Anyone who knows me knows I am a reader. I devote two hours a day to reading about business and health, and I get in those fun books whenever I can.
Why? Because when I got into business for myself, I realized how much my education DIDN'T teach me about business, health, fitness and surviving in the world;
Secondly, a dedication to self improvement and evolving education is what will keep me ahead of the game in my industry and I find reading a relaxing and rewarding way to escape time.
Here are some of my top books that I recommend to my coaching and personal training clients that are starting out or looking to grow in the fitness industry.
Book Yourself Solid - Michael Port This is a standout book, literally my NUMBER ONE for personal trainers and service coaches. BYS also comes with a work book and strategies to grow, I mean REALLY GROW your business. If you are a general fitness coach that is competing in the market vis pricing and availability, you are doing yourself a disservice - and you amount of free time and personal life is usually proof. This book guides you to think about your skills, think about your favorite clients (we all have them) and how get after them! Also, if you already have a good client base and you want to earn more, Port takes you through actions steps of spreading the word. I had to stop reading three times in order to catch up with his steps and let my business grow until I could progress further. If you need a clearer idea of what you can bring to the table and how you want to work, this book is just for you. How to Win Friends and Influence People - Dale Carnige Good breeding and good manners will never go out of style, and great news: those things can be learned. HTWFAIP was first published in 1937 and has remained on the top business books lists for a reason: everyone loves working with a class act. Learn how to pitch your idea, pen a savvy email and remember names - also how to politely tell people to kick rocks! I can't tell you how impressed my clients are when I remember the names of 200+ members of my gym. This business is important to me and so are the people that make it possible, my words and actions portray that. If you want you, your product and you brand to be lasting and in good reputation, get to the classics. Viralnomics: How to Get People to Want to Talk About You - Jonathan Goodman TAKE NOTES when you read this. I did and I reference them often when I'm doing my online marketing. With just a little more time on social media and talking to the right people, you too can get you name out and floating on the lips of those with great influence; How to use Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, who to talk to and how when you are online, networking around town and where your business cards should be. The fact is, gone are the days where pretty picture of abs and food make you famous. You need to deliver the right content at the right time, to the right people. Learn that in this book. 80/20 Sales and Marketing: The Definitive Guide to Working Less and Making More - Perry Marshall, Richard Koch
If you are ready for some great truth AND time saving techniques, pick up this bad boy. I think there are at least 5 good books on the 80/20 rule/Pareto Principal and everyone of them is useful. The fact is, only about 20% of our effort yield great results, not good - great results. Lean how to identify them and utilize this to your advantage. At first, I found this book a bit on the sharky side, but I quickly realized that if you want to sell, being hungry, hunting and meticulous is best. Even good sales person knows it's about numbers. After you get over the slightly nihilistic slump that comes with reading this, you can kick it into high gear and keenly observe the best 20% of your actions and gear you efforts to your advantage.
4 Hour Work Week - Tim Ferriss
The book that started an Entrepreneurial Revolution is still reading gold. Even if you are doing you business alone, you don't have to do everything yourself. Your wallet and business can benefit from some tips and tricks and 4HWW is stock full of them; from getting you t-shirt side hustle on to creating a schedule without the hassle of phone calls and emails, this book is shortcut heaven. One of the lines in the book "Your money is worth three time more when you don't have to be at a specific place to earn it." This is THE book that open a generations minds to working outside the box.