Hi friend! Today I want to talk about personal development and one of my favorite ways that I've found to continue to grow as an entrepreneur.

So, what exactly is 'personal development'?

There's no need to make it complex. Personal development is simply just continuing to learn and stretch ourselves in order to continue to provide the best services and grow our business to the best of our ability. Because if we plateau, our business plateaus! 

One of my favorite ways to continue to grow and stretch myself is by reading (err... listening to) books! 

I hate to admit it, but I'm actually REALLY bad at finishing a book when I'm reading the paper version. I don't know what it is, but I will start a book and get a few chapters in and then totally fizzle out... leaving the book forever. BUT, I've found that I can listen to a book while driving or riding in the car... So, Audible has become one of my best friends (that and Stitcher + some AMAZING podcasts, but that's info for another post). 

I believe that in order to continue to grow and beat new challenges that arise, we have to first continue to change, mold, and grow from the inside out. And as a Christian, my relationship with the Lord plays a really big role in the way that I strive to develop and grow... not only as a person, but as an entrepreneur as well. So with that being said, there are some books on this list that I don't theologically or philosophically agree with 100%. But I've heard this concept being compared to a cafeteria line of life. If you love carrots but hate raisins... then keep the carrots and throw out the raisins! Each of these books have had really great takeaways that have helped me grow and transform my business to help me reach a new level. 

So, here are the top 8 books that are on my MUST READ list for the female entrepreneur (Plus 4 I'll be reading soon!)... 

1. Start with Why 
by Simon Sinek

In this book, Simon Sinek talks about the importance of not what we do... or how we do it... but WHY we do what we do. He talks about how that's what people want to know about when it comes to our business. That's what people want to follow. I would totally recommend this one as one of the first books you read as you grow and develop your business further! 

2. Chase the Lion 
by Mark Batterson

This is such a great book if you're wanting to build your business God's way. Pastor and author Mark Batterson talks about chasing huge, God sized dreams. It's really refreshing to get a Christian perspective on chasing dreams and I would totally recommend this book if that is what you are looking for! 

3. 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
by Steven R. Covey

This book was a huge eye opener for me. I actually read it for the first time a few years ago (before starting a business) but I've since gone back and reviewed it a few times. There are so many things that are really great for building communication, setting expectations, and creating an overall efficient, effective, and successful client experience.

4. The Big Leap
by Gay Hendricks

This book was one that I had some major issues with some of the theological views... BUT, if you can push that aside and pull out the nuggets of wisdom (which this book is FULL of), you'll find a lot of helpful tips and techniques to help you grow past limiting beliefs that you may not even know are holding you back.

5. Sell or Be Sold
by Grant Cardone

Ok, so this book can rub people the wrong way, but it is SOLID GOLD when it comes to selling in your business. The truth is that money isn't the issue in sales... the VALUE that's being portrayed is the issue. If you're struggling to sell ANYTHING (even getting your kids to eat their veggies at dinner), then go grab this book.

6. High Performance Habits
by Brendan Burchard

This book is FULL of helpful takeaways. Brendan Burchard talks about how there is not one personality type that is better positioned to succeed at entrepreneurship, but instead being effective is about developing a certain set of habits. This book will walk you through assessing what habits you're struggling with and which ones you excel at, so you can improve and grow in new ways.

7. Secrets of a Millionaire Mind
by Harv Eker

THIS BOOK. Again, I have to preface it by saying that I don't agree with everything theologically... but guys, you will walk away realizing that you have money stories that you didn't even realize you had! We all have stories that we hold onto based on our past... 'money doesn't grow on trees' ... 'they are filthy rich' ... 'more money, more problems' ... the list goes on and on. And when you're holding on to these 'beliefs' about money, why would you ever want more of it?? And if you don't really want more of it, then why would you really want to try to sell? This book dives into the stories that have been engrained into our brains and helps us being to rewrite these stories so we can serve our families, our communities, and the world better... through a business that not only makes more impact, but also makes more income. Because after all, churches, schools, and hospitals all run on money.

8. Grace not Perfection
by Emily Ley

If you're needing a light hearted, down to earth, faith-first book that is full of real life situations that will have you both laughing and crying... go grab this book. It really is wonderful.

Also, here are some books on my soon-to-read list... 

1. Building a Story Brand by Donald Miller 

2. Living Forward by Michael Hyatt and Daniel Harkavy 

3. Ask. by Ryan Levesque 

4. Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown

Have you read any of these books? Drop a comment below and let me know which ones you've read, what your favorites are, and what you're planning to read next!

Always cheering you on,

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