Achievers read voraciously because they know the benefits. Research shows that readers can write and concentrate better than non-readers. They also are quicker to pick up subtleties, and are better able to understand how other people think and feel.
"I do enough reading of non-fiction for work. So, I'm going to read nothing but mindless novels while I soak up some sun," the achiever may say. But the truly high achiever knows that to remain on the path to success, he or she must do more.
Become a high achiever by throwing in a couple of the books from this summer reading list I have put together. It's not for work. It's for your own self-improvement.
Our first book on the summer reading list is The Million Dollar Toolbox, written by wife Pat and me. We put everything we teach at the Executive Speaking Institute into this book. Even if you have been through ESI, this book provides a remedial course for you to reference before your next presentation.
Next is Speaking Secrets of the Masters, a compendium by 22 of America's top speakers.
Another book I highly recommend has nothing to do with speaking. Jeffrey Gitomer's book, The Patterson Principles Of Selling, is relevant to everyone, not just those in sales. Based on the teachings of National Cash Register President John Patterson, the book is as much a recipe for self-improvement as it is a sales tool. Patterson, who literally invented American salesmanship, was a voracious reader.
A couple other books I recommend are Insights Into Excellence by the Speakers Roundtable and Visions: From The Leaders of Today For The Leaders of Tomorrow by yours truly.
Here are a few more I often recommend to our students:
- Speak With Confidence!, Dianna Booher
- Never Be Nervous Again, Dorothy Sarnoff with Gaylen Moore
- You Are The Message, Roger Ailes with Jon Kraushar
- I Can See You Naked, Ron Hoff
- How To Present Like A Pro, Lani Arredondo-
- 50 Tips For Speaking Like A Pro, Terry Paulson
So, high achiever, that is Ty’s summer reading list designed to build a better you.
Ty Boyd, CEO of Ty Boyd Executive Learning Systems ( http://www.tyboyd.com/ ), is in the Broadcast Hall of Fame and the Speakers Hall of Fame. He has taught presentation skills to Fortune 1000 executives in more than 34 countries. His Excellence In Speaking Institute celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2005.
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