
Title : Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion
Author : Robert Cialdini
Rating : 5 Stars out of 5.
Summary : Invest in Influence
I first read an excerpt of Dr Cialdini's book in a Harvard Business Review article and it was one of the few times I actually bought the book on the same day. The six universal principles of influence and persuasion are superb in their brevity and ability to work in a wide variety of situations. With Dr Cialdini backing up his writings with 50 years of social science research (not to mention his own 3 year investment of time to learn the trade secrets of many organisations, both private sector and public sector) it makes learning and using the principles of persuasion systematic and not dependant on being 'a born sales person or natural influencer'. A fantastic read with plenty of anecdotes (backed up by research) and uses. If you buy one book on the subject of Influence and Persuasion - make it this one!. Also, for reader's interest the book has been translated into a two-day workshop on how to best utilise the 6 principles of influence and persuasion and are run by Dr Cialdini's outfit called Influence At Work - they have a US and UK presence. Good reading!

Title : The Richest Man in Babylon
Author : George S. Clason
Rating : 5 Stars out of 5.
Summary : Timeless good advice
This is altogether an excellent book on long-term wealth creation. If you would like a way of operating your finances so that you can build up a lump sum for the future, whilst enjoying your life, then this old classic holds the key. I have just given my copy to an old friend who is up to his neck in debt. Amongst his many justifications for his current predicament are 'I don't earn enough to save/invest' and 'my family uses all my disposable income'. As a friend I hope he reads and applies the timeless principles contained within this book and, as a result, his money worries should become a thing of the past.
With bankruptcy levels within the UK at an all time high 'The Richest Man in Babylon' has never been so necessary. Read this book, but more importantly, use it!

Title : E-myth Mastery: The Seven Essential Disciplines for Building a World Class Company
Author : Michael Gerber
Rating : 5 Stars out of 5.
Summary : Zen and the Art of Entrepreneurship
The book is about the 'Self' as businessman/woman. The key is the, periodic, precisely ordered and focused exercises.
These are questions, Michael Gerber, aims at the heart and soul of being/becoming an entrepreneur. And so one is, if one is open to the questioning, able to pinpoint within oneself the barriers to becoming a truly creative person. Then, after self-reflection, one may come from a space, which was previously closed and oppressive, to an open and experiential one.
There is a storyline in the book showing clearly how the entrepreneur becomes so easily a robot and a machine in the current business ethos. So how does one stay alive and renewed in what is essentially a mechanised business world? Well, this book tackles this dilemma - by making one confront oneself and ones susceptibility, and then enabling one to recover integrity and creativity from within oneself. Because, ultimately, it is not the techniques and methods which make for success, but who one is and how well one knows oneself, and continues to discover oneself.
The book has its highest value in enabling self-knowledge as an entrepreneur.
Michael Gerber in the book does, however, always present the avenues and methods for success in the greatest of practical detail (for example on sales he covers internet portal, direct mail etc. etc. etc. etc. - it's all covered - with advantages and disadvantages and practical application). There are downloadable worksheets, all very ordered and practical where one can try out, test and keep records about ones experiments with oneself, the business and the marketplace.
I would have liked to say more on the practical side of the book, because it is hugely practical and applicable. But it is a year since I read a borrowed copy and don't have it in front of me. I am now ordering a copy for myself.
Entrepreneurship, in my view, is a difficult business. It is one of the greatest challenges to oneself. It can be a disheartening and even degrading experience. Thank you, Michael Gerber, for enabling me to know the dangers, and for giving me clarity and understanding at the beginning of my new business.
Finally, this is not a quick fix book, although because of the practical detail it can be used like one. But beware, for the book is about a journey one decides to make/take - and there are many adventures to be had along the way! :)

Title : Think and Grow Rich!: The Original Version, Restored and Revised
Author : Napoleon Hill
Rating : 5 Stars out of 5.
Summary : What matters is reading on!
I heard of this book in `Rich Dad, Poor Dad' by KIYOSAKI for the first time. I came to realize that this book has been considered as sort of a Bible in terms of getting rich, when I checked the `customer reviews' on the website of Amazon. So I decided to give it a try.
Indeed, this book may be an eye-opener for those who just wish to become rich without thinking twice. However, frankly speaking, the so-called "secrets" as follows in this book are nothing new at all for me and maybe for you as well. Having said that, even you've already known the `secrets', this book will definitely inspire you if you read on page by page. It provides you with an opportunity to converse with yourself, by which you may become a person with deep conviction of getting rich. That's the power of this book.
1) Discipline
2) Dedication/persistence
3) Hardwork/determination
4) Practice practice practice
5) Confidence
6) Ambition along with personality
Again, the `secrets' in this book are simple. What matters to you is the process of reading on.

Title : Now Habit: A Strategic Program for Overcoming Procrastination and Enjoying Guilt-free Play
Author : Neil A. Fiore
Rating : 4 Stars out of 5.
Summary : Informative and practical
I gained a great deal of insight from this book. It helped me to see that I'm putting my life on hold through being a perfectionist. And it has given me lots of help in finding a way forward. A new 'me' is emerging as a result. Well worth a read.

Title : E-myth Mastery: The Seven Essential Disciplines for Building a World Class Company
Author : Michael Gerber
Rating : 1 Stars out of 5.
Summary : Heavy going, heavy on psychobabble
If you're into overwrought emotional prose this ones for you.
I quote "without the passion of the soul, the mind creates an endless stream of empty suits, dreams without heart..."
or this gem
"a part of me is just afraid. that part of me feels like i'm jumping off a cliff, but in some strange way I also trust that I'll fall into something soft and safe"
After about 100 pages it starts turning into a business book again, but after wading through the cod philosphies at the start of the book I was actually angry at the author for putting me through some really badly written stuff, concerning a lady called sarah from 'all about pies' who'd lost her passion, apparently. I knew how she felt by this point in the book.
If you buy it read the real stuff at the end of the book, but really, don't encourage him.
To misquote the book I certainly felt like jumping off a cliff at times.
If only he'd have just stuck to the business. Why does everyone have to be a cod psychologist these days? Nuff said'

Title : A Lifetime of Secrets: A Postsecret Book
Author : Frank Warren
Rating : 4 Stars out of 5.
Summary : A Lifetime of Secrets : A postsecret Book
This postsecret book is a must read for everyone is enthralled by the Postsecret website. It is jam packed full of never seen before secrets which have been mailed in to the Author, Frank Warren. Some are funny, some are thought provoking and some are sad. Either way, it cannot help but make you think carefully about your own life. The only downside if there was one with this book was that i read it in 15 minutes flat. I could have read it and more postcards a thousand times over. It definately left me wanting to see more secrets. Infact, i shall be buying the previous books shortly. A definate good buy.
Other Related Resources:
1: http://30wastedyears.com/self-motivation-strategies-for-greater-achievement/
2: http://freshome.com/2008/12/03/karim-rashids-loft-inspiration-or-bad-taste/
3: http://loltheist.com/2008/12/08/id-be-glad-to-but-he-didnt-leave-a-forwarding-address/
4: http://www.celebitchy.com/22932/tony_romo_and_will_smith_surprise_students_at_high_school_pep_rally/
5: http://www.youngandfrugal.com/2008/09/10/finding-motivation/