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What do Warren Buffet, Bill Gates, Mark Cuban, and Arianna Huffington have in common? All of these smart, savvy, successful business leaders share a passion for self-improvement through reading books.

If you want to improve your skills as a business owner, why not spend some time each day reading books? There are many that can guide you to greater success.

This reading list of 4 inspiring business books will start you on your way:

• “Thrive: The Third Metric to Redefining Success and Creating a Life of Well-being, Wisdom and Wonder” by Arianna Huffington

  President and Editor-in-chief of the Huffington Post Media Group, Huffington is the author of fourteen books. This one is a best-selling guide to a more healthy and rewarding life. Drawing on the latest scientific research, she demonstrates how we all benefit personally and professionally when we forgo traditional measures of success in favour of more mindful living. Check out Huffington’s Ted Talk with simple advice on how to succeed.

• “Screw Business As Usual” by Richard Branson

  Richard Branson, founder of Virgin Group (which currently controls more than 400 companies) has philanthropic ideals. In this unusual business book Branson shares his unique vision for the future of business. He argues for a radical shift from a singular focus on profit to a more caring approach to decision-making; one that rather puts people, communities, and the planet first.

• “Winners and How They Succeed” by Alastair Campbell

  Tony Blair’s chief spokesman and strategist authored this guide to what it takes to succeed. Richard Branson selected it as one of his list of 70 must read books. It is based on in-depth interviews with successful athletes, entrepreneurs and global leaders. In it, Campbell identifies four key traits shared by the world’s most successful people. Learn how you also can cultivate a winning mindset and achieve your goals with Campbell’s blueprint for winning.

• “Persuasion: A New Approach to Changing Minds” by Arlene Dickinson
  

  Arlene Dickinson started out in business as a 30 year old divorcee and single mom before becoming partner and CEO of Venture Communications. In her autobiographical rags to riches story she shares what she’s learned about success along the way—in particular, the lost art of communication in the digital age.

Final thoughts

It’s a well-known fact that Warren Buffet used to  read between 600 and 1000 pages per day at the start of his investing career and still devotes 80% of his day to reading.

If you still need extra motivation to make daily reading a habit, consider the many benefits to your health and wellbeing.

In addition to helping you build a more successful business, reading enhances empathy, confidence, and improve decision-making—and can help combat stress, depression, and dementia.