Welcome back,
Below is a list of eight of the most impactful books that have positively affected my real estate investing business. The catch is these books have little to nothing to do with real estate investing or mobile home investing. That’s what makes these books so valuable!
Life does not come in sections – It’s all connected.
Many times I too have made the mistake of sectioning off my life; family time, work time, school time, personal time, business building time, etc. Something that typically affects you in one area of your life almost always bleeds over to positively or negatively affect every other part of your world.
Cure the problem at the roots instead of the branches.
Most of these books work on human psychology and get to the roots of many problems/issues we face as a society and as human beings. When you take these books to heart below and really hear/implement the lessons being taught in the stories, your life may change just as mine did. I say with complete sincerity that I would not be the investor or person I am today without each one of these books below.
Enjoy!
It’s #1 on the list for a reason. I read How To Win Friends & Influence People yearly. Mr. Carnegie goes out of his way to distill the “likable qualities ” of dozens and dozens of past successful entrepreneurs and business leaders into bite-size and easy to read nuggets. This book alone has made me into a better and more compassionate human being. This in turn has led to much of my success in the mobile home investing arena.
Pitch Anything is divided into two parts. The second part of the book walks you through building a “perfect pitch” to present your business, thoughts, or ideas to an audience. While this second section is good, the first part of the book is the section that has changed my life since reading it. If you have ever suffered from being passive aggressive, afraid of confrontation, or a weak debater then this book is for you. Start looking at confrontation a completely new and fun way.
Do the more choices you have make you less happy? How many choices of cereal do we really need? Have you ever made a decision that you regretted? After reading The Paradox Off Choice I felt as if my head was pulled out of the sand and I could start seeing clearly. Now I knew where certain negative emotions were mysteriously coming from, and more importantly I knew how to fix it. Stop letting the media and advertising control the happiness you have and the choices you make. This book is a must read.
The 7 Habits Of Highly Effective People is a classic! You know you have heard of it. Have you read it? Are you still using the habits? Can you remember any of the 7 daily habits? Emulate what the most successful and effective people do daily. Easy daily habits lead to lifelong positive changes.
If the previous book teaches you the habits of effective and successful people, then The Slight Edge is the mindset these successful people have day-to-day. We all have the same amount of hours per day, the most successful people in the world know how to use every edge to their advantage. This book is packed with some of the most useful and sometimes counterintuitive tactics to increase your happiness and increase your passion naturally.
At less than 100 pages, The Way To Love has done more for my happiness, relationships, and business than any other tiny book of its kind. This is another book that has completely changed my thinking. I look at who I was before reading this book, and thank God this book found its way into my life. Without a doubt this is a book I recommend to almost every friend, partner, and colleague. Do what you can to read this book soon!
Very few of us are born leaders. For the rest of us there is Bringing Out The Best In People. If you lead people or interact with people on a day-to-day basis you owe it to yourself, your business, your team, your employees, your friends, your family, and everyone you meet in the future to read this book. Learn from the successes and failures of the inspirational and super-effective leaders of our time and recent history.
While I’m not the biggest fan of fiction books, this one is a quick must read. The Richest Man In Babylon walks the reader through time-proven moneymaking strategies passed down from century to century. If you think you are dealing with new financial problems never before seen by man, think again. Make sure to learn these disciplines now and change your life forever. Do not end up like so many others who never learn the rules and lessons of money.
Bonus:
If there is one book that completely altered my mindset about how effective and honest sales should work it is How I Raised Myself From Failure To Success In Selling. This book has everything to do with time-tested, high-quality, and putting people-first in sales. As mobile home investors we sell every day. We sell our ideas, we sell how we can help, we listen to sellers and buyers, and we contour specific purchase and selling offers uniquely based on who were talking to. This one book is a must read for every real estate investor.
Am I using these principles at least one year later?
This is how I truly judge if I will recommend a book. If I am using the principles and techniques taught in a book at least one year after I read it, then the book has been a success. All of the books below have taught me many things I still think about, implement in my business and use today.
Thank you so much for giving these books the consideration they deserve. I know your time is valuable and I do not wish to waste any of it. These books have truly changed my life for the better and have helped to allow me to flourish in ways I’ve never dreamed possible. So many times people think they may know everything, every time I read a great book I am reminded of all the growing I still have left to do.
What book has changed your life? Please comment them below so we can all learn and grow together.
Love what you do daily,
John Fedro
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Hi John,
Great list of books to read. I have read the richest Man in Babylon and the slight edge. Both of these books were for nominal and a must read for every real estate investor. I haven’t read the other books you recommended but I will this year I promise. I would suggest you give “the one thing” by Gary Keller a read. I love this book too. And you showed have totally mentioned your book about being a happy real estate investor. That’s one of my favorites too.
Thanks John.
Your big fan,
Bert Jessop
Hi Bert,
Thanks for commenting in your kind words. I’m so glad to hear that some of these books have already helped you out as a real estate investor. I definitely highly recommend all of the books on this list. Additionally I will definitely read “the one thing” based on your high recommendation. I always love learning and believe books are one of the easiest and best ways to do so. Readers for life! 🙂
Always happy to help. If you have any real estate related questions never hesitate to reach out.
Talk soon,
John
Love the book selection john. I’ve read about 1/2 of these classics. I noticed you’re book wasn’t up there? 😉
Cheers! Mindy
Hi Mindy,
Thank you so much for reaching out and your kind words. Haha, you are right my book is not up there. The 50+ tips I give in “how to be a happy real estate investor” are habits and secrets I use on a daily basis. In fact this book should definitely be on the list above. I was a bit torn as I did not want to selfishly promote my own product. This is the main reason I did not included in the list. Thank you again for mentioning it. Your brought a smile to my face. I hope it has been helpful and you have enjoyed it.
Talk soon,
John
Love it John! Great list. I’m totally in and these books are going on my to-read list for this year.
Tanner 🙂
Hi Tanner,
Thanks so much for reaching out and commenting. I’m so glad to hear that this post has been a value to you. Absolutely add these books to your reading list this year and let me know what you think. Again, I would not have made this post if these books weren’t amazing and have continue to help me over the years.
Talk soon,
John
Great list John. The first book I read was Rich dad poor dad. I know it is cliché but it has helped me a lot to understand the basic principles needed for this type of business. Thank you for your mobile home investing blog. It is helped me so much already. I’m glad that I found and stumbled upon this personal blog of yours. I noticed that you don’t advertise it too much. I’m sure a lot of folks who like reading your stuff would be interested. Just saying. (:
Thanks again.
Your friend,
John R.
Hi John,
Thanks for commenting and your book suggestion. “Rich dad poor dad” is likely one of the number one books that is helped more people discover real estate investments than any other book. I remember going to a recent real estate investors meeting and asking people what books they really really enjoy. Your suggestion came up over 50%. I discovered this book many years into investing so it did not make as big of an impact on me. With that said the book is very good and I like his suite of other books as well.
Haha, you are right about me not advertising my personal blog too many places. I need to reconsider that and start getting the word out. 🙂 Thank you for your suggestion. If you ever have any questions or concerns never hesitate to contact me personally. Always happy to help.
Talk soon,
John
John- thank you for sharing your top rated books! I have been spending the last couple of months working on improving my personal development through the work of Darren Hardy and Jim Rohn. Both entrepreneurs recommended a few of the books you listed . My next read is the Richest Man in Babylon!! John ,I highly recommend the book “Leading an Inspired Life” by Jim Rohn. It is a great book. I’m almost half way done reading this book and it has already has changed my life in so many ways!!! Thanks again for all you do:)
Shevaughn
Hi Shevaughn,
Thank you so much for commenting and your kind words. I will definitely add “leading and inspired life” to my list of future books to read in the coming months. Thank you again for commenting and I’m so glad that this list has been helpful to you. Keep in touch and always continue reading and improving yourself.
Talk soon,
John
You’re welcome John!! I will most definitely keep pushing myself to get better and be the best I can be!!
Good list. I like that you created non-real estate books for investors. Smart thinking.
Id say Go-Giver is a good one too.
Hi Dan,
Thanks for commenting. You are absolutely right, the Go-Giver is a great book as well. I got the chance to meet Bob Burg (the author) in Orlando when the book was first released. Great guy and very good seminar. Keep in touch.
Talk soon,
John