Being an entrepreneur is now the trend, but not everyone succeeds in their mission to be on a Forbes list. Many are just faking the funk of the entrepreneur life on Instagram. The fact is that the real entrepreneurs don’t even have time to think or brag about their success. Because they’re too busy cracking their next obstacle.
Entrepreneurs earn the right to be known as such, because they take the time to put in hard work and solve problems every day. Some play the long game, some play the short game. But each entrepreneur earns their position by gaining knowledge and putting it into practice. Some entrepreneurs are born with this drive; some can learn to harness it.
Having read some of the most important books for the entrepreneurial minded is something that helps to fuel that drive for success. But what books should entrepreneurs read? The following are among the most important books that entrepreneurs have either read or are going to read.
What Books Should Entrepreneurs Read?
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The Richest Man in Babylon
The Richest Man in Babylon is a bunch of parables that teaches the principles of money and wealth. Many an entrepreneur swore by these parables. With one in particular saying that this was the only book they every needed to read. Having the principles of financial knowledge is an important piece of an entrepreneur’s arsenal.
Some may find the book pretentious, because it’s not black and white with its lessons. But if you want to understand what the common person doesn’t about money, The Richest Man in Babylon is essential reading.
Buy on Amazon UK | Buy on Amazon US
The $100 Startup
7 years ago The $100 Startup made me quit my job. It filled me with the confidence that unlimited ways to make money existed and that I just had to push myself. I helped me understand that I had to put myself in the way of opportunity and I’d create a new income stream for myself. Although I temporarily returned to a 9-5, the principles of The $100 Startup stayed with me. And to this day I still live by the philosophy of creating a new business opportunity with low (or no) investment and then scaling it up.
The $100 Startup includes lessons such as:- Choosing your lifestyle
- Focusing on organic growth over advertising
- Bootstrapping your ideas
- Figuring out what you’re good at and much more
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The Art of War
Many wonder why a book about the philosophy of warfare is so popular among workers, leaders and entrepreneurs. And I admit that The Art of War is another of those pretentious books. But the principles are applicable in so many real life situations that any entrepreneur owes it to themselves to read this book. You can consume The Art of War in one sitting so its not exactly an inconvenience.
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Don’t Dumb Down Your Greatness
Written by the multi-talented entrepreneur, Anthony Frasier, Don’t Dumb Down Your Greatness is a book full of motivation for those coming from a lower economic lifestyle. The book is riddled with real jewels about entrepreneurial thinking, and it touches on some of the stigma of minorities in the tech industry.
Many self-help books are full of philosophical lessons, but Anthony uses real examples to explain logic to the reader. This is an effective way of understanding how to put your entrepreneurial thinking into practice, without the fluff.
How to Win Friends & Influence People by Dale Carnegie
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Known as one of the most influential books of all time, How to Win Friends & Influence People is an important book for leadership. The book has key strategies for leaders and the entrepreneur-minded. It’s also useful for the worker who strives to rise through the ranks. And it teaches you how to keep people on your side while doing so. Whatever your position, the fact is that appealing to others (be it a boss, client, customer or competitor) will help you rise to the next level. And this book shows you how to more effectively get others on board.
Some of the major sections of this book include:- Fundamental techniques in handling people
- Six ways to make people like you
- 12 ways to win people to your way of thinking
- How to change people without giving offense or arousing resentment
Feel free to recommend some more books for the entrepreneur in the comment section!
