Essential Reads from a CEO: 5 Books that Inspired Success
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Chapter 1: The Millionaire CEO's Journey
A year and a half ago, my CEO achieved the remarkable feat of selling his company for $30 million after a decade filled with dedication and hard work. I've shared many valuable insights and lessons gleaned from his experience on this platform. He always kept his office door open, encouraging anyone to drop in with questions. He even welcomed us to use his office for meetings in his absence, ensuring the space wasn't wasted. Every time I utilized his office, I was struck by the impressive collection of books lining the shelves.
Books hold immense value in the pursuit of knowledge and growth. Whether you're venturing into business, enhancing family relationships, or learning new skills, they can provide guidance, inspiration, and critical thinking skills. Whether fictional or factual, books challenge our perspectives and ignite creativity.
My CEO, a devoted non-fiction reader, is also part of a book club that meets every Friday. In this article, I'll highlight five influential books I discovered in his office, which I also read and that significantly impacted my life and career. While I haven’t reached the $30 million milestone he achieved, I've been steadily building my own business over the past two and a half years through blogging and, more recently, video production.
For each book, I will share memories and lessons learned from my CEO and how they connect to the book's teachings, as well as how I've applied these lessons in my own life and business.
Section 1.1: The One Thing — Gary Keller
Gary Keller, a real estate professional, sought innovative methods to attract customers to his business. He and his team decided to pen a bestselling book focused on productivity. Their goal was straightforward: the more attention the book garnered, the more potential clients they would draw in.
Keller dedicated months to crafting the best book he could on work and efficiency, and upon its release, it became a significant success, boosting his business. The book revolves around one fundamental question:
"What’s the one thing you can do such that by doing it, everything else becomes easier or unnecessary?"
As I embarked on my blogging journey alongside my 9-5 job, I quickly identified my "one thing": writing. It became the cornerstone of my business; without it, I couldn't create content, attract traffic, or grow.
Similarly, my CEO’s primary focus in building his business was securing funding. Even in the final years before his sale, he frequently engaged with investors to secure additional capital or update them on their investments. His commitment to advancing the business financially was paramount, while other critical elements were managed by dedicated teams.
Initially, my CEO was involved in every aspect of the company, from tech to sales. Over time, he learned to delegate effectively, focusing on his primary responsibilities, which ultimately contributed to his success and the company’s sale.
Section 1.2: Eat That Frog — Brian Tracy
The essence of this book can be captured in a quote from Mark Twain:
"If the first thing you do each morning is to eat a live frog, you can go through the day with the satisfaction of knowing that is probably the worst thing that will happen to you all day long."
Your "frog" represents the most crucial task you tend to procrastinate on. Similar to the "One Thing" concept, this book emphasizes prioritizing your most significant task first thing in the morning.
I shared a screenshot of my CEO's calendar in a previous article, highlighting how he consistently scheduled management check-ins early in the day. This strategy ensured that the most challenging tasks were tackled when he was at his peak.
In my own routine, I adopted an early morning writing habit, starting at 6:30 am. This commitment enabled me to publish three articles weekly for a year, laying a solid foundation for my blog.
Chapter 2: Deep Work — Cal Newport
Deep Work refers to the ability to concentrate without distraction on complex tasks. This skill allows individuals to master intricate information and achieve superior results in less time.
With the rise of smartphones and social media, the ability to focus has become increasingly rare yet valuable. In his book, Newport mentions Bill Gates' "Think Weeks," where Gates would isolate himself to read and ponder significant ideas. My CEO, after selling his company, invested in a lakeside retreat for similar purposes.
A significant challenge in growing a company is that as it expands, the ability to focus on it diminishes. My CEO learned this lesson when investors advised him to refocus on critical tasks, ultimately allowing him to steer the company through tough times.
Section 2.1: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People — Stephen R. Covey
Initially hesitant to read this book, I ultimately realized its importance in the realm of self-improvement. Covey emphasizes the significance of having a personal mission statement.
Your mission statement serves as a guiding document, outlining the life you aspire to lead and the impact you wish to have on others. My CEO, despite his busy schedule, prioritized family events in his calendar, reflecting the importance of balancing professional and personal commitments.
Section 2.2: Measure What Matters — John Doerr
This book introduces the OKR (Objectives and Key Results) framework, developed by Andrew Grove of Intel. The OKR strategy continues to be utilized by major companies like Google, emphasizing clear objectives and measurable outcomes.
Many times, our company faced dire situations, but the implementation of the OKR strategy transformed our operations. This shift allowed us to set realistic goals, fostering transparency and alignment across teams.
Within two years of adopting the OKR framework, my CEO's company transformed from the brink of failure to achieving a $30 million acquisition.
In conclusion, I hope this list of books resonates with you and inspires your journey. The five titles mentioned offer invaluable lessons applicable to both personal growth and business success.