I’ve been on my journey for financial freedom for almost 10 years now...that sounds like a long time, but if as I look at the amount I’ve learned in those 10 years, it doesn’t seem that long to me.

Here is the list of books I’ve read, audio I’ve been listening to, seminars attended, etc. I’m putting a few thoughts in on each subject, particularly the impacts each has had on me:

Rich Dad Poor Dad

By Robert Kiyosaki

My wife and I read this book on our honeymoon. I found it to be a little slow and highly repetitive, but it laid the foundation for me. It opened my eyes to looking at all of the education I had received up till then, andmade me realize that if I worked smart and invested better that I could be financially free. IT was something that anyone could obtain.

Cashflow Quadrant

By Robert Kiyosaki

I’d have to say that this book had the greatest impact on me, over any other book I’ve ever read. It took the basic concepts from Rich Dad Poor Dad and took it to a whole new level. I now understand that there are Employees, Self Employed, Business Owners and Investors in the world and that they all think differently. At the time I read this book, I was entrenched in thoughts and mindset of an employee. Everything I did was for salary and benefits. After reading this book, I realized that I didn’t have to work for someone else. I quickly became and independent consultant and started an LLC. My income advanced significantly and my quality of life also changed. I was now working locally instead of flying to clients and leaving my wife at home for four nights a week.

Unleash the Power Within (UPW)

By Tony Robbins - Northern NJ 2007

I had purchased and listened to Tony Robbin’s Unlimited Power tapes back in the early 90’s. They had a significant impact on my life (inspired me to go to Graduate School, travel the world, and have basic confidence in myself). My wife and I purchased the updated version around 03 or 04. Eventually we made it to a UPW event in northern NJ in 2007. This re-awakened my confidence. I was inspired and I knew I was on the right path. At that time one of my businesses was failing and I was letting this get to me. UPW turned things around. If you attend one of these events, I guarantee it will change your life. If nothing else, you’ll be amazed at Tony’s stamina & capabilities. Just seeing him on stage, focused & teaching 4000+ people for three 12+ hour days in a row......you’ll start to understand that humans are much more capable than anything you currently think is possible.

Own Your Own Corporation

Rich Dad series

This book covers the basics of the different business types. Not very exciting, but it will open your eyes to how and why corporations exist and why you need to incorporate for any endeavor you as.

Before You Quit Your Job

By Robert Kiyosaki

Yes, I’m a fan of the Kiyosaki books, if you couldn’t tell.....I felt that this book was written specifically for me. I was already an independent consultant, recovering from my financial losses with one of my businesses when I finished reading this book. It really hit home for me and allowed me to take my learnings from that experience and apply it to my next round of projects. This book covers that basics of what you really need to know before you take the leap of starting a business. What I found really interesting is that Kiyosaki talks about what he did to launch the Rich Dad business. While he teaches a lot about real estate, this book opened my eyes and re-affirmed that I’m on the right track by creating businesses. They’re much more scalable and can generate infinite returns. Something that is much more difficult to do with real estate.

Raising Capital Event

By Robert Kiyosaki, Phoenix Arizona, May 2009

I believe this was a unique event put on my the Robert Kiyosaki. I don’t know that he’s going to put it on again. If he does, and you want to truly be an entrepreneur, you should attend it, but be on your journey already. You’ll learn more from it with some real world experiences under your belt. Here’s what I took away from this event:

1. - Integrity is everything: be a stand up person, don’t make excuses

2. - If you make a mistake, own it and correct it....don’t waste time trying to hide it or, worse, blaming someone else

3. - the mission and the team are everything. You can’t build a business on your own. You must have a well rounded team with great leadership

4. - Image is just as important as integrity. Look like someone people want to invest it. Keep your image up to date & you’ll be visually communicating volumes about yourself.

I learned so much more at this event, but those are the basics. This event pulled it all together for me personally. I had a lot of leadership and team experience from my consulting career. I’m not transferring these skills to starting businesses. Prior to this, I tried to start and run my businesses with all the weight on just myself and my wife. That has all changed since this event. I now have a team of 6 equity partners working on our next business. I’m contributing and leading and all of my team is tackling the stuff it would take me years to learn and execute on.

The New Money Masters

By Tony Robbins

This subscription program from Tony publishes interview with top internet marketers / entrepreneurs. I can’t say enough about this program. If you’re thinking of launching a business, specifically and internet based business, you’ll do well to subscribe to this program. I’ve learned at least 3 or 4 new things from each interview and I’m applying these learnings to my new business launch. I’ll let you know how it works out when we launch.

As a Man Thinketh

by James Allen

Read and re-read this book. After hearing Tony Robbins mention this book for years, I finally found an on-line version of it and read it in about 30 min. I believe this book is a MUST READ for everyone. It’s that important!

Good to Great

By Jim Collins

Jim Collins takes a research based approach to what makes companies and organizations great. If you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or business leader, this book puts the facts into perspective.

GTD workflow map with David Allen Coaching DVD

By David Allen

I was introduced to Getting Things Done in 2008. I started using some iPhone apps that supported this methodology of task tracking & time management. It wasn’t until I came across the GTD workflow map & coaching DVD that I really understood why I was having problems getting stuff accomplished in my life. Today’s world is extremely complex and trying to do more than just being employed is a very difficult task. David Allen’s GTD methodology and tools makes a complex world much easier to navigate.