Have you heard the saying, “If you want to hide something from people, put it in writing”? Well, I am here to tell you that most of your problems have already been answered or there are some options for helping you achieve the level of success you desire. They are hidden in the pages of a book!
The most successful people in the world have great reading habits: Bill Gates is said to read 50 books per year, Mark Zuckerberg resolved to read a book every two weeks, and Mark Cuban dedicates more than 3 hours per day to reading. Reading is clearly a keystone to success in business.
I love to read, but especially like reading books pertaining to my industry and my professional career. It’s no secret that Insurance agents have a tough job. There are many agents and business owners from other industries who have experienced many of the same difficulties you have. How grateful we should all be that some of them have left a blueprint to be able to follow.
Reading can also have a profound impact on your emotional and focus. In a study done by Mindlab International, it was discovered that reading for just 6 minutes a day can reduce stress levels by up to 68%, and almost immediately slower heart rate.
Here are ten books that have helped me understand how business in general works. These books opened my eyes in a big way and continue to guide me in my insurance career.
Insurance
The following are a few books that may offer you some solutions on how to run a successful insurance agency.
So You Want To Be An Insurance Agent – by Jeff Hastings
Power Position Your Agency – by Troy Korsgaden
Sales
Sales is especially important in the insurance business. Agency owners and sales producers have to continuously acquire new clients to help grow their book of business.
How I Raised Myself from Failure to Success in Selling – by Frank Bettger
Zig Ziglar’s The Secrets of Closing the Sale – by Zig Ziglar
Marketing/Networking
The following book will teach you about how to set your agency apart from competitors, how to target the right people, and how to build your brand.
Never Eat Alone – by Keith Ferrazzi
Entrepreneurship
These books will teach you the strategies, mindset, and skills required to bootstrap your agency from a few clients to thousands of satisfied customers.
The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don’t Work and What to Do About It – by Michael Gerber
Leadership
As your agency grows, your leadership skills will become more crucial. The team you build and the success you create as a group will largely depend on your ability to inspire others to do their best work. This is classic that you should definitely keep on hand.
How to Win Friends and Influence People – by Dale Carnegie
Productivity
Running an insurance agency can be very demanding, especially during periods of fast growth. I don’t know any insurance professional who only works 4-hours a week, but this is a great book to help you deal with time management issues you may be experiencing. Your ability to manage your time effectively and work efficiently will not only keep you sane, but also help you improve your business.
The 4-Hour Workweek – by Timothy Ferriss
Personal Development
The more you improve yourself, the more you can improve your insurance business. The following books will help you develop good habits, get motivated, and become a better version of yourself:
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change – by Steven Covey
How Successful People Think: Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life – by John Maxwell