My Top 10 Self-Help And Personal Development Books

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Here are my top ten self-help personal development books that I found incredibly useful during a tough period of my life. Before the pandemic, my reading habits were firmly rooted in fiction and rom-com, with these genres allowing me to escape into other worlds. However, with the challenges of the pandemic and navigating postpartum life, my literary journey took a turn. I found solace and inspiration in self-help books, and they soon became my go-to genre for mood enhancement and an energy boost.

These books filled me with positivity and I found a sense of accomplishment within. These are my top ten self-improvement books that have stayed with me and provided me with guidance when I needed it the most during trying times. These brilliant books completely changed my perspective when I was going through an emotional turmoil after giving birth to my 2nd child and they were the one thing that supported my well-being during lockdown.

Girl Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis

Blurb: Do you ever suspect that everyone else has life figured out and you don’t have a clue? If so, Rachel Hollis has something to tell you: that’s a lie. If you have ever said any of these things to yourself…

• Something else will make me happy.
• I’m not a good mom.
• I will never get past this.
• I am defined by my weight.
• I should be further along by now.

… then you could benefit from the unflinching faith and rock-hard tenacity Rachel Hollis has in store for you. In this challenging but conversational book, Rachel exposes the twenty lies and misconceptions that too often hold us back from living joyfully and productively, lies we’ve told ourselves so often we don’t even hear them anymore.

Rachel is real and talks about real issues. More than that, she reveals the specific practical strategies that helped her move past them. In the process, she encourages, entertains, and even kicks a little butt, all to convince you to do whatever it takes to get real and become the joyous, confident woman you were meant to be. Because you really can live with passion and hustle – and give yourself grace without giving up.

My thoughts:

This was the first self-help book that I purchased during the pandemic and I finished it in a week. Hollis shares a lot of personal stories that will resonate with many readers and you certainly feel like you aren’t alone when you realize that a lot of people feel the same way you do.

Each chapter talks about a lie we tell ourselves and why we shouldn’t believe the lie. This book was like having a personal mentor by my side and I found it to be very motivating and inspiring. It was the first book that encouraged me to get back into completing my exercise routine every single morning.

The Secret by Rhonda Byrne

Blurb: In 2006, a groundbreaking feature-length film revealed the great mystery of the universe – The Secret. Later that year, Rhonda Byrne followed with a book that became a worldwide bestseller.

Fragments of a Great Secret have been found in the oral traditions, in literature, in religious and philosophies throughout the centuries. For the first time, all the pieces of The Secret come together in an incredible revelation that will be life-transforming for all who experience it.

In this book, you’ll learn how to use The Secret in every aspect of your life – money, health, relationships, happiness, and in every interaction you have in the world. You’ll begin to understand the hidden, untapped power that’s within you, and this revelation can bring joy to every aspect of your life.

The Secret contains wisdom from modern-day teachers – men and women who have used it to achieve health, wealth and happiness. By applying the knowledge of The Secret, they bring to light compelling stories of eradicating obstacles, and achieving what many would regard as impossible.

Discover the book which has been changing millions of lives around the world. No matter who you are, where you are right now, no matter what you want – when you realise The Secret you can have anything.

My thoughts:

Based on the film of the same name, The Secret is a groundbreaking book that reveals the wisdom and power within you that can be used to transform your own personal happiness and health. I have read and watched both the book and the film and I have unconsciously practiced the ideas since childhood. I truly believe that I am where I am today because of this incredible book.

This personal development book is a must read for those who are looking to learn about the law of attraction and how it is possible to manifest a better life for yourself along with your deepest desires.

The Universe Has Your Back: Transform Fear to Faith by Gabrielle Bernstein

Blurb: New York Times best-selling author Gabrielle Bernstein teaches readers how to transform their fear into faith in order to live a divinely guided life. Each story and lesson in the book guides readers to release the blocks to what they most long for: happiness, security and clear direction. The lessons help readers relinquish the need to control so they can relax into a sense of certainty and freedom. Readers will learn to stop chasing life and truly live.

Making the shift from fear to faith will give readers a sense of power in a world that all too often makes them feel utterly powerless. When the tragedies of the world seem overwhelming, this book will help guide them back to their true power.

Gabrielle says, “My commitment with this book is to wake up as many people as possible to their connection to faith and joy. In that connection, we can be guided to our true purpose: to be love and spread love. These words can no longer be cute buzz phrases that we merely post on social media. Rather, these words must be our mission. The happiness, safety, and security we long for lies in our commitment to love.”

When readers follow this path, they’ll begin to feel a swell of energy move through them. They will find strength when they are down, synchronicity and support when they’re lost, safety in the face of uncertainty, and joy when they are otherwise in pain. Follow the secrets revealed in this book to unleash the presence of your power and know always that The Universe Has Your Back.

My thoughts:

This book is another one that aims to help you to connect to your inner power and find alignment with your desires and dreams. Gabrielle provides many meditations and exercises for the reader to perform which helps you to be more present and allow the workings of the universe to transform you within.

The book offers the groundwork needed for you to be able to improve your life using various techniques and tools to transform fear into love. You must check this book out if you want to improve your spiritual connection!

Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life by Héctor García and Francesc Miralles

Blurb: We all have an ikigai.

It’s the Japanese word for ‘a reason to live’ or ‘a reason to jump out of bed in the morning’.

It’s the place where your needs, desires, ambitions, and satisfaction meet. A place of balance. Small wonder that finding your ikigai is closely linked to living longer.

Finding your ikigai is easier than you might think. This book will help you work out what your own ikigai really is, and equip you to change your life. You have a purpose in this world: your skills, your interests, your desires and your history have made you the perfect candidate for something. All you have to do is find it.

Do that, and you can make every single day of your life joyful and meaningful.

My thoughts:

Ikigai is a fantastic self help book that focuses on the Japanese ideology of finding the things that give you happiness in life. It uses real life examples to explain the philosophy which makes the information relatable for everyone.

This book gave me an important reminder about what matters the most in my life and that we should all slow down and savor every moment as they come. This is simply a framework to offer guidance in finding your very own ikigai which can change and develop as you learn and age.

The 5 am Club by Robin Sharma

Blurb: Part manifesto for mastery, part playbook for genius-grade productivity and part companion for a life lived beautifully, the 5 am club is a work that will transform your life. Forever.

Legendary leadership and elite performance expert Robin Sharma introduced The 5 AM Club concept over twenty years ago, based on a revolutionary morning routine that has helped his clients maximize their productivity, activate their best health and bulletproof their serenity in this age of overwhelming complexity.

Now, in this life-changing book, handcrafted by the author over a rigorous four year period, you will discover the early-rising habit that has helped so many accomplish epic results while upgrading their happiness, helpfulness and feelings of aliveness.

Through an enchanting—and often amusing—story about two struggling strangers who meet an eccentric tycoon who becomes their secret mentor, The 5 AM Club will walk you through:

• How great geniuses, business titans and the world’s wisest people start their mornings to produce astonishing achievements
• A little-known formula you can use instantly to wake up early feeling inspired, focused and flooded with a fiery drive to get the most out of each day
• A step-by-step method to protect the quietest hours of daybreak so you have time for exercise, self-renewal and personal growth
• A neuroscience-based practice proven to help make it easy to rise while most people are sleeping, giving you precious time for yourself to think, express your creativity and begin the day peacefully instead of being rushed
• “Insider-only” tactics to defend your gifts, talents and dreams against digital distraction and trivial diversions so you enjoy fortune, influence and a magnificent impact on the world

My thoughts:

The main theme of this book is to elevate your life and own your morning by getting up at 5am every day. I have to say, I was never a morning person until I read this book and Robin Sharma convinced me how much better I would feel once I implemented this small yet incredibly effective lifestyle change. I took his habit bootcamp course once I finished the book and now both my husband and I have incorporated the 5am framework into our lives and it has been a complete game changer! Read this book if you want to break through to another level.

Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear

Blurb: Transform your life with tiny changes in behavior, starting now.

People think that when you want to change your life, you need to think big. But world-renowned habits expert James Clear has discovered another way. He knows that real change comes from the compound effect of hundreds of small decisions: doing two push-ups a day, waking up five minutes early, or holding a single short phone call.

He calls them atomic habits.

In this ground-breaking book, Clears reveals exactly how these minuscule changes can grow into such life-altering outcomes. He uncovers a handful of simple life hacks (the forgotten art of Habit Stacking, the unexpected power of the Two Minute Rule, or the trick to entering the Goldilocks Zone), and delves into cutting-edge psychology and neuroscience to explain why they matter. Along the way, he tells inspiring stories of Olympic gold medalists, leading CEOs, and distinguished scientists who have used the science of tiny habits to stay productive, motivated, and happy.

These small changes will have a revolutionary effect on your career, your relationships, and your life.

My thoughts:

A popular self-help book, Atomic Habits engages readers by providing advice on how to break bad habits, understand your own habits and to then enjoy creating new habits by using motivation as a successful tool. Changing your habits is just the first step in transforming your lifestyle and this book is full of tips and guidance on how to change little habits that will cause a significant improvement over time.

Think Like a Monk by Jay Shetty

Blurb: In this inspiring, empowering book, Shetty draws on his time as a monk in the Vedic tradition to show us how we can clear the roadblocks to our potential and power. Drawing on ancient wisdom and his own rich experiences in the ashram, Think Like a Monk reveals how to overcome negative thoughts and habits, and access the calm and purpose that lie within all of us. The lessons monks learn are profound but often abstract. Shetty transforms them into advice and exercises we can all apply to reduce stress, improve focus, improve relationships, identify our hidden abilities, increase self-discipline and give the gifts we find in ourselves to the world. Shetty proves that everyone can and should think like a monk.

When you think like a monk, you’ll understand:

• How to overcome negativity
• How to stop overthinking
• Why comparison kills love
• How to use your fear
• Why you can’t find happiness by looking for it
• How to learn from everyone you meet
• Why you are not your thoughts
• How to find your purpose
• Why kindness is crucial to success
• And much more…

My thoughts

This is a very insightful and enlightening self help personal development book which provides practical perspectives and teachings on life. Jay Shetty offers clear and easy to follow instructions on how to live your life and boost your joy and purpose. This book gives the reader many exercises and tools to put into practice which can seriously change your life if you stick to them. Take your time reading each chapter and taking it all in and don’t rush it to ensure you get as much as possible out of this motivational book.

The Secret Thoughts of Successful Women by Valerie Young

Blurb: Learn to take ownership of your success, overcome self-doubt, and banish the thought patterns that undermine your ability to feel and act as bright and capable as others already  know  you are with this award-winning book by Valerie Young.

It’s only because they like me. I was in the right place at the right time. I just work harder than the others. I don’t deserve this. It’s just a matter of time before I am found out. Someone must have made a terrible mistake.

If you are a working woman, chances are this inter­nal monologue sounds all too familiar. And you’re not alone. A shocking number of accomplished women in all career paths and at every level feel as though they are faking it—impostors in their own lives and careers.

While the impostor syndrome is not unique to women, women are more apt to agonize over tiny mistakes, see even constructive criticism as evi­dence of their shortcomings, and chalk up their accomplishments to luck rather than skill.

In The Secret Thoughts of Successful Women, Young gives these women the solution they have been seek­ing. Combining insightful analysis with effective ad­vice and anecdotes, she explains what the impostor syndrome is, why fraud fears are more common in women, and how you can recognize the way it mani­fests in your life.

My thoughts:

Valerie Young speaks from her own experiences and the experiences that women regularly face every day that subtly demean women. Women have to work harder to get the same sort of credit that men do even if it is the same job. This book helped my gain deeper insights on my self-destructive habits that had developed over the years which had been undermining every one of my successes. Young effectively offers sustainable solutions on how to change and implement your thinking and therefore your actions too. This book is essential for any woman who has ever felt undermined at any point in their life.

The Mountain is You: Transforming Self-Sabotage Into Self-Mastery by Brianna Wiest

Blurb: This is a book about self-sabotage. Why we do it, when we do it, and how to stop doing it—for good. Coexisting but conflicting needs create self-sabotaging behaviors. This is why we resist efforts to change, often until they feel completely futile. But by extracting crucial insight from our most damaging habits, building emotional intelligence by better understanding our brains and bodies, releasing past experiences at a cellular level, and learning to act as our highest potential future selves, we can step out of our own way and into our potential.

For centuries, the mountain has been used as a metaphor for the big challenges we face, especially ones that seem impossible to overcome. To scale our mountains, we actually have to do the deep internal work of excavating trauma, building resilience, and adjusting how we show up for the climb. In the end, it is not the mountain we master, but ourselves.

My thoughts

This self help book is all about self sabotage and it provides a range of useful and practical strategies that are designed to help you overcome the self sabotage and cultivate self mastery instead. Not only will you find theoretical lessons that will help to enlighten your mind but will offer guidance on your journey. From how to set healthy boundaries to developing self-compassion, this book can transform your life if you keep up with the advice every day.

The Four Agreements by Miguel Ruiz

Blurb: In The Four Agreements, don Miguel Ruiz reveals the source of self-limiting beliefs that rob us of joy and create needless suffering. Based on ancient Toltec wisdom, the Four Agreements offer a powerful code of conduct that can rapidly transform our lives to a new experience of freedom, true happiness, and love. The Four Agreements are: Be Impeccable With Your Word, Don’t Take Anything Personally, Don’t Make Assumptions, Always Do Your Best.

My thoughts:

This self help book for personal development offers simple yet effective advice which can change lives when implemented. Ruiz shares the old wisdom of the Toltec which is believed to guide individuals to freedom and transforms the wisdom into practical concepts that use truth and common sense to encourage transformation.

The main focus of the book is for the reader to live by four simple agreements; be impeccable with your word, don’t take anything personally, don’t make assumptions and always do your best. Every day you should try and stick to these agreements to improve your life and achieve freedom.

These ten self-help and personal development books have been invaluable during a challenging period in my life. They’ve not only provided guidance but also sparked a significant positive change within me. I now feel lighter and more optimistic, thanks to the wisdom and insights gained from these transformative reads.

Let these books be your compass on the journey to personal growth and fulfillment. Start your transformative adventure today and discover the power within you to create the life you’ve always dreamed of!