Free websites, tools, books, software I use to build my business - Part 2

Hi everyone,

This is the 2nd article in the series.

I have divided this article in sections, the title of a section is highlighted by **** above and below

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Highly recommended
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Books talking about success : I've read dozens if not hundreds of books talking about success over the years. I have forgotten many of them. Some have made quite an impact on me, I still remember the enthusiasm I felt while reading these. Here are the top 4 I recommend, in no particular order :


Awaken the Giant Within, by Anthony Robbins
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I haven't read "Unlimited Power", the title didn't catch my attention. Neither did ATFW, at first. But, for some reason, I decided to look at it. It's a big book. He explains his concepts and ideas in detail. I find his use of the word "technology" a little weird, having been a computer enthusiast for the past 25 years. But when you put that aside, you will find gems throughout the book. Here are the 2 principles that fired me up the most :

    "Everything you and I do, we do either out of our need to avoid pain or our desire to gain pleasure"
    "Questions are the answer"


The Magic of Thinking Big, by David J. Schwartz
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That book was one the first I read on the subject of goals. The things I remember the most :

    - When he talks about the salesman who got 5 times the results of his colleagues, just because he was thinking 5 times bigger
    - The man who answered every question in a TV show for weeks, and the businessman saying to David Schwartz that he would never hire that man on TV,       that he preffered people who think instead of memorizing


Think and Grow Rich, by Napoleon Hill
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Need I say more ? One of the most well known classics on the subject of success, written during the first third of the 20th century, still selling many many copies every year


Maximum Achievement, by Brian Tracy
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I was thinking of buying another book on success. I had decided to check out comments on Amazon.com. One the reviewers gave that book one star, and mentioned that "Maximum Achievement" was so much better. I bought it a few days later, and agreed on the spot. Among the many things covered in this book, the one I have applied from the moment I read it was to thank people for everything they do for me, even if it's just holding the door because I'm arriving just behind them.

*** BONUS *** Hey, that infamous bonus tactic we see on every sales page :)
Flow, by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
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As I was once again looking at THE explanation for my procrastination, I found that book. The author ( I won't type his name again, :)  ), talks about why we can't wait for the day to finish at the job, only to waste the whole night listening to TV, or other time-wasting activities, and that finding our passion will ignite the fire within us, our brain will function clearly, th is what he calls Flow. Also read the follow-up "Finding Flow".

I mentioned Brian Tracy. I'm a big fan, I bought hundreds of dollars or products from him, mostly mp3s to listen to while doing other activities. When you on BrianTracy.com, you will see a free product that you can download if you register to one of his newsletters. And, when you buy a product, as a thank you gift, you get to choose one of five other products. I like his style, you can hear he enjoys doing what he does, and there are hundreds of products to choose from at his site, some very affordable, some that are packages worth hundreds of dollars. Brian Tracy talks about business, money, success, children, living to be 100 years old, and many other subjects. When I registered at Audible.com back in November 2009, I found a gem for $11, the "Success Mastery Academy" 11-hour conference. It dates back to 1997, you can hear his voice sounds very different than what he does today, and some people might be offended by a few things he says here and there cause he expresses some political views, but forget about that, you will so many good ideas, tricks and techniques, your head will spin. Does it show that I'm a fan 6 :) I believe GT Bulmer is too.



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Good reputation, but I haven't used
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OpenOffice.org, a free alternative to Microsoft Office



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Things I just discovered
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15 web alternatives to popular desktop software http://web.appstorm.net/roundups/15-web-alternatives-to-popular-desktop-software/

100 free products http://wednesdaygift.com/jv/download26712.html



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Inspiring
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Hear the story of Nick Vujicic, think about it when you feel down http://attitudeisaltitude.com/


Civilization is a video installation that was created with artist/director Marco Brambilla for the elevators Standard Hotel in NYC. It's comprised of over 400 video clips and it takes elevator passengers on a trip from hell to heaven as they go up or from heaven to hell as they go down http://vimeo.com/5082155

A Warm Embrace - The Great Bell Chant (The End of Suffering)
Read by Thich Nath Hanh, chanted by brother Phap Niem. Visuals taken from: HOME, Earth and Baraka http://vimeo.com/6518109

Those last 2 videos were on Vimeo, a site where you can upload your HD videos for free.


That's it for now.

Have a wonderful day !

Philippe Moisan