7 Ways to Get Excited for 2014

The Billionaire Who Wasn't (Public Affairs, 2007). It teaches a valuable lesson that we sometimes forget: the importance of helping other people. In this case, the hero of the book helps people at scale.

Eric Siu, EricOSiu.com
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Youtility (Portfolio Hardcover, 2013). That book really spells out how companies should be thinking of customer engagement to build loyal and willing fans. If you're not providing value to your audience beyond your product, you're just another "meh" company. You need to be a "holy smokes" company instead. Youtility will help you get there.

Jason Falls, CafePress
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SoulFlyers Video. Whenever I need inspiration, I turn to this video. But then again, I'm a skydiver, so it's probably fitting.



Peter Shankman, Shankman|Honig
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The 4-Hour Workweek (Harmony, 2009). Every entrepreneur's goal should be to achieve the same sort of success Tim Ferriss has, and his book outlines exactly how to do it. It's a model I follow and a goal I continue to work toward.

Jayson DeMers, AudienceBloom
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Geek out over your data. Data might not sound inspiring, but if you could build the tools that would give you a deeper view into the world of your prospects and customers you could provide so much more value. Analytics is sexy!

John Jantsch, Duct Tape Marketing
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Thinking Out Loud (A documentary about Buckminster Fuller). Bucky fuller was a designer, an inventor, a philosopher and a genius. He was a profound creative thinker. So much of the digital marketing landscape is based on predictive analytics and automated tools today. But if we all use the same tools, processes and data to do the same things, we will all get average results. Bucky Fuller will inspire you to think differently about the world around you and look past the average to the extraordinary.

Adam Kleinberg, Traction
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Maximize Your Potential (Amazon Publishing, 2013). This book gives you one-of-a-kind insights on how to succeed in your career from writers, authors, entrepreneurs and business executives. There's nothing quite like learning from the experiences of your network and taking their suggestions to heart when it comes to positioning yourself for a flexible and fulfilling career with digital chops.

Brian Honigman, BrianHonigman.com
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