Personal Growth

The 10 Best Personal Development Books For A New And Improved You

December 23, 2018

Mia

personal development books for a new and improved you

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Finding the time to read can be tricky in this fast pacing world we live in.

Wouldn’t it be nice to have 10 minutes to read every day to catch up on your personal development? Yes.

And if you haven’t got 10 minutes, you aren’t managing your time very well.

By just reading for 10-20 minutes a day you can really make a difference and improve your life. 

I’m a firm believer that reading and consuming knowledge will lead us to do great things, especially when it comes to personal development.

Because our actions and results are directly related to our thoughts and beliefs about ourselves.

I believe we can all benefit enormously by implementing a little self-growth daily.

Think of all the things we can learn and how much we can grow?

We can learn to manage our thoughts better and in turn the results in our lives.

I’ve put together a list of my absolute favorite personal development books that I believe you will profit from immensely to help you on your self-growth journey.

Make the most out of your life and start reading.

 

Tip: Go for audible and listen to books on your commute or when you are out for a walk, if you are struggling to find the time or if you prefer to listen rather than read.  #Lifehack

 

Related Reads:

 

best personal development books

 

 

1. You Are A Badass by Jen Sincero

Jen Sincero is hands down my favorite person right now. I just finished reading You Are A Badass, and oh-my-lord, it’s the most inspiring book I’ve read so far on my personal development journey. Jen says it out straight with no filter and she’s also pretty funny. She’s helpful, funny and writes it as a best friend would. The book centers around the fact that YOU are the only one in charge of getting the life you want and in order to do that you need to work on that positive mindset of yours and take action. If you’re not sure where to start, start with this book.

“You are responsible for what you say and do. You are not responsible for whether or not people freak out about it.” 

“Say nice things about your body, dress it up, and take it out. Give it hot sex, luxurious baths, and massages. Move it, stretch it, nourish it, hydrate it, pay attention to it—The better our bodies feel, the happier and more productive we are.” 

 

 

2. The 5 Second Rule by Mel Robbins

Mel Robbins is awesome. Speaking of my favorite personal development guru’s – Mel would be my second favorite, right behind Jen Sincero. Mel operates with a hint of tough love and the fact that you’ve GOT to face your fears and do it anyway. No matter what. Count backward from 5 and just do it, because, most likely, you will never feel like it. Her book goes into deeper detail on this approach and theory. And if you haven’t watched her famous TED talk yet, start there.

“You can’t control how you feel. But you can always choose how you act.” 

“The moment you have an instinct to act on a goal you must 5-4-3-2-1 and physically move or your brain will stop you.” 

 

 

3. The 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth by John C. Maxwell

This book is all about how we can continue to grow, enrich and sparkle our lives without feeling we are “using anything up”. It’s about living the life you were meant to live and at your fullest potential. Follow John’s 15 laws and you’re bound for success. A must-read for anyone looking to improve their self-growth and lives in general. Hear, hear.

“If you do the things you need to do when you need to do them, then someday you can do the things you want do when you want to do them.”

“You will never change your life until you change something you do daily.”

 

 

4. #GIRLBOSS by Sophia Amoruso

#GIRLBOSS is based on the coolest chick alive, Sophia Amoruso’s, life story. How she pushed herself up and away to achieve the impossible. Her story is super inspiring and filled with badass quotes and life lessons that any female entrepreneur or actually, anyone, could benefit from. If you want to be a true girlboss yourself, read this book and learn from the original girlboss, Sophia. GO get it!

“The energy you’ll expend focusing on someone else’s life is better spent working on your own. Just be your own idol.” 

“The only way to support a revolution is to make your own.” 

 

 

5. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey

This book is a classic in the self-help world. I couldn’t not put it on my last. It’s sort of become the personal development Bible. Read this one and you’ll be fine in all areas of your life. Learn how to live more effectively and get closer to those wild dreams of yours. The takeaway here is to actually implement the model into your own life and do the work. If you don’t, nothing will change – you will be a little wiser but you’re standing still. Read, learn, implement and move forward.

“Start with the end in mind. ” 

“To change ourselves effectively, we first had to change our perceptions.” 

 

 

6. Getting Things Done by David Allen

David Allen, the king of productivity. If you’re, like me, very into productivity – this book is a must-read. It touches on setting goals, staying committed and focused and following through. But David also teaches you how to overcome confusion, anxiety and overwhelm directly related to your to-do list. We’re humans and we are all so busy. This book helps you to organize, prioritize, and well basically get things done.

“If you don’t pay appropriate attention to what has your attention, it will take more of your attention than it deserves.” 

“Much of the stress that people feel doesn’t come from having too much to do. It comes from not finishing what they’ve started.” 

 

 

7. The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment by Eckhart Tolle

Recommended by Oprah – need I say more? Live in the now and you shall find happiness and enlightenment. It honestly took me a while to get through this book, much due to all the genius information, the spiritualness and well, all the pages. If you keep an open mind throughout it, it’s truly inspirational, if you don’t, it’s a bunch of yada-yada. I chose to go for the first approach. There is no need to dwell on the past or worry about the future – just be in the now

“Realize deeply that the present moment is all you have. Make the NOW the primary focus of your life.” 

“It is not uncommon for people to spend their whole life waiting to start living.” 

 

 

8. The 4-Hour Workweek by Tim Ferriss

Another great book for all the productivity addicts out there. How to get more done in less time, and taking mini-retirements along the way – that’s the message, with loads of practical tips to go with it.

“What we fear doing most is usually what we most need to do.” 

“A person’s success in life can usually be measured by the number of uncomfortable conversations he or she is willing to have.” 

 

 

 

9. Girl, Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis

I really enjoyed this book, much like Jen Sincero, Rachel Hollis writes as if your BFF with humor and honesty. It’s all about getting your self-confidence back on track and believing you are destined for greatness. Yes.

“When you really want something, you will find a way. When you don’t really want something, you’ll find an excuse.” 

“You must choose to be happy, grateful, and fulfilled. If you make that choice every single day, regardless of where you are or what’s happening, you will be happy.” 

 

 

10. The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown

Brené Brown. New York Times best-selling author. Enough said. This book is the holy grail when it comes to embracing flaws, our imperfections and improving our self-growth to live the life we were meant to live. Cheesy, you say? But so true.

 “We cannot selectively numb emotions, when we numb the painful emotions, we also numb the positive emotions.”

“Healthy striving is self-focused: “How can I improve?” Perfectionism is other-focused: “What will they think?”

 

 

 

A Few Bonus Books 

So much to read, so little time.

It was honestly so hard to pick just 10 books.

I’ve got a couple of more for you to add to your reading list for 2021.

 

 

Before You Go

I’m hereby setting a goal to read or listen to 25 next year.

How many can you get through? 

And what books are you currently reading or on your wishlist?

Let me know in the comments below.

I’d love to get more tips so I can add them to my list as well. 

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  1. Audrey says:

    Great list! #Girlboss was my favorite. I loved her honesty and the truth about all of the hard work and dedication it took to make her business grow.

  2. Megan says:

    Brene Brown is my favourite. Her books always make me feel so much better about myself. Embracing vulnerability as been life changing!

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Hey it's Mia!

I started a secret blog back 2018 because #scaredofwhatotherpeoplethought but since then, I have grown it into a bloomin' business, and been able to fully step into the cozy pajama lifestyle (the introvert dream) and be financially FREE bay-bee. My jam is now to help you do the same by doing business and marketing the introvert-friendly way ⎯ the cozy way ⎯ because duh! Basically, let’s make you more money with your WORDS.

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