Are there a handful of mindset books that are a MUST read for every female entrepreneur? I believe there are and I worked hard to narrow it down and give you my top seven!

I love learning so I am constantly reading. In fact, I typically average 50 books a year , and that means I’ve read hundreds and hundreds of business, personal development, motivation…even college textbooks on copywriting, business plans, psychology, and marketing.

You’ve heard it said that some people always “have their nose in a book.” Well, “I always have my ear in a book.” OK, that sounds super weird, but my book “reading” usually happens when I am driving, walking the dog, or exercising. It’s actually very rare that I’m literally reading. But listening… now that’s something I love! It’s so funny when people question whether listening to a book is the same as reading it. Of course, it is!

Today, I wanted to share a few of my favorites. If you and I were sitting together talking, these are the ones I’d encourage you to read, they’re the ones that I think can truly help every female entrepreneur to be braver, stronger, more empowered, and give you a more confident mindset:

1. The Magic of Thinking Big

by David Schwartz

More than 6 million readers around the world have improved their lives by reading The Magic of Thinking Big. I actually picked this one up after I noticed 3 insanely successful people all attribute their turning point to THIS book. It was first published in 1959, but don’t be fooled, David J Schwartz’s classic teachings are as powerful today as they were then. It’s practical, empowering and hugely engaging. And it’s one of my favorite books to help you reframe or uplevel your mindset. This book will not only inspire you, it will give you the tools to change your life for the better — starting from now.

2. Rejection Proof

by Jia Jiang

You probably WON’T see this one on a lot of other lists, but I’m telling you…it’s worth reading. Have you ever been indecisive? Scared to move forward? Terrified that you’ll fail? That everyone will see you as a fraud, a fake, a wannabe? Of course you have, we ALL have. And we as women are especially prone to feeling the imposter syndrome when it comes to taking big risks and going for big goals.  So how do we overcome this? We have to get comfortable with being uncomfortable. That is the key if we want to make an impact and change our trajectories.

Rejection Proof is the story of Jia and the lessons he learned after being so frustrated with himself and his fear of being rejected and seeing how badly it was affecting his goals, he decided to try something crazy. Rejection therapy: he set out to get over his fear of rejection by purposefully getting rejected 100 times. Here’s one rejection:

And here’s his Ted Talk…

3. Soundtracks

by Jon Acuff

I actually LOVE all of Jon Acuff’s books (there’s a reason he’s a multi New York Times best-selling author!). I would honestly tell you to read every single one! But I decided to start with “soundtracks,” even though it’s his most recent, because I know without a doubt you’re struggling with this one — we all are. And it’s that inner mean voice and the act of overthinking which turns into fear, which then becomes indecision. Overthinking isn’t a personality trait. It’s the sneakiest form of fear.

It steals time, creativity, and goals. It’s the most expensive, least productive thing companies invest in without even knowing it. When Jon Acuff changed his life by transforming his overthinking, he wondered if other people might benefit from what he discovered. He commissioned a research study to ask 10,000 people if they struggle with overthinking too, and 99.5 percent said, “Yes!”

4. Atomic Habits

by James Clear

I’m the girl obsessed with systems! Systems are how I saved my sanity, my health… my family. This is what I personally teach, speak, coach and focus on day in and day out. And I’m telling you there is a very good reason this book makes it into every “Top 10” or “Must read” lists. If you’re having trouble changing your habits, the problem isn’t you. The problem is your system. Bad habits repeat themselves again and again not because you don’t want to change, but because you have the wrong system for change. You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems. Inside Atomic Habits, you’ll get a proven system that can take you to new heights.

5. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

by Stephen R. Covey

One of the most inspiring and impactful books ever written, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People has captivated readers for nearly three decades and there’s so many spin-offs that follow. In fact for my teenagers, I loved “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens.”

But this is the grand-daddy, it has transformed the lives of presidents and CEOs, educators and parents—millions of people of all ages and occupations. It’s an absolute must!

6. Essentialism

by Greg McKeown

Essentialism is more than a time-management strategy or a productivity technique. It is a systematic discipline for discerning what is absolutely essential, then eliminating everything that is not, so we can make the highest possible contribution toward the things that really matter.

7. How to Win Friends & Influence People

by Dale Carnegie

This is my favorite book of all time, I contribute more of my general success to this book than any other. Why? Because everything you’re trying to do, at some point, will involve other people and if you don’t know how to be great with people. You can’t be great.

But as you read this, if you want to get maximum results, if you really want to see it work for you, you have to test it. Try it… try it out on your kids, your spouse, your friends, your clients, the grocery store clerk… Everyone. And then read it again. And again. I think I’ve probably read it 8 to 10 time by now and I make my kids read it once a year from 13 to 18. It’s that good!

Dale Carnegie’s rock-solid, time-tested advice has carried countless people up the ladder of success in their business and personal lives. One of the most groundbreaking and timeless bestsellers of all time, How to Win Friends & Influence People will teach you:

• Six ways to make people like you
• Twelve ways to win people to your way of thinking
• Nine ways to change people without arousing resentment

But don’t get tricked, you want the CLASSIC version, not the one for the digital age!