I've run across two books this summer that have instantly become my "go to gifts" for friends and family. The first was more of a lighthearted, but in my opinion, incredibly insightful work of fiction called The Art Of Racing In The Rain. The second book is a title I'm determined to give to everyone I know who shows signs of possessing an entrepreneurial spark. That book is Felix Dennis' How To Get Rich, which features one of the cheesiest titles imaginable, but which also provides some of the most insightful and reassuring advice I have run across in regards to starting one's own business. Since Dennis really has walked the walk when it comes to making billions in the publishing world, and since my own personal business interests lie in writing and publishing, the insights in his book often apply DIRECTLY to questions and concerns I have had in relation to my own business endeavors. Dennis' main point throughout is that to be rich, truly rich (not "comfortably poor" as he puts it) you have to take the risks and pursue your own endeavors. In the process, he eliminates many of the old (and ongoing) excuses I've heard coming from my own mouth and the mouths of my friends for year. Sure, there's a laundry list of reasons why EVERYTHING can fail, but if you think of things in terms of fun, like a game, whats the worst, the absolute worst that can happen, particularly if you have nothing to lose from the get go? Like I said, the title makes this sound like the work of a shifty flim flam man, but the advice, the stories, and the thinking, from cover to cover, struck so many chords with my own work philosphy, that I was completely won over, and encouraged in the personal projects I have been working on for the last yar. Do yourself a favor, pick up this book. Unless you're still looking for excuses for taking a risk and going for the glory, you'll be glad you did.

Tags: Inspiration, Risk Taking, Felix Dennis