Tony Robbins is synonymous with personal development thanks to his informercials running 24/7 back in the 80s. He was bigger than life and the most passionate speaker I have ever listened to. So when he mentioned that Jim Rohn and Richard Bandler were his mentors, I decided to pick up some of their material. Boy am I glad I did.
While Tony Robbins may have gotten me hooked on learning, it was Jim that put everything together for me. While Tony’s more like the Energizer Bunny on stage, Jim was subtle, calculating. Two different styles both extremely influential in transforming the lives of millions the world over.
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Jim Rohn liked to say, “Every house over $250,000 has a library. Why do you think that is?”
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Both men though talked about the importance of reading again and again and how much it influenced their lives. I jotted each book down and picked up every single one of them. As Jim Rohn liked to say, “Every house over $250,000 has a library. Why do you think that is?” It definitely made me think I needed my own “library” even if it was just a shelf in my closet to start.
Here are 11 books Jim recommended that helped me go from ESL teacher to a time management and productivity expert.
1.The Lessons Of History by William James Durant
Should be required reading for every student. It’s a book that will transform how you see events and history.
2.The Power Of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale
Especially crucial for the busy, stressful and hectic lives people live today, it’s important to remember just how powerful positivity and faith can be to help people change their lives.
3.The Magic Of Thinking Big by David Schwartz
Small dreams don’t excite people, both the person who has them or people around them. On the other hand, big dreams can move mountains. A great look at why people should dream big.
4.Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand
My personal favorite on this list and unlike the others it’s fiction. Epic is the best word I can think of to describe it. Crazy as it may seem, I keep a copy of it in my safety deposit box. It’s that good.
5.See You At The Top by Zig Ziglar
An absolute must-have for anyone in sales. You’ll want to read and reread this classic to internalize and incorporate all the concepts over the course of your sales career.
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The average American never reads another book after graduating from college. The average person doesn’t go looking for answers, they already think they know enough. I decided long ago that I didn’t want to be average, I wanted to be successful.
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6.Seven Habits Of Highly Effective People by Steven R. Covey
A perennial best-seller business book and for good reason. 4822 Amazon reviews with an average of 4.5 stars says something.
7.How To Win Friends And Influence People by Dale Carnegie
A book that works just as well for businesses as it does at home. Simple, powerful strategies that have been known to safe marriages and build successful companies.
8.How To Get Control Of Your Time And Life by Alan Lakein
A great book for those people who are constantly overwhelmed and struggle to fit everything in.
9.Man’s Search For Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl
Also one of Tony Robbin’s favorite books. Frankl talks about the horrors he and other prisoners experienced living in a concentration camp. What he learned was those without purpose seemed to perish while those who had did, somehow survived. A classic.
10.Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
Jim believes this book alone made him over a quarter of a million dollars. Something worth picking up, no?
11.The Greatest Salesman In The World by Og Mandino
Ironically not a book about sales although its principles will help you in sales. It’s more a book about how the human experience unfolds and what we can do to impact it.
Growing up reading meant homework. Today reading means something completely different; success. The average American never reads another book after graduating from college. The average person doesn’t go looking for answers, they already think they know enough.
I decided long ago that I didn’t want to be average, I wanted to be successful. So that meant rolling up my sleeves and getting to work. But working hard alone won’t get it done. Having a roadmap to help you get started on your journey is key, and I’m grateful for Jim Rohn creating one for me. Now it can be yours, too.
Photo by wassim mechergui on Unsplash
