The Classic That Has Inspired 100 Million People

DV Weekend Pickup #51

Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill

It's hard to start anywhere else when describing this book then by calling it the classic beyond classics.  At last count, this book has sold over 100 million copies worldwide and has inspired millions to take action with their lives.  Perhaps, there is no better starting point if you wish to do the same.

"Every adversity, every failure, every heartbreak carries with it the seed of equal or greater benefit."

The origination of the book started from Hill's conversations with one of the wealthiest Americans ever, Andrew Carnegie.  It motivated Hill to then meet with over 500 of America's wealthiest from all different industries with one commonality, starting from nothing.  Upon it's release in 1937 on the heals of the Great Depression, it immediately sent waves through American business culture. He surmised this playbook to live a rich life.

1. Desire - The Starting Point of All Achievement
2. Faith - Visualization and Belief in Attainment of Desire
3. Autosuggestion - The Medium for Influencing the Subconscious Mind
4. Specialized Knowledge - Personal Experiences and Observations
5. Imagination - The Workshop of the Mind
6. Organized Planning - The Crystallization of Desire Into Action
7. Decision - The Mastery of Procrastination
8. Persistence - The Sustained Effort Necessary to Induce Faith
9. Power of the Mastermind - The Driving Force
10. The Mystery of Sex Transmutation - The Ability to Transfer Energy
11. The Subconscious Mind - The Connecting Link
12. The Brain - A Broadcasting and Receiving Station for Thought
13. The Sixth Sense - The Door to the Temple of Wisdom

*How to Outwit the 6 Ghosts of Fear was later added as the final chapter in re-release.

For me it's even more interesting when you realize the real basis of this work.  I feel it's extremely important to note the duality in the term rich as described by Hill in both financial and fulfillment. Quite honestly, you cannot have one without the other and the former does NOT dictate the latter.  

Crush the day!

DV

Confessions of a Media Manipulator

DV Weekend Pickup #50

Trust Me, I'm Lying by Ryan Holiday

One of the most fascinating concepts in today's culture is something "going viral."  Sure, we've all heard that phrase and most, stop there, assuming it caught some magical internet pixie dust on it's way to every mobile phone in America.  Ryan Holiday, author, former head of marketing at American Apparel, and "reformed" media manipulator challenges this notion with a behind the scenes look at how things REALLY go viral.

"The most powerful indicator of what spreads online is anger."

For all intents and purposes, Ryan's whistleblowing accounts are as concerning as they are enlightening.  The biggest reason a national news source picks up a story...first, it goes viral via smaller outlets, meaning unregulated, highly influenced, and the powerful world of online drive national media agenda.  He refers to this phenomenon as "trading up the chain."  

"Things must be negative but not too negative. Hopelessness, despair - drive us to do nothing. Pity, empathy - drive us to do something, like get up away from our computers and act.  Anger, fear, excitement - these drive us to spread."

It becomes even more alarming when you realize how these bloggers, journalists, and "media" outlets get paid - crappy and per click.  You quickly make the realization that more media is placed than you possibly could have imagined.  Media manipulators utilize every lever possible to literally form history.  This book is packed with real life examples, accounts, and displays of exactly how manipulation delivers a false perception to ultimately become true reality.  Read at your own risk!

Crush the day!

DV

The Surprisingly Simple Truth Behind Extraordinary Results

DV Weekend Pickup #49

The ONE Thing by Gary Keller

It's largely an affirmation of achievement concepts I already prescribe to which made it easy to read.  The book has done extremely well since it's 2013 release with a LONG list of awards and accomplishments.  Between that and being recommended several times throughout last year I figured it was about time to give it go.  Keller makes his point rather well...

"What's the ONE Thing I can do such that by doing it everything else will be easier or unnecessary?"

...success demands singleness of purpose, multitasking is a lie, and mastery bears gifts.  Keller refers to the above question as the Focusing Question which could be applied in many areas of life - financial, spirituality health, personal, business, relationships - to define your top priority.  Enabling you to take a very large, hairy, problem stricken life situation and deduce it down to the single most important action you can take to start the domino effect.  He proceeds in warning us to watch out for the Four Thieves...

1. Inability to say "No"
2. Fear of chaos
3. Poor health habits
4. Environment doesn't support your goals

...that steal our time, bury our productivity, and destroy our purpose.  Keller does a great job reminding you, quality over quantity - ALWAYS.  He also throws in many real life examples to support his theories.  If you're in need of a light motivating read to keep you focused and productive then you've landed on a winner.  Grab it and let's chat about it.

Crush the day!

DV

A Zen Master's Method of Meditation, Concentration, and Relaxation

DV Weekend Pickup #48

The Miracle of Mindfulness by Thich Nhat Hanh

This book serves as the perfect starting point for mindfulness beginners.  It is important to note that mindfulness is more than meditation.  Mindfulness is the ability to be acutely aware at all times, not just simply during practice.  TNH is a poet and Zen master who describes the epitome of mindfulness as...

"When walking, the practitioner must be conscious that he is walking."

...when washing dishes, wash dishes and when eating a tangerine, eat the tangerine.  If the idea seems simple, great, it's suppose to be.  The essential discipline of mindfulness is merely to be present in all that we do, every time we do it.

The book is a compilation of letters by TNH (from exile in Paris) to staff members at the School of Youth for Social Service in 1974 Vietnam.  The school he originally founded in 1960 to inspire engaged Buddhism in distraught Vietnam.  Imagine writing to your long lost friends and colleagues, this is how the book feels.

"Meditation is not evasion; it is a serene encounter with reality."

His stories share valuable anecdotes, practical exercises, and teachings to give you an introduction into mindfulness.  He goes on to describe the FIVE aggregates  - bodily formations, feelings, perceptions, mental functions, and consciousness - the latter (consciousness) serving as the basis of existence for the others.  The mental and physical health benefits of meditation are getting harder to ignore so it's an impactful read if you're looking to start your mindfulness journey.

Crush the day!

DV

What the Rich Teach their Kids About Money

DV Weekend Pickup #47

Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki

I realize the book has a slightly taboo title maybe that's why it's the #1 personal finance book of all time, maybe it's because the topic is that important to your future, or maybe it's a combination of both.  Either way, I appreciate the honest approach at discussing something we all seem to be experts in - financial education.

"In school we learn that mistakes are bad, and we are punished for making them.  Yet, if you look at the way humans are designed to learn we learn by making mistakes.  We learn to walk by falling down.  If we never fell down, we would never walk."

Yes, the book title is that literal.  It actually refers to two men who impacted the (now prominent) author's life as a young boy.  One man being highly educated, hard working, product of our education system and the other being self-educated, hard working, product of a street education.

I'm sure at this point you get where this is going but for me it's important to note the terms "wealth" and "rich" are neither solely described or achieved by capital creation and expansion.  The real lesson is clear...

"The single most powerful asset we have is our mind.  If it is trained well, it can create enormous wealth in what seems to be an instant."

...and we have the power to seek further comprehension in any subject we desire.  This book is packed with financial lessons large and small and should not be overlooked by superficial reasoning. You owe it to yourself to seek understanding if you only have a surface level knowledge base.  Consequently, you will immediately feel more enlightened and fulfilled by being able to see the world from a different vantage point.

Crush the day!

DV

How to Make the Right Reality-Based Strategic Decisions in a Fast-Moving World

DV Weekend Pickup #46

The CEO Who Sees Around Corners by Jay Abraham & Carlos Dias

If you want to learn how to truly optimize every resource available to you and navigate the lightening quick business world we're living in today then there may not be a better book available.  Abraham and Dias are both amazingly accomplished individuals and they do not hold back in this one.  

"It's not what you don't know that causes pain.  It's what you think you know that usually causes the most damage."

The book is carefully broken out into 4 equally essential parts - cognitive intelligence, emotional and social Intelligence, business and talent intelligence, and intellectual intelligence.  Abraham and Dias put a high emphasis on topics like self-awareness, continuous learning, and the ability to think divergently.  Driving home the point...

"We are hardwired to look at the world through our own perspective..."

...which makes it super challenging for leaders during these turbulent times. Simply relying on the good 'ole boys club, dubious assumptions, and old world skill sets are just not viable to make the critical decision necessary to navigate the current market.  

They point to glaring case studies of companies like - Circuit City, Borders, Kodak, LA Gear - and ask the question, "Was simply prominence enough for them?"  Every concept, model, and process is backed with real data and real examples making this a tremendous business resource. Abraham and Dias pull it all together with their solution for modern day leaders - Strategic Wealth Creation System:

1. Plan an assess your current reality (from multiple perspectives)
2. Focus on delivering Abraham's Strategy of Preeminence.*
3. Create and execute a winning business strategy
4. Test ways to optimize growth
5. Sustain preeminence through continuous behaviors
6. Align human resources all on the same vision

If you happen to pick this book up, I'd love to chat with you about it, and hear what you think.  As always don't hesitate to send me a message if you have questions or book suggestions.

Crush the day!

DV

Notes on Startups Or How To Build The Future

DV Weekend Pickup #45

Zero to One by Peter Thiel

Peter Thiel was an original founder of PayPal, founder of Palantir, board member at Facebook, and a tech investor with an impeccable track record.  He is by all accounts a Silicon Valley legend.  

"If you've invented something new but you haven't invented an effective way to sell it, you have a bad business - no matter how good the product."

At first glance you'd think this book is heavily tech focused but you quickly realize it's a challenge to businesses across all industries.  Can you go from 0 to 1?  As in, can you create something that nobody else is creating?  

"Customers won't care about any particular technology unless it solves a particular problem in a superior way.  And if you can't monopolize a unique solution for a small market, you'll be stuck with vicious competition."

In theory, this sounds like a dream! In actuality, well know it's damn hard to do!  Thiel will claim if you're able to answer these 7 questions...

1. The Engineering Question:  Can you create breakthrough technology (vs. incremental improvement?)
2. The Timing Question:  Is now the right time to start this particular business?
3. The Monopoly Question:  Are you starting with a big share of a small market?
4. The People Question:  Do you have the right team?
5. The Distribution Question:  Do you have a way to not just create but deliver your product?
6. The Durability Question:  Will your market position be defensible 10-20 years into the future?
7. The Secret Question:  Have you identified a unique opportunity that others don't see?

...then you've got a chance to make something magical happen.  "The next Bill Gates is not going to create an operating system. The next Larry Page and Sergey Brin will not create a search engine," says Thiel.  

Zero to One is anything but your average take on starting a business, but it is a great read for anyone who wants see business from a different angle.  And sometimes, it's amazing what you can see when you simply change your view.

Crush the day!

DV

A Memoir by The Minimalists

DV Weekend Pickup #44

Everything That Remains by Joshua Fields Millburn & Ryan Nicodemus

A memoir written by two guys in their early thirties, uh, what?  Well, mostly just one guy Fields Millburn but typically memoir's are reserved for the later years in ones life.  Oddly, it works, mainly because he is so gifted with the pen.  Everything That Remains forces you to answer the all important question...

"Love people, use things.  The opposite doesn't work."

...what if everything you ever wanted isn't actually what you want? 

Over the last 4 years these two really have caught steam with over 4 million readers to their blog, Netflix documentary, and a tremendous story.  

Fields Millburn was living the American dream, big corporate job, huge home, tons of money, many things, and a lot of stuff.  Accompanied with the less talked - loads of debt, high pressure, crappy relationships, and no time - that goes along with it.  He proceeds to go through a particularly tough year losing both his mother and marriage.  He falls on minimalism, leaves his six-figure job, pays of all his debt, and becomes a writer...

"The things you own end up owning you."

...this is a story about Everything That Remains.  Minimalism is an interesting concept that focuses NOT on owning nothing, but asking yourself the question...does this thing bring value to my life?

Crush the day!

DV

How the Best Businesses in the World Succeed

DV Weekend Pick Up #43

Okay, this was sort of a god send if there ever was one.  All year I had been working on the concept of "simplicity" in conjunction with groundupSALES.  Then seemingly out of nowhere as I am further researching the 80/20 Principle (Richard Koch classic) I stumble across this upcoming release...

Simplify by Richard Koch & Greg Lockwood

What I like best:  I literally had my Amazon cued for pre-order on the October '16 US release.  In a weird way I felt slighted because this was a concept that I had been researching for the last year. On second thought, it felt like validation - FINALLY a book - devoted to a concept that I am absolutely sure of - Sweet!

I'll admit Koch and Lockwood are not the most graceful writers so at times you are challenged throughout the book.  However, Koch is a tremendous business mind and understands business strategy better than most so what you ultimately get is an education.  If you work in a corporation today you probably will enjoy the chapter, The Weakness of Strong Firms: 5 Bad Reasons Managers Don't Simplify.

This book is  packed with great case studies, knowledge, and structure which depicts the power of simplifying.  Specifically...

1. Proposition simplification
2. Pricing simplification

...you will hear profiles on the greatest companies in the world like - Apple, Southwest, Google, Amazon, IKEA - plus many more.  Even more importantly why and how each company chooses each model.  If you consider business strategy to be an interest than this is must read.  If you don't you'll probably wonder why you even picked it up.  

Best quote:  "A designer knows he has reached perfection not when there is nothing left to add, but when there is nothing left to takeaway." - Antoine de Saint Exupery

Crush the day!

DV

What to Expect in 2017...and Thank you!

First, I wanted to thank and acknowledge all the subscribers (and viewers) who have supported me in 2016 and my apologies for the slower posting pace to end the year!  In 2017, I promise to give more...

• The book review is going nowhere.  This blog will be primarily used for the book review (w/ an occasional update.)  I am toying with a new name, format, and day change.  Expect 40-60 reviews this year and #43 later this week.
• I will be doing long(er) form sales article posting.  You will be able view those on LinkedIn.  They will be richer in content, a little lengthy(er), and more fun to read.  My first article Only Losers Rely on Luck to Increase Sales will be published early next week. 
• For the first 13 weeks, every Tuesday morning (starting tomorrow) I will be posting a sales video on Facebook.  It is a re-release of each track from my audio last year with a little twist!
• If you haven't already check out my new groundupSALES.com site.  2017 promises to be a big year for my sales training company. 
• I am currently writing my 1st sales book.  It's too far out to talk about release dates but the manuscript will definitely be completed in 2017. 
• Watch out for my gS Game Planners later this year.  This is a resource I ONLY created because I wanted it for my own personal use!  I will be doing one run of them later in the year for purchase.

Below are a few things I am considering but haven't convinced myself either way...yet.  Email me, contact me, whatever, if there is a direction you'd prefer, tell me!  Your input helps me drastically.

1. My first online sales training webinar. 
2. An offline sales seminar open to the public.
3. Short(er) form motivational podcast or facebook/insta videos?

This is my intended lay out for 2017 BUT things are always liable change as the year progresses.  In fact, I would expect MORE!  As always stay positive and...

Crush the day!

DV