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The Best Freelance and Small Business Books of the Past Year


Jan 3, 2018 | Jessica Ogilvie

We’re not afraid to look back and learn from history! (History, in this case, being 2017.) These books, all released over the past year, provide insight, guidance, and thought-provoking storytelling for anyone looking to up their entrepreneurial or freelance game. Since you’re coming out of being somewhat unplugged over the holiday season, these will help you strategize the coming year.

Side Hustle: From Idea to Income in 27 Days, by Chris Guillebeau For anyone mulling over whether to jump feet-first into their side hustle in order to crank up their income, this book is a great motivator. Written by the author of The New York Times bestseller The $100 Startup, Side Hustle details what to do in a critical four-week period to jump-start your business.

Reset: My Fight for Inclusion and Lasting Change, by Ellen Pao A story of the author’s famous gender-discrimination suit brought against Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, this first-person account will remind you why everyone must go into 2018 aware of, and determined to do something about, equity in the workplace.

Stealing Fire: How Silicon Valley, the Navy SEALs, and Maverick Scientists are Revolutionizing the Way We Live and Work, by Steven Kotler and Jamie Wheal The neuroscience-based Stealing Fire helps readers find their flow, that elusive but highly valuable state in which time and outside distractions seem to cease to exist, and creative work flows out.

The Entrepreneur’s Book of Actions: Essential Daily Exercises and Habits for Becoming Wealthier, Smarter, and More Successful, by Rhett Power Taking you beyond the initial step of starting your business, this small-business guide shows readers how to grow and thrive, ensuring that you don’t just have a brilliant idea that flops as soon as it launches. Power covers topics like breaking common bad habits, making time to innovate, and streamlining day-to-day tasks.

Weird in a World That’s Not: A Career Guide for Misfits, Fckups, and Failures*, by Jennifer Romolini In her memoir, Romolini details the screw-ups and stumbles that guided her along her path to career success. It’s not specifically targeted towards small businesses or freelancers, but if you’ve ever felt that you’re one misstep away from losing everything, this book will help you turn that fear around.

The Captain Class: The Hidden Force that Creates the World’s Greatest Teams, by Sam Walker This book examines what has made some of the captains of the best sports teams in history so great. A great look at how to be an excellent leader.

Tribe of Mentors: Short Life Advice from the Best in the World, by Timothy Ferriss The man who brought you The 4-Hour Workweek now brings you the opposite; a 600-page tome packed with wisdom from more than 100 people who are at the top of their game, from Neil Strauss to Dita von Teese to Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks. It’s one you can keep picking up over the course of the new year.

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