Growing up, I used to hate reading. And not in a typical all-kids-hate-books fashion. I would actually avoid reading at all costs.
For book report assignments, I would purposely choose books that had movie adaptions. Anyone ever read Hook… I mean, Peter Pan?
When I was 19 years old, I read a book that literally changed my life (listed below). It had such a profound effect on me that it forged a habit of reading that I’ve carried out to this day.
Over the years, I’ve compiled a list of must-read books that have had significant effect on my life, both professionally and personally.
I’m happy to be sharing them here with you.
Business
1. The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don’t Work and What to Do About It – Michael E. Gerber
If I could go back in time and give my younger entrepreneur self any book, this would be it. The E-Myth is an absolute must for anyone who wants to truly understand how to scale and automate.
2. The Magic of Thinking Big – David J. Schwartz
Excellent primer on how to configure your mindset for success. I read this book once per year.
3. The 22 Immutable Laws of Marketing: Violate Them at Your Own Risk – Al Ries
This quick-read is a hidden gem. The lessons taught about marketing are timeless and will always apply, no matter what business you’re in.
4. Solution Selling: Creating Buyers in Difficult Selling Markets – Michael Bosworth
This book was huge for me as it introduced a concept I apply on a daily basis: The Sales Cycle.
5. The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership: Follow Them and People Will Follow You
Recommended by my best friend, who is an absolute boss at team management.
6. CRUSH IT! – Gary Vaynerchuk
Highly motivating book for anyone interested in branding oneself and taking advantage of the incredibly fast and agile marketing environment we currently live in.
7. The Effective Executive: The Definitive Guide to Getting the Right Things Done – Peter F. Drucker
Key takeaway from this one: your most important asset is time. Track it, manage it, and don’t give it out without consideration.
8. A / B Testing: The Most Powerful Way to Turn Clicks Into Customers – Dan Siroker
If you’re into conversion rate optimization (CRO), then get this book right away. Breaks down split testing simply, yet effectively.
9. Convert!: Designing Web Sites to Increase Traffic and Conversion – Ben Hunt
Every page on your site should have a purpose. This book, combined with Solution Selling (#4), will help you tell a story with your website that visitors will relate to.
10. Start Your Own Corporation: Why the Rich Own Their Own Companies and Everyone Else Works for Them – Garrett Sutton
If you don’t have an LLC or have never considered incorporating, after you read this, you’ll be filing the next day.
11. Tax-Free Wealth: How to Build Massive Wealth by Permanently Lowering Your Taxes – Tom Wheelwright
I shit you not. This book saved me $50k last year.
Check this video below, to get a list of 10 more books that will change your life.
Personal
12. Seven Habits of Highly Effective People – Steven Covey
This is the book that changed my life. My parents died when I was young. Needless to say, it affected me very harshly. This book opened me up to the possibility that I’m actually in control of how I feel.
13. Man’s Search for Meaning – Viktor E. Frankl
Written by a profound psychologist whom was incarcerated in three Nazi internment camps during WWII. Frankl found happiness, despite his environment, through purpose.
14. Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience – Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
Really interesting take on the functioning of the human mind. Once you understand the idea of a “flow state”, try to seek it everyday.
15. The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment – Eckhart Tolle
Probably the best modern spiritual book that I’ve ever read. Whether you believe in a higher power or not, this book will simply make you a better human.
16. Vagabonding: An Uncommon Guide to the Art of Long-Term World Travel – Rolf Potts
Learn how to evolve from a “tourist” to a “traveler” by immersing and getting lost in the uncertainty and character of long term travel.
Excellent collection of books. I am done reading The power of now, the effective executive and the magic of thinking big. I would love to add Alex Becker’s 10 pillars of wealth and Tony Robbin’s Awakening the Giant Within.
Becker’s book is a great one. Read it earlier when it came out.
Hi Matt!! Man… I consider this blogpost like your Christmas gift for all the followers of your blog 🙂 Thank you for sharing this exclusive access to the books that have impacted you the most. To me, the most important thing for SEO (and life) is to develop the right mindset and perspective, and for that, this book list is priceless!!
P.S. Looking awesome in that picture. Rocking those glasses bro!! xD
Thanks, brother. Glad to help. 🙂
Awesome share Matt have had “Man’s Search for Meaning – Viktor E. Frankl” in my cart for a while but havent pulled the trigger bc it seemed to heavy to ready; will definitely be picking it up now. You tha’ man.
It’s definitely heavy. But it really packs a punch in the feels.
The e-myth is a really good book.
Anyone who wants to start or already started a business should read it.
I will definitely check out the Magic of Thinking Big.
Hi,
Awesome list. Currently, i’m reading crush it and AskGaryVee book. Once I complete, I will go for above books.
Enjoy, my friend.
I was talking with some friends about books they recommended but this list is good enough. Thanks for putting it together!
I really liked the Millionaire Fastlane, that book made me rethink how I was doing business and taught me to make some changes that helped me spend less time and grow much larger.
Hey Matt,
Would you say that for books no. 10. Start Your Own Corporation: Why the Rich Own Their Own Companies and Everyone Else Works for Them – Garrett Sutton
and
11. Tax-Free Wealth: How to Build Massive Wealth by Permanently Lowering Your Taxes – Tom Wheelwright
are only for people opening company in US? But, you also seem to reside at Thailand?
They’re internationally applicable books.
I live in Thailand but all my companies except for one are in the US.
Hi,
I recently started reading business books and getting addicted to it. Do you think it can distract me from taking actions? Do you agree that people that read lot of books are less practical as compare to the practitioners that only learn from experiences?
What would you do to balance out reading books and taking actions. And don’t get yourself into a trap of just reading and no action?
You need a balance. All action with no education can tend to make a lot of mistakes. All education and no actions means your a perpetual scholar.
Yeah, i agree with this Hundred Precent.
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