This book is on Paul’s reading list.  It was recommended by Bonnie Mackin of Allen and Mackin Agency, Goosehead Insurance:

From Amazons description:

What does everyone in the modern world need to know? Renowned psychologist Jordan B. Peterson’s answer to this most difficult of questions uniquely combines the hard-won truths of ancient tradition with the stunning revelations of cutting-edge scientific research.

Humorous, surprising and informative, Dr. Peterson tells us why skateboarding boys and girls must be left alone, what terrible fate awaits those who criticize too easily, and why you should always pet a cat when you meet one on the street.

This book presents the concept of the paradigm as a means of solving a problem. It explores the lifetime curve of a paradigm, how new paradigms come into play, and how to look for and benefit from new ideas that become the new paradigms. This can make the difference between a business that thrives, or one that becomes obsolete. For example, when was the last time you listened to an LP record? Many young people are not even aware of what an LP is. The recording industry has had two such disruptive shifts in paradigm in the last 40 years – from LP to CD, and then to fully electronic MP3.  There are countless other examples.

The word Paradigm is used differently in the Bob Proctor context, where it is taken to mean a collection of habits that control our behavior.  The habits may be ways of doing something, an idea, or simply a habit of thought.  For example, I may have a habit of thought that “I am a bad person”  or “I am unloveable.”  Habitual thoughts that are… less than supportive… can sabotage my ability to thrive and achieve the things I want.  Changing such habits can be life-changing!

This is a must-read book about how Timothy Ferriss built an online business.  But that’s not why you should read it.  Along with the internet business he covers things such as the 80/20 rule, as it applies to customers and time spent supporting them, i.e. 20% of your customers take 80% of your time.  20% of your customers produce 80% of your income.  So, it’s worth really focusing on who you want to do business with, and maybe let some of the high maintenance customers go.  It’s chock full of ideas of how you can work smarter rather than harder.  Don’t be the fly in the window, described in the opening of You² by Price Pritchett

Recommended by Catherine Mulvihill of My Happy Insides

Catherine mentioned, not this book in particular, but the concept of the Enneagram and how she’s used it to understand herself, her partner, and others she works with.

There are a number of other books on Amazon on the Enneagram topic which you will probably see when you follow the Amazon link.  There is also a Enneagram Institute created in 1997 by the authors Don Richard Riso and Russ Hudson.  There are also Enneagram tests online that you can take for free to determine your type.

Models like this help to understand one’s self as well as others.  Where there is understanding, there is better communication, better relationships, better lives.  This is one of many models; the ones we have experienced have all proven helpful.

From Amazon’s description:

The first definitive guide to using the wisdom of the enneagram for spiritual and psychological growth

The ancient symbol of the Enneagram has become one of today’s most popular systems for self-understanding, based on nine distinct personality types. Now, two of the world’s foremost Enneagram authorities introduce a powerful new way to use the Enneagram as a tool for personal transformation and development. Whatever your spiritual background, the Enneagram shows how you can overcome your inner barriers, realize your unique gifts and strengths, and discover your deepest direction in life.

The Wisdom of the Enneagram includes:

Two highly accurate questionnaires for determining your type
Vivid individual profiles focused on maximizing each type’s potential and minimizing predictable pitfalls
Spiritual Jump Starts, Wake-Up Calls, and Red Flags for each type
Dozens of individualized exercises and practical strategies for letting go of troublesome habits, improving relationships, and increasing inner freedom
Revealing insights into the deepest motivations, fears, and desires of each type

Highly accessible, yet filled with sophisticated concepts and techniques found nowhere else, The Wisdom of the Enneagram is a strikingly new fusion of psychology and spirituality. It offers an exciting vision of human possibility and a clear map of the nine paths to our highest self-expression.

I was so moved by “The Road Less Travelled” that when this book came out I had to read it.

This book contains, among other things, Dr. Peck’s model of spiritual growth which I reference in my book Rules Of The Spirit.  That one thing makes this book a worthy read.

The model is Dr. Peck’s condensed version of theologian James Fowler’s “Stages of Faith” – a 7-stage model, and rather a difficult read; it’ll make your head hurt.

Since I reference Dr. Peck’s model frequently, the question often comes up – is one stage better than another.  I liken the question to asking whether it’s better to be a 10 year old, or a 15 year old, or an adult. Is one better than the other?  I would say no, they are just natural stages of growth.  It is good to move along the growth curve, and I wouldn’t really want to go back, but it doesn’t seem appropriate to say that one is better than the other.  Interestingly, “adult” applies, at least legally, to anyone 18 years of age or older, but I bet you’d agree that there is a vast difference between an 18-year-old and a 60-year-old.  The mental, emotional, and spiritual growth doesn’t necessarily stop at 18.

The real benefit of the model is that with an understanding of the model, and being able to identify where another person fits into the model, it becomes possible to modify my own behavior to fit the other person.  Since a Stage 2 Institutional finds peace in their “black and whiteness” it doesn’t help for me to speak in terms of technicolor – it just pushes them into fear, and the fear shuts down communication.  One thing Ann and I have found is that people are where they need to be, spiritually.  It doesn’t help to try to get someone to understand concepts they’re not ready for – when they’re ready they’ll seek it out.  You can lead a horse to water but you can’t make it drink.  When the student is ready, the teacher will appear.  The inverse is true: when the teacher is ready, the student will appear.

This book is on Paul’s reading list.  It was chosen based on The Miracle Morning, recommended by Teresa Kenny of Flawless Beauty of Charlottesville:

From Amazons description:

The Miracle Morning for Salespeople brings you the Life S.A.V.E.R.S. as a guide for taking your SALES to the next level. Get beyond the typical sales advice and get into a daily rhythm that will transform your career.