My Top 12 Self- Development Books
One of my close friends, who has achieved incredible success, has always said “I can tell you exactly where you’ll be in five years by the books you read and the people you associate with.” I can’t think of a truer statement. The information you put into your brain will dictate exactly where you’ll end up years down the road. Unfortunately, in our generation, after graduating from school, 58% of people will never pick up another book. Of the 42% who do continue reading only do so on a rare occasion, with the majority only reading fantasy and fiction books. Most people don’t think about the input they receive daily, from the negativity of the news on TV, social media, vulgar music, etc. I’m not saying any of this is bad per se, but we should start working on protecting our brains. If we’re constantly bombarded with negativity is it any wonder, why the world seems to be in shambles? Here are some of my favorite books to dilute the pollution in our minds.
1. The Slight Edge by Jeff Olson
Olson explains how to make the Slight Edge work for you. The Slight Edge is always affecting you, but you have to decide whether it’s working for you or against you. The smallest decisions you make every day will have the largest impact on whether you fail or succeed.
2. The Compound Effect by Darren Hardy
Darren Hardy provides a how-to guide to multiply your success and not just add to it. The answer is in your daily disciplines.
3. The Go-Giver by Bob Burg & John David Mann
This story about Joe, a hard-working man, who can’t find his breakthrough. Until he meets a man that teaches him the ultimate lesson. By focusing on helping others get what they want, Joe learns that is when he can truly move forward- and feel great about it.
4. The Dream Giver by Bruce Wilkinson
This is another parable, about a guy named Ordinary from the Land of Familiar, who leaves to pursue his Big Dream. Not only does he go through many difficult challenges along the way, like many of us, he experiences self-doubt and negativity even from those who are closest to him. He learns that his Big Dream comes from the Dream Giver, who is always there to help him achieve greatness.
5. How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
This time-tested step by step guide will show you how to get everything you’ve ever wanted simply by learning people skills. Let’s face it, most people don’t know how to talk to other people. Knowing proper communication skills will set you far apart from your peers.
6. Daring Greatly by Brené Brown
Dr. Brené Brown has pioneered the research on shame and vulnerability. She breaks the myths of vulnerability and encourages us to embrace it. Being vulnerable is being courageous.
7. Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki
Robert Kiyosaki tells his life story, growing up with two fathers- his poor, biological father- and his friend’s father, the man who taught him how to build wealth. He explains the difference in mindset between the rich and the poor. Poor people work for money, and rich people create assets to create a cash flow.
8. The Greatest Salesman in the World by Og Mandino
This amazing best-seller was first published almost 50 years ago; and the principles still, and always will, remain relevant. Og uses a parable of the greatest salesman from biblical times who used the secrets of the ten ancient scrolls that are now available for you!
9. The Magic of Believing by Claude M. Bristol
Thought is an extremely powerful tool. Bristol urges us to harness this power through practicing visualization techniques and auto-suggestion.
10. Richest Man in Babylon by George S. Clason
These ancient Babylonian financial principles can help anyone build wealth. This classic is still in print a century after it was first published!
11. Love and Respect by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs
I had to include this amazing marriage & relationship book. It helps wives understand that all her husband needs is to feel respected- and how to show him respect; and shows husbands how to make his wife feel truly loved. He teaches us how to jump off the crazy cycle and start living on the energizing cycle.
12. The One Thing by Gary Keller
This book will help guide you to find your one thing that you can do, to make everything else work in your favor.
There are thousands of other books that should be on this list, titles such as: Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill, The Magic of Thinking Big by David J Schwartz, The Power of Positive Thinking or You Can if You Think You Can, both by Norman Vincent Peale, everything by John C. Maxwell, and so many others. These have just been a few of my absolute favorites that I hope you’ll add to your bookcase. If more people read great books like these, there would be more great people.
