The First 3 Money Books to Read for the Young Professional

Many of us don’t realize what we’re really capable of, or what is even possible. We think that some things are fantasies, and that extraordinary wealth is not for us. I was there. I didn’t really know, or hang out with, anyone that was truly wealthy growing up. I never believed that making 6 figures before the age of 25, or living downtown of a big city was a real possibility for me. But they became reality. And it started with just learning what opportunities and how much abundance there are in the world.

There are a few ways to start learning what you can truly achieve. The two best are ways are 1) to learn directly from others, and 2) start reading books. Books opened up a world of possibility to me, including helping me:

• See what options I have for a career (you can seriously do anything you want, no joke!).
• Realize that these successful people I admire are no different or no better than me; they are real, and have their ups and downs.
• Improve my confidence to step into the unknown and out of my old envisioned path.
• Learn the specific strategies to tackle success in the quickest manner.

And books can do the same for you. The smartest 1% of people read more than 1 book per month, on average.

Three great books that will teach you some founding principles of wealth are:

1. Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill

Napoleon Hill, a depression-era author, dedicated over 22 years of his life to study the extraordinarily successful business people at that time – think Andrew Carnegie, Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, Theodore Roosevelt, and so on. From his research of over 500 people, he found some key lessons that can be used by any single person to achieve massive success, and an abundance of wealth.

“Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve.” – Napoleon Hill

The key to wealth is to develop the proper mindset. In our school system, we are not taught what wealth really is or how to obtain it, so we have to develop this elsewhere. Learning what is possible, and then how to think about wealth is absolutely vital to achieving and maintaining wealth. The wealthy view things differently than the average person, and Napoleon walks readers through exactly how to do that. He develops 13 principles one must know to Think and Grow Rich:

1. Desire
2. Faith
3. Auto-Suggestion
4. Specialized Knowledge
5. Imagination
6. Organized Planning
7. Decision
8. Persistence
9. Power of the Mastermind
10. The Mystery of Sex Transmutation
11. The Subconscious Mind
12. The Brain
13. The Sixth Sense

This is a book to read, highlight, and re-read. It is “deep” when compared to most books published today, but make sure to push through it. We are what we think, and we get out of life whatever we put into it. We are our own biggest enemies, so use this book to get past the psychological barriers that keep you from attaining wealth.

Think and Grow Rich is a book that many millionaires re-read every year. So, put it at the top of your list and build that foundation for long-term success and riches.

2. Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki

The second book that is required reading for the future millionaire is from Robert Kiyosaki. In this easy-to-read book, Robert shares the story of his two dads – 1) his well-educated, biological “poor” father and 2) his friend’s entrepreneurial “rich” dad. The book compares these two men and their approach to wealth and success. By doing this, Robert boils it down to a few key lessons that separate the rich from the poor.

• The rich don’t work for money (creating residual income).
• The importance of financial literacy (you can’t fix what you don’t know).
• Minding your own business (take control of your own income and expenses – don’t hope for something to happen).
• Taxes and corporations (loopholes).
• The rich invent money (taking risks, investing).
• Work to learn; don’t work for money (approach to your career, and J.O.B. – Just Over Broke).

Robert says, “Wealth is a number of days forward that you can survive without working. It is not money. Wealth is measured in time, not dollars.” This book will get you the confidence and awareness of true wealth, and will help propel you to take control of your finances, and build financial freedom (“time”).

3. Secrets of the Millionaire Mind by T. Harv Eker

This is another essential book for those aspiring to find financial freedom. Eker shares his story how he went from trying to be a success so hard to actually having the financial success of his dreams, and what he did to make that switch. He argues that we have been programmed from early on to be either rich or poor, and that ‘by ourselves, we can never see what’s holding us back from reaching our full potential.’ The theme is written from the premise of your worthiness thoughts lead to your actions which lead to your circumstances. Thus, everyone has control of their wealth. Millionaires know how to Eker shares many other tips on what wealth really is, and how to obtain it. This book will provide another boost of confidence to your improving millionaire mindset. Read it and reap the rewards!

 

Books were one of the major starting points for me to get me on a path towards wealth. Make them a part of your routine, and you will be on that same trajectory!

“You are the master of your destiny. You can influence, direct and control your own environment. You can make your life what you want it to be.” – Napoleon Hill

Action Steps:

• Start with one book on a subject that you are passionate about. And whatever you do, add these 3 books to your collection. You won’t regret it!
• Learn to read more quickly and effectively:
  • Read way more books
  • Digest books above your level
  • Speed reading
• When you finish one of the above books, email me your thoughts at:  [email protected]
  • I look forward to hearing from you!