If you have never read a Jeffrey Gitomer book, now is the time to sprint to the bookstore. There are good books, great books and what I call "mantra books". Those books that you build professional and life strategies around. The 2.5 that I have read over the last two years fall into the mantra book category. They are quick reads, packed full of creative approaches and practical lessons that I’ve applied to build Latigent into the industry trend setter that we are today.

In his latest book, "The Little Black Book of Connections", Jeffrey talks about making your success plan and uses the following quote:

"The only difference between where you are right now, and where you’ll be next year at this same time, are the people you meet and the books you read." — Charlie "Tremendous" Jones, author of Life is Tremendous

This couldn’t be more true. I’m going to start with the book side of this equation, in the next post we’ll talk about people. Think right now about what you’re self-development program looks like; and I’m not talking "self-help" books, but those books that you are reading to further your education and better your career and life. Then make a list of the next five books you’re going to read.

Here are mine:

1. "Audacity of Hope" - Barack Obama (almost finished)
2. "Little Black Book of Connections" - Jeffrey Gitomer (almost finished)
3. "Little Red Book of Selling" & "Little Red Book of Sales Answers" - Jeffrey Gitomer (these are actually quick rereads because they’re so good).
4. "Bill Snyder, They Said It Couldn’t Be Done" - Mark Janssen w/ Bill Snyder (if you haven’t ever read "Leadership Lessons from Bill Snyder" do it now; you don’t need to be a football fan to learn from this book).
5. "An Inconvenient Truth" - Al Gore

You will see this is quite a variety of topics. I believe that you need to strike a good balance between "business books" and "life" books. (Although Jeffrey’s books seem to be a good balance themselves).

-Chris

-part of the 60 ideas in 60 days series-