When I speak with people, they often ask me if I read this or that self-help book. When I respond that I didn’t and that I have no intention to, they are quite shocked.

It surprises many people to know that I do not read many self-help books.

I understand their reaction. After all, I publish personal development books.

So, why don’t I read more of them?

One of the reasons is that I’ve already read plenty! I have shelves of books that I’ve read, from Napoleon Hill to Tony Robbins to authors you’ve never heard of.

That being the case, I believe that there comes a time when one must put the books away and get into action.

I know the philosophy. I teach the philosophy. I make it a habit to put it into action.

Another reason why I don’t read many self-help books is that I publish the best personal development books ever written: Charles F. Haanel’s Complete Master Key Course.

Once again, I’d rather let my actions do the talking.

So what do I read that inspires me and teaches me about the philosophy of success?

I find great inspiration in biography and history books.

Whereas self-hep books only give brief anecdotes of historical figures to highlight a point, a good biography thoroughly delves into the mind and character of the subject. You not only get to see them as a human being — flaws and all. You also see how they allowed their greatness to shine and how they really came to be what they became.

If you read about the great scientists of history, you see how their inquisitiveness drove them to make observations and then theories that rocked the world.

You see how businesses were often built by chance on a wing and a prayer, and with conviction and perseverance they grew into the mega-corporations we have today.

You see how the great athletes were often times not so great when they began the pursuit of their sport.

You see how some of the most successful people got where they are by a quirk of fate.

You see how some of the people we all know (and sometimes love) started life on a different path, but because of circumstances they had to switch to something new – something that lead to success beyond their wildest imaginings.

Napoleon Hill outlined some of the traits that many successful people have in his famous book Think & Grow Rich, .

After having read so many biographies and autobiographies and history books, I found that Mr. Hill forgot one very important trait that differentiates all the successes form the “wannabes.”

All successful people are a little crazy — sometimes a lot!

Not crazy as in they were certifiable lunatics that should be locked into asylums.

Successful people tend to look at the world differently and expect different things than the multitude.

I am a fan of Apple computers. Other than making fine computers, Apple also has a penchant for making some good commercials. One of them illustrates perfectly what I am trying to convey to you about being a little crazy. It is Apple’s famous “Crazy Ones” advertisement.

Here’s to the crazy ones.

The misfits.

The rebels.

The troublemakers.

The round pegs in the square holes.

The ones who see things differently.

They’re not fond of rules.

And they have no respect for the status quo.

You can praise them, disagree with them, quote them,

disbelieve them, glorify or vilify them.

About the only thing you can’t do is ignore them.

Because they change things.

They invent.    They imagine.    They heal.

They explore.    They create.    They inspire.

They push the human race forward.

Maybe they have to be crazy.

How else can you stare at an empty canvas and see a work of art?
Or sit in silence and hear a song that’s never been written?
Or gaze at a red planet and see a laboratory on wheels?

We make tools for these kinds of people.

While some see them as the crazy ones,

we see genius.

Because the people who are crazy enough to think
they can change the world, are the ones who do.

You can watch the advertisement here.

I printed the words of this advertisement and have it hanging on my wall. It reminds me that as I press forward with my vision, it’s okay to be a little “out there.”

I recommend that you do the same: Print this, read it a few times, and really think about it.

I think it’s kind of funny that true words of wisdom came from an advertisement.

Well, maybe it’s not that funny.

Perhaps it’s just a little …

Crazy.

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It’s time for you to get crazy. Or just these books. Or both! Because why not?