Inspiration – Part 2

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I found it much more difficult doing this than I imagined. In fact I was already cursing last night because I left a book or two out that I really shouldn’t have and had to have myself flogged to within an inch of my life. It wasn’t the flogging I minded but the unsuccessful shoe-horning of books in a vain attempt to get 32 into a top 30. Unfortunately Deepak Chopra and Virginia Satir lost out. I hope they’ll forgive me.

I have decided when I list these on my website which I intend to do within the next 2 or 3 weeks that I’ll dispense with trying to order anything. Firstly, it makes it difficult to slide something new in and secondly my opinions change fast.

I’m going to hang in there today with what I have already done put please feel free to sneer and mock. You can’t beat a good sneer and mock if you ask me.

So here are 20 through 11. Remember the first score is the impact on my professional life, either life coaching or more general business/sales. The second is the accessibility i.e. do you need to know anything about NLP or life coaching to enjoy it and the third mark is for how enjoyable a read it is (in my opinion of course). Then there is that pesky ‘X’ factor that allows me to shuffle books around even when they score a lower mark than the ones below them because I can.

20 The Structure of Magic” – Richard Bandler & John Grinder – The first book on NLP and not the best by any means (Check out Using Your Brain For A Change, Frogs Into Princes (out of print) and anything at NLP Comprehensive). However, it blew me away because before I read this I had no comprehension of the power of language. Heavy going. 9, 3, 4

19. – Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience – Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi – Is there a book that gets referred back too more frequently in the world of Psychology? I doubt it. Not an easy read at times but a fascinating look at how some people can drop in to the zone and ‘Flow’ doing the most mundane of tasks. 7, 5, 6

18. The Art Of Exceptional Living – Jim Rohn – Tony Robbins lists this man as one of his primary infleuncers and he is considered by many as the Godfather of the industry – Well to me he is anyway. A great speaker that uses wit, wisdom and common sense. Highly recommended as a starting point for anybody new to the self-development field. 6, 8, 7.

17. Small Is the New Big – Seth Godin This actually isn’t my favorite Seth Godin book that would probably be the groundbreaking Permission Marketing, but and it’s a big BUT, it was the book that influenced me the most. It gave me the idea to use my Blog to help write my book and for that I am eternally grateful because I would have never done it otherwise. Whether the people that read it will be grateful to the wise and insightful Mr Godin is another matter altogether. 10, 7, 5

16. How to Win Friends and Influence People- Dale Carnegie – The first self-development book I ever bought. Unfortunately for me I didn’t take any notice of its sensible message and therefore made no friends and influenced absolutely nobody. A classic 5, 9, 6

15. Manifesto – The Barefoot Doctor if you have any interest in Daoism and you like a relaxed English accent and a great sense of humor check this out. It’s about manifestation and much better (in my opinion) than The Secret. I don’t think the actual recording I have is available in the US but other stuff is and the book certainly is. 6, 7, 7

14. Dont Sweat The Small Stuff – Richard Carlson. When I heard of Richard Carlson’s death at such a young age the end of 2006 I was truly shocked and saddened. A great book that can be read by anybody and will have an immediate impact if they allow it to. Sensible, real world advice. 5, 9, 8

13. The Power of Full Engagement – Jim Loehr & Tony Schwartz – I only listened the audio version of this book at the back end of 2006 and it blew me away. The authors look at the holistic approach to health and performance by understanding that you need to be emotionally, mentally and spiritually fit as well as physically. Technical but accessible to the layperson that wants to improve his or her performance in any aspect of their life. 7, 7, 6

12. Customer Satisfaction is Worthless, Customer Loyalty is Priceless – Jeffrey Gitomer – The greatest book I have ever read on customer service from a great sales person that can’t open his mouth without making sense, unlike your Blogger. If you have a business, buy this and if you don’t buy it anyway so that you can raise your expectations of how you SHOULD be treated as a paying customer.6, 7, 7

11. Man’s Search for Meaning – Victor Frankl – Required reading for anybody that wants to understand the power of the human spirit. Nothing could keep Frankl down, not even 4 Nazi concentration camps. Told with brutal honesty, intelligenace and not a little wit it is a harrowing tale that should not be shied away from. 6, 7, 9
The top 10 tomorrow. Are you excited?