Becoming a man

It is strange how time changes and evolves a person. Growing up reading was my (Josh) weakest subject and therefore I did not read (I can go into more about how this paradigm held me back another day). I distinctly remembering after graduating from Iowa State having an attitude that I was done learning (at least from books). What a poor attitude I have at such a young age (2002-2007), but thanks to God for attitudes and people do change with time and I now read almost daily. I am not the same person I was 1 year ago. What is great about this is that Jen reads the same books so we grow and evolve together, and as a result our relationship is getting better every day.

My goal for 2010 was to read 12 books and I have already reached my goal in August. I attibute hunger and passion for learning to the transformations I am making, clarity I now have, and being able to help others. For those that want to change their lives here are some books that I had read in the last year and all have impacted me in a positive way:

• Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiosaki
• Strengths Finder 2.0 by Tom Rath
• Secrets of a Millionaire Mind by T Harv Eker
• Think and Grow Rich by Napolean Hill
• As a Man Thinketh by James Allen
• You Were Born Rich by Bob Proctor
• The Principle of the Path by Andy Stanley
• The Contrarians Guide to Leadership by Steven Sample
• The Bible (random books)
• The Prince by Niccolo Machiavelli
• How We Lead Matters by Marylon Carlson Nelson
• The Science of Getting Rich by Wallace Wattles
• Magnificant Obsession by Llyod Douglas
• Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren
• Lead the Field by Earl Nightingale
• Tony Robbins PowerTalk! series audiobooks
• Bob Proctor's Six Minutes to Success daily videos

Improving my faith in God, becoming a better spouse, becoming a more loving and present dad, and becoming the best I can has become my obsession in 2010. If you have books that have impacted you in a way that helped you to become a better person please give me your recommendations and how it changed you.

What I have learned from all of this is that you are either getting better or you are getting worse (dying). Which way are you moving?