Resources

I know it sounds completely “nambie-pambie” but one of the keys for shifting from stuck and struggling in your business to empowering action is reading self-help books so that you cultivate a solution-oriented mindset. Every highly successful business person I’ve met attributes at least some of their success to working on improving their mindset by reading these kinds of books. Don’t get me wrong, I do not believe that reading a book about the Law of Attraction will make you rich. In fact, just reading a book, without any action, won’t do anything more that give you a temporary sense of relief and hope. It won’t last long if you don’t act. That said, there are a number of “self-help” and business books I’d highly recommend reading—and then act on what you read.

Recommended Reading

This book is a fascinating read. Going in-depth into why it’s so difficult for us to change our behaviors—even when we know that they are not producing the results we desire. According to the authors, one in seven heart attack victims won’t change their habits even when they know that it could save their life. That leaves those of us wanting to make changes, so that our businesses are more successful, wondering if it’s possible. Are we destined to stay “stuck” in our businesses? Maybe not according to this insightful book. Check it out and learn why we’re our own worst enemies when it comes to change and how you can move beyond these barriers.

I read this book back in 2006 and it’s message changed me and my business forever. I’d read a number of books by Wayne Dyer previously and, while they made me feel good I never really acted on their message until I read this one. There was something powerful in Wayne’s quote “Change the way you look at things and the things you look at will change.” At that time I was feeling stuck and worry was a constant companion. Suddenly I got that my thoughts were my choice and in order to change my business (and my life) I had to change the way I used my thoughts. I highly recommend this audio program and suggest that you listen to at least 15 minutes (more if you can) every morning before you begin your day.

My business coaches (yes, I have three!) all remind me constantly that education, especially business education, is critical to my success as an entrepreneur so I’m constantly looking for conferences, workshops, bootcamps and books to help me stay on top of my game. This book, by David Meerman Scott, is a resource that every business owner should study. The author does a good job of helping the reader understand how to engage prospects online and describes the changes in PR due to the internet. I recommend doing a first “quick read” and then going back to study the concepts in-depth.

I’m always a little hesitant to recommend this book, only because the title is a little misleading. Again, while I am 100% certain that our mindset affects our ability to create the business of our dreams, I in no way want to imply that all you have to do is “think” about being rich or successful. The key, which the author shares in this fantastic book, is to think in ways that promote action. Thinking without action is just day-dreaming. Training yourself to think in ways that promote smart actions is the Law of Attraction at work.

Dan Kennedy is an expert in direct response marketing and a marketing guru to thousands of business owners around the world. His “No BS” style is a little brash but when you implement what Dan teaches, you learn to appreciate his unique approach. This is another business book that every business owner should own and read every year. Dan preaches that every business owner, no matter what you sell, is in the business of marketing. When you focus on the marketing and not the “widget” you are successful. As a successful marketer, I learn something new from Dan every time I read one of his books or attend a Glazer-Kennedy conference.

Another Dan Kennedy favorite that every business owner should include in their success library. There is a very fine line between sales and marketing and, admittedly, I didn’t truly understand (or appreciate) how to “sell” in my marketing until I read this book and following Dan’s teachings. Almost everything in this book rubbed me the wrong way when I first read it. So I did some research. Then I did some testing of the approach, and I can now say unequivocally that this stuff works. I’ve completely re-vamped how I market my own business and help clients market their own business based on Dan Kennedy’s approach.

I’ll share more recommended reading in my blog posts so subscribe today and stay on top of your game!

More Helpful Resources

Okay, this is a little shameless self-promotion but rest assured that there are truly some very helpful resources on this website. I founded U Creative Group over 17 years ago to help small business owners market their business efficiently and effectively. I’ve recently “reinvented” our business model into a simple 4-step marketing process called C-A-S-H Marketing Systems. Learn more about this highly effective way to market your business by attending the free online course, Five Steps to STAND OUT Marketing Promotions So That You Generate More Leads and Make More Money. Just visit www.ucreativegroup.com to sign up.

Check out this webinar recording: The Definitive Guide to Email Marketing
This webinar, brought to you by the leader in automated marketing, Infusionsoft, covers a wide range of highly useful and implementable ideas, including:
• Strategies for dramatically increasing response rates
• Evaluating opens and click-through rates and setting goals for each
• How mobile phone usage should factor into your email marketing strategy
• Good and bad examples from brands you know
• A simple method for writing powerful copy

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