Nathan Martin

I picked up Chris Widener’s The Art of Influence in the Atlanta airport this week.  I like Chris’s books because they are short, fun to read, and always packed with practical insights to live a more successful life.  Chris is also an excellent speaker.  As I listened to the CD in this month’s Success magazine, I heard the news that Chris is running for the US Senate.  I wish him the best in that race and hope he hangs on to his values when he gets into the political arena at that level!

In The Art of Influence, Chris once again weaves an enjoyable, fast-moving story.  This time, he takes us through four principles of influence.

Four Golden Rules of Influence:

Live a life of Undivided Integrity

Always demonstrate a Positive Attitude

Consider other people’s interests as more important than your own

Don’t settle for anything less than Excellence

I highly recommend this quick read.

100 Ways to Motivate Yourself is the best Steve Chandler book I’ve read so far.  Based on how much of this book I’ve underlined, it is one of the most useful books I’ve read in quite some time.  As the title suggests, there are 100 short(2-3 pages each) topics that, if applied, will accelerate your personal development.  It has taken me a couple months to work my way through 100 Ways as I’ve been reading one or two a day and really absorbing and using the tools provided.  Some of my favorites:

• “Create a vision of who you want to be, and then live into that vision as if it were already true.”  –Arnold Schwarzeneggar
• “The only thing over which you have complete control is your own mental attitude.” –Napoleon Hill
• One hour of planning saves three hours of execution.
• “Fear kills more people than death.” –General George Patton
• “Make each day your masterpiece.” –John Wooden’s father
• Advertise to yourself.  Posting pictures of your goals in various places that you’ll see them frequently.

Other books by Steve Chandler:

100 Ways to Create Wealth

The Small Business Millionaire