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Rick’s Read and React

“Reading is essential for those who seek to rise above the ordinary.”

Jim Rohn

2025

READ – The Wealth Money Can’t Buy by Robin Sharma

Mortgage Rates Steady at 6.81% Amid Economic Uncertainty by Mortgage News Daily

Treasury Secretary Urges Fed to Cut Rates as Growth Slows by CNBC

WATCH – The NEW Social Media Content Strategy for 2025 | Gary Vee UNHINGED – by Neel Dhingra 

9 Steps to Build a Brand Bible & Develop a Marketing Presence By Tom Ferry

Chatter by Ethan Kross

READ –10 Time Management Tools Every Agent Needs By Tom Ferry

WATCH – The Words You Speak Matter In Life & Business! – Jesse Itzler Motivational Speech

READ – Your Real Estate Marketing Budget: Plan, Track, SucceedBy Tom Ferry

READ – Outlive by Peter Attia, MD

  • A great book with a lot of science behind the science and art of life longevity.
  • “A groundbreaking manifesto on living better and longer that challenges the conventional medical thinking on aging and reveals a new approach to preventing chronic disease and extending long-term health, from a visionary physician and leading longevity expert.” From the book’s website. 

READ – Slow Productivity by Cal Newport

  • This book describes a groundbreaking new philosophy for pursuing meaningful accomplishment while avoiding overload, based around three principles: (1) Do Fewer Things; (2) Work at a Natural Pace; (3) Obsess Over Quality.

2024

VIDEO – Boost Productivity with Task Delegation: Find, Train & Retain By Tom Ferry

VIDEO – 10 Dogs in 10 Days – Fairway Mortgage and American Warrior Initiative

VIDEO – Getting Listings Sold: A Framework for Talking to Sellers by Tom Ferry

ARTICLE– Clearing Space: Prioritizing Revenue Generating Activities By Tom Ferry

BOOK– The Brain that Changes Itself by Norman Doidge, M.D.

  • This book focuses on the neuroplasticity of the brain. How we have created ways for people to recover from brain injuries caused by strokes or born with neurological disorders such as autism or down syndrome. The research and success are amazing and empowering. 

ARTICLE – Ahead of the Curve: Real Estate Smart Contracts & Blockchain By Tom Ferry

BOOK – Soundtracks By Jon Acuff

  • A short read about overthinking and the path to overcome it.
  • I thought this was such a great read I listened to it twice. I am actively “motivated” to try a few things in the book and see which ones I keep in my daily disciplines.

ARTICLE – Starting &Maintaining Your Self-Improvement Journey By Tom Ferry

BOOK – Mastery By George Leonard

  • A classic book about the steps toward achieving mastery.

BOOK –  Of Dirt and Wildflowers By Kylee Marchall

  • Wow, what an amazing journey! I really enjoyed Kylee’s story and felt I was with her each step of the way. 
  • I shared laughs, tears, and joy throughout. I highly recommend this read.

BOOK –  Think and Grow Rich By Napoleon Hill

  • This is another annual read for me. This book emphasizes the power of the mind and spirit in achieving your desired outcomes. How the mind (your habits and thinking) positions you constantly for where you want to be to achieve the success you desire.  

PODCAST – Communication Elevation by Ninja Selling Podcast

  • This podcast emphasizes the importance of diversifying communication methods used with current and past clients with the key lying in the quality and relevance of the content itself. Noting that the goal of such communication is to educate, entertain, or evoke emotions, allowing agents to connect with clients on a deeper level, the podcast encourages experimentation with various communication strategies.

ARTICLE – Everybody Wants the Lowest Rate, but at What Cost? By Scotsman Guide  

  • Interesting read on the current rate environment and the costs associated with them.

BOOK – Unreasonable Hospitality By Will Guidara

  • Loved this read. It talks about the process of growing into a 4-star Michelin restaurant and becoming the #1 rated restaurant in the world in 2017. 
  • Lots of tangible, actionable ways to enhance your business. 

BOOK – $100M Leads by Alex Hormozi

  • A practical guide with a high level of detail of how to get and grow your leads. 
  • This will be a book I listen to again because of the depth of information. 

PODCAST –  Be the Brand by Ninja Selling Podcast

  • You do not have to be a Ninja to appreciate these guys are providing real life, everyday realtor information. I love it because they are constantly helping me make sure I provide value and depth to each of you.

Inspired Every Day by Kevin Paul Scott

  • The key ingredients to being Inspired Every Day is your Purpose, Partners, and Problems. 
  • I had the honor hearing Kevin speak at our Annual Meeting. He is a clear leader in the space of helping businesses find their inspiration.   

Win in the Dark by Joshua Medcalf

  • You don’t shine under the bright lights. The bright lights only reveal your work in the dark. 
  • Win in the Dark is a story about a boy that learns to work hard when nobody is watching and overcome the mental challenges that come on the journey of mastery.

The Last Arrow by Erwin Raphael McManus

  • The Last Arrow is your roadmap to a life that defies odds and alters destinies. 
  • Discover the attributes of those who break the gravitational pull of mediocrity.
  • Examine the characteristics of individuals who risked everything for a life they could only imagine