Quote: (08-07-2013 10:23 PM)Beyond Borders Wrote:
Quote: (08-07-2013 09:38 PM)Vacancier Permanent Wrote:
Rich Dad, Poor Dad
The first book that really gave me the entrepreneurial bug me was Rich Dad, Poor Dad. As a young buck fresh out of high school at the time, in 2000-2001, that book was the single biggest influence on me at the time. So much that it was that book that shaped the rest of my entrepreneurial mindset. This was the book that taught me about money, how to make it, how to use it, how to respect it and how to leverage it. These should be mandatory teachings in school, however and unfortunately they are not.
Also a big one for me. Definitely a big influence on my life - and another book people paint with as hype and fluff, by the way. A great primer in entrepreneurial thinking.
Quote: (08-07-2013 09:38 PM)Vacancier Permanent Wrote:
The 4 Hour Work Week
Of course, the 4 Hour Work Week has been also of paramount importance to my life. This is what truly pushed me and gave me kick in the butt to get out, dare and not only start my first online biz but also to think in terms of long term travels. At the time, in July 2007, I had just returned from 2 blissful months in Brasil and Argentina and this book was like a godsend. Struck me like thunder in the deepest of my soul. Couldn't put it down. Read it twice in a row. This is one of the classic cases of you either love it or hate it, with no in between. I personally love it as it introduced me to notions and concepts that have literally changed my life, my mindset and the way I do things.
It's funny that people still call complete bullshit on that book when it's changed so many people's lives and created the exact type of people Ferris talked about.
It's a knee jerk reaction. People think "What!?!? No way you can only work 4 hours per week!" and claim the book is garbage.
I don't take everything he says to heart, and I know the guy is a marketing genius. However, the book makes you look at things in a whole different perspective. Maybe there IS a better way to start a business and to live your life.
Outsourcing, 80/20, build a business to fund your desired lifestyle, etc. were all very useful ideas to me. The book changed my mindset, and without it I may not have been able to live in Thailand for nearly a year and a half now. Hell, I may not have even realized it was possible to make money online and live in foreign countries.