Connections are developed when trust is created. Someone must trust that you will not hurt them. They must trust you will not belittle, judge, or condemn them.  Connection allows people to express themselves and because of the acceptance of that expression they return the connection. Connection is a feeling. You can improve connection by paying attention, by not judging. Connection is result of respect turned into trust. By having the same wants and desires, your connection can start

. by accepting the others and showing care, your connection can be confirmed. More true connections mean a bigger network. Which meaner greater and more varied experiences.

“The more closed your network, the more you hear the same ideas over and again, reaffirming what you already believe, while the more open your network, the more exposed you are to new ideas.” – Whitney Johnson 

Your ability to adapt is your most important strength. It also can be your biggest weakness. If we can become who need to be for the people in our life, then we are valuable. Adapting to the needs of others creates value

. To adapt is to change. To adapt is to be flexible in both judgements and opinions but never in morals. Helping others get what they need in the way they need it is the essence of adapting. No professional skill is as important as the ability to adapt.

The ability to add value and to create is a blessing. To work is a mandate. A basic human need. Work is required. Work is good. Doing good work is what makes you feel complete. When you do real work by adding value and helping others your entire life gets better. You are less selfish and your happiness increases

. Work allows you to fulfill your potential. Work is a blessing.

Do what you know you should do. You know that you need to do meaningful work

. You know that you need to help others. You know you need to be a little bit kinder. You know that you need work harder. You know that people need your ideas, comments, and insights. You know that you should be yourself. Do those things. Share more of yourself.

When our motivation’s purpose is outside of ourselves: we work harder, we work better, we do more, we feel more fulfilled. The motivation and reason itself comes from within, the but the purpose is better when it is from without

. As we focus on others, we are more successful.

We all need to feel loved. The best way to feel love is to help others

. You are not alone, even when you are lonely. People need you. Feel true love and acceptance as you help others.

This year I did two things I hope no one else has to suffer through. I read 103 books. 103. Way too many for my current situation, and I love reading. Also, I attained Diamond Status on Delta. Which means I wasn’t home with my family enough this year.

My goal this year was to read 100 books. I accomplished that goal, it makes me proud to say it.

It makes me foolish for doing it.

I don’t think I am any a smarter or better off than when I only read 50 books a year. I just spent more time reading and less time pondering

. I am not going to let that happen again. Pondering and doing is more important than reading.

Why I read has changed.

I used to read for myself.

Now I read for others.

I used to read to escape reality.

Now I read to really live better.

I read to help others. I read for my wife. I read for my kids. I read for my colleagues.

For the past few years (2015, 2014, 2013, 2012) I have published my list of Top 10 non-fiction books that have had the biggest impact on me. This year creating this list was much harder, because I had almost twice as many books to choose from as normal. These books were not necessarily new in 2016 (some were), but they were new to me and caused me to me think differently or changed my actions in some way. I hope they can help you as well.

In Alphabetical Order, here are the 10 books that had the largest impact on me in 2016:

1. The 7th Sense by Joshua Cooper Ramo – This book paints an accurate and timely picture of the world we live in and how it is changing. The book also gives us ways to succeed in the network era.
2. American Nations by Colin Woodard – You will understand American culture, history, politics, and people much deeper than ever before. Should be required reading for all high school students.
3. The Art of People by Dave Kerpen – A modern day Dale Carnegie, this book will help you professionally and personally.
4. The Confidence Gap by Russ Harris – Solid, real frameworks that help counter the root cause of fear. Read this book, apply it and live with confidence.
5. Guts by Sam Bracken – We all need to live our true selves. This book gives us motivation and actionable insights do to just that.
6. Mental Toughness For Women Leaders by LaRae Quy – Not just for women! This book from a former FBI agent gives you tools to help you develop your emotional intelligence and overcome mental barriers.
7. The Only Sales Guide You Will Ever Need by Anthony Iannarino – If your full-time job is sales, you must read this book. You will use it forever. You will need it to become better.
8. The Outward Mindset by The Arbinger Institute – Stop blaming others. Once I learned and applied the teachings of this book almost all of my personal and professional problems got better. If you only read one book on this list, read this one.
9. Power Relationships by Andrew Sobel – You can never build too strong of relationships. Usually we don’t build them enough. This book helps everyone overcome personal obstacles in relationship creation.
10. The Science of Selling by David Hoffeld – Neuroscience is applied to sales professionalism in a compelling manner. A must read for all professionals.

Honorable Mentions: (really wanted to put these in, couldn’t fit ’em though)

• Beyond the Sales Process by Steve Andersen & Dave Stein
• The Challenger Customer by Nick Toman, Pat Spenner, Brent Adamson, & Matthew Dixon
• Chief Marketing Officers at Work by Josh Steimle
• Emotional Intelligence 2.0 by Dr. Travis Bradberry & Jean Greaves
• Heavy Hitter IT Sales Strategy by Steve W. Martin

Thanks for reading. While this has been just a short list, there are so many more incredible books that I am excited to read in 2017! Jim Rohn said:

“The book you don’t read won’t help.”

What books would you recommend for 2017?

What books I would recommend for everyone to read – (Top Ten secularbooks I read this year) In alphabetical order:

1. Aspire: Discovering Your Purpose Through the Power of Words by Kevin Hall
2. Brazil on the Rise: The Story of a Country Transformed by Larry Rohter
3. Chocolate Nations: Living and Dying for Cocoa in West Africa by Orla Ryan
4. Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us by Daniel H. Pink
5. How Children Succeed: Grit, Curiosity, and the Hidden Power of Character by Paul Tough
6. How Will You Measure Your Life? by Clayton M. Christensen
7. Left Behind: Latin America and the False Promise of Populism by Sebastian Edwards
8

. Multipliers: How the Best Leaders Make Everyone Smarter by Liz Wiseman, Greg Mckeown
9. My Orange Duffel Bag: A Journey to Radical Change by Sam Bracken, Echo Garrett
10. So Good They Can’t Ignore You: Why Skills Trump Passion in the Quest for Work You Love by Cal Newport