31 books you need to read on the topics of entrepreneurship, creativity, psychology of advertising, strategy, motivational, psychology, sociology & economics, new media and general business. Let me know what you think and add one in the comments if I missed one.

Entrepreneurship:

Creativity:

Psychology of Advertising:

Strategy:

Motivational:

Psychology, Sociology & Economics:

New Media:

General Business:

Again, if there are any you think should be on the list please comment below and leave the link.

Engage Post in Social Networks

Hide Sites

There is a man who lives in my city, I’ve seen him around for quite some time now but anytime I say hello or talk to him it’s like he doesn’t have the time of day and saying hello to me is a burden.  He’s an asshole.  I questioned my friend that knows him much better than I do and he said the same thing, “Yup, definitely an asshole.”  So it’s confirmed, he is in fact an asshole.  Maybe he doesn’t mean to (highly unlikely), maybe I come off the same way to him (I’m a smiler so highly unlikely) so why does he do it?   I think some people are just not happy people, they don’t want to meet anyone else, they’re satisfied with their friend circle and yes maybe saying a cheery HI, HOW ARE YA!?!? to me is a burden.

But wait, there is a silver lining to my cloudy relationship with this asshole.  Recently I heard he started his own company.  HIS OWN COMPANY?  An asshole trying to make it as a business owner?  I had to see for myself and low and behold when I checked online he did start a company.  Personally I have no idea how he is going to make it, especially in a city this size where the word gets around so fast.  I know I won’t support his business.

Here’s a free tip to any entrepreneur:  Don’t be an Asshole.

I’m sure you’re not and don’t ever plan to be but in our fast paced society the little things matter, smile at people, say hi once in a while, it’s not that hard.  And for you budding entrepreneurs, meet people, talk to them, remember there name.  The person I know that has the most “social capital”, knows the most people and is doing quite well for himself has done two things and continues to do them extremely well.

1.  Remembers every persons name he meets (well pretty close and if he forgets I’ve seen even him find the name).

2.  Makes other people feel like they are the most important people in the world.

Not difficult right?  Try it out for yourself, you’ll be amazed at what can happen.  So don’t be an asshole, it’ll get you much further in life.  The more positive of a person you are the more people want to talk and associate with you, a smart strategy for any entrepreneur.

Engage Post in Social Networks

Hide Sites

In Alan M Weber’s Rules of Thumb: 52 Truths for Winning at Business Without Losing Your Self, rule number 36 is: Managing your emotional flow is more critical than managing your cash flow. I had to write about this because I see and meet with entrepreneurs all the time that do a poor job of managing their emotions.  Cash was king until I understood what an entrepreneur goes through, and if an entrepreneur really made cash king they would not succeed.

As a small business owner you must focus on your goal, your vision of where the company is going.  If you don’t do everything in your power to get there (and that may be going into a pile of debt) you may never achieve your goal.  There are a thousand and one things an entrepreneur needs to manage but without keeping your emotions in check everything else falls apart.

Tips on keeping your emotions in check:

1. Hire a coach or get a mentor and talk about it
2. Identify your emotional triggers and be aware when you may be susceptible to an outburst
3. Ensure you have some “you” time in a day (Workout, play a sport, get a hobby) do something that will make your mind relax where you won’t think about work
4. Have fun at work, it’s the easiest way to put yourself and those around you in a great mood

Finally I believe Van Wilder said it best; “Worrying is like rocking in a rocking chair, sure it gives you something to do for a while but it doesn’t get you anywhere”.

Engage Post in Social Networks

Hide Sites