In these anxious times it can be hard to feel motivated as a small business owner with such uncertainty and turmoil. That’s why we’ve created a list of books to help inject some inspiration to get through the tough times and how you can start planning for the future.
So when you feel your eyes are turning into squares, turn off the monitor, open a book (or plug-in your earphones if listening to an e-book) and find motivation in our top 8 books to stay motivated when your self-isolating.
Starting with the science behind our thoughts…
1. Thinking Fast and Slow – Daniel Kahnman
Sometimes the quick decisions we make aren’t the best ones (thanks to the many biases that can affect us) This award-winning book helps anyone understand behavioural science and our decisions. Dive into the science of our thought making process and start making positive decisions for the next stage of your business post the hurdles of 2020.
It may also shine a light as to why people have started hoarding all that toilet paper!
2. Malcolm Gladwell – The Tipping Point
The ‘tipping point’ is that magic moment when an idea, trend, or social behaviour crosses a threshold, tips, and spreads like wildfire. An inspiring read for any small business who is looking to see what small changes they can make to keep afloat. It’s about focusing on the small things and how these can have a big impact.
3. iCon: Steve Jobs, The Greatest Second Act in the History of Business
The unauthorised biography by Jeffrey.S.Young and William L Simon gives an unabashed look at the sometimes controversial business icon. Jobs was fired from Apple as it started to mature and had to undertake self-discovery and a lot of changes before coming back and making Apple one of the biggest companies in the world.
4. Guerilla Marketing – Jay Conrad Levinson and Guerrilla Marketing for Free – Jay Conrad Levinson
While guerrilla marketing has been around for a while this one is a must read for anyone trying to stand out from the crowd and find different ways to get their customers. In times like this when work is harder than ever to find, this book can help you come up with ideas to keep customers coming to you.
5. Raving Fans – Ken Blanchard
When it’s harder than ever to be in small business and keep customers, this book offers a fresh approach to looking at your customers; by looking at them not just as loyal customers but as raving fans.
“Your customers are only satisfied because their expectations are so low and because no one else is doing better. Just having satisfied customers isn’t good enough anymore. If you really want a booming business, you have to create Raving Fans.”
6. Small Giants – Bo Burlingham
Sometimes it’s not about being the biggest company, but about being great. If you can’t focus as much on growth, this book helps you learn to focus on being great instead.
7. Head in the Cloud: Dispatches from a Post-Fact World – William Poundstone
This book is never more relevant than now with misinformation being spread at every turn. This book talks about how you can decipher fact from fiction and help ease your mind in this anxious time.
8. Everything to Live For: The Inspirational Story of Turia Pitt.
And if you need to read about someone surviving turmoil and hardship to know you will come out the other end, look no further than Turia Pitt’s first book. Turia, an ultra–marathoner was caught in grass fire during a race and received burns to 65 per cent of her body. She not only miraculously survived the ordeal but went on to success as a motivational speaker and philanthropist.
We hope you find motivation in these suggested reads, if there is a book you would like to recommend let us know in the comments below.
