World Book Day, 23rd April 2020

I’ve read many great books, articles and blogs and listened to numerous audiobooks and podcasts but I wanted to highlight just four books that have been the most useful to me.  I’m sure you will find them useful, too.  I certainly hope so.

They are all self-development books that enable the reader to improve specific areas of their life by applying the lessons taught.  They’re a bridge to a larger pool of wisdom from all four authors, each of whom have written numerous other excellent books.

I refer back to all of these books periodically and re-read them.  Why?  Because the lessons are so valuable and because with each read you gain new insight.  Since they’re personal development books, the onus is on the reader to apply the wisdom to their own lives by completing the various exercises and following the advice.  Quite simply, the more effort you apply, the more benefit you’ll gain.

1. THE POWER OF POSITIVE LIVING – Dr. NORMAN VINCENT PEALE 

I first read this book at the age of 17, some 24 years ago, as I was in the transition from school to university and about to embark on the Commando course then onwards into a career as an Army Officer and an Attack Helicopter pilot.  It enabled me to meet the challenges and milestones that I was about to face over the coming years with a positive attitude and huge confidence and belief in myself that I would achieve everything I set out to. 

I’m still reaping the rewards of the wisdom years later in that the core of my character is positive, optimistic, enthusiastic and confident.

2. BUZANS BOOK OF GENIUS – TONY BUZAN & RAYMOND KEENE

I read Buzan’s book of Genius about the same time, 24 years ago, and this was the other book that stands out as having had the biggest impact on my life.  It’s split into two sections; the first part outlines every aspect of human intelligence and how you can develop in every area of your life; the second half is a library of the 100 greatest geniuses of all time, accompanied by an analysis of what made them great.

I drew huge inspiration from seeing the possibilities of the virtually unlimited potential of the human being given the right thoughts and actions.  It was the starting point for my continuous self-development.

3. THINK AND GROW RICH – NAPOLEAN HILL

I came to this outstanding book several years ago, aware of its popularity amongst those willing to invest time and effort in their self-development in order to increase their success in life.

The essence of the book is about applying the 13 success principles, fundamental to the success of the most accomplished people of the era in which it was written, to achieve greatness is your own life. 

4. MAXIMUM ACHIEVEMENT – BRIAN TRACY

I have found Brian Tracy to be a font of knowledge and great wisdom across a broad range of business and life success topics.  Maximum Achievement is a comprehensive self-development manual which explores the psychology of every aspect of one’s life in order to achieve great success.  It is a summary book that covers all the sub-sections of the human psyche and the lessons compliment and reinforce the other books I’ve chosen here, as well as Brian’s numerous other publications. 

SUMMARY

I hope you’ve found this helpful.  The wisdom within these great books has been instrumental to achieving my own success and I have applied the lessons to creating, developing and leading V-FORCE. https://v-forcetraining.com/

Best wishes

Chris Vosper
V-FORCE Training
0118 950 5280