Matt Bates

Your.Friend.Matt

My blog about anything and everything. Let’s connect.

  • YourFriendMatt
  • Thoughts
  • Pictures
  • VIDEO

Finding Time To Read...

March 13, 2016 by Matt Bates

“Man, I have to take a speed reading class or something.” - Me.

It was brought to my attention that the average CEO reads about 4-5 books a month. If someone who runs a company, big or small, can cram hundreds of extra pages into 30 days, I think I can stop scrolling through Instagram to get a few pages in. I figured my goal would be to read at least one book a month this year. I know, not as aggressive as my entrepreneurial counterparts, but you have to start somewhere. So far I have been on track.

I started the year out with what I thought would be an easy read, absolutely biting off more than I could chew, with “Thinking, Fast and Slow” By Daniel Kahneman. This 512 page-turning thrill-ride (sarcasm intended) consumed my January, taking all my mental capabilities. I do not claim to be a smart man so, pretending I could understand the left and right side of the brain as my first read of the year was not smart. I will give it to me Kahneman though; it is written well, and I could tell he was trying his best to put it in layman terms. Once again, I am not a smart man. 

As January turned into February, I wanted to turn to something a little lighter. “Rich Dad Poor Dad” by Robert Kiyosaki fit the mold. If you have not read this and have any plan of running your finances, life or want to make radical outside-the-box decisions, I would strongly suggest starting here. Even if you do not agree with some ideas throughout “Rich Dad Poor Dad” it will, at least, leave you thinking. And, I think that is a good thing.

My read this month is “Fierce Conversations” by Susan Scott and was recommended to me by a mentor/peer at work. We were having a conversation about the development of veteran teammate and discussed what would an area they could improve on before taking the next step in their career. I immediately pointed out that I have never seen them have a hard conversation with anyone and boom…a day later this book was in my hand for them to read. Instead of immediately passing it along I figured I would give it a go first to see what I could get out of it. Only a few chapters deep right now and like I said before, even if you do not agree with some ideas throughout the book it will, at least, leave you thinking…and that’s a good thing.

-YourFriendMatt

The Average CEO Reads 4-5 Books Per Month By Refreshed Leadership

Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman

Fierce Conversations by Susan Scott

Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki

-YourFriendMatt

March 13, 2016 /Matt Bates
california, los angeles, entrepreneur, help, tim ferris, 40 hour work week, ceo, love, passion, instagram, rich dad poor dad, read, thinking
Comment
The awakening...I could run my own company...right? 

The awakening...I could run my own company...right? 

Becoming my own boss...

February 28, 2016 by Matt Bates

“What the hell am I going to do with my life?” - Me.

Over the last year or so I have really focused in on what I want to do with my life, and I am coming up short. And honestly, I don’t think there is anything wrong with that. I am just happy to be motivated to change. This year I have committed to reading a least one book a month, replacing any wasted time I have scrolling on my phone checking out my friends photos, to see if I can find an answer. Someone recently told me that the average CEO has roughly 7 forms of income. My plan is to get there. Now...how?

Coming from and still being in the middle class I want to figure out how the wealthy got wealthy and how they continued to stay there. I have turned to multiple books, podcast and am continually doing research about how I can make my money work for me. I am finding myself in a classic ‘Where do I start’ scenario. Do I invest in property? And if so, what does that actually mean and where do I get started? What the hell is a bond and what stocks should I get involved in? Should I open a franchise? Where can I find a mentor to guide me?

Help.

 

-YourFriendMatt

February 28, 2016 /Matt Bates
california, los angeles, entrepreneur, help, 40 hour work week, rich dad poor dad, philadelphia
Comment