2 Part Reading + 8 Parts Execution = Entrepreneurial Success
June 24, 2007 – 10:53 pmI love to read. I have two large bookshelves filled with books as well as boxes in the garage. In addition I frequent the library, subscribe to magazines and regularly surf the net. Those facts, plus one B.S. in CompE and a M.S. in EE = lots of reading. But it was not until I became an entrepreneur that I shifted gears radically and brought my head up out of the books.
While not giving up my reading, I spend much more time in execution mode. I use a rough Pareto Principle distribution to determine this ideal formula and so far I have experienced great success both in personal and business life. A big factor in the change of methods (before it was more like 8 parts reading and 2 parts execution) was a key quote my mentor has ingrained into my mind: “Act first, ask for forgiveness later”. No doubt, there are many things that I did disastrously wrong using these principles; however, the lessons learned were invaluable.
For me the joy of execution is witnessing the effect of your cause. It is truly amazing to see the fruit of your labor whether it work out as expected or not. Either way it was an act of creation and a ripple effect was created. My goal is to effect positively the greatest number of people for the longest duration of time… one ripple effect at a time.
The following are three foundational books that opened my eyes to entrepreneurship:
- Rich Dad, Poor Dad
- I read this book in one night. It opened up my eyes to the concept of owning the corporate ladder vs. climbing the corporate ladder.
- Think and Grow Rich
- This book showed me “the secret” to getting anything you want.
- E-Myth Revisited
- Mr. Gerber taught me how to start a business the right way from the beginning.
What were some key books on your road to entrepreneurship?