I love this quote from Stephen King, “Good books don’t give up all their secrets at once.” I reread and study some of my favorite books which continue to tell me their secrets.
When I got my start in recording and podcasting, books became some of my best friends. They spoke to me in ways mere humans could not, they were a constant companion when there was no one on the other end of the phone to call, they were there in hotel rooms and on planes and while I was standing in line to get my Starbucks fix.
These are some of my recent favorites – so whether you’re looking for a fresh source of inspiration, education, or just plain entertainment, consider checking these out. There are tons of great titles out there, but these have been really meaningful to me.
Book 1: The 4-Hour Workweek – Timothy Ferriss
Forget the old concept of retirement and the rest of the deferred-life plan–there is no need to wait and every reason not to, especially in unpredictable economic times. Whether your dream is escaping the rat race, experiencing high-end world travel, or earning a monthly five-figure income with zero management, The 4-Hour Workweek is the blueprint.
This is the book that gave me the confidence to leave my last day job. I re-read it every year. One of my favorite quotes from this book was “Money is multiplied in practical value depending on the number of W’s you control in your life: WHAT you do, WHEN you do it, WHERE you do it, and with WHOM you do it.”
If you’d like to get it on Amazon, here’s the link. https://amzn.to/2uQtCGo
Book 2: Zen and the Art of Mixing – Mixerman
With a firm commitment to art over technology and to maintaining a grasp of each, Mixerman outlines his own approach to recording success, based on his years mixing records in all genres of music for all kinds of artists, often under trying circumstances. As he states in his introduction to the new volume, “Even if you’re not a professional mixer, even if you’re a musician trying to mix your own work or a studio owner in a smaller market, you have your own set of pressures to deal with while you’re mixing. Regardless of what those pressures are, it’s important to identify and recognize them, if for no other reason than so you can learn to completely ignore them.” But how? “That’s where the Zen comes in.”
This book gave me a great basis for doing client work and staying sane.
One of my favorite quotes from this book was “While there’s no doubt that WHAT you think about while mixing is critical to making good decisions, it’s what you AVOID thinking about that can ultimately determine your success on any given mix.”
If you’d like to get it on Amazon, here’s the link. https://amzn.to/2JURuxi
Book 3: Marketing the Magic – John DeLancey
Disney makes it seem so easy. It’s the best-marketed brand in the world, and everyone wants to do what Disney does, in selling their own product or service. It’s not easy. But you can do it. As long as you know it starts with a story….
Story is the basis of the Disney marketing machine. Disney always tells a story, and it’s the story that makes the sale.
How can you start telling stories, the kind that will bring your brand exposure, profit, and success?
In Marketing the Magic, John DeLancey strips Mickey to his bare essentials, looks at what makes him tick, and then builds a game plan that you can follow to put the power of Disney story-telling magic to work for you.
One of my favorite quotes from this book was “Story Makes it so much easier to understand and understanding is what we must offer our customers in a world that grows more complex by the day.”
If you’d like to get it on Amazon, here’s the link. https://amzn.to/2LFbM2x
What are some of your favorites? I’d love to hear them — especially if you’re in a season of growing your business and building your community. Share and comment on your favorite social channel!
