved after 10,000 hours of practice. ?So many people want “success” through gift, grant, “hook-up”, favors, and any form of shortcut you can imagine. ?But who is willing to put in the time, effort, and “blood sweat and tears” to truly MASTER their craft/profession/skill-sets? ?There is much more to learn about being an “Outlier” but if you take nothing else away from Outliers, take the concept of 10,000 hours and ask yourself if you have put in the time!

Another thing I appreciate about all the books on this list is that they are all timeless! 20 years from now someone can pick up one of these books and will be able to relate to the content. Have you read any of these books? Do you have other books you would recommend? I have a goal to read at least 12?books this year which means I’m always open to growing my library. ?I really look forward to hearing your comments and suggestions!

Klu’s Briefs is a series?where I share my recommended tools for success in coaching, business and life. I welcome your input on new resources?you recommend that I?check out too. I view this as an opportunity for everyone to?learn and collaborate.?