Lessons learnt (My best books for 2024)


Hello Reader,

I hope you had an amazing Christmas, and wishing you well for the new year that’s imminently upon us.

Now, I always have and always will be a massive fan of reading. The knowledge you can gain from a properly good book is simply brilliant.

As we close out 2024, I wanted to share some of the most impactful books I read this year and the lessons I took from each one.

Now, apart from these books being packed with insights that helped me shape how I approach business, mindset, and growth…

They’re also really enjoyable to read.

So here’s the list, plus my key takeaway from each:

The 5am Club by Robin Sharma

My Key Takeaway: Take control of your mornings, and you’ll take control of your life. This book reinforced the power of morning routines to achieve clarity, focus, and results. The story’s narrative style made these lessons stick, inspiring me to refine my own habits – and I did.

$100M Leads by Alex Hormozi

My Key Takeaway: High-quality lead generation isn’t just an art; it’s a science. Alex Hormozi shares practical, high-value strategies for driving leads and scaling businesses. It’s a must-read for anyone serious about growth. Whether you’re reading or listening, it’s packed with actionable insights.

What Your Customer Wants and Can’t Tell You by Melina Palmer

My Key Takeaway: Behavioural economics is the hidden secret to better conversations and outcomes. Melina’s explanation of how our brains make decisions was a game-changer. Learning to frame discussions the right way is something we can all benefit from – in sales, leadership, and life.

Cold Calling Sucks… But That’s How It Works by Armand Farrokh and Nick Cegelski

My Key Takeaway: Cold calling isn’t dead; it’s just misunderstood. This book validated what we know at Growth Resourcing (a calling business I have down in South Africa): a well-executed, targeted approach to outreach works. It’s not only about volume; it’s about quality and relevance.

Never Finished by David Goggins

My Key Takeaway: The journey to success is endless; keep pushing. David’s lessons on mental resilience hit home. Growth – whether physical, mental, or professional – requires consistent effort. It’s a mindset I aim to carry into every challenge.

These books taught me so much this year, and I hope they inspire you as well. Oh, and if you’ve read any of these or have a recommendation for 2025, hit reply and let me know. Here’s to growing stronger, smarter, and more resilient together in the year ahead!

James

How would you rate this edition?

🤏🏻 So-So

🙂 🙂 Useful

🎩 🎩 🎩 Top Drawer!

James White

The Sales and Business Development newsletter that is targeted at Ambitious Business Owners who sell high value services and who want to drive Sales Growth. I share EVERYTHING you require to LEARN buyer behaviours, ATTRACT more clients and GROW your business in less than 4 minutes per week. Current subscribers gain ideas and insights to save time and implement practical tips to grow their business. Why not join them?

Read more from James White

In today’s edition, we dive into why salespeople don’t feel confident handling objections and how training yourself like an athlete can turn objections from scary roadblocks into opportunities. Like a fire drill, objection handling is a skill built through repetition and preparation. Let’s explore how to build that confidence and close more deals. This week's suggested resource: Handling Objections Effectively Hello Reader, What would you do if the fire alarm sounded in your office? Some...

In today’s edition, we explore why the majority of buyers say salespeople don’t understand their business, and how that’s costing you sales. We dig into how tailored conversations build trust, relevance, and ultimately win more deals. Hello Reader, Imagine you’re buying a suit for an important event, and you have two options. You can get a tailored suit, meticulously crafted to your exact measurements. Every seam fits perfectly, the shoulders align just right, and the sleeves fall exactly...

In today’s edition, we dive into why buyers often take longer than you expect to say yes. We’ll explore how big decisions trigger fear and hesitation, not disinterest, and why patience, empathy, and smart follow-up are your best tools to keep deals moving forward. Hello Reader, Imagine you’ve just found your dream house. The location is perfect. The garden is beautiful. It ticks all your boxes. Yet, even though you love it, you hesitate. You don’t say yes right away. Because… Buying a house...