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Let’s be honest, there are too many books listed in the self improvement category. Even worse, a lot of them are boring or just plain unhelpful. Often these books give me bad “feeling depressed? just smile more” energy. More fluff than real, practical advice.
However, there are a few solid gems hidden in the pile of disingenuous sentiment.
1. "Atomic Habits" by James Clear
(Get it here.)
This is one of the first self help books I read on my own after my boss at the restaurant I had been working at told me about it. I personally haven’t met anyone who has read this book and disliked it.
James Clear details the ways in which we can change and create habits with consistent actions. He places an emphasis on small changes and how they can build up to one big action. Focusing on improving by 1% every day can make much more of an impact that trying to be 100% better each day. This is the power of the compounding effect!
At first I thought I may not like this one since I can be a bit picky in this genre. But, the way it’s written, the bits of personality here and there, and the connections to things I’ve had experience in (the food industry) made the main themes of this book very clear for me.
I would recommend this for anyone:
- looking to improve their day-to-day lives in small ways
- wanting to reach their goals but not sure where to start
- needing motivation backed by logic
2. "The Subtle Art Of Not Giving A F*ck" By Mark Manson
(Get it here.)
This is another personal favorite that I have reread several times.
As someone who struggles heavily with anxiety and depression, seeing how tough the world is right now truly sucks. And then you’ve often got a chorus of “Just stay positive! Just smile! Go outside!” in the background. As if that can cure my chronic depression (surprise, it won’t).
And don’t get me wrong — being positive is good. But there comes a point where there is too much positivity (toxic positivity, if you will). The ability to suffer through adversity can make someone a much stronger person than choosing to focus on ignoring the bad things.
Mark Manson puts this mentality into words in a very unique way. This book is humorous, but it seriously feels as though he is speaking directly to you. Some people can take his tone of voice as insensitive, especially when talking about more serious topics. But I think there is subtle beauty in the way this book is written, and it proves his point about forced positivity.
I recommend this one for anyone struggling with mental health or in need of some grounding.
3. "Can't Hurt Me" By David Goggins
(Get it here.)
Can’t Hurt Me details David Goggins painful childhood and how he overcame adversity to become an excellent and dedicated military serviceman.
From depressed and overweight, to one of America’s best performing endurance athletes, Goggins weighs in on his concept of the 40% rule which says that most of us only tap into 40% of our total potential. Through this, he provides a path in which we can get past trauma and other things holding us back and unlock our full potential.
This book is an incredibly impactful memoir that forces you to look inward at your own problems and challenges. Goggins encourages you to step out of your comfort zone and push yourself.
I would recommend this for anyone who has gone through a similarly tough childhood or even adulthood. I’d also suggest it for anyone just looking to improve themselves and reach their true and fullest potential.
Photo by Tegan Mierle on Unsplash
4. “The Mountain Is You” by Brianna Wiest
(Get it here.)
This one is all about self-sabotage.
Another read that sets itself apart from other books in this genre, Wiest provides guidance and harm reduction rather than perfection. This book is more about healing from past tribulations than anything else.
Wiest takes a big step back and helps us examine our damaging habits through the metaphor of climbing a big mountain. Except, the mountain you must overcome is you and your self-sabotaging behaviors.
This book is perfect for anyone trying to improve themselves through different methods. Also for those healing from trauma or addictive personalities.
5. “Big Magic” by Elizabeth Gilbert
(Get it here.)
Now this is a bit of a different recommendation than the others, but I felt the need to mention it here.
Elizabeth Gilbert is already a crazy talented writer. As the author of “Eat Pray Love”, she is no stranger to creativity and natural expertise.
Gilbert takes the concept of ideas and envisions themselves as real people she can have relationships with. It sounds really strange at first, but by the end of this book I found myself not only understanding, but also completely agreeing with her methods. You need to show up for your passions and hobbies, even if they are not making you money or fame.
This is a good read for any creative person. It’s very useful for anyone who struggles with creative blocks (like me). This book can help you ground yourself deeply in your work flow.
I’d love to hear what you guys think about any of these books — have you read them? Also if you feel like the list is missing any titles, feel free to mention them!