5 of the best business books that have changed the way I run my business

I’m big on reading business books. I think they’re an amazing way to learn new things about business (because none of us really know what we're doing!) and to see things from a different perspective. These are some of the best business books that will change the way you run your business, whether you’re just starting out or whether you’re already an old hat at this business thing.

Even if you’ve been in business for a while, there’s always something new to learn. When I first started out, I made it my mission to devour as many business books as I possibly could. Even now, more than two and a half years later, I’m still obsessed with reading business books. I also really enjoy personal development books, and I’ve found that these are really good with the mindset of running a business because, as you know, there’s a lot more to running a business than just the technical stuff.

Alright, on to the list of best business books! They’re in no particular order because they’re all so different.

Purchase Pitch Anything on Apple Books / Kindle / Paperback

The book is promoted as an innovative method for presenting, persuading, and winning the deal – and it definitely lives up to the claim. Even if you’re not at the stage where you’re pitching to investors or even potential clients, the method he sets out in the book is super useful for any situation where you're trying to persuade others. Honestly, the biggest thing I got out of this book was his technique on framing, but I’m not going to spoil it for you. I will let you figure it out for yourself.

People are usually pretty surprised to hear that I haven’t read Tim’s most famous book, The 4-Hour Work Week. I’ve heard good things about it and, maybe if you aren’t familiar with it, it could be worth a read. It is on my reading list and I will get there one day! Anyway, Tools of Titans is an awesome book; not just for the business tips, but for life hacks and health tips.

Basically, it’s a compilation of tips that Tim discovered from interviews with hundreds of different entrepreneurs, leaders, influencers – just amazing people. It’s an easy read – you can skim through it, pick and choose which pages you read, and bookmark your favourites to come back to later on.

Best business book #3: Mastering Your Mean Girl by Melissa Ambrosini

Purchase Mastering Your Mean Girl on Apple Books / Kindle / Paperback

While this one isn’t strictly a business book, it has helped me so much with my mindset around business. In particular, dealing with imposter syndrome, self-doubt and all of those nasty feelings that can arise when you start putting yourself out there and you start pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone. I read this one for the first time when I was just starting out in business, and I recently re-read it and got so much more out of it.

If you find that you struggle a lot with self-doubt, self-sabotage or you just feel out of alignment with your purpose, you’ll find this book so valuable. Despite what the name says, it’s not just for girls – it’s definitely applicable to guys as well.

I’m all for supporting Australian authors! If you’re looking to build your personal brand and become the go-to person in your niche, this business book is a must-read. Even if you’re not looking to build your personal brand, this book will open up your mind to thinking bigger and dreaming beyond what you thought was possible. It’s also a very easy read, and it has a really simple step-by-step process that you can implement in your business.

Best business book #5: Ego is the Enemy by Ryan Holiday

Purchase Ego is the Enemy on Apple Books / Kindle / Paperback

I’m currently reading this one right now and, so far, I have learned so much. I’ve always thought that people with a big ego were the people who like to talk about themselves and big-note themselves, but this book made me see ego in a completely different light. This book changed my business because it made me realise just how many things I was doing in business purely because of my ego. You know, things like trying to keep up with the Joneses, or comparing myself to others. In other words, I was doing things to save face or to play it safe – because your ego really likes to keep you inside your comfort zone!

Even if you don’t think your ego is getting in the way of your business, you’ll be so surprised.

I’ve downloaded a heap of new books to read in the coming months, so I will make sure to write a part two of this list once I get through them all!