What book has helped you the most? and why?

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What book has helped you the most? and why?

Jamie Fankhauser
Member since 2020 · 12 posts · 35 votes

Whether it be REI, Personal development, leadership, mindset, etc. - what book has impacted you in a major way and why? Looking to add some recommendations to my reading list!

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Joshua D.
Investor · Columbus, MT · Member since 2013 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
5y

@Jamie Fankhauser

My most recommend books are...

1. Millionaire next door.

2. Richest man in babolyon (free PDF)

3. Rich Dad poor dad

4. Proverbs (in the Bible)

I like books that you have to have to interpret and make you think. Rather than step by step books that are hardly ever accurate for each person.

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  • Jamie Fankhauser
    OP
    Member since 2020 · 12 posts · 35 votes
    5y

    @Seth Hochberg I need to get my hands on Slight Edge , I've heard so many great reviews about it! I appreciate you going in depth with how these books have impacted you and changed your perspective - I am right there with you on "It's also helpful to remind myself that luxury is not the end-goal". Yes financial freedom is a major goal but the end goal for me it's all about living a life of influence while becoming the very best version of myself through the daily habits I put into place.


    Thanks for the recommendation on the Mr. Money Mustache blog, I plan to check it out tonight!

    2Reply
  • Jamie Fankhauser
    OP
    Member since 2020 · 12 posts · 35 votes
    5y

    @Ola Dantis  Awesome to hear reading is a big hobby of yours - it's starting to become one of mine too lol.

    I am adding that book to my list - it sounds like a powerful read that will offer great perspective!!

    thank you for the recommendation(:

    2Reply
  • Christopher Hill
    Investor · Palmdale, CA · Member since 2020 · 46 posts · 29 votes
    5y

    Great lists of books. I'd like to add Psycho Cybernetics - Maxwell Maltz, The Greatest Salesman in the World - Og Mandino and The Difference Maker - John C. Maxwell.

    2Reply
  • Mike B.
    Rental Property Investor · Madison, WI · Member since 2020 · 91 posts · 71 votes
    5y

    @Jim K.

    Mic drop

    1Reply
  • Christie Duffy
    Real Estate Agent · North Jersey · Member since 2016 · 76 posts · 29 votes
    5y

    @Jamie Fankhauser WHO NOT HOW is now one of my favorite books. Got it for Xmas, finished it in a few days.

    2Reply
  • Adam Lacey
    Investor · Castle Rock, CO · Member since 2018 · 297 posts · 159 votes
    5y

    @Michael Orlando Atomic Habits great. Also give The Slight Edge a read. Very similar in message but both offer different perspectives/voices.

    0Reply
  • Philip Johnson
    Rental Property Investor · Hartford. CT · Member since 2018 · 178 posts · 54 votes
    5y
    The book of life. You learn the most from mistakes and experience.
    1Reply
  • Julian Gonda
    Realtor · Bay Area, CA · Member since 2019 · 52 posts · 28 votes
    5y

    Thanks for this discussion @Jamie Fankhauser, enjoyed seeing everyone’s input—both the commonalities and unique personal favorites.

    I’ll add “The Rise of Superman” by Steven Kotler. Speaks on the psychology of flow state and optimal performance. Makes you think about your own personal “in-the-zone” activities (with work, recreational, creative arts, etc). Interesting neuro stuff!

    (After seeing the previous posts, I ought to read Millionaire Next Door lol.)

    0Reply
  • Mark Kelley
    Investor · Raleigh, NC · Member since 2016 · 82 posts · 34 votes
    5y

    A recommendation from the tech startup space, Crossing the Chasm by Geoffrey Moore. It’s all about the technology adoption lifecycle and how to market hi tech products. It’s concepts have had the biggest impact on my career as I’ve tried, failed, and succeeded. There are many lessons one can apply to real estate, especially if someone identifies a tech play in real estate. Since this book is basically the handbook for every technology startup, it also gives you perspective to recognize the marketing strategies of the high profile tech companies around us and how consumers and businesses adopt and leave behind their products.

    0Reply
  • Logan Hartle
    Real Estate Broker · Charlotte, NC · Member since 2020 · 114 posts · 64 votes
    5y

    @Jamie Fankhauser

    General Mindset: Extreme Ownership, The One Thing

    Wealth Mindset: Rich Dad Poor Dad

    Marketing: Friction

    Negotiation : Never Split the Difference

    Fun Read: Damn Few

    Other great ones: Checklist Manifesto, The E-Myth

    0Reply
  • Tucker Cummings
    Investor · Raleigh, NC · Member since 2019 · 433 posts · 743 votes
    5y

    I set out a goal to read 52 books in a year, or one book per week. One of my FAVORITE's was the sequel to Rich Dad Poor Dad, which is Cash Flow Quadrant by Robert Kiyosaki. That one was great. But here's something that has really stuck out to me from "Richest Man in Babylon"

    I'm paraphrasing, but essentially he says somewhere in the book that "most people don't create wealth because they don't try to get wealthy." Then when I take a step back and look at society, I think he's exactly right. How many people are actually trying to create long lasting wealth?

    Then I just read this yesterday, the book was quoting Robert Kennedy - "Some men see things that are and think, Why? I see things that never were and think, Why not?" I'm still molding over that quote, but it's been stuck on my mind lately.

    Overall, I've seen that most books repeat what other books say in a particular genre or topic, but they might have just one or two differentiating points. That being said, I've found that by constantly fueling my brain with intelligent input, I'm having more intelligent output. Assuming you're just talking about RE and investing, here are a few other books I've enjoyed this year.

    1. 1. Set for Lift by Scott Trench
    2. 2. Multiple Streams of Income by Robert Allen
    3. 3. Buy Then Build by Walker Deibel
    4. 4. The book on Tax Strategies for Beginners
    5. 5. Never Split the Difference by Christopher Voss
      0Reply
    1. Ian WalshBusiness Member
      Lender · Philadelphia, PA · Member since 2016 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
      5y

      There are several but Rich Dad Poor Dad was my first book that got me into the business.

      0Reply
    2. Brandt BaizePro Member
      Investor · St. Petersburg · Member since 2020 · 25 posts · 12 votes
      5y

      Rich Dad Poor Dad (this book changed my wife's way of thinking, along with the game), Richest Man in Babylon, Think and Grow Rich, The Magic of Thinking Big.  I have plenty more.

      I think you have to change your mindset to think differently than how 99% of us are brought up to think before you can become a successful investor.  These books are great to help you understand how money works for you, how your mindset and positive energy play a HUGE role in success. 

      The one thing I have realized is WRITING down your goals and seeing them, reading them, writing them everyday will make them a reality.  We are starting our next Intentions Journal this week.

      If you want to take it another step get a coach.  That is a common topic in a lot of great investing books and something big investors talk about having.  We are in the process of looking for a coach.

      0Reply
    3. Michael Cox
      Rental Property Investor · Philadelphia, PA · Member since 2020 · 23 posts · 7 votes
      5y

      @Jamie Fankhauser

      Who Moved My Cheese by Spencer Johnson, M.D.

      It's a quick but impact book on the topic of change. It details the experience of a couple characters and there reactions to change. I found myself referencing that book whenever I hit an unexpected road block in this crazy REI world.

      0Reply
    4. Antonio Marquez
      Specialist · Boise, ID · Member since 2018 · 3 posts · 0 votes
      5y

      @Nick Barlow

      Do you have a book recommendation for learning the tax side of real estate?

      0Reply
    5. Philip L.
      Wholesaler · FL · Member since 2018 · 180 posts · 53 votes
      5y

      I really enjoyed the who not how book it's making me think in a completely new way.

      0Reply
    6. Vincent Ponce
      Member since 2020 · 1 post · 0 votes
      5y

      @Jamie Fankhauser

      1. Think & Grow Rich

      2. Rich Dad Poor Dad

      3. Atomic Habits

      0Reply
    7. JD MartinBusiness Member
      Moderator
      Rock Star Extraordinaire · Northeast, TN · Member since 2015 · 10k+ posts · 17k+ votes
      5y
      Originally posted by @Philip Johnson:
      The book of life. You learn the most from mistakes and experience.

      “Learn from the mistakes of others. You can’t live long enough to make them all yourself.” - Eleanor Roosevelt

      Podcast Guest on Show #243
      Skyline Properties
      View Page
      0Reply
    8. Kwame Amoako
      Real Estate Agent · Columbus, OH · Member since 2019 · 82 posts · 133 votes
      5y

      @Jamie Fankhauser The book that helped me understand the investment side of real estate the best was, "What every real estate investor needs to know about Cashflow by Frank Gallinelli." 

      0Reply
    9. Michael K.
      Investor · Chicago, IL · Member since 2018 · 352 posts · 176 votes
      5y

      @Jamie Fankhauser

      For a long read, look at "Capital in the 21st Century", Thomas piketty. Its long and not specifically about real estate, more the history of wealth and money. And for a quick read, rich dad poor dad.

      0Reply
    10. Account Closed
      FL · Member since 2021 · 4 posts · 0 votes
      5y

      @Jamie Fankhauser I know it may seem a little cliche but Rich Dad Poor Dad changed my life. I was 22 years old and it inspired me to buy my first house.

      Years later The Book on Rental Property Investing (audiobook actually) by Brandon Turner is what inspired me to dive deeper into REI.

      0Reply
    11. Samara HuntleyPro Member
      Investor · Charlotte, NC · Member since 2020 · 124 posts · 189 votes
      5y

      @Jamie Fankhauser

      Current top 3

      1. The Power of Your Subconscious Mind

      2. Think and Grow Rich

      3. Rich Dad Poor Dad (of course)

      0Reply
    12. Ola Dantis
      Multifamily Syndicator · Houston, TX · Member since 2016 · 1k+ posts · 2k+ votes
      5y

      Oh, I thought I add a couple more as a bonus lol. 

      1. What It Takes by Stephen A. Schwarzman (Blackstone CEO, arguably the World's largest Landlord). I love this book because it talks about the journey from him having nothing all the way to where Blackstone is today. Basically, It Takes excellence and perseverance to get to the top. If you don't know Blackstone, Google it. 

      2. Meditations by Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius (A.D. 121–180). Oh, it's not a book about meditations lol. But, this book is magic!!!! WOWZERS. It talks about the "ruling principle" (basically, the brain) and the talks about death, I know you probably thinking: how morbid eh?! But this book is a game-changer and a must-read for anyone looking to get to the next level.

      At the end of the day, reading changes the way we see the world, broadens the mind and helps our brain rethink or in some cases unlearn somethings that are not beneficial to our growth as investors. 

      Reading is the secret weapon many forget to arm themselves with. 

      2Reply
    13. Cassandra Williams
      Rental Property Investor · Honolulu, HI · Member since 2020 · 8 posts · 2 votes
      5y

      @Jamie Fankhauser

      I love/hate to say it but rich dad, poor dad was an absolute life changer for me. If anyone’s procrastinating reading it — GO NOW.

      1Reply
    14. Isaac Johnson
      Rental Property Investor · Sioux Falls, SD · Member since 2019 · 129 posts · 138 votes
      5y

      @Jamie Fankhauser

      The Go-Giver Leader

      By: Bob Burg & John David Mann

      1Reply
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