Hey what’s up?… Chris here
I’m a HUGE fan of good books that can make my life and business better…on top of all the audio programs I listen to, blogs I follow, home study courses I go through and seminars I attend I probably tear through 2-4 books a month… It’s been a PARAMOUNT part of my success
Here’s a list of my favorites…
Business:
E-Myth by Michael Gerber
Thick Face Black Heart by Chin-Ning Chu
Marketing:
The Robert Collier Letter Book by Robert Collier
Tested Advertising Methods by John Caples
Scientific Advertising by Claude Hopkins
Kick-Ass Copywriting Secrets of a Marketing Rebel by John Carlton
Productivity:
Four Hour Work Week by Tim Ferris
Crazy Busy by Ed Hallowell
The Power of Full Engagement by by Jim Loehr and Tony Schwartz
Writing:
Stealing Fire from the Gods by James Bonnet
Screenplay by Syd Field
Persuasion:
Influence by Robert Cialdini
Yes! by Robert Cialdini
How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
Predictably Irrational by Dan Ariely
Subliminal Persuasion by Dave Lakhani
Persuasion by Dave Lakhani
Selling the Invisible by Harry Beckwith
Mindset:
Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
The Success Principles by Jack Canfield
Feel Fear and Do It Anyway by Susan Jeffers
New Psycho-Cybernetics by Maxwell Maltz
Off the top of my head those are a few of my favorites…
What are some of YOUR favorites? … let me know in the comment section below…
Also… we’re adding lots of new tools to the auto-delegation tool box and members only area of this site, so you can make more money in your fitness business while working less hours… one thing we’ll be adding this month is the EXACT call script we use to convert prospect calls into qualified personal training and boot camp appointments… it’ll be up in the members area very soon… if you’d like to become a member, just click here
Hey Chris,
Awesome list of books mate… I have several of them
My Favourites include…
Influence by Robert Cialdini
The Go Giver by Bob Burg and John David Mann
The Fred Factor and Encore by Mark Sanborn
4 Hour Work Week – Tim Ferris
How to Win Friends and Influence People – Dale Carnegie
Think and Grow Rich – Napoleon Hill
It's Not about the Bike – Lance Armstrong
As a Man Thinketh – James Allen
Speed of Trust – Stephen Covey
Awaken the Giant Within – Tony Robbins
The Alchemist – Paul Coehlo
Life of Pi – Yann Martel
7 Habits – Stephen Covey
Plenty on your list that I haven't read yet and will have to hop to it.
I have read all of these at least once, some of them 2 or 3 times. The one I read most recently was The Go Giver.. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Time to jump onto amazon and order some of your recos…
Cheers mate
Adam Toohey
"Think Big Manifesto" by Micheal Port
Hey Chris,
Awesome post man there's a couple of books I definately should get a off there . . . . there were only a couple of others I could think of.
Influential Writing Dan Kennedys
Great for approaching people in public
The Game by Neil Strauss
Double your dating by David DeAngelo
Coaching with NLP by Joseph O'connor
Other one that I read years ago that was a big influence was
Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki
and then just reading blogs like yours, bedros, jim and steve that make me stay motivated and pumped to blow it up in the fitness industry..
Thanks bro
Travis
This list is great Chris! All of the books I was gonna mention are already on the list.
Try reading "Getting To Yes" by Fisher & Ury … that one is on negotiation.
I also like "Your Erroneous Zones" and "Pulling Your Own Strings" by Wayne Dyer.
Social Intelligence by Daniel Goleman – rules.
Awesome list man, I also love:
"How to get anyone to do anything" by David Lieberman
"The Selfish Gene" is pretty good by Richard Dawkins
And I'm somwehat fascinated by "The Red Queen" by Matt Ridley even though the book reads like chinese algebra.
Chris, I've bookmarked this post to refer back to cause I know that it's gonna be a wealth of knowledge and must read books.
Here's one that most people probably never read
Jump In by Mark Burnett – you know the producer of Survivior, Contender and The Apprentice. I'm reading it now for the first time and there's some great nuggets in there for everyone to take home.
I scored this cheap in a bargain bin and it was a lucky find.
That was an excellent list Chris – a good half of them I haven't read or own and haven't gotten to yet, but will make sure I do now –
Here are a few of my favorites in each of those areas:
BUSINESS:
No B.S. Ruthless Management – Dan Kennedy
MARKETING:
Ready Fire Aim – Michael Masterson
INFLUENCE:
Tribes – Seth Godin
SALES:
The Ultimate Sales Machine – Chet Holmes
MINDSET:
The Power Of Now – Eckhart Tolle
LIFESTYLE:
The Game – Neil Strauss
Reading is underrated – thanks for the wake up call -
7 Habits = Steven Covey
Ultra Marathon man = Dean Karnazes
A new Earth = Eckart Tolle
Rich Dad Poor Dad = Robert K……
The way of the Peaceful Warrior = Dan Millman
Think and Grow Rich
Never let the Music Die inside of you = Wayne Bennett
Reading now
How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
My fav marketing guys are Seth Godin, if you are a trainer that isn't full time you gotta read "the Dip"
The other bloke who is golden for marketing is Michael Port and his book called "Book Yourself Solid" is a must for all trainers!
Love the list mate, few there I need to get onto.
Jeff
Isn't it funny how the whole world of self help, business and picking up women all correlates around the same type of texts.
The "Red Queen" and "The Selfish Gene" are good ones Mike.
And Daniel "Jump In" by Burnett is great, especially his stories about Eco challenge, Vince DelMonte actually sent me that book..
Right now I'm reading "21 qualities of a self made millionaire"
However the following have been great inspirations
"One Minute Millionaire"
Anything by Trump, that guy kicks ass, especially his Kyosaki book
"Why We Want You to be Rich" – by far the best book to get into the mindset of two amazing achievers
"The Inner Game of Tennis" – Great book on thinking to achieve
"Losing My Virginity" Richard Branson, the bastard was cold calling Lloyds bank at 15
"100 great Business and The Minds Behind Them" from Kettle Chips to Coca Cola, This has the lot
"Rich Dad, Poor Dad" – The Ultimate and my first ever business book
"4 Hour Work Week" I have listened to that about 9 time on audio book
"You Inc" – a book by Australia property mogul John McGrath, basically says fuck everyone and do what you want because you can achieve it
And also the bibles "How to win friends & E-Myth"
The four hour work week was unreal…. how to win friends was great too.
I think Anthony Robbins could be added to mind set
Awaken the Giant Within is a great start.
Outliers by Malcomlm Gladwell
Pipi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren
Very good chris and thank for your inspiration.i love the book -the go giver, and stealing fire from the Gods so i need to jump to amazon and order all your list.keep on the good work.
Love the blog chris. Been looking for some book recomendations. Just read Tribes by Seth Godin good pump up book. Anything by Malcom Gladwell: tipping point/blink/outliers and the BFG…Roald Dahl..
"Pushing yourself to power" by John peterson http://www.transformetrics.com
this is like the New Charles atlas course. very inspiring. the guy can press 210 pounds over head with either arm and he has never trained with weights before. pretty cool
and
"fighting scared" by robin horsfall ex british sas(think delta force for you americans) brilliant book about over coming rough poor child hood and turning into a man. Fnatastic book on mindset training. you might have to use amazon.co.uk (the english/uk amazon to order it)
I have to say dido to most of the books above.
I just oredered a few books:
Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu
The Power of Intention by Wayne W. Dyer
10 Secrets for Success and Inner Peace by Wayne W. Dyer
I love to listen to audio…in fact I have no music in my car and right now I'm listening to the Wayne Dyer series called:
The Change Your Thoughts – Change Your Life (Live Seminar)
Living the Wisdom of the Tao
Great list everyone.
Donovan "DFitnessguy" Owens
So many book so little time! The 2 that I have read recently that stood out were:
What got you here won't get you there -Marshall Goldsmith
a book about interpersonal skills/flaws that extremely high achievers have that take them to a certain point and then start to hinder them and how you can adjust your approach to the people that you work with (clients or staff) to have them help you accomplish more.
Flip – Peter Sheehan
How to think outside the box!
I have the E-myth but haven't read it yet, maybe on the plane to Fasttrack
Sacred Hoops by Phil Jackson is one of my all time favorites. Great life lessons from a great leader.
Great article!
Here are some of my favorites that haven't been mentioned
Purple Cow – Seth Godin
No B.S. Time Management For Entrepreneurs – Dan Kennedy
Little Red Book of Selling: 12.5 Principles of Sales Greatness – Jeffrey Gitomer
Here's one that know one has on their list
==>The Magic of Thinking of Big by Schwartz. Awesome read by a really smart dude.
AWESOME recommendations for books Chris! I've read a few of those but I'm going to get started on the rest of your list. Reading the E-Myth right now & it's an absolutely necessary book to read if you ever plan on having your own business.
I want to recommend the book, Talent Is Overrated …it's a great book for motivation!
Great lists from everyone. I am working my way around most of these books at the moment. I have a huge order coming from Amazon and cant wait to get it. I can see I am going to have to add more to my 'must read' list when I get through this lot.
I would love to listen to more audio too, but with 5 kids in the car and house it's almost impossible.
Joanne Butler
fitterfasteronline.com
Of the above mentioned thus far I'm working my way through…
Think and Grow Rich – Napoleon Hill
As a Man Thinketh – James Allen
The Alchemist – Paul Coehlo
that book, Rich dad, poor dad, i have been recommended to read it by many people, so it is on my list of next book to read.
i am currently reading Personnality plus, from Florence Littauer and it is a great book to understand yourself, but also others. fascinating, which not only help me in business, but also in my social and private life.
Definitely Think and Grow Rich is at the top, as well as the whole Rich Dad, Poor Dad Series.
I'm copying your list down now to reference for future reading material. Thanks!
Sean
Chris,
Great article! Here are some of my favorite books:
Speed of Trust (thanks Adam!)- Steven Covey
Tao of Pooh – Benjamin Hoff
Art of War- Sun Tzu
Persuasion
Leadership Lessons of the Navy Seals- Jeff Cannon and Lt.Cmdr Jon Cannon
7 Habits of Highly Effective People- Steven Covey
Modern Encyclopedia of Bodybuilding – Arnold Schwarzenegger
Romo: My Life on the Edge–Living Dreams and Slaying Dragons- Bill Romanovski
The Dark Side of the Game- My life in the NFL- Tim Green
A majority of the books that I have read and enjoyed have been about people that have chased their dream- no matter how big or seemingly "ridiculous". You only have one life- may as well dream big and get after it.
- Chris
Great List of Books and i have a few of them.
A few others to consider:
PURPLE Cow – Seth Godin
The Answer – John Assaraf
The Secret – Rhonda Byrne
Get Clients NOW- C.J Hayden
You Were Born Rich – Bob Proctor
Scotty
There are some great books on this page for sure.
I will include: How I Raised Myself from Failure to Success in Selling
by Frank Betger…..great book!
Other than what has already been mentioned, another favorite of mine (and the bible for all martial artists!) is The Tao of Jeet Kun Do by Bruce Lee.
I just finished Tribes by Seth Godin. Love it!! Can't stop thinking about it. I highly recommend it.
Now I'm reading The Think Manifesto by Michael Port. It's got me thinking.
Valerie
Here are a few of my favorites on mindset and money:
-The Trick to Money is Having Some – Wilde
-The Little Money Bible – Wilde
-You Were Born Rich – Bob Proctor
-Why do I always have to sit next to the farting cat? – Dan Kennedy(it's only like a buck fifty, buy it right now)
-No BS Wealth Attraction for Entrepreneurs – Kennedy
-The Richest Man In Babylon
Great list, gang!
~ Luke
Kickass list – Just got 'YES' audio version in the mail, need to pop that bad boy in the car – Also, am ordering that Syd Field book as we speak – haven't seen that on many lists, looks interesting. .
@ KAISER
the Ready, Fire, Aim book recommendation was great.
I got the audio version. Thank you.
George
Any of Seth Godin's!
The "4 hour work week" changed my life.
The first personal development book I read was an older booked called Maximum Achievement. That is still one of my favorites.
Casey
http://www.AdviceForPersonalTrainers.com