Whether you go to work every day or deal with people from your home, eventually you have to interact with people and, bless their hearts, people can be difficult. The key to becoming successful many times relies on how well you can get along with the people you come in contact with. The better your people skills are many times determines how accomplished and successful you become. I am not just talking about success at work. These books can help relationships with your significant other, family, friends and anyone you come in contact with. From personal experiences, I noticed a difference when I applied the principles and ideas discussed in these books. From my family and friends to coworkers and patients, when I followed the different ideas, my life became easier and I became more successful.
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1. How to Win Friends and Influence People – Dale Carnegie
This book was actually first published in 1936, but, despite its ridiculously long title, it is still so applicable today. Dale originally had a 14 week course where he shared these ideas, and then he made them into a best-selling book. Dale understood that working with people is something that everyone experiences. If you understand how people think, you can then use those tendencies to your advantage and eventually benefit all involve. Topics include “Fundamental Techniques in Handling People” including not criticizing and showing appreciation. There’s also the “Six Ways to Make People Like You” that include being a good listener and making people feel important. Other topics include becoming a leader and how to think like other people. I loved this book because so many of the ideas were immediately applicable and you can get results the same day.
2. Who Moved My Cheese – Dr. Spencer Johnson
Who Moved My Cheese is a little story about Snuff, Scurry, Hem and Haw and their different attitudes as they travel through a maze and get cheese. Sounds simple, but you will be so surprised with what they learn. Who Moved My Cheese talks about changes in our life and how our attitude can make those changes easier. It’s written in a parable format so it’s quick to read and easy to follow. At the end of the book you will be asking which character you are and which character do you wish you were. This book will quickly have you thinking what you would do in the same situation and how you can apply the lesson in your life.
3. The Go Giver – Bob Burg and John D. Mann
The Go Giver quickly became one of my favorite books. It is a short book that I couldn’t put down. The book is told in a story format but along the way the characters discover 5 laws to becoming successful – laws such as the “Law of Compensation” to the “Law of Authenticity.” The books takes the laws and applies to them to your life in a simple way where you can get results easily. The characters are engaging, and their backgrounds and stories will have you asking yourself how you can make you change your life. You will want to read The Go Giver again and again and apply the “laws” as quickly as possible.
4. The Question Behind the Question – John G. Miller
The Question Behind the Question (QBQ) is made up of many very short chapters with short stories and ideas that you can apply to your life to get you started in the right direction. QBQ talks about how a lack of personal accountability has become such a problem in our society. QBQ will tell you how you can quickly correct this mindset and how to put personal accountability into daily action with amazing results. QBQ is funny and witty and also a quick read.
Whether you decide to read all of these books or just one, you won’t go wrong. You will be amazed how quickly these books can affect and change your life for the better!
Originally published August 3, 2016
Ann
Wednesday 3rd of August 2016
How to Win Friends and Influence People is definitely one of the most influential books I've read in my life. Read it in college and its principles really influenced how I communicate with people.
Courtney Schmidt
Wednesday 3rd of August 2016
Love this! Hubby is always reading books similar to this. Maybe I should too!
Zinga Hart
Wednesday 3rd of August 2016
The Go-Giver was an excellent and refreshing read!
Amanda Bodine
Saturday 6th of August 2016
I thought so too! It was my favorite!