One of the biggest advantages of running an agency that supports independent financial advisors is the camaraderie we share with our fellow small business owners and their teams. We’re enthusiastic about professional and personal development and abide by the sentiment that “my success is your success.” So whenever we have a favorite resource, such as books and podcasts, we’re always excited to recommend it.
Over the ten-plus years in business, we’ve learned the importance of looking beyond daily tasks to stay updated on industry insights, entrepreneurial wisdom, and the best practices for personal growth and well-being. It's all about continual growth, both professionally and personally.
Here’s where we’re turning to learning and inspiration in 2024.
Business Boosting Insights
In a world where staying ahead means constant learning, these books and podcasts offer invaluable insights that can fuel your business growth and personal development. They aren’t just good reads and listens; they are resources that have continuously provided us with the knowledge and inspiration needed to navigate the challenges of running a business.
The Compound Effect: Jumpstart Your Income, Your Life, Your Success by Darren Hardy
There’s so much to learn from this gem that we find ourselves turning to it again and again. Hardy highlights the power of committing to small, consistent actions in the pursuit of success. This book stresses how daily habits contribute to creating the income and life you desire, ultimately shaping your overall achievements. Making positive changes over time has a compounding effect — not unlike making deposits in your future and growing interests.
Uncomparable: The Financial Advisor’s Guide to Standing Out Through Niche Marketing by Kristen Luke
We’re big fans of niching at CMS because we’ve seen how well it works for both us and our clients. This book by our colleague Kristen Luke presents innovative niche marketing strategies for financial advisors, offering a transformative approach to standing out in an industry that, as you know, is highly competitive. It explores the art of pinpointing a distinct niche of ideal clients and tailoring your marketing efforts to that specific audience. With practical advice on cultivating relationships, harnessing technology, and providing unparalleled value, it's a comprehensive guide to making your mark by serving a specialized market segment effectively.
Marketing Made Simple: A Step-by-Step StoryBrand Guide for Any Business by Donald Miller
If you're familiar with Donald Miller's renowned work, Building a StoryBrand, you'll find this book to be a vital next chapter. Serving as a hands-on manual grounded in the StoryBrand principles, it guides you through crafting and executing a sales funnel designed to boost website traffic and escalate sales. At CMS, this approach is integral to the comprehensive marketing strategies we develop and implement to help our financial advisor clients book more consultations and win more ideal clients.
The Oz Principle: Getting Results Through Individual and Organizational Accountability by Roger Connors, Tom Smith, and Craig Hickman
The Oz Principle explores the role of accountability in attaining success at both the personal and organizational levels, and we’ve found its lessons applicable to small businesses. It emphasizes taking ownership of your actions, shifting from a victim mentality to a proactive mindset, and fostering a culture of accountability within teams. Implementing these strategies has enabled us to achieve significant outcomes at CMS.
When not turning pages, we’re tuning into our favorite business podcasts.
Hustle Sanely with host, Jess Massay
"Hustle Sanely" isn’t just a catchy title; it's a reminder of the balance we all seek. In the world of entrepreneurship, the drive to achieve can sometimes lead to burnout. Jess offers a refreshing take on reaching your goals without sacrificing your well-being. Through practical advice on managing productivity and ensuring mental health, she guides listeners on a journey to success that doesn't leave them feeling depleted. Her approach to gentle yet effective hustle is a game-changer for anyone looking to succeed without the stress.
Focus on This with Hosts, Marissa Hyatt and Ken Freire
We love this podcast for its practical tips and effective strategies that boost concentration and productivity, essential elements of our agency's success. Drawing from the producer's Full Focus method, it guides listeners in eliminating distractions to complete important tasks—reigniting a love for Mondays! (Seriously, Sunday blues are a thing of the past around here.)
Personal Growth, Development, and Well-Being
Business success can’t happen without the humans driving it. Personal growth and development are crucial for maintaining mental and emotional health, which in turn fuels business success. Below, we share a selection of books and podcasts that have guided us in nurturing our well-being, helping us to stay balanced, focused, and connected to what truly matters.
Set Boundaries, Find Peace: A Guide to Reclaiming Yourself by Nedra Glover Tawwab
This book is a goldmine of actionable advice for those who find setting personal boundaries challenging. It explores the nuances of establishing boundaries safeguarding personal growth and emotional health. Tawwab empowers readers to prioritize self-care and reclaim their authentic selves by emphasizing the importance of self-awareness, communication skills, and assertiveness in creating boundaries that promote inner peace and fulfilling relationships.
Habits of the Household: Practicing the Story of God in Everyday Family Rhythms by Justin Whitmel Earley
If you’re a parent and a person of faith, this book offers wonderful guidance for creating structure and tranquility in your home. It’s designed for families who wish to integrate faith into daily routines, offering practical tips to create a nurturing environment where parents and children can spiritually and emotionally thrive.
The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry: How to Stay Emotionally Healthy and Spiritually Alive in the Chaos of the Modern World by John Mark Comer
If you feel like your to-do list never ends, you’re not alone! (Really, you’re not alone!) A must-read in today’s fast-paced world, Comer advocates for slowing down and prioritizing emotional and spiritual well-being. It emphasizes the detrimental effects of constant busyness and offers practical strategies for cultivating mindfulness, rest, and connection with God, leading to a healthier and more vibrant life.
Worthy: How to Believe You Are Enough and Transform Your Life by Jamie Kern Lima
This empowering read is a beacon for any business owner grappling with self-doubt. From her days as a Denny’s waitress to founding a billion-dollar empire, Lima's personal narrative underscores the book's core message: overcoming insecurities to fully embrace your value. She guides readers on a journey of self-belief, dream pursuit, and authentic living through practical tips and transformative mindset shifts. It's the motivational push needed when the shadows of doubt loom, offering a roadmap to confidence and success.
And finally, one quick podcast favorite for a personal boost.
Let It Be Easy, with Host Susie Moore
This podcast, hosted by Susie Moore, is a gem for anyone looking to enrich their life with mindfulness, self-care, and personal growth. What makes this podcast stand out are the exceptional guest interviews. Tune in for conversations about mindfulness, self-care, and personal growth with guests who share insights and strategies for living a more balanced, fulfilling life, full of practical tips and inspiration to easily navigate life's challenges. The podcast underscores a simple yet profound truth: life doesn’t have to be as complicated as we often make it—a principle we embrace wholeheartedly.
Where Are You Turning for Knowledge and Inspiration?
In the quest for entrepreneurial success, having a well-stocked arsenal of knowledge and inspiration is invaluable. Navigating the complexities of business ownership is no small feat, yet for those of us who embrace this journey, the rewards are unmatched. From the wisdom of seasoned experts encapsulated in books to the real-world advice shared in podcasts, these resources light our path, making the challenges more manageable and the victories even sweeter.
What’s fueling your entrepreneurial journey? Share your current reads or listens with us.
