Those who are self-employed or entrepreneurial tend to suffer from low morale when things don’t go as planned. It can be just what you need to take a small vacation, stroll in a park, or spend time with friends and family. Another reason why it is recommended is having a mentor for your career.
By reading the works of your idols, you can also stay motivated and bring yourself out of your darkest moments. Entrepreneurs and self-employed individuals are constantly exposed to a variety of people on the job, so reading more may provide a unique perspective on life you haven’t had before.
Non-fiction books also teach from the lives of the people you admire the most. Books of this kind usually show grace under pressure and bleed truth.
The best books are not those that are dressed up for the sake of appearance, but the ones that add excitement and a pinch of surprise. I would consider it a great achievement to have the opportunity to read nonfiction works written by authors who have walked the same path as me.
Reading their experiences gives you an opportunity to gain a better understanding of how it’s done and to learn from their mistakes so you don’t repeat them.
10 Must Read Non-Fiction Of all time
You are missing out on an interesting part of life if you are an entrepreneur or self-employed and do not read. The benefits of reading extend far beyond what you have ever imagined, and it is a habit that you would reap in the long run.
You should have these 10 books in your backpack, downloaded to your e-reader, or added to your wish list on Goodreads or Amazon for every entrepreneur and self-employed person.
1. Out of the Crisis by W. Edwards Deming
Published in the 1980’s, Out of the Crisis remains a top management book for entrepreneurs. This book explains how to create a flexible management team, open to new learning and embracing change as it occurs.
Those who fail to do so will find their company in a sad state. While the company is affected, those who have worked endlessly for it are put at risk, and this book sheds some light on such managerial practices. In the book, Edward Deming presents 14 guidelines for preventing such problems. The book must be read if you want to keep your business running well.
2. Rework by Jason Fried
According to investor and businessman Mark Cuban, “If I had a choice between investing in a person with an MBA or one who reads Rework, I’d choose Rework every time! This shows how influential the book is on entrepreneurs around the world. Seth Godin has endorsed this book as a must-read for entrepreneurs.
In this book, managers and employees alike will learn how to make business plans and how to chalk up plans quickly. The author of this book advocates focusing on one thing at a time, rather than multitasking. Entrepreneurs should read Rework. Seth Godin stated, “Ignore this book at your own risk.”
3. The Innovator’s Dilemma by Clayton M. Christensen
There are few books more prominently recommended in the technology industry than this one. People in technology and business can business and technology how things work and why they don’t.
Book discusses key business principles and how to avoid getting sidetracked by new disruptive technologies. Mark Cuban and Malcolm Gladwell also recommended this to entrepreneurs. Business failure is associated with failing to adapt to newer technology and business models, as this book puts it in a nutshell.
4. Choose Yourself! By James Altucher
His non-fiction books are among my favorites. His works are filled with humor, wit, and smartness and you should choose yourself!
On the Amazon non-fiction list, this book is quite popular and was self-published by James Altucher. Entrepreneurship consists of two phases: the first is deciding to become an entrepreneur and the second is acting on that decision.
This book is about taking responsibility and acting on that decision. In the book, you will learn how to find you and support yourself in business. The author demonstrates with examples from his own life experience that just wanting success isn’t enough, you have to be prepared to face down the challenges, face the setbacks, and take responsibility for your actions.
5. Mastery by Robert Greene
The non-fiction author Robert Greene is one of the most influential writers of all time. You can achieve mastery by persistently striving to improve on yesterday. New entrepreneurs often think success is a product of luck or major investments that led them to make the covers of magazines and give TED talks.
A person who merely walks the path cannot become a master, but only those who are committed to it on a long term basis. The Mastery by Robert Greene, written for entrepreneurs and businessmen, is a must-read for every individual.
6. The War of Art by Steven Pressfield
Entrepreneurs and self-employed people who struggle with procrastination – their biggest enemy – should read The War of Art. Entrepreneurs’ biggest enemy, procrastination, still finds its way into their lives regardless.
There are many obstacles you face on your way to achieving your goals, and this book provides solutions for one by one. In this book, the author encourages you to become aware of who you are, what you want, and what is stopping you from achieving it. You could take the necessary steps to solve your problems once you find the root cause.
Most of our lives are spent worrying about the future and feeling bad about the past. Tolle captures these thoughts beautifully in this book. You should read it if you worry a lot and forget to enjoy the most precious thing in life – now. Focusing on what is now and savoring it is more important. Worrying about the here and now is more common than worrying about what won’t matter in the future. Anyone who believes in the beauty of the present must read this. All the other books on this list are completely different from this one. The premise of this book is to deconstruct everything you’ve been taught since you were a child and rebuild it from the bottom up. Miguel Ruiz’s book provides insight into living in this connected world. Despite the book’s philosophical tone, it contains a metaphysical message. It focuses on rebuilding new beliefs. As an insightful read, the four agreements shed some light on some of the biggest misconceptions of life that everyone believes blindly since they were children. The works of Malcolm Gladwell are inspiring and should be read by every self-employed person as they are among the best non-fiction authors. People are credited with changing their thinking due to Malcolm Gladwell’s writing. Going big after starting small is the theme of this book. It is about how things change when they go from a tiny idea to a big phenomenon. Gladwell describes growing a product from a small idea to a product that stands on its own. By leveraging social media, one man’s small but unique idea can turn into a full-blown business by noting how social media impacts our current world. The present age of social media requires every entrepreneur to read this book. 7. The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle
8. The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz
9. The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell
Conclusion – Nonfiction Entrepreneur Books 2024
Can you recommend to your fellow entrepreneurs and self-employed friends a few of the best non-fiction books you’ve read? Don’t forget to pass along this collection of books for entrepreneurs to your friends. Also, please suggest at least one in the comments section to make this list more meaningful.
