New In The Business

Orginally Posted on June 24, 2007

When it comes to making money, I’ve found a large majority of the information resources out there have several flaws, with the biggest being they typically do not start at the real beginning of the process. I’ve spent much time & money on various business/side income attempts over the last few years diving headfirst right into projects, and getting mixed results at best. After each failure, I would sit back and pour over how I got it wrong, and how to do it right the next time to avoid failure. However, it wasn’t until I’ve recently read 3 key books, that I feel truly define where an individual should actually start when beginning a new business for the first time or the fifteenth time.

I found the theme of each book screamed at me one thing…. Herb…. The very first thing you need to work on to even think of being successful is…….YOU!! Each book gets to that same point in their own way (and provide excellent insight along the way) but I found that when I looked at why I have been unsuccessful sustaining any consistent success, I realized that I never looked deeper than the “how-to” or strategy I thought necessary to operate my venture. I understand now that this is totally flawed, and at best will only produce short term success, and long-time frustration.

That being said, lets get to the books!! The first must read is a book many working people have probably heard of, Rich Dad Poor Dad from Robert Kiyosaki. This book is an excellent starting point for most because it is really written in a down to earth, easy to read format and points the working class to two basic mindsets and understanding each. Once the two are understood, the reader gets to see what each mindset produces both short and long term, on a personal and professional level. For most readers of the book, you’ll come away with an open mind and hopefully, the first kick in the butt to seriously attempt income generation outside of your job.

The second recommendation is to read the E-Myth: Revisited, by Michael Gerber. I strongly recommend the audio version of this book as it is narrated by the author himself. It initially starts off a bit slow and boring but really grabs one’s attention as you get through the first third or so. The E-Myth focuses largely on the three personality types that get into business (personally my favorite part), how to not go into business, and what intangible, personal criteria are essential for business success. Disclaimer, my one sentence summary completely does NOT even come close to the amount of information one can get from this book. For the working stiff, this book is essential because it addresses specific situations new entrepreneurs would run into, such as going into business for a certain hobby and why it’s wrong, how starting a business can really mean creating a job, being controlled by the business, and not wanting to admit failure. This book is about as close as an aspiring entrepreneur can get to a “Before you go into business Read Me” how-to manual. Also, this book is likely to be a two-read minimum because of the information it contains. I could go on all day in my recommendation of this text, but the message should be clear READ THIS BOOK!!

The third and final book I’ve come across is The Four Hour Work Week by Tim Ferriss. I will go into more detail in the next few posts on this book for several reasons that should be apparent on content alone. DO NOT read this book until you have read E-Myth Revisited at a MINIMUM. Four Hour Work Week is a very radical departure from any self help/business book I’ve ever known, and could run off some with the internal questions the book will make you ask yourself and most importantly… it will make you answer them. Quite simply said, the previous 2 books will help to maybe prepare you to read and ACT on the content found in Four Hour Work Week.

Disclaimer: DO NOT READ MORE THAN ONE BOOK AT A TIME!!!!

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