Life is a series of continuing education classes …often times we don't choose the timing of those classes or the course material involved. I've often learned the best lessons after painful experience opened my eyes. The most successful Remodelers I know still learn that way --- but they learn less of their lessons the hard way. Instead they actively develop a personalized course catalogue.

They carve out reading time for industry journals and magazines, they subscribe to other management publications, they listen to tapes and books on tapes. They read both specifically and generally from a broad range of topics with application to their professional life. They attend local and regional meetings of industry groups; often they sign up with national networking groups such as Business Networks and RER to encourage their personal and professional development.

The books and articles suggested in these pages represent the best I've found in the field. In some cases they are simple, easy to read and designed to produce nearly instant results. In other cases, they are complex, often difficult to read and, if considered and applied, produce results over a longer period.

In both cases, however, they are chosen from a nearly endless supply of books and magazines that grace my house, my car, my briefcase and my life. My nightstand holds no less than 6 books at any one time, all at different stages of completion. I can choose between poetry, philosophy, modern novels and business management books, all of equal interest.

Please send me your suggestions, together with a short paragraph on its importance to you. I'd love to develop a book/magazine review page devoted exclusively to the concept, execution and philosophy of professional remodeling management.