Now, before I even dive into this – I’ll preface by saying that your mindset is at the heart of all business successes and failures that you’ll ever have. Of course there are other ingredients that go into this, but the mindset really is present in everything that you do.
So, say if you were getting closer and closer to signing a deal, and then at the 11th hour the client backs out – never to rekindle the opportunity again.
That sucks.
And you know what, I’ll even go as far as to say that you did everything right – I mean even from an objective stand point. Objectively speaking, the fallout was entirely due to the other party.
Now – you didn’t cause the lack of progress, however it’s your mindset that’s going to push you through the failure – to stand back up again and dive into a new one.
Business is a game, and the more losses you have in a row, the tougher it is to muster up the energy to get a win.
Considering all of this, there are 3 books that will act as your guides when moving through the growth of your business.
Let’s dive in. These are the 3 best mindset books of all time.
1. The Power of Your Subconscious Mind – Dr. Joseph Murphy
This book is number one, because it’s the most important piece of work that I’ve come across that keeps my head in check. I’m on my 3rd read through it, and it’s one that will stick with me for the rest of my life. I’m sure I’ll read it once per year at least.
The book teaches the reader about how the mind actually works. In our everyday life, we have the conscious mind and the subconscious mind. The conscious mind is the camera lens through which we see everything. The subconscious mind is the sensor in the camera – taking the information and making it into an image.
In essence – we use our consciousness to funnel thoughts into our subconscious by choice. If we think a thing with our conscious mind, the subconscious believes it to be true. The book teaches the reader to pay attention to the conscious thoughts we’re feeding our subconscious mind, and through this process – we’re able to reprogram our minds and our lives.
2. Think and Grow Rich – Napoleon Hill
This book is one that I’m also on my third read through, and it’s something I’ll read for the rest of my life.
Think and Grow Rich can be summarized in one sentence: You become what you think about all day long.
Sounds simple, doesn’t it? Yes, it is. But it can also be scary. Have you ever sat in silence, contemplating, and then start to wonder how you wound up on a certain thought that you’re focused on?
You see, the mind is an intricate web of never ending consciousness. One thought flows into another and before you know it you’re thinking maybe a little bit doom and gloom, a little bit “what if”.
Napoleon Hill’s book has become a guide and a reminder to correct my path regularly, and catch myself when I’m thinking about things that I don’t actually want. Our minds are finicky, but if we can get a hold of them – we can truly have whatever we want.
3. How to Win Friends and Influence People – Dale Carnegie
I don’t love the title on this one. It feels almost mischievous, or it alludes to subtle hints of psychological trickery. But its contents are nothing of the sort.
The book touches on a multitude of things, the most important of which is how every single human being responds to positivity and negativity.
Have you ever tried to get something that you want, and you use criticism and anger, out of frustration – only making the situation worse? I mean, you may feel better yourself for a time, you know “you sure told them!”
But have you ever stopped to reflect that you actually just made things worse? Now, think about your own interactions with others. How do you feel when you’re criticized? How do you feel when you’re talked down to?
It makes you not want to do the thing that you’re being asked to do. In fact, it makes you want to do the opposite – and do a shit job of it, just to spite the person. It hurts your ego, and we all have egos. We can all be a little proud.
Now, stop to think about your relationship with your employees and subcontractors. How to Win Friends and Influence People teaches us to use positive reinforcement to get more of the results that we want from people.
So, instead of scolding someone for doing a poor job of something, the idea is to infinitely praise and reward them when they do something right. No criticism, no scolding, no negativity.
From here, the individual tends to want to do even better – because, you know, it feels good to receive compliments – and they’ll sort out their own inadequacies.
The book touches on a number of other topics, however this one has been the most life changing to me.
Give these titles a read. If you’re anything like me, then you’ll be drawn to read them over and over again until their lessons sink in permanently.
To Your Success,
Jay Ashcroft
Ashcroft Media Co.
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