XIV.  The Discipline of Fulfillment

Mastery: The Keys to Success and Long-Term Fulfillment, George Leonard, 1992.  This book outlines the five keys to mastery in any field or endeavor: instruction; practice; surrender; intentionality; and the edge.  Understanding the process of mastery will enable you to vault over the pitfalls of the quick fix to attain a higher level of excellence and deeper level of satisfaction.  Slow horses finish first; and plateaus are more important than great leaps forward…..I learned a lot from this book.

Atlas Shrugged, Ayn Rand, 1957.  9 out of 10 of the most successful businessmen in America said the single book that influenced them the most is Atlas Shrugged.  An astounding story of a man who said that he would stop the motor of the world – and did.  It’s a mystery story about the murder – and rebirth – of man’s spirit.  A book with interwoven philosophies that will shape your life forever.  Read it, and you’ll understand.

Taking Responsibility: Self-Reliance and the Accountable Life, Nathaniel Brandon, 1996.  The grandfather of self-esteem (and author Ayn Rand’s former beau) talks about what it means to truly take responsibility for your life.  If you want to give yourself true freedom, you’ll want to read this one.  As our founding fathers promised us – Liberty = freedom plus responsibility.  A profound and important book.