“The more one knows, the luckier he is, for knowledge is the greatest gift in life.”
– L. Frank Baum (author of Wizard of Oz)
Many years ago, I was given one of the greatest gifts I have ever received. I am not sure I completely understood it at the time, but eventually and thankfully I did.
The gift that I received was in the form of a quote and message. The quote was by Mark Twain, “The man who can read but doesn’t is no wiser than the man who can’t”.
The message was, “It doesn’t matter what you read, just read. If you are reading, you are learning”.
Both the quote and the message were given to me by my mentor. Since that time, he has also given me many books and has suggested many others. Thanks Jake!
If your goal is to become a better media rep, a better manager, a better mother or father, a better spouse, a better friend, a better leader, or just an overall better, happier, and wiser person, here is a list of recommended reading that will help:
Nelson Mandela, Portrait of An Extraordinary Man – Richard Stengel (Leadership and Life)
Restoring the Soul of Business, Staying Human in the Age of Data – Rashid Tobaccowala (Business Leadership)
Mind Gym, An Athlete’s Guide to Inner Excellence – Gary Mack (Mind over matter – Good for business too)
Boys in The Boat, Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics – Daniel James Brown (Motivation, Tenacity, Endurance)
Game Plan for Life, Your Personal Playbook for Success – Joe Gibbs (Faith-Based, a guide for success in business and life)
Whale Done – The Power of Positive Leadership – Ken Blanchard (Leadership for work and home)
The Difference, When Good Isn’t Good Enough – Subir Chowdhury (Business Management and Leadership)
Mr. Jenkins Told Me… Forgotten Principles That Will Grow Any Business – Jonathan Bancroft (Business and Leadership)
Onward – How Starbucks Fought for Its Life without Losing Its Soul – Howard Schultz (Business)
Marketing Outrageously Redux – How to Increase Your Revenue by Staggering Amounts! – Jon Spoelstra (Marketing – Advertising – Business)
The Leadership Secrets of Santa Claus, How to Get Big Things Done in YOUR Workshop All Year Long – Eric Harvey, David Cottrell, Al Lucia, Mike Hourigan (Leadership – Setting Goals – Business)
Remember, the person who can read but doesn’t isn’t any wiser than the person who can’t read!
We wish you a very Blessed and Merry Christmas, and a Happy, Healthy, and Prosperous 2021!