Being a creative business owner isn’t easy. If you’re an entrepreneur in need of inspiration, motivation, or tips for organizing and running your business, these 5 books should be on your reading list.
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1. How to Win Friends and Influence People
How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie is an absolute must-read for any entrepreneur. This classic book covers the basics of dealing with people in business and in your personal life. As a business owner, you have to remember every person is a potential future buyer or future connection. This book will give you the foundation to build genuine relationships and deal with people in a cordial way.
2. Essentialism
If you find yourself stuck in the “busy” mindset, Essentialism, The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown is a great book to help get you out of that rut. Successful entrepreneurs like Steve Jobs and Jeff Bezos often spoke of the importance of spending your time making fewer, higher quality decisions. Essentialism fully supports this idea. The book counters the mindset of “getting everything done” with the practice of only getting the right things done. This is a fantastic read if you need help gaining your time back and channeling your energy into the right tasks.
3. Creativity, Inc
Creativity, Inc by Ed Catmull is probably the most fun book on this list. In this book, the former president of Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios gives us a look into how these two companies became the powerhouses they are today. From the successes and failures of Pixar’s first projects, to the problem solving and culture within the companies, Creativity, Inc shows the importance of team building within creative businesses. It’s an inspiring read for any creative entrepreneur.
4. Outliers
If you’ve ever heard the theory that it takes 10,000 hours of practice to become an expert in something, this book is where that principle originated from. Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell dives into what made star athletes, music groups, and the founders of the largest software companies in the world so successful. Many critics disagree with Gladwell’s 10,000 hour rule, but it’s an entertaining read nonetheless.
5. The Hard Thing About Hard Things
If you’re a business owner or running a new startup, you know it’s not always easy. The Hard Thing About Hard Things by Ben Horowitz dives into the struggles of being your own CEO, and the many challenges faced by entrepreneurs. If you’re looking for a book that will change your mindset and the way you run your business, this is it.