The Extraordinary Life: Five Books that Maximize Your Potential

Posted: 28 Dec 2009 03:09 AM PST

the-extraordinary-life

We all have the extraordinary coded within us, waiting to be released. - Jean Houston

Article by BridgeMaker contributor Ralph Jean-Paul. Please visit him at Potential2Success.com.

In high school I rarely read books outside of the classroom. Back then, I felt that everything I needed to know about life could be found by watching MTV, ESPN, and The Simpsons. In my early 20s, however, I realized that in order for me to make it in the real world, I needed to work on my personal development.

That was when I began reading books of all kinds. I loved to read biographies as well as books on religion, money, health, and relationships. I fell in love with the idea that no matter what issue I was facing, someone had already written a book to help me solve that issue.

When I started my blog Potential 2 Success, I had a simple vision in mind; to offer result driven personal development. My blog is really about applying the talents you already have, and acquiring the skills you need in order to succeed in all areas of your life.

I have read so many great books that creating a list of five was extremely difficult. So, I narrowed it down to five books that made an immediate impact on my own personal development and helps show me the way to the extraordinary life.

The Art of Exceptional Living - Jim Rohn

This book introduced me the profound and practical teachings of Jim Rohn. I discovered this book about two years ago and I still find myself referring to it often. The Art of Exceptional Living breaks down the components of what it takes to live an extraordinary life.

I have only seen the book offered in audio format which is great because you get to hear Jim Rohn present the material in an entertaining and dynamic fashion. The first time I heard this book, I can remember saying, "That makes so much sense" over and over again.

This book has a lot of fundamental principles as well as profound statements that had me reaching for a pen so I could jot down notes. Jim Rohn talks about how a person can increase their value in order to get more out of life. He then goes on to talk about how important personal development is and what a person can do to build lifelong success habits. This is a must-read for anyone serious about their personal growth.

Talent is Overrated - Geoffrey Colvin

It is easy to assume that great athletes, business people, and performers are able to succeed on the basis of their talent alone. The truth is that there is a lot of work and effort that goes into becoming the best at what they do.

Will Smith once said that he doesn't consider himself talented but he does consider himself skilled. I thought that was a brilliant statement and follows the philosophy that I try to share on my blog. Talent is an amazing thing to have. But talent can fail a person if they are not particularly skilled in what they do.

That is why the book Talent Is Overrated: What Really Separates World-Class Performers from Everybody Else resonated with me. The book looks at several examples of how extraordinary achievers practice and perfect their craft. Using examples from the arts, music, sports, and business, author Geoffrey Colvin attempts to prove that greatness takes sacrifice and effort.

This book is really about choice. The achievers in the book were not only talented, but they also chose to dedicate their time and energy so that they could become best at what they do.

The Magic of Thinking Big - Dr. David Schwartz

When I first got this book I didn't expect too much from it. The title seemed very simplistic and I was just hoping it was at least an average personal development book. But after I read it, I went around telling as many people as I could about this gem that I had discovered. To my surprise, many people already knew how great the book was. Apparently, I was late to the party.

The Magic of Thinking Big is clear and well written. I love the way the book unlocks the possibility of your mind and positive thinking. There are several examples of people's reaction to different work and life situations. Dr. David Schwartz explains that if you want more out of life, think bigger.

There are also several examples of how to enhance your interactions with the people come across every day. Simply put, this book teaches that success is not an accident and that almost all obstacles can be overcome.

Personality Plus - Florence Littauer

Personality Plus by Florence Littauer offers a method of understanding others by first understanding yourself. This book was recommended to me by a friend who is in the sales business. He told me that he read the book and it changed his life and the way he related to everyone around him.

I casually told him I would pick it up but I never made it a priority. When I finally got around to buying the book, I began reading it that same night. My intention was to read a few pages and go to bed. I ended up reading the first four chapters that night. I couldn't wait to go to work the next day to test what I had learned.

I think of myself as someone who is good with people. I love meeting new people and interacting with different personalities. Although I am confident in my ability to get along with others, Personality Plus caused me to view people in a whole new light. After reading this book, I began to apply what I learned immediately. Sure enough, they worked extremely well. I was amazed!

The book includes a personality profile test the reveals your unique temperament. Then, the book explains the strengths and weaknesses of each temperament. By knowing the personality types of other people, it became easier for me to bond with them. I also became more accepting of the faults of the people around me.

The 8th Habit: From Effectiveness to Greatness - Stephen R. Covey

The follow up to The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, The 8th Habit takes you to a whole new level. The book challenges the reader to "find your voice and inspire others to find theirs". This is not one of those books that you can just rush through. I benefited more by reading one chapter per month. By doing this, I was able to slowly integrate what I learned into my life.

This is one of the books that encouraged me to share my insights on life with the world. When I found this book, I was still searching for my "voice". I knew that I wanted to do more with my life but I wasn't sure what. Truthfully, I didn't have the courage to claim my destiny. After reading this book I found the courage to go after my big goals instead of settling for mediocre success.

The 8th Habit also comes with a free DVD that is worth the price of the book. It has several segments that reinforce what is presented in the book. There are also several inspirational videos. Greatness is something that we all posses. I think this book can help anyone find theirs.

Did I leave one your favorites off of the list? What books have helped you live an extraordinary life?

Ralph Jean-Paul is not only committed to his own personal development, but he is also committed to the personal development of everyone he comes in contact with. This desire to see growth in himself lead him to begin to mentor others. Ralph also found his purpose when he began to speak at universities, corporations, associations and other organizations. To learn more about Ralph, please visit Potential2Success.com.