It’s been said that twenty years from now, in a reflective moment of self-evaluation, it will occur to you that the biggest impact on your own personal growth and development resulted primarily from 2 things: the people you met and the books you read.

I make it a point to ask successful clients, mentors and other people I admire what books made an impact in their lives - and along the way some wonderful gems have reached the summit of my bookshelf.

When people ask me to recommend a good self-help book, I tell them about a great one that was originally recommended to me by a special mentor: "How I Raised Myself from Failure to Success in Selling".

The book is a business classic by Frank Bettger, who lived from 1888 to 1981. He began his career in 1910 as a professional baseball player with the St. Louis Cardinals and by age 29 had achieved failure as an insurance salesman. By the time he was forty he owned a country estate and could have retired. He decided instead to keep working.

Bettger was inspired to start writing books by his better-known contemporary Dale Carnegie (also born in 1888 - it sounds like a zillion years ago). He became a best-selling author too.

Wait a second! (you may be saying to yourself), I don't sell anything - this book title sure sounds like a self-help sales primer!

Truth is...we are all selling. Whether it's selling our kids on the idea of going to bed now, convincing a prospective employer on our hiring merits, or finding a suitable spouse, every single one of us is selling something, if only an idea, on a daily basis.

In his book Bettger describes how he went from defeat and obscurity to unparalleled success and fame as one of the highest paid salesmen in America.

He shares his personal experiences and explains the foolproof principles he developed and perfected. My teen aged son read the book several times and loved it too.

The key take-away messages from his instructive anecdotes include step-by-step guidelines on how to develop the style, spirit, and presence of a winning salesperson.

No matter what you sell or don't sell, you will surely become more efficient and successful if you apply any one of his keen insights to your life.

Bettger lived to the ripe old age of 93 which was quite an achievement for someone born in the 1800s.

Do you have a suggestion or comment to share about this title or another great book you have enjoyed?

Please let me know by submitting a blog comment below or send an email ....thanks in advance!

Stay healthy!