CFA or MBA? 11 Facts to Help You Decide

After years of financial work, most financial practitioners would schedule a self-improvement plan, especially those who would like to start their own businesses. The common question is that whether one should take a CFA test or get an MBA degree for career development. Indeed this is a big decision.

The MBA, short for Master of Business Administration, covers various areas of business such as accounting, finance, marketing, human resources, and operations in a manner most relevant to management analysis and strategy. On the other hand, CFA, short for Chartered Financial Analyst, covers special, specified skills and concepts in asset management, private wealth management, equity research, and ratings advisories in financial institutions.

An MBA could enlarge your social network and widen career choices, but a CFA gives you accuracy and rigor in financial areas. You may need to spend years of full-time study and finish the graduation thesis for an MBA, but you may spend even more years of hard studying to pass three exams before you could get the CFA charter certificate.

Below are 11 factors that might help you decide which one you should get.

1. Cost

It should be noted that an MBA degree from any top university is a high-cost and expensive self-enhancement project. The total all-in cost (tuition fees, modest living expenses, forgone salaries, etc.) of a 2-year top MBA program is around $275k to $325k. The cost of a CFA is much lower, at about $1,000 to 1,500 per level, less than $8,500 (on average) for all three level tests if you take part in additional prep classes.

2. Time

If you want to get a MBA certificate, you need to spend two years of full-time study. That means if you’re not brave enough to quit your job and focus on the MBA degree, it would be a dilemma indeed. However, the CFA would cost at least 250 hours of self-guided study before you can sit the six-hour exam. You could make the CFA program study as part-time task.

3. Content

The purpose of these two certifications is obviously different, therefore the content is of course different. Getting an MBA certificate means you’re going to get comprehensive and all-inclusive training and knowledge in management analysis and strategy. MBA covers various courses like accounting, finance, marketing, and human resources, while CFA program will deliver you special, specified skills, and concepts on asset finance exclusively.

4. Application procedure

To apply for an MBA program, you need to prepare a lot of things, including an online application, recommendation letters, resume, admission essays, university transcripts, GMAT or GRE score reports, English language proficiency, etc. For the CFA, you need an international travel passport. Also, you need to meet one of these 3 requirements for CFA application: four years of professional work experience (does not have to be investment related), a bachelor’s (or equivalent) degree, or be in the final year of your bachelor’s degree program.

5. Teamwork

Task requirements differ from each other. Unlike the MBA requires group tasks, the CFA has no teamwork requirement. It’s totally upon your own schedule. If you can, you could study and finish all CFA programs individually.

6. Pass rate

Only 37% of CFA test takers passed December 2012′s CFA Level I exam. In June 2012, 38% passed Level I, 42% passed Level II and 52% passed Level III. On an average, 60% would fail in CFA test, with even low pass rate across total 3 levels. On the other hand, 95% of Harvard MBA test takers could pass the MBA test.

7. Job Prospects

With MBA degree, you get broader job prospects and wide career choices. But with a CFA certificate, since it delivers specific, specialized knowledge in finance industry, your career choices are greatly narrowed but financial career could be greatly sharpened and improved to another level. “An MBA can take you into all sorts of industries,” said Skiddy von Stade, CEO of financial recruiting firm OneWire. “A CFA is for a stock picker that really wants to be an analyst. The CFA carries a lot of weight with asset managers. It’s an analytically driven test.” Outside of finance, the CFA is of little use, while the MBA is more widely recognized.

8. Benefit/Compensation

It’s important to know the return of CFA and MBA. According to the calculation from PayScale, a compensation research firm, the compensation differs a lot. Median pays of 0-5 years of experience are $72,000, $87,000, $57,000 and $63,000 respectively for people that hold a CFA and no MBA, CFA and MBA, MBA and no CFA, and an MBA in finance and no CFA. These differences stay constant for CFA and MBA holders of 5-10 years of experience.

9. Learning

Some CFA certificate holders said that MBA programs teach things they could learn from college class, while CFA programs deliver knowledge that couldn’t be learned from college.

10. Partnering relationships

CFA Institute has started partnering relationships with multiple business schools into their class offerings. Some exam materials are even delivered in these courses. This would surely result in reduction of CFA test difficulty. More students are now expected to take Level I of the CFA exam directly after graduation.

11. Achievement

The founder of the CFA Institute is Benjamin Graham, one of the most legendary and valuable investors. With the profound knowledge gained from CFA tests… who knows? You could become the next Benjamin Graham. In contrast the broad coverage of MBA makes it becomes hard to become a great master.

Featured photo credit: FGV via flickr.com

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15 Daily habits Of Highly Organized People

If you have a strong ambition to become successful, it’s practically a condition to be highly organized. This isn’t something you’re born with – this is something you need to practice. It will require a lot of sacrifice, but you can be sure it’ll pay off.

Luckily for you, there’s a pattern that occurs if you closely observe people who do well in this area. Highly organized people have small daily routines which enable them to get everything done. If you adopt these little habits, there’s only one way to go from there – and that’s up!

1. They Are Honest

Being organized implies that you don’t have time to spare on petty lies and dramatic schemes. By removing dishonesty from your life permanently, you’ll have more time for positivity, and that’s a fact all organized people know. Always being honest isn’t the easier way, but it can potentially save you from a lot of stress in the future.

2. They Get Up Early

Discipline is quite important when you want to achieve your goals. Getting up early should be the first habit you adopt if you want to become organized, because then you have the whole day in front of you and possibilities regarding what you can achieve during only one day are limitless, really.

3. They Don’t Deny Help

The help that’s being offered to you shouldn’t be denied so lightly, because you don’t have to do everything by yourself. Accepting someone’s help doesn’t mean you’re not capable enough – besides, you can always return the favor. I’m sure that organized people who achieved great things with their lives and careers accepted help at some point, so why shouldn’t you?

4. They Eat Healthy

Like getting up early, this one two is a daily routine which is implied in the circle of organized people. It’s quite simple if you think about it; if you want to have everything from your list done, you need to have enough energy to go through the whole day. It’s never too late to learn how to prepare healthy meals – it’s only necessary to be willing.

5. They Have a To-Do List

Speaking of lists, every organized person has a to-do list. No matter how well your memory is, something will slip your mind eventually. In order to remember every task that needs to be done and plan your time correctly, you should start your mornings with making a to-do list.

6. They Work Out

Your body is your temple, and if you want it to serve you well in the future, you need to maintain it. If gym isn’t really your cup of tea, you can always go with something like jogging. One day of a highly organized person may require all sorts of activities, and they’re always prepared.

7. They Don’t Procrastinate

Leaving things for which you have time to accomplish for tomorrow won’t lead you anywhere. It will only take more time to finish your projects, which obviously lowers your efficiency. Highly organized people don’t leave anything for later, which is exactly what makes them so productive.

8. They Practice Concentration

In order to successfully compete everything on your to-do list, it’s quite important to stay concentrated. Most highly organized people solve this problem by meditating. If you learn how to meditate, you’ll be able to freshen up in a matter of minutes, and continue with finishing your daily tasks successfully.

9. They Have Extraordinary Appreciation for Time

Their schedule is the secret weapon of organized people, and they show great appreciation for their and other people’s time. It’s a very practical habit – if you show up on time, and get things done when you planned, you can move on to another task. Of course, you should always leave at least a few gaps for changes and improvements.

10. They Put Everything Back in Place

This habit is a real time-saver. A precondition to being organized is that you maintain order in your surroundings. Getting rid of all that clutter in your life will help you with achieving efficiency, but it will also have a positive effect on your mind, no matter if you have previously paid attention to the mess around you or not.

11. They Take Care of Their Appearance

If you want to be maximally efficient, it’s very important to remove all distractions, which is why highly organized people always strive towards neatness. If you want to take up your responsibilities, you need to learn how to be an organized adult who takes care about their appearance. But that’s not the only benefit that looking like a professional brings – it will also help a lot with making the right first impression when meeting new people.

12. They Don’t Have Bad Habits

Bad habits slow you down. Highly organized people can do so much during the day because they don’t have anything pulling them back, which is why you need to leave your bad habits in the past, and make room for new ones.

13. They Use All Kinds of Tools

Organized people always look for an optimal solution and the smartest way to achieve their tasks. Before you engage in any kind of action, think about its process, because there’s probably some kind of tool which will help you get it done faster, while the results stay the same or perhaps get even better.

14. They Take Breaks

Highly successful people know how to listen to their bodies. It’s a scientific fact that breaks help your mind process things faster, and that they enable you to look at your problems from a different perspective. So, when your mind slows down or when you start feeling tired, get up, take a walk and rest your head for the next ten minutes, and you’ll be able to see the effect for yourself.

15. They Don’t Leave Anything Unresolved

Getting enough sleep is very important if you want to be well, rested and ready for the next day, which is why nothing should trouble you when you go to sleep. Being organized requires from you to maintain clear and honest relationships with people in your private and in your professional life.

Once you start applying these suggestions to your daily routine, you’ll probably get stuck for at least a couple of times. But, that is a test all of us need to pass, so don’t give up. I hope you’ll find my suggestions insightful. Good luck!

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12 Productivity Blogs Smart People Read

Smart is smart. That’s obvious. But how exactly do you become smart? And how do you turn yourself into a productivity ninja? Generally, smart people are productive. Question – how do you become smart and productive? There are many ways, but one of the best is education. Teach yourself techniques and strategies to become bright and productive. Well, if you want to be cleverer than what you are now, you need to start by not spending too much. One of the best ways to do this is to read websites. Numerous sites offer free content to reach your goals of turning yourself into someone wiser and more intelligent. Numerous sites offer free content to reach your goals of turning yourself into someone wiser and more intelligent.

In this post, we’ll cover 12 smart productivity blogs you should be reading. I love these blogs. I have invested time reading them, and I don’t have any regrets. They’ve helped me learn more about personal finance, productivity, setting goals, forming good habits, GTD, time management, and other invaluable subjects.

Steve Pavlina

Steve Pavlina’s blog is recommended by many personal development freaks like me. If there’s what we call a well-rounded personality, his is a well-rounded blog. He writes about productivity, relationships, money, career, health, personal development, habits, and spirituality. What strikes me the most about Steve’s style is he writes about the lessons and tips based from his own experiences, and to me, that is powerful.

Lifehack.org

One of the biggest productivity blogs and one of the smartest. Lifehack covers Lifestyle, communication, money, productivity, tech, and work. Those are the major topics, but it has more under each of those topics. One of the dominant characteristics of the site’s posts is their being shareable-centric. Writer contributors love the fact that the audience share what they think is valuable and doable. Personally I’ve benefited from Lifehack’s ability to capture the fancy of its readers and its capability to motivate them to share content. I have to point out, though, that if the audience doesn’t find the content excellent, they won’t share it online. Like you need telling!

Lifehacker

The owners summarize Lifehacker like this: Tips, tricks, and downloads for getting things done. I’m pretty sure you got the point! It’s where you can find any kind of tips, and tricks, and downloads that can help you do whatever you want to do. The website’s team categorized topics this way: Downloads (or more specifically, Windows Downloads, Mac Downloads, iOS Downloads, and Android Downloads), Windows, OS X, Linux, Android, iOS, and Windows Phone, How To, DIY, and more.

Dumb Little Man

In the words of the owner, Jay White, “the site is about productivity, exceeding goals, automation, and, well, finding a simpler way for everything.” Categories include happiness, success, money, how to, life hacks, health. You will surely enjoy reading more about the site. Start with the Dumb little Man’s about page. And just one look at the homepage, you’ll see that DLM has a well-balanced group of niches. For me, because I’m a tech-challenged blogger, I find the how-tos covering technology helpful. Go, check, if you haven’t yet. You’ll not waste your time.

Get Rich Slowly

If you want to learn how to manage your personal finances well your site is Get Rich Slowly. The site is named a best blog by Time magazine and most inspiring money blog by Money magazine. It’s devoted to sensible personal finance. Topics covered are Bank Reviews, The Basics, Money Hacks, Investing, Being Frugal, Enterpreneurship, Savings, Budgeting, Cars, Retirement, and Debt. There are more, but you’ll have to jump over to the site to appreciate it better.

Zen habits

If you are looking for a blog that can teach you to develop simple habits to change your life for the better, I recommend Leo Babauta’s famous blog, Zen Habits. Time Magazine voted it as one of the Best Blogs of 2010. That’s a good reason for you to check his blog. What I like about this blog is that it uses a simple way to explain ways to acquire habits that can result to you becoming a more productive person and generally a better individual.

Wise Bread Personal Finance Forum

The about page of a site sort of sets the initial mood of the reader during the first visit. Checking Wise Bread’s about page you’ll read this: Wise Bread is a community of bloggers here to help you live large on a small budget. Despite what you may have heard, you don’t have to sacrifice your financial independence to enjoy life. Upon reading this short introduction, I was convinced and encouraged to patronize the blog. The site got me on “Living large on a small budget.” Who wouldn’t desire that? Topics covered are Credit cards, Personal finance, Frugal living, Career, Life hacks, Best deals, (and believe or not, they even feature other Personal Finance blogs).

LifeDev

The first time I visited this wonderful blog, I was caught unaware I was being drawn in closer and closer to check everything about it,immediately. Not only because it’s part of my research, but because it has something I can’t ignore: honesty. What’s more, it’s sincere in helping people in the business of creating and finishing projects no matter how big or small they are.

Productivity501

Productivity501 is a blog focused on serving tips and tricks to help you increase your personal productivity. Since it genuinely wants to do that, originality is it’s priority, so it’s generally slower than other sites with postings; it concentrates on original content only. The blog does its best to come up with one original post every week. However, the blog’s focus is on featuring something that will surely benefit the audience. One thing that distinguishes it from other productivity websites is that it has its own Youtube Channel featuring tips and tricks. The blog also frequently include tech tips on their featured posts. This way, tech challenged guys like me can have a field day every time they visit Productivity501.

The Daily Saint

Focused on helping professionals to organize and improve time management so they can get more things done and create a greater impact. It’s also set to help them experience more satisfaction, and to transform their organization for the better. This blog separates itself from the rest by catering to organizations too, instead of limiting itself to helping only individuals. An added feature is the topic, leadership. Many productivity blogs cover leadership but The Daily Saint incorporates it into its main fiber.

Ian’s Messy Desk

Looking for a blog that’s focused on time management and personal development has never been easier. Just click the name of the blog above and you’ll get in, pronto. Once inside, you’ll know you’ll never have a messy desk again. Well, that is if you follow the tips offered there. Right on its About Page, you’re assured you’ll not only get self-help tips but also be a beneficiary of teaching, coaching, sharing, and mentoring. So, if you feel you’re stuck somewhere you’re not comfortable in, or you need a little push to left you up where you’re at, feel free to navigate to IMD. It’s a smart move. Take it from your friend, Anthony (me).

Open Loops

Among the sites here, this one has a different angle. It’s from an educator’s viewpoint. Bert Webb, the owner, has spent about 19 years of his life in academia enabling him to come up with wise advice regarding time management, productivity, and self development. Drop by the site and you’ll see such topics as developing writing skills, effective communication, powerful presentations, improving resumes, and so much more. It’s quite different from the rest of the productivity blogs because subjects are discussed with the wisdom of a teacher. I and my friends who are productivity experts highly recommend these blogs.

Featured photo credit: VIKTOR HANACEK via picjumbo.com

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10 Reasons Small Businesses Fail

There are times businesses fail, and even when you feel you have done everything right, things go wrong. The odds of a business achieving success are low; that is why it is important to pay attention to every detail required to run a business. If you can stay clear of the mistakes of business owners discussed below, your business is far more likely to be around for a long time.

“There are no disasters in business that you can’t avoid if you see them coming and make the adjustments.” –Boune T. Pickens. Jr.

1. They lack focus

There should be a clear objective regarding the direction a business is going and where it should be within a proposed timeframe. Many fail to understand this concept and pursue several objectives at once. It is better to have a core vision and steer your employees in that direction.

2. They make poor decisions

Businesses succeed because of smart decisions. It is important to avoid poor decisions if you want your business to last and make money. It is better to get as much information and review it meticulously than to make hasty judgements based on too little data. Perhaps you should try to draw up worst case scenarios and discuss them with your advisory team before taking any action.

3. They lack the ability to adapt to changes

Change is constant, and we live in a technological age where change happens every second. To survive as a business, you have to constantly adapt and improve your strengths to meet with the demands before you. You can’t be stagnant and expect success.

4. They maintain poor leadership

Every successful business needs the right leadership to continually challenge its people to step out of their comfort zones and seek answers. You can be kind and compassionate, but that won’t yield results if you do not challenge your people.

5. They have fierce competition

Competition is a certainty in business. But sometimes, competition can be so fierce that you are forced to shut down your business. Competition shouldn’t create fear, but should challenge you to get better and stand out from the crowd.

6. They stay in the wrong location

Location is pivotal to how far a business can go. You cannot be located close to a fierce competitor and expect to succeed. When choosing a location, it is better to make sure it is going to work towards your advantage. Consider the road network, accessibility, proximity to your clients, population, and demographics.

7. They lack the required skills

For your business to succeed, you have to have the right employees who are skilled and can help execute the mission of the company. According to Warren Buffet, “Risk comes from not knowing what you are doing.” To be successful in your business, you need the right experience and knowledge to make the business sustainable.

8. They delegate duties poorly

Money is always tight during the start-up stage. It is better to outsource or delegate duties to the right personnel. Rather than being a “do it all” kind of boss, you should focus on your strengths and delegate other duties to professionals that can execute them appropriately and maximize the output of your business.

9. They lack sufficient capital

There is a reason why business owners seek funding from investors and venture capitalists. Money and cash flow is the life blood of every business. No matter how great your business idea or product may be, without the capital and profitability of the business, you won’t be able to take your business to the next level and attain success.

10. They don’t have enough credit

Another reason businesses fail is because money for its services or products is not promptly payed by customers. You do not need bad debts when running a business. Cash flow is important to running a business; making sure your customers are loyal and consistent in paying you is advantageous to the long term success of your business.

Featured photo credit: http://www.flickr.com via flickr.com

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10 Reasons Ambiverts Are Wonderful Leaders

The Ambivert straddles the line perfectly, between extroversion and introversion. A fascinating hybrid of the outward extrovert and inward introvert, they are poised and ready at any given event, and are un-fluffed by any situation that may require a more extroverted, or introverted stance. The advantages to being an ambivert are as numerous as the many lists that make up all the great things about being an introvert, or an extrovert.

However, the difference here being that no one group is dominant in the ambivert; each side compliments the other. There are many extroverted vs introverted warrings going on, so we thought we’d give a nod to the wonderful ambiverts out there who help to keep the peace and remind us we are all simply wonderful!

1. They are intuitive

They are aware of subtle changes in people, tone and environments. Intuitive, like the introvert, the ambivert is well positioned to notice when something is up, but like the extrovert, will offer to discuss any underlying issues with the individuals or groups of people, and work with them to work it out.

2. They are inspiring

Both introverts and extroverts can see themselves reflected in the ambivert and so are inspired and influenced, rather than turned off, by their attributes. An introvert will turn away from an extroverted leader who is far too brash or loud, or who intimidates them, and the extrovert will find no inspiration in an introverted leader who tends to come slightly unstuck in social situations, or who the extrovert feels is unable to take charge.

3. They are assertive

They are not afraid to speak up, and how. Strong, direct yet respectfully aware whilst commanding that same respect, the ambivert is a true leader in every sense. A perfect mix of confidence, self-assuredness and quiet strength.

4. They liaise like a pro

Different clients and contacts require different approaches in communication. An extrovert may put off an introverted contact if they come on too strong, and the introvert may appear anti-social to an extroverted investor looking for a people-person. Ambiverts are adept at adapting to any situation, and are able to rise to the occasion without having to play out of range.

5. They don’t fake it

There’s nothing like an introvert being told to act extroverted, or an extrovert constantly being asked to “tone it down” to throw a spanner in the works. An ambivert has the clear advantage here as they can get on with the task at hand without worrying which of their many personalities need to come out and play. They are free to just be and navigate perfectly, the murky waters of prescribed conduct, and have no problem being themselves in all situations. And because they’re not having to pretend to be something they’re not, they are less likely to experience burn out.

6. They delegate according to strength

Ambiverts make excellent managers as they are well aware of the strengths of both personality groups and play to those strengths accordingly, in order to get the best and most efficient results from their workers. Want someone to wine and dine clients all week? The extrovert is your call. Need someone to read and review that new book over the weekend? The introvert is your go to. Everyone’s happy!

7. They wrote the book on networking

Send them into the lions den that is the networking room, and they’ll come back with hundreds of new leads and 100 new confirmed clients for you to work with, and possibly keys to a new yacht! They’ll be the highlight of the room, and when it’s time to wine down and recharge, they’ll know when to bid adieu, and leave the room on a high. Fist pump!

8. They don’t play favourites

With a balanced personality and a more balanced outlook on life, they show no favouritism to one side, and therefore are fair in their dealings. You won’t get the bully-boss who only picks on the introvert, or the boss who runs a mile from their extroverted employees. They are approachable to all, and not an anomaly. They’re not in the business of asking you to be more “out there” or calling you “anti-social”. They see, and know all too well both sides of the coin.

9. They make excellent peacekeepers

In a world that has gotten far too used to bashing opposing personality types, ambiverts are the cool and calm hippies of the world. They’re all about keeping the peace because they understand that no one personality type is better than the other. They are the mediator, refusing to speak ill about either. To the ambivert, each personality is pure gold and we should just all respect each other and get along!

10. They get you

A confidant, who embraces your personality and encourages you is someone anyone would be glad to follow. There’s no having to explain or convince or apologise with the ambivert. They understand who you are. You’re free to just be, which builds confidence, which in turn makes you a confident and competent worker. And that’s always a good thing.

Featured photo credit: Luo Ting/Jonathan Kos-Read via imcreator.com

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35 Powerful Books on Productivity and Organization to Live a More Effective, Fulfilling, and Less Stressful Life

Possessing productivity and organization skills will give you an advantage in living a life of fulfillment and extraordinary achievements.

These skills can also help reduce stress and overwhelm by arming you with the knowledge to choose the most effective thoughts and actions to get the results you want, instead of just doing things that keep you busy without actually accomplishing anything worthwhile.

So how do you begin acquiring these skills? Read, of course!

But with the massive selections of books on these topics available today, choosing the right guide for you may seem overwhelming.

Don’t fret! Books have always played an important role in my family’s life, and as such, I simply went through my insane collection of books (hardcover, digital, and audio) and compiled for you a list of the top 35 books to help you live a more productive and organized life!

1. Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol Dweck

Carol Dweck, professor of psychology at Stanford, explains that all of us possess one of two mindsets: fixed vs. growth.

In the world of fixed traits, success is about validating yourself by proving you’re smart or talented. In the other, the world of growth and changing qualities, it’s about continuously stretching yourself to learn something new. The latter empowers you to break through your self imposed limits, thrive, and succeed.

2. Eat That Frog!: 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time by Brian Tracy

This is a quick read. Brian Tracy gets right into the action and covers such things as determining priorities, delegating and eliminating tasks, knowing what’s okay to hold off for later, and whether to tackle your “frog” (big task that will deliver the greatest results) first or a lower priority task. By regularly eating your frogs first, you develop a habit that makes it easier to accomplish more – with much less effort!

3. The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing by Marie Kondo

You’ll not only learn how to declutter material excess, but how to clear out your personal space so you have room to surround yourself with more of what makes you happy as well.

If you are like me and have the tendency to feel guilty over letting objects go, Marie Kondo will show you how to free yourself from that. After all, an organized environment breeds a calmer mind; leaving you with the freedom and energy to be more effective.

4. The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles by Steven Pressfield

This book shows you how to overcome obstacles of ambition and how to discipline yourself.

Bestselling novelist Steven Pressfield identifies the resistances that every one of us face, outlines a plan to blast away the excuses we make for ourselves for not taking action, then effectively shows how to reach the highest level of creative discipline.

5. Brain Rules (Updated and Expanded): 12 Principles for Surviving and Thriving at Work, Home, and School by John Medina

Brains Rules gives you 12 “rules” for optimal mental performance. The book includes a brief history of the brain and how it came to operate as it does. The author then explains why his principles help your brain perform better, as well as provide practical ways to implement his strategies into your everyday life.

6. The ONE Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth Behind Extraordinary Results by Gary Keller

This book introduces you to a simple, but powerful concept where you focus your energy on just one thing at a time, achieving extraordinary results. You will learn how to cut through clutter, reduce stress and distrations, increase your energy, and achieve more in less time. The author of this book, Gary Keller, is the founder of one of the nation’s great realtors, Keller-Williams.

7. The Obstacle Is the Way: The Timeless Art of Turning Trials into Triumph by Ryan Holiday

Ryan Holiday teaches a simple method for understanding and acting upon the challenges and setbacks life throws at us. The method centers on tactics from stoicism, where no matter how unjust or tragic the situation may be, remaining calm, avoiding the victim mentality, and pushing your way through is the most effective path to success.

8. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change by Stephen R. Covey

Stephen Covey teaches you how to be more effective in the areas of relationships, awareness, spirituality and business issues; and provides you with simple to understand strategies for achievable and lasting results.

The 7 Habits continues to be a key resource in helping me improve my effectiveness in all areas of my life, that I picked up a copy of “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens” (written by Covey’s son, Sean) for my own teenage son.

9. 10 Natural Laws of Successful Time and Life Management by Hyrum W. Smith

Hyrum W. Smith (creator of the “Franklin Day Planner”) teaches his time and life management system based on your values as well as what is most important in your life, making implementation of his strategies that much easier.

10. The Power of Focus: What the World’s Greatest Achievers Know about The Secret to Financial Freedom & Success by Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, Les Hewitt

Excellent book that clearly shows you how to set your priorities in order. The content is rock solid, with each chapter containing clear action steps to carry out.

11. Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity by David Allen

The idea is to transfer all the “to dos” floating around inside your head, as well as those you’ve jotted down on sticky notes and scrap paper into an “in-box” so you can organize everything using Allen’s rules of “do it, delegate it, defer it, or trash it” to get your in-box to empty. This enables you to free your mind, arm you with an organized plan of action, and focus on what you’re working on while reducing stress.

12. Zen To Done: The Ultimate Simple Productivity System by Leo Babauta

“Zen To Done” offers a simplification of David Allen’s “Getting Things Done” (see #11). It’s a set of 10 habits to help you get organized, simplify your life, get things under control, and actually get things done. It’s about organization and productivity through simplicity.

13. Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi

An insightful book explaining the various ways people experience states of flow (or being in the zone), how we create meaning for our experiences, and what makes human day-to-day experiences enjoyable. The author provides insights on how one can apply the ideas presented in book to their own life.

14. The Fifth Discipline: The Art & Practice of the Learning Organization by Peter M. Senge

Peter Senge describes the five disciplines necessary for proper organization within a company including personal mastery, mental models, shared vision, team learning, and system thinking.

The book goes into depth about the fifth discipline in particular – system thinking. The system must be looked at as a whole, and the team must work towards a common goal or vision with an understanding on how to complement each other’s abilities. The concept will stimulate ideas for communicating with colleagues, as well as your own family.

Note: This was required reading for a leadership class I was taking. While the book contains plenty of valuable material, it is long-winded and repetitive.

If you are prone to boredom like I am, I recommend the “The Fifth Discipline Fieldbook” instead, which includes several helpful exercises to implement the key ideas in The Fifth Discipline.

15. Succeed: How We Can Reach Our Goals by Heidi Grant Halvorson Ph.D

Dr. Halvorson applies science to the goals and struggles we all face. This engaging, and often humorous book explains the best ways to frame our goals, plan for success, build willpower, and take actions to reach our goals – even in the face of adversity.

16. The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business by Charles Duhigg

Charles Duhigg, an investigative reporter for The New York Times, explains the power of habits and what we can do to correct the habits that need changing; in our personal life, business, and society.

17. Getting Results the Agile Way: A Personal Results System for Work and Life by J.D. Meier

This is a simple system for achieving both short and long term results in all aspects of your life. Meier’s methods are so simple that anyone can start using them immediately!

18. The Power of Full Engagement: Managing Energy, Not Time, Is the Key to High Performance and Personal Renewal by Jim Loehr, Tony Schwartz

Learn how to increase your energy levels through the four primary sources of energy: physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual. The training system encourages the reader to define their purpose, face the truth about their energy management, and to take action through positive rituals.

19. The Willpower Instinct: How Self-Control Works, Why It Matters, and What You Can Do to Get More of It by Kelly McGonigal

McGonigal effectively explains habits and procrastination, and includes real world examples and exercises to put the methods into practice. The author also reveals how we make internal, illogical bargains and shows how to identify when and where this behavior is likely to take place.

20. Ready for Anything: 52 Productivity Principles for Getting Things Done by David Allen

This book contains 52 short chapters of essays on productivity, delivered in 2-5 page bite sized pieces. It helps you to understand the values behind Allen’s GTD system (see #11) and serves as inspiration to use the GTD process with more discipline.

21. The Now Habit: A Strategic Program for Overcoming Procrastination and Enjoying Guilt-Free Play by Neil Fiore

Author Neil Fiore explains that procrastination is a strategy to obtain temporary relief from the stress of starting or completing any task or decision and not a character defect or personal/moral failure. The book addresses key issues underlying procrastination to help you work on your thoughts and prepare you to overcome procrastination in your life.

22. One Year to an Organized Life: From Your Closets to Your Finances, the Week-by-Week Guide to Getting Completely Organized for Good by Regina Leeds

This book takes the guess work out of organizing. Tasks are broken down into categories (kitchen, bedroom, etc.) and assigned to do during a specific month. Each month is broken down into weeks, and each week includes small assignments to be completed to avoid overwhelm.

Not only does this system help in organizing your home, it encourages you to organize yourself mentally, emotionally, and physically as well!

23. The Checklist Manifesto: How to Get Things Right by Atul Gawande

Dr. Gawande explains that checklists are not just for simple, straightforward tasks. They help people communicate and work together more effectively.

Another benefit of the checklist is that the act of creating a checklist focuses the mind on the most important areas of our tasks. The book encourages the reader to reflect on how a checklist can be used to improve their life in both personal and business environments.

24. Ready Aim Fire!: A Practical Guide to Setting and Achieving Goals by Jim M Woods

This book takes you through a 32 day journey with practical steps to set and accomplish goals that are important to you. Includes plenty of bonus links and free resources!

25. Time Warrior: How to Defeat Procrastination, People-Pleasing, Self-Doubt, Over-Commitment, Broken Promises and Chaos by Steve Chandler

This is a series of short, easy to digest chapters that instill Steve Chandler’s point about how much more important “priority management” is over “time management.” I highly recommend this book if you are having difficulty managing your time, keeping promises and making the progress in life that you believe you can.

26. The Productive Person: A How-To Guide Book Filled with Productivity Hacks & Daily Schedules for Entrepreneurs, Students or Anyone Struggling with Work-Life Balance by James Roper, Chandler Bolt

This book is geared toward people who make their own schedules every day (stay at home parents, self-employed, students, etc.) and feel like there isn’t enough hours in the day for all the things they want and need to do. The authors offers actionable plans for how to be more productive, including example schedules.

27. 23 Anti-Procrastination Habits: How to Stop Being Lazy and Overcome Your Procrastination by S.J. Scott

This book will show you how to create an action plan and actually get things done on time, every time! You will learn how to prioritize which tasks are worth your time and effort, and which can be shelved for later. Highly recommended anti-procrastination and anti-laziness guidebook.

28. The Desire Map: A Guide to Creating Goals with Soul by Danielle LaPorte

Learn to clarify what is truly important to you and what you want in life. This clarity enables you to shape your life in a way that brings you genuine joy and fulfillment.

Decision making becomes much easier because you will know if something aligns with the life you want to live, and with this confidence, you will find that you no longer regret the choices you make.

29. Switch: How to Change Things When Change Is Hard by Chip Heath

This is an entertaining book packed with useful principles for successfully making changes, no matter what. The concept is easy to remember and includes great examples and practical solutions.

30. Awaken the Giant Within : How to Take Immediate Control of Your Mental, Emotional, Physical and Financial Destiny! by Tony Robbins

In his book, Tony Robbins gives you effective strategies and techniques for mastering your emotions, your body, relationships, finances, and your life. The book is a step-by-step self mastery program with plenty of actionable, practical advice to help you discover your true purpose, take control of your life, and shape your destiny. One of my favorites!

31. The One Minute To-Do List: Quickly Get Your Chaos Completely Under Control by Michael Linenberger

A to-do list strategy that is simple to learn and easy to apply! Linenberger’s approach is a simple progression: start on paper then seamlessly move to your computer or smart-phone. If you want a quick and easy organization solution, this system is it.

32. To-Do List Makeover: A Simple Guide to Getting the Important Things Done by S.J. Scott

Do you find yourself creating to-do lists that never gets completed? The key is to create lists that are actionable and fits into your busy life. This guide will show you how to rethink the way you manage your daily life, get clear and identify where you’ve been leaking time.

33. 18 Minutes: Find Your Focus, Master Distraction, and Get the Right Things Done by Peter Bregman

The idea is to combat distracting interruptions by creating “productive distractions” of your own. This includes simple reminders to pause, reflect, recharge, re-calibrate, and refocus – for just 18 minutes a day (5 minutes at the beginning; eight 1-minute check-ins during the day; and 5 minutes at the end). The book provides a variety of tools, tips, and techniques intended to enhance productivity and maximize potential.

34. How to Be a Productivity Ninja: Worry Less, Achieve More and Love What You Do by Graham Allcott

Techniques to stay calm, get through your tasks, make the most of your time and overcome procrastination. You will also discover new methods on how to increase your personal time and declutter from an overload of information. You also get weekly and daily checklists that are very useful!

35. The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom by Don Miguel Ruiz

Although not exactly a book on productivity or organization, it teaches simple, practical, and powerful lessons to empower you to live with emotional and mental freedom. This gives you the energy and confidence to make more effective decisions and show up into your life at your best!

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