I read a lot of books. Or, I should say, I used to read a lot of books. Since the invention of social media (namely, Facebook), I find myself wasting the time that I used to devote to reading a chapter or two of something valuable on looking at pictures of other people’s vacations. No wonder I’ve been uninspired lately.
So, I’ve decided to make a change. I’m deleting the Facebook app from my iPhone. I’m limiting myself to ten minutes a day looking at your kids or reading your jokes. I’m reallocating the rest of that hour to reading something from my library.
And guess what? In the very first day of doing so, I’m on fire. Ready with new ideas, a new zest and zeal, and a renewed sense of vigor for my business. And, for the first time in a long time, I’m inspired to write.
I realize that I’ve cared more about what fuel I put in my car than what fuel I put in my head. Bad mistake. What you feed your mind is the single most important element of your success – or failure.
Today, I’m re-reading an oldie but a goodie: How to Sell Your Way Through Life by Napoleon Hill, the Godfather of personal development. You may have heard of his most popular book Think and Grow Rich, but this one is my personal favorite. Do yourself a favor and invest ten bucks in a copy.
I love every page, every concept, and, even though it’s 78 years old, it’s as true today as it ever was. Sure, the language may be a bit old-fashioned, but the ideas are still revolutionary.
Buried in the middle of the book is what I call the Ten Commandments of Selling. Napoleon Hill calls it “The Ten Major Factors on Which Confidence is Built.” I hope you’ll call it pure gold.
Here they are:

1. Follow the habit of rendering more service and better service than you are paid to render.

2. Enter into no transaction that does not benefit, as nearly alike as possible, everyone it affects.

3. Make no statement which you do not believe to be true, no matter what the temporary advantages a falsehood might seem to offer.

4. Have a sincere desire in your heart to be of the greatest possible service to the largest number of people.

5. Cultivate a wholesome admiration for people; like them better than you like money!

6. Do your best to live as well as preach your own philosophy of business. Actions speak louder than words!

7. Accept no favors, large or small, without giving favors in return.

8. Ask nothing of any person without believing that you have a right to that for which you ask.

9. Enter into no arguments with any person over trivial or non-essential details.

10. Spread the sunshine of good cheer wherever and whenever you can. No man trusts a joy-killer.

I can’t argue with any of these elements. And neither can you. What I can do, and what I’m hoping you will do, is ask, “Do I actually follow these elements, these commandments? And, how good am I at them?”
Here’s your homework: print out this article, hang the commandments up somewhere in your business, share them with your staff, maybe even rewrite them a bit to suit your exact situation. Then memorize them, implement them, and profit from them.
Books are the best, aren’t they? I’m challenging you to join me in reading again. And, I’m reminding you that being book smart won’t help you. You have to implement – and master – what you read.
So, read a book. Then get to work. I promise you’ll thank me for the kick in the pants.