5 Personal Development books every student should read
First things first, let’s acknowledge what a tough year 2020 has been. According to the Indian Psychiatric Society, mental health concerns have escalated by an alarming 20%. Uncertainty has taken the centre stage in this pandemic, and students have been dealing with anxiety and twitchiness for months now.
We strongly believe that the foremost priority in these hard and dicey times should be your mental health. Notwithstanding the mishaps and the setbacks, one positive way to look at this period is probably the extra time it has given us. This time can be invested in personal development.
Mindset is one of the most important factors influencing a person’s decisions — professional or personal. A great deal of liberation comes from knowing that you are in control of your entire life. Your thoughts influence your actions, and The Butterfly Effect states that every action has a consequence and each consequence has another consequence. A growth mindset is therefore where the rubber meets the road.
Here are 5 books you can consider reading for starting your journey:
1. Ikigai: The Japanese secret to a long and happy life by Francesc Miralles and Hector Garcia
‘Ikigai’ is a Japanese notion which translates to “a reason for being”. This international bestseller covers a variety of concepts like logotherapy, simplicity, flow, resilience; mainly related to the ‘art of living’.
2. Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World by Cal Newport
Cal Newport defines deep work as “professional activity performed in a state of distraction-free concentration that pushes your cognitive capabilities to their limit. These efforts create new value, improve your skill, and are hard to replicate.” Neuroscientists have found that intense periods of focus causes myelin, a white tissue found around neurons to develop in relevant areas of the brain and allows brain cells to fire faster and cleaner. In today’s time, shallow work usually takes up most of our day. In this book, Newport suggests ways in which we can incorporate deep work and avoid distractions in our day to day lives.
3. The Willpower Instinct: How Self-Control Works, Why It Matters, and What You Can Do to Get More of It by Kelly McGonigal
Written by Stanford University psychologist Kelly McGonigal, this book stresses the importance of willpower- which reminds us of or long terms goals, helps us in resisting short-term distractions and pushes us forward to do mundane tasks and elaborates on how it can be treated like a muscle, while suggesting scientific ways to maintain willpower reserves throughout the day.
4. Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear
Small habits which can have a powerful impact on one’s life. This instant New York Times bestseller focuses on the science of habits, the habit loop and the phases of forming habits that actually stick.
5. Principles: Life and Work by Ray Dalio
Written by Ray Dalio, the founder of Bridgewater Associates- the largest hedge fund firm in the world, this book deep dives into the unconventional principles that Dalio has learned, developed and used over the past forty years to create unique results in both life and business.
Hoping you have an insightful time reading these gems!
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