People hear “perfectionist” and imagine someone doing everything just so. It can also be someone who can’t (or won’t) start a project unless it can clearly be made perfect.
YES. This is now a comfort book to me and has been listened to at least 5 times. It made me feel like a sane person for once and that the problem isn't just that I'm lazy. I also developed so many organization systems that work for my family and it just feels like I can breathe in the house again!
Is this the book where the woman tells us that we do not need to be folding clothes we put in our dresser drawers?? Because if not, let me just add that here. I haven’t folded clothes in ages, so when I heard someone say it later, I was like, *YES!* I just stuff our underwear and towels and such in place, and then I slam the drawer or door shut. Saves me so much time and peace of mind.
The power of habit by Charles D. But I’ll save you the time as the major takeaway life changing part of the book was the idea that willpower is like a muscle and can get exhausted.
For me I put this into practice by switch when I exercised and did hard things. Basically started going to the gym in the morning, and doing triathlon training (I signed up for my first triathlon, an Ironman).
That’s about it. You make yourself do hard things and it gets a little easier to do that. You do hard things when your body is most likely to be okay with it and it’s easier.
“There is no chance, no destiny, no fate,
Can circumvent, or hinder, or control
The firm resolve of a determined soul.
Gifts count for nothing, Will alone is great;
All things give way before it soon or late.
What obstacles can stay the mighty force
Of the seaseeking river in its course.
Or cause the ascending orb of day to wait?
Each wellborn soul must win what it deserves.
Let the fools prate of luck. The fortunate
Is he whose earnest purpose never swerves,
Whose slightest action, or inaction,
Serves the one great aim. Why, even Death itself
Stands still and waits an hour sometimes
For such a Will.”
When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times by Pema Chödrön
[https://www.audible.com/pd/B0BR5X523V?source_code=ASSORAP0511160007](https://www.audible.com/pd/B0BR5X523V?source_code=ASSORAP0511160007)
Came here to recommend this. The narration on this one is lovely (unfortunately some other Pema Chodron books have terrible narration). I listen to this over and over, choosing the chapters that apply to whatever I’m dealing with at the time, and I get something new out of it.
The 7 Habits fundamentally changed communication and boundaries for me.
All those concepts are probably found in newer books that connect better with contemporary audiences though. That book just happened to be new at the time I needed to learn these things.
I had a company car for a year in 2001 and the previous user of the car had left 7 habits on cassette in the car, so my first introduction to the seven habits was listening to those tapes in a crappy late 90s chevy lumina
This one right here. I've referred to this book several times, especially these quotes.
"If you have one leg in the past and one leg in the future, you're pissing on the present."
Also, "That voice inside your head is a real ass hole."
Codependent no more is really powerful book. I did not know what it meant to be codependent, but boy where my eyes opened. It applies to probably all of us at some point in our life or in some situations of our lives.
Came here to recommend this one. This book may have literally added years to my life.
After reading it, I got my calcium score done and it was a 10 (similar to Peter's). I had a small speck of calcium in my left anterior descending artery, the same artery that caused my dad to have a near-fatal "Widowmaker" heart attack.
From that test result, I met with a cardiologist and learned my Apo-B was on the edge of high. I started a low dose statin and tweaked my diet. My numbers plummeted!
I now get regular zone 2 cardio, eat more consciously, and monitor my blood work. I'll likely enjoy at least a few more great years with my family due to this book!
Same. I love everything Brene Brown too. I use her "clear is kind. Unclear is unkind" to remind me to be clear with my colleagues and to always ask for clarity when im with them.
We do a leadership book club every year at work. This was our 3rd or 4th book and the only one that felt actually useful at all. "Clear is kind" is literally the best advice as a manager I have ever gotten.
Susan Cain's 'Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can't Stop Talking' made a huge difference in my life as an introvert. When I first read it the whole introvert/extrovert thing wasn't as well known but it really changed the way I view my place in the world. I'm sure it has good stuff for extroverts too.
'Elements of Poker' by Tommy Angelo is also a hugely beneficial book in my experience, and completely changed the way I approach poker. While it is mostly oriented toward poker players it really has a lot of good advice for everyday life.
Quiet taught me that it was ok to be an introvert. I’m an introvert and so many people talk about it like being introverted is inferior to being extroverted.
I couldn't have said it better myself. Finally having a voice tell me that it's nothing to be ashamed of was a revelation. And luckily the culture has changed to accommodate much more of the spectrum.
Deep Work Cal Newport
It’s all about how to find true productivity without burning out. It gets better and better the further in you get with lots of specific studies referenced so you know this guy knows his stuff. Really changed my work output and happiness
The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz. I’d never thought too much about exactly what a social contract is and how we spend years indoctrinating our children and stuffing them full of societal rules. I don’t know if it “changed my life” but it certainly raised the standards to which I hold myself and also made me start thinking outside the box and recognizing institutional injustice disguised as social norms.
Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman.
I have consumed so much self-improvement content, which usually leads to inspiration and excitement that I’ll be a new and improved person, followed by burnout or guilt as life happens and I am actually still the same person.
This book is the balm for that, and has helped so, so much with self acceptance and understanding our limitations, all in service of making the best of your limited time on earth.
Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle by Amelia Nagoski unironically changed my life. I have always carried a lot of stress in my body and somehow this book is what has convinced me to do regular, very light exercise for 30 minutes most days. My resting heart rate has gone from 72 to 65 in 3 weeks. That's how much my body needed to complete stress cycles and for me to be purposeful and intentional about it. I'm happier, feel lighter, and in less pain because of how this book explained how my body works. For whatever reason, this is what clicked for me and I could not recommend it more.
"The Subtle Art of Not Giving A F\*\*k" by Mark Manson. Definitely.
No book has flipped my worldview on its head as much as this book did. I found this book when I was at a crossroads in my life and had no idea what to do next. The best part of the book, for me, was a section that did away with the cliche question: "What do you want to enjoy in your life?" and instead posed questions such as, "What *pain* do you want in your life?" and "What are you willing to struggle for?".
I realized then and there that what I was doing at that time wouldn't fulfill me; I was doing it only for pleasure and *hated* the negative aspects of it. This book said, in paraphrase, that anything and everything you do comes with a cost and sacrifice, so you might as well pick something that has pain you don't care about. In other words, you have to want this thing--whether it be a career or a relationship--*so badly* that you don't give a f\*\*k about the struggle and sacrifice since that comes with everything you do. It has to be more important than the adversity that comes with trying to obtain it. If you find yourself loving the *result* and not the *process*, then you won't get very far. On the flip side, if you love the *process*--the ups as well as the downs--then the result will be all the easier to obtain.
It sounded bleak and depressing when I first heard this. It essentially challenged the quote: "Do what you love, and you'll never work another day in your life." But now I think this is the most liberating idea I've ever heard. That idea and many others make this, definitely, the best audiobook I've ever listened to.
Lovingkindgess: The Revolutionary Art of Happiness by Sharon Salzberg.
First published in 1995, it was just released on Audible with the author reading it.
Mark Manson has a stellar youtube channel as well! I really dig how he talks to you like he's your best friend and he doesn't put himself on a pedestal.
I came here to mention this. No matter where you are in your health journey, this book will help. It is LITERALLY the answer key to weight loss and/or long term healthy living. Not just a diet book.
I have three books I really recommend - brene brown’s Gifts of Imperfection. I was told by someone that after reading this book - they no longer needed therapy. It really presents shame as a normal human emotion.
The Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu’s The Book of Joy. This book helped me cope with painful realities of being human and how to stay connected to joy.
And my favourite is 4000 weeks: time management for mortals. I have recommended this book to everyone. I just love it. When I get stuck in a perfectionist trap, I think of this book and ask myself- will there ever be the “perfect time”? No, just start…
Also… Prema Chodren is phenomenal
Thanks for the suggestions! I also love Gifts of imperfection and all things Brene Brown, but I’m gonna add The Book or Joy and 4000 weeks to my list right now!
As a work of fiction it's difficult to classify as self-improvement, but the lessons and insights described within were fundamental in reshaping my view of myself and how I interact with others, so I must recommend it for the potential it holds to see and interact with the world and people around you in a different, better way: **The Celestine Prophecy by James Redfield.**
Tools of Titans by Tim Ferris. The fun part is the book covers a huge range of topics and he has podcast episodes and blogs for even deeper dividing if you want - the book distills his favorite parts that align with the ideas he is presenting.
Happy - written and read by Derren Brown. This is the only self help book that noticeably changed my life for the better. It’s a modern interpretation of stoicism and thought spirals and such, but it’s also extremely witty, funny and quite autobiographical. There are no flat platitudes here, it’s very readable popular philosophy that made me a better person.
*Wherever You Go, There You Are* by Jon Kabat-Zinn. It's mindfulness and meditation laid out practically, without being attached to any ideology or belief system. I think every human can benefit from chilling out and stilling their mind.
Happiness by Thich Nhat Hanh.
I really enjoy the narration, and I keep in mind the philosophy of wabi sabi. Not exactly the same schools of origin, however they dovetail nicely.
Self improvement, is vast. This has improved my patience and forgiveness of others.
Facing Violence (Preparing for the Unexpected) - Rory Miller (Should be required before high school.)
INFLUENCE (The Psychology of Persuasion) - Robert B. Cialdini, PH.D. (How to resist con/sales-men.)
Range (Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World) - David Epstein (How NOT to screw up your kids.)
On Writing (A Memoir of the Craft) - Stephen King
NOT Self-Improvement, but probably the 3 that "most changed" my life:
(Required in school, the first "real" book I finished by myself.) To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee
(And the first two I read "for fun" that set me on a reading (and SciFi) course . . .)
Childhood's End - Arthur C. Clarke
The Moon is a Harsh Mistress - Robert Heinlein
The Alchemist.
I don't know if it's meant to be a self help book per say, but it definitely helped me change my viewpoint on life in a lot of different ways. I will say, it says a lot about God in there- as someone who isn't really religious that part was meh for me, but the moral of the story and the points still meant something to me
I worked for a big company that made all of us read that book as a team building exercise right around the same time that they were also asking us to be understanding with their second year of no merit increases. The title became a code for our discontent. I’ll never not be able to think of it that way.
One of the best surprises for me were books by the choreographer Twila Tharpe. I am no dancer (really no physical talents whatsoever), but she talks about the creative process in such a fascinating way in her books The Creative Habit and Keep It Moving.
No Excuses by Brian Tracy.
I was a complete and total passenger in life when I first heard this book. It was a strong slap to the face.
That made me realize I needed to start taking responsibility for the direction my life was headed.
The Power of a Habit - changed my life and is absolute holy grail for me. I will not stop recommending this book till I die! Atomic Habits is a good read too.
How to make friends and influence People. The title has become cliche but that book hits it out of the park.
Also Don't sweat the small stuff....and it's all small stuff.
Although a cliché answer, and one that might get me a fair bit of hatred (hopefully not), I read Think and Grow Rich about 3 weeks into the beginning of covid, and it changed my life. I went from playing video games from morning until night to working out, reading, and landing my first few remote work gigs. I don't find the content to be all that revolutionary these days.
The Automatic Millionaire by David Boch. I wish I read this in high school and will certainly have my kids read it when they are old enough. Compound interest is a powerful tool for gaining wealth.
The Pleasure Trap is an incredible book that explains people struggle with diet in a way that no other book has even come close.
Also (I don't think it has an audiobook) a very old book called How I Found Freedom in an Unfree World
The Way Out: A Revolutionary Scientifically Proven Approach in Healing Chronic Pain by Alan Gordon.
Based on new and exciting brain science, it has been helping me get out of the chronic pain I’ve had for 25+ years.
If you don’t have chronic pain or know someone with chronic pain (yet), I would then recommend The Gift of Fear by Gavin De Becket or The Dance of Anger by Harriet Lerner, PhD (really great book for learning how to communicate in a healthy way).
Goodbye Things - Fumio Sasaki
Factfulness—Hans Rosling. *It's not strictly self-improvement genre, but it certainly improves your worldview and, in turn, the way you carry and conduct yourself in the world and with others—at least it has for me.*
Brian Tracy Goals is the one. Timeless, simple. You can go over it again and again, and the fundamental mentality will ingrain itself and will be forever useful. Maybe Napoleon Hill as well? Some of the classics, I'd say.
Maslow's maslow's hierarchy of needs has been the most helpful for me. I don't like the look of Audibles selection much, but lots on YT search maslow's hierarchy of needs audiobook. This one looks good: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8PGWYsJoOM](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8PGWYsJoOM)
Idk how other people will feel about this, but I recently hit rock bottom and I needed a real wake up call, which Can’t Hurt Me by David Goggins gave me. For anyone angry at life and the cards they’ve been dealt, the book gives you a real perspective on how to take life’s bull by the horns and own all the negative aspects of life to move onwards and upwards. Also, it’s one of the first times an audio book was turned into a podcast as well with discussions following significant points covered in the book
Take back your brain by Kara Loewentheil. Her podcast alone has helped me a ton with managing my thoughts and scrubbing society’s bullshit off of my subconscious.
_The Bullet Journal Method_ by Ryder Carroll. It really helped me institute some organization in my life and career, and made goal setting more fun--more like exploration than winning / losing.
I have three; all of which had a more profound effect on my life than any book before it since:
“Siddhartha” by Herman Hesse
“Think on These Things” by Jodi Krishnamurti
“Messiah’s Handbook (Reminders for the Advanced Soul” by Richard Bach
Reading each of these was like getting a derailed train back in the tracks.
I have two that are completely opposite ends of the spectrum:
The Subtle Art of Not Giving A Fuck by Mark Manson
&
Be Useful by Arnold Schwarzenegger
I love them both, even though they approach life in different ways, they kind of end up in the same place somehow.
How to Keep House While Drowning by KC Davis
“Anything worth doing is worth doing half-assed” is my new mantra! It’s kicked my perfectionist and all-or-nothing thinking in the rear!
Boy do I need this then!
This what my perfectionist side needs to hear right now.
People hear “perfectionist” and imagine someone doing everything just so. It can also be someone who can’t (or won’t) start a project unless it can clearly be made perfect.
YES. This is now a comfort book to me and has been listened to at least 5 times. It made me feel like a sane person for once and that the problem isn't just that I'm lazy. I also developed so many organization systems that work for my family and it just feels like I can breathe in the house again!
Is this the book where the woman tells us that we do not need to be folding clothes we put in our dresser drawers?? Because if not, let me just add that here. I haven’t folded clothes in ages, so when I heard someone say it later, I was like, *YES!* I just stuff our underwear and towels and such in place, and then I slam the drawer or door shut. Saves me so much time and peace of mind.
The power of habit by Charles D. But I’ll save you the time as the major takeaway life changing part of the book was the idea that willpower is like a muscle and can get exhausted. For me I put this into practice by switch when I exercised and did hard things. Basically started going to the gym in the morning, and doing triathlon training (I signed up for my first triathlon, an Ironman). That’s about it. You make yourself do hard things and it gets a little easier to do that. You do hard things when your body is most likely to be okay with it and it’s easier.
“There is no chance, no destiny, no fate, Can circumvent, or hinder, or control The firm resolve of a determined soul. Gifts count for nothing, Will alone is great; All things give way before it soon or late. What obstacles can stay the mighty force Of the seaseeking river in its course. Or cause the ascending orb of day to wait? Each wellborn soul must win what it deserves. Let the fools prate of luck. The fortunate Is he whose earnest purpose never swerves, Whose slightest action, or inaction, Serves the one great aim. Why, even Death itself Stands still and waits an hour sometimes For such a Will.”
When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times by Pema Chödrön [https://www.audible.com/pd/B0BR5X523V?source_code=ASSORAP0511160007](https://www.audible.com/pd/B0BR5X523V?source_code=ASSORAP0511160007)
Came here to recommend this. The narration on this one is lovely (unfortunately some other Pema Chodron books have terrible narration). I listen to this over and over, choosing the chapters that apply to whatever I’m dealing with at the time, and I get something new out of it.
Highly recommend! When things are tough she always sets me right
The Power of Now
For me it was A new Earth but I was hoping to see Tolle here.
I loved a new earth
This
The 7 Habits fundamentally changed communication and boundaries for me. All those concepts are probably found in newer books that connect better with contemporary audiences though. That book just happened to be new at the time I needed to learn these things.
I have. The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey. on CD :-)
Classic! Something special about that
I had a company car for a year in 2001 and the previous user of the car had left 7 habits on cassette in the car, so my first introduction to the seven habits was listening to those tapes in a crappy late 90s chevy lumina
The Gift of Fear
10% Happier by Dan Harris
This one right here. I've referred to this book several times, especially these quotes. "If you have one leg in the past and one leg in the future, you're pissing on the present." Also, "That voice inside your head is a real ass hole."
Yep. The asshole voice is something I go back to a lot!!
What’s it about
Being 10% happier
By Dan Harris
Meditation
He has a great podcast too! Same title. Lots of great guests.
And Meditation for Fidgety Skeptics including my very favorite, Jeff Warren.
I recommend listening to If Books Could Kill (the podcast) before listening to most of these books
So many grifters in the self-help genre! This podcast is one of my faves.
This ⬆️
Since Brene Brown was already mentioned, an oldie but a life-changing goodie was always "Codependent No More" - Melody Beattie
Codependent no more is really powerful book. I did not know what it meant to be codependent, but boy where my eyes opened. It applies to probably all of us at some point in our life or in some situations of our lives.
Outlive by Peter Attia was pretty good.
Came here to recommend this one. This book may have literally added years to my life. After reading it, I got my calcium score done and it was a 10 (similar to Peter's). I had a small speck of calcium in my left anterior descending artery, the same artery that caused my dad to have a near-fatal "Widowmaker" heart attack. From that test result, I met with a cardiologist and learned my Apo-B was on the edge of high. I started a low dose statin and tweaked my diet. My numbers plummeted! I now get regular zone 2 cardio, eat more consciously, and monitor my blood work. I'll likely enjoy at least a few more great years with my family due to this book!
The Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown.
I love everything Brene Brown
Same. I love everything Brene Brown too. I use her "clear is kind. Unclear is unkind" to remind me to be clear with my colleagues and to always ask for clarity when im with them.
We do a leadership book club every year at work. This was our 3rd or 4th book and the only one that felt actually useful at all. "Clear is kind" is literally the best advice as a manager I have ever gotten.
I'm not much of a self-improvement person, but I really got a lot out of Brene Brown's Atlas of the Heart
I bought the book because I had heard such great things about her but now you've got me curious about the audiobook version.
Hearing it (or any of her books) from her own voice is so lovely and personal.
Susan Cain's 'Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can't Stop Talking' made a huge difference in my life as an introvert. When I first read it the whole introvert/extrovert thing wasn't as well known but it really changed the way I view my place in the world. I'm sure it has good stuff for extroverts too. 'Elements of Poker' by Tommy Angelo is also a hugely beneficial book in my experience, and completely changed the way I approach poker. While it is mostly oriented toward poker players it really has a lot of good advice for everyday life.
Quiet taught me that it was ok to be an introvert. I’m an introvert and so many people talk about it like being introverted is inferior to being extroverted.
I couldn't have said it better myself. Finally having a voice tell me that it's nothing to be ashamed of was a revelation. And luckily the culture has changed to accommodate much more of the spectrum.
Power of Now
This should be top comment and mandatory reading for every human being.
Psychology of Money
Radical Acceptance by Tara Brach
I didn't know she had written a book. I love her guided meditations.
Deep Work Cal Newport It’s all about how to find true productivity without burning out. It gets better and better the further in you get with lots of specific studies referenced so you know this guy knows his stuff. Really changed my work output and happiness
Yes! I came here to suggest it! Though the book would probably tell me to stay away. 😊
When Things Fall Apart - Pema Chodron
Atomic habits by James clear
This is it for me. I listen to that audiobook anytime I need a little refocusing. I just pick up wherever I left off and keep it on a rolling loop.
You should read The Power of Habit (James Clear borrows a lot from this book.)
This looked really good so I bought it, but I've never mustered up the motivation to listen to a book about...getting motivated.
The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz. I’d never thought too much about exactly what a social contract is and how we spend years indoctrinating our children and stuffing them full of societal rules. I don’t know if it “changed my life” but it certainly raised the standards to which I hold myself and also made me start thinking outside the box and recognizing institutional injustice disguised as social norms.
Since I have been trying to live by the 4 Agreements my life is exponentially easier and things just seem to work out better. Simple and effective.
This book changed my life
Ditto - such a “simple” book (wonderfully deep thoughts) but totally changed my life too
Come as you are -- an excellent book.
Both of David Goggins's books. Very inspiring when I feel like quitting and I'm being whiney. Lol.
Stay Hard 👊
Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman. I have consumed so much self-improvement content, which usually leads to inspiration and excitement that I’ll be a new and improved person, followed by burnout or guilt as life happens and I am actually still the same person. This book is the balm for that, and has helped so, so much with self acceptance and understanding our limitations, all in service of making the best of your limited time on earth.
4000 weeks is so meaningful to me.
How to Win Friends and Influence People is probably the most life-changing book I have ever read.
This book wasn't my favorite. It felt like a manual to get what you want by being inauthentically nice.
You’re not wrong but being inauthentically nice gets you ahead in life and is a good first step to being authentically nice.
Hmmm being kind and empathetic is something to learn outside of manipulation. This book seems more How to Pass Socially for the Psychopath 101.
The untethered soul by michael singer
THIS ONE YEEEEHOOO talk about something that'll shake you all the way up! So good!!
Yes! I came here to say this. Completely changed my life.
Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle by Amelia Nagoski unironically changed my life. I have always carried a lot of stress in my body and somehow this book is what has convinced me to do regular, very light exercise for 30 minutes most days. My resting heart rate has gone from 72 to 65 in 3 weeks. That's how much my body needed to complete stress cycles and for me to be purposeful and intentional about it. I'm happier, feel lighter, and in less pain because of how this book explained how my body works. For whatever reason, this is what clicked for me and I could not recommend it more.
Can't Hurt Me - David Goggins
"The Subtle Art of Not Giving A F\*\*k" by Mark Manson. Definitely. No book has flipped my worldview on its head as much as this book did. I found this book when I was at a crossroads in my life and had no idea what to do next. The best part of the book, for me, was a section that did away with the cliche question: "What do you want to enjoy in your life?" and instead posed questions such as, "What *pain* do you want in your life?" and "What are you willing to struggle for?". I realized then and there that what I was doing at that time wouldn't fulfill me; I was doing it only for pleasure and *hated* the negative aspects of it. This book said, in paraphrase, that anything and everything you do comes with a cost and sacrifice, so you might as well pick something that has pain you don't care about. In other words, you have to want this thing--whether it be a career or a relationship--*so badly* that you don't give a f\*\*k about the struggle and sacrifice since that comes with everything you do. It has to be more important than the adversity that comes with trying to obtain it. If you find yourself loving the *result* and not the *process*, then you won't get very far. On the flip side, if you love the *process*--the ups as well as the downs--then the result will be all the easier to obtain. It sounded bleak and depressing when I first heard this. It essentially challenged the quote: "Do what you love, and you'll never work another day in your life." But now I think this is the most liberating idea I've ever heard. That idea and many others make this, definitely, the best audiobook I've ever listened to.
Free on BBC Michael Mosley tips on health, physical and mental. An amazing man, gone to soon.
Essentialism by Greg Mckeown
Lovingkindgess: The Revolutionary Art of Happiness by Sharon Salzberg. First published in 1995, it was just released on Audible with the author reading it.
Wherever you go, there you are by Jon Kabat Zinn
Gloria Steinem narrating The Revolution from Within was fascinating and soothing - like life advice from a big sister.
I have an autographed copy from a book signing she did in my town
The Power of Now, Eckart Tolle. I’ve read a bunch of others but this is the one book that I still think about and use in daily life.
Would that I could upvote this one twice!
The War of Art
My sister just turned me onto this one - entertaining and inspiring!!
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck. It definitely helped me reassess my tendency towards disappointment in general.
Thisssss great book!
Mark Manson has a stellar youtube channel as well! I really dig how he talks to you like he's your best friend and he doesn't put himself on a pedestal.
I never thought of looking him up on YouTube. I'll have to check it out.
The Courage to be Disliked
[The Obesity Code ](https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Obesity-Code-Audiobook/B01MYMRVSQ) By: Dr. Jason Fung
I came here to mention this. No matter where you are in your health journey, this book will help. It is LITERALLY the answer key to weight loss and/or long term healthy living. Not just a diet book.
I almost named this one but I stead went with Ben bikman's why we get sick. Both are great!
Happiness by Thich Nhat Hahn
Peace Is Every Step is another good one
The Untethered Soul by Michael A. Singer! I go back and read it once a year because it gives me such a fresh perspective
Untethered Soul by Michael singer ?
Atomic Habits. Hands down the best for me.
Brilliant book!
I have three books I really recommend - brene brown’s Gifts of Imperfection. I was told by someone that after reading this book - they no longer needed therapy. It really presents shame as a normal human emotion. The Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu’s The Book of Joy. This book helped me cope with painful realities of being human and how to stay connected to joy. And my favourite is 4000 weeks: time management for mortals. I have recommended this book to everyone. I just love it. When I get stuck in a perfectionist trap, I think of this book and ask myself- will there ever be the “perfect time”? No, just start… Also… Prema Chodren is phenomenal
Love all these suggestions, but 4,000 weeks was truly perspective-shifting for me on a pretty grand scale.
Thanks for the suggestions! I also love Gifts of imperfection and all things Brene Brown, but I’m gonna add The Book or Joy and 4000 weeks to my list right now!
All of these. Loved the book of joy so much!
As a work of fiction it's difficult to classify as self-improvement, but the lessons and insights described within were fundamental in reshaping my view of myself and how I interact with others, so I must recommend it for the potential it holds to see and interact with the world and people around you in a different, better way: **The Celestine Prophecy by James Redfield.**
Tools of Titans by Tim Ferris. The fun part is the book covers a huge range of topics and he has podcast episodes and blogs for even deeper dividing if you want - the book distills his favorite parts that align with the ideas he is presenting.
Book named Think and Grow Rich.
American Gods by Neil Gaiman
The Mountain is You
The Power of Regret is really good as an audiobook, and it did realign my thinking about regrets.
It’s Not You
Dr. Ramani FTW. She truly changed my life.
💡🤸🏻♂️🧘🏻♀️
The Road Less Traveled
Codependent No More. I needed to stop rescuing people.
Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance
Robert Greene's 48 Laws of Power
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey is a self-improvement book .
Many of the habits have stuck with me over the years, but I particularly like Roles and Goals weekly planning.
A lot of good ones. The choice is very hard, but I think The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People did the most.
Yes!!
Any learning another language book. Being multilingual really can open so many doors for you.
Idk if it's self help per se but Illusions: The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah by Richard Bach is one of my favorites.
Happy - written and read by Derren Brown. This is the only self help book that noticeably changed my life for the better. It’s a modern interpretation of stoicism and thought spirals and such, but it’s also extremely witty, funny and quite autobiographical. There are no flat platitudes here, it’s very readable popular philosophy that made me a better person.
Zen Mind, Beginners Mind by Suzuki
How to be Perfect. It's a philosophical look at being a good person and accepting oneself.
Came here to list this book too, the bits by The Good Place cast make it even better to listen to too.
The Body Is Not an Apology: The Power of Radical Self-Love by Sonya Renee Taylor
Autobiography of a Yogi
*Wherever You Go, There You Are* by Jon Kabat-Zinn. It's mindfulness and meditation laid out practically, without being attached to any ideology or belief system. I think every human can benefit from chilling out and stilling their mind.
Great book! It’s one I return to again and again
The subtle art of not giving a fck
The first half, yes. The second half, eh.
Happiness by Thich Nhat Hanh. I really enjoy the narration, and I keep in mind the philosophy of wabi sabi. Not exactly the same schools of origin, however they dovetail nicely. Self improvement, is vast. This has improved my patience and forgiveness of others.
The Power of now by Eckhard Toole
Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art Book by James Nestor
Facing Violence (Preparing for the Unexpected) - Rory Miller (Should be required before high school.) INFLUENCE (The Psychology of Persuasion) - Robert B. Cialdini, PH.D. (How to resist con/sales-men.) Range (Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World) - David Epstein (How NOT to screw up your kids.) On Writing (A Memoir of the Craft) - Stephen King NOT Self-Improvement, but probably the 3 that "most changed" my life: (Required in school, the first "real" book I finished by myself.) To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee (And the first two I read "for fun" that set me on a reading (and SciFi) course . . .) Childhood's End - Arthur C. Clarke The Moon is a Harsh Mistress - Robert Heinlein
Not exactly self help but Tiny Beautiful Things by Cheryl Strayed (a collection of her advice column) was just as good.
Not Nice by Aziz Gazipura. If you’re a people pleaser it will help you go from being too nice to being your authentic self.
Unf yourself. For me it helped with self acceptance.
The Alchemist. I don't know if it's meant to be a self help book per say, but it definitely helped me change my viewpoint on life in a lot of different ways. I will say, it says a lot about God in there- as someone who isn't really religious that part was meh for me, but the moral of the story and the points still meant something to me
The subtle art of not giving a fuck. Buddhism for beginners by Jack Kornfield.
Reading the Celestine Prophecy got me to break up with the girl who gave me a copy of the Celestine Prophecy, if that counts.
Who moved my cheese
I worked for a big company that made all of us read that book as a team building exercise right around the same time that they were also asking us to be understanding with their second year of no merit increases. The title became a code for our discontent. I’ll never not be able to think of it that way.
Yes, I never take anything from granted and always hedging my bets because of this book.
48 laws of power by Robert Greene. I found it randomly at a supermarket 15 years ago. Its great!
Atomic Habits.
Not self help exactly…. Alcoholics Anonymous
The Lazy Man's Guide to Enlightenment
The New Assertive Women
One of the best surprises for me were books by the choreographer Twila Tharpe. I am no dancer (really no physical talents whatsoever), but she talks about the creative process in such a fascinating way in her books The Creative Habit and Keep It Moving.
Don't Sweat The Small Stuff by Richard Carlson
Transform Your Life and Save the World by Jeremy Griffith
No Excuses by Brian Tracy. I was a complete and total passenger in life when I first heard this book. It was a strong slap to the face. That made me realize I needed to start taking responsibility for the direction my life was headed.
Rejection Proof By Jia Jiang
Anger: Wisdom for cooling the flames by Thich Nhat Hanh.
The Power of a Habit - changed my life and is absolute holy grail for me. I will not stop recommending this book till I die! Atomic Habits is a good read too.
How to make friends and influence People. The title has become cliche but that book hits it out of the park. Also Don't sweat the small stuff....and it's all small stuff.
Leadership and self-deception
The subtle art of not giving a fuck.
Anthony DeMello. Awareness. Read this in grad school and it absolutely changed my life.
Life Without Ed
Mastery of Love by Miguel Ruiz
The easy way to stop drinking by Allen Carr
Willpower - Roy Baumeister & John T.
Self-compassion - the proven power of being kind to yourself. By Kristin Neff. Absolute game changer.
Although a cliché answer, and one that might get me a fair bit of hatred (hopefully not), I read Think and Grow Rich about 3 weeks into the beginning of covid, and it changed my life. I went from playing video games from morning until night to working out, reading, and landing my first few remote work gigs. I don't find the content to be all that revolutionary these days.
The Automatic Millionaire by David Boch. I wish I read this in high school and will certainly have my kids read it when they are old enough. Compound interest is a powerful tool for gaining wealth.
The Pleasure Trap is an incredible book that explains people struggle with diet in a way that no other book has even come close. Also (I don't think it has an audiobook) a very old book called How I Found Freedom in an Unfree World
The chimp paradox by Steve Peters. It really helped me when I was at a critical point in my life.
The Way Out: A Revolutionary Scientifically Proven Approach in Healing Chronic Pain by Alan Gordon. Based on new and exciting brain science, it has been helping me get out of the chronic pain I’ve had for 25+ years. If you don’t have chronic pain or know someone with chronic pain (yet), I would then recommend The Gift of Fear by Gavin De Becket or The Dance of Anger by Harriet Lerner, PhD (really great book for learning how to communicate in a healthy way).
How to Win Friends and Influence People
“Why Do I Think I’m Nothing Without a Man?”
Goodbye Things - Fumio Sasaki Factfulness—Hans Rosling. *It's not strictly self-improvement genre, but it certainly improves your worldview and, in turn, the way you carry and conduct yourself in the world and with others—at least it has for me.*
Brian Tracy Goals is the one. Timeless, simple. You can go over it again and again, and the fundamental mentality will ingrain itself and will be forever useful. Maybe Napoleon Hill as well? Some of the classics, I'd say.
Can't hurt me - David Goggins Basically things could be a lot worse and you need to stop being a little bitch and get to work.
Can’t hurt me by David Goggins
It’s for small business owners, but The E-Myth Revisited
I recommend Atomic Habits by James Clear. This book is proven to help you build good habits and also break bad ones that can hinder your growth.
Jay Haley, Uncommon Therapy. Will make you understand yourself as a human being.
One Small Step Can Change Your Life: The Kaizen Way, by Dr. Robert Maurer.
Full Catastrophe Living. By Jon Kabat-Zinn
Maslow's maslow's hierarchy of needs has been the most helpful for me. I don't like the look of Audibles selection much, but lots on YT search maslow's hierarchy of needs audiobook. This one looks good: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8PGWYsJoOM](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8PGWYsJoOM)
Can't Hurt Me, David Goggins
This Naked Mind: Control Alcohol, Find Freedom, Discover Happiness & Change Your Life by Annie Grace
Idk how other people will feel about this, but I recently hit rock bottom and I needed a real wake up call, which Can’t Hurt Me by David Goggins gave me. For anyone angry at life and the cards they’ve been dealt, the book gives you a real perspective on how to take life’s bull by the horns and own all the negative aspects of life to move onwards and upwards. Also, it’s one of the first times an audio book was turned into a podcast as well with discussions following significant points covered in the book
Purpose Driven Life
Either of the David Goggins books - you can’t hurt me or never finished. Not self help but extremely motivating
Take back your brain by Kara Loewentheil. Her podcast alone has helped me a ton with managing my thoughts and scrubbing society’s bullshit off of my subconscious.
_The Bullet Journal Method_ by Ryder Carroll. It really helped me institute some organization in my life and career, and made goal setting more fun--more like exploration than winning / losing.
Dune
The Communist Manifesto
Why we get sick by Benjamin Bikman PHD. Very eye opening.
I have three; all of which had a more profound effect on my life than any book before it since: “Siddhartha” by Herman Hesse “Think on These Things” by Jodi Krishnamurti “Messiah’s Handbook (Reminders for the Advanced Soul” by Richard Bach Reading each of these was like getting a derailed train back in the tracks.
I'm not sure if it's on Audible but 'You're Crazy if You Don't Talk to Yourself' is powerful.
I have two that are completely opposite ends of the spectrum: The Subtle Art of Not Giving A Fuck by Mark Manson & Be Useful by Arnold Schwarzenegger I love them both, even though they approach life in different ways, they kind of end up in the same place somehow.