The 33 Best Self-Help Books of All Time to Read at Any Age
Man’s Search for Meaning details holocaust survivor Viktor Frankl’s horrifying experiences in Nazi concentration camps, along with his psychological approach of logotherapy, which is also what helped him survive and shows you how you can – and must – find meaning in your life.
25 insightful self-help books that will help you grow in all aspects of your life
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- Self-help books aim to improve an aspect of our lives.
- They might be business books, psychology reads, or memoirs.
- We used Goodreads to rank the best self-help books to read in 2022.
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Books can serve so many different purposes, from entertainment to education, but self-help books are designed to help us improve a specific aspect of our lives. Though the very idea of “self-help” books used to conjure mental images of cheesy lectures and impractical advice, the best self-help books actually offer a new perspective for readers to explore habit building, emotional growth, or gain a deeper understanding of the world.
Goodreads is the largest platform in the world for readers to rate and review books, so we turned to Goodreads reviewers to rank the best self-help books to read in 2022. From classics like “How to Win Friends and Influence People” to Susan Cain’s “Quiet,” these self-help books include business books, memoirs, philosophy reads, and so much more.
25 of the best self-help books, according to Goodreads
“The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck” by Mark Manson
Available at Amazon and Bookshop, from $11.60
Mark Manson is a popular blogger who aimed to defy the norm of “positivity” in self-help books by acknowledging that, sometimes, life sucks! In his book, Manson encourages readers to recognize what is worth caring about and adjusting our perspectives based on our goals.
“Atomic Habits” by James Clear
Available at Amazon and Bookshop, from $11.98
“Atomic Habits” is a practical self-help book that helps readers change bad habits and develop good ones. With an abundance of practical examples, any reader can develop a system of change with James Clear’s suggestions and motivational writing.
“How to Win Friends and Influence People” by Dale Carnegie
Available at Amazon and Bookshop, from $10.99
With over 700,000 ratings and averaging at 4.21 stars, “How to Win Friends and Influence People” is the best self-help book according to Goodreads members. Selling over 15 million copies since its original publication in 1936, Dale Carnegie’s book includes his tried-and-true principles to help readers in their personal and professional lives. There are six principles to help people like you, 12 to help people understand your way of thinking, and nine to encourage change in others.
“The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” by Stephen R. Covey
Available at Amazon, from $12.53
With over 15 million copies sold since its first publication in 1989, this self-help book uses 7 fundamental habits that guide readers toward an independent, successful, and fulfilling life. Using psychological principles, this book begs to be opened over and over again, refreshing readers with life mantras that will lead them to greatness.
“The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business” by Charles Duhigg
Available at Amazon and Bookshop, from $10.95
After studying patterns across a variety of success stories, Charles Duhigg presents why habits exist — and what we can do to change them. He argues the key to reaching any of our goals lies with understanding how habits are formed and uses researched principles to help readers change habits in order to transform their lives.
“The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up” by Marie Kondo
Available at Amazon and Bookshop, from $8.58
With a book and Netflix series that changed how we organize and stay tidy, Marie Kondo is a professional organizing consultant who presents the KonMari method of organizing. In “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up,” Kondo introduces readers to her approach to cleaning, including the idea of only keeping items that “spark joy”.
“You Are A Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life” by Jen Sincero
Available at Amazon and Bookshop, from $8.45
This best-selling self-help book uses anecdotes and exercises to help readers break down the mental barriers that are keeping them from achieving their goals. It’s an inspirational, motivational, and funny read that aims to instill self-confidence and leave readers feeling refreshed and ready to accomplish anything.
“The Four Agreements” by Don Miguel Ruiz
Available at Amazon and Bookshop, from $7.74
In this spiritual self-help book, Don Miguel Ruiz pulls from Toltec wisdom to present four principles that, when applied in harmony with each other, can offer new experiences and happiness in our lives. This book challenges readers to apply four simple truths to their lives: Be impeccable with your word, don’t take anything personally, don’t make assumptions, and always do your best.
“The Power of Now” by Eckhart Tolle
Available at Amazon and Bookshop, from $7.51
“The Power of Now” is a spiritual self-help book that proclaims living in “the now” is the ultimate path to happiness. More a practical guide than a traditional narrative, Tolle aims to inspire readers to become conscious of the thoughts and challenges that prevent us from living in the present moment.
“Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking” by Susan Cain
Available at Amazon and Bookshop, from $13.89
Introverts have been widely overlooked in American society. In this psychology book dubbed a favorite self-help read by Goodreads reviewers, Susan Cain uses stories from successful introverts to explain how invaluable introverts are to our community and help introverts value themselves more. To learn more about this book, check out our review of “Quiet.”
Katherine Fiorillo is a freelance content writer specializing in books, lifestyle, and e-commerce.Katherine has a B.A. in Journalism from Marist College and previously wrote for BuzzFeed’s Shopping and Products beat. She is an Army veteran, an avid reader, and designs book-themed stickers for her Etsy shop.Say hi to Katherine at [email protected].
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Disclosure: Written and researched by the Insider Reviews team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at [email protected].
The 33 Best Self-Help Books of All Time to Read at Any Age
Self-help books are all about change. A change of habits, character traits, or your physical appearance – you name it. The thing is, you have to make the change yourself.
Every New Year’s Eve, you commit to another version of “new year, new me.” But how does it look a few months later? Has it ever happened to you that you ended up resolving to make the same changes again the next year? Two years, three years, four years in a row? Inevitably, we’ll ask ourselves: How many times do I have to try this to succeed?
The honest answer is “Forever” – because there’ll always be new changes you want to make, a new person you’ll want to become. That’s perfectly okay. Growth is what life is all about. When it comes to making a certain set of new habits stick, however, there are proven methods, tools, tips, and tactics you can use. That way, you won’t get stuck trying to make a single transformation over and over again.
At Four Minute Books, we’ve summarized over 1,000 books, most of them in the self-improvement category. In the process, we’ve learned a thing or two about habits, and we’ve also discovered which books are most efficient at helping us adjust our behaviors to better serve our goals.
All in all, we’ve found 33 books that’ll support you in making the changes you want to make and achieving your full potential. In this list, we’ve curated them all – the 33 best self-help books of all time. These are the hardest hitters. They’ll drastically improve your life, no matter how old you are.
Self-help can be a tricky thing initially, but if you embrace it and stick with the process for the long run, it’ll yield great rewards. Changing yourself is a never-ending process. The books in our list will be a great starting point for your journey.
If you want to live your best life and become your most powerful self, here are the 33 best books you should dive into. Discover their secrets and make it happen!
Table of Contents
- Best Books on Self-Help Overall
- 1. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
- 2. Atomic Habits by James Clear
- 3. Thinking Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman
- 4. The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz
- 5. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey
- 6. Best Self by Mike Bayer
- 7. The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson
- 8. Girl, Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis
- 9. You Are a Badass by Jen Sincero
- 10. 12 Rules for Life by Jordan Peterson
- 11. The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene
- 12. The Courage to Be Disliked by Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitake Koga
- 13. Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl
- 14. How to Stop Worrying and Start Living by Dale Carnegie
- 15. Daring Greatly by Brene Brown
- 16. Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
- 17. Quiet by Susan Cain
- 18. The Magic of Thinking Big by David Joseph Schwartz
- 19. How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
- 20. The 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman
- 21. Deep Work by Cal Newport
- 22. Getting Things Done by David Allen
- 23. Who Moved My Cheese? by Spencer Johnson
- 24. Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert T. Kiyosaki
- 25. Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
- 26. The 4-Hour Workweek by Tim Ferriss
- 27. Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell
- 28. The Power Of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale
- 29. The Secret by Rhonda Byrne
- 30. Meditations by Marcus Aurelius
- 31. The Obstacle Is the Way by Ryan Holiday
- 32. The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle
- 33. The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo
Best Books on Self-Help Overall
1. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Favorite Quote
“When you want something, all the universe conspires to help you achieve it.” — Paulo Coelho
The Book in One Sentence
The Alchemist is a classic novel in which a boy named Santiago embarks on a journey seeking treasure in the Egyptian pyramids after having a recurring dream about it and on the way meets mentors, falls in love, and most importantly, learns the true importance of who he is and how to improve himself and focus on what really matters in life.
Why should you read it?
This novel presents a simple story, yet filled with wisdom. Concentrating on the theme of destiny and integrating mysterious characters, as well as important lessons, it compels the reader to wonder constantly and to come to the conclusion that destiny is what we make of it.
Key Takeaways
- Listen to your heart if you want your dreams to come true.
- Your fear is holding you back more than anything else.
- “The secret of life, though, is to fall seven times and to get up eight times.”
If you want to learn more, you can read our free four-minute summary or get a copy for yourself.
2. Atomic Habits by James Clear
Favorite Quote
“Habits are the compound interest of self-improvement.” — James Clear
The Book in One Sentence
Atomic Habits is the definitive guide to breaking bad behaviors and adopting good ones in four steps, showing you how small, incremental, everyday routines compound into massive, positive change over time.
Why should you read it?
What does it take to form a habit? There is a lot of information out there in regards to this, but sometimes you might just not have the time to go through all of it. James Clear has put together this useful and practical book, for you to achieve more good habits and avoid the bad ones.
Key Takeaways
- Every time we perform a habit, we execute a four-step pattern: cue, craving, response, reward.
- If we want to form new habits, we should make them obvious, attractive, easy, and satisfying.
- You can use a habit tracker as a fun way to measure your progress and make sure you don’t fall off the wagon.
If you want to learn more, you can read our free four-minute summary or get a copy for yourself.
3. Thinking Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman
Favorite Quote
“Nothing in life is as important as you think it is, while you are thinking about it.” — Daniel Kahneman
The Book in One Sentence
Thinking Fast and Slow shows you how two systems in your brain are constantly fighting over control of your behavior and actions, and teaches you the many ways in which this leads to errors in memory, judgment and decisions, and what you can do about it.
Why should you read it?
The human mind is a wonderful, yet still undiscovered place. But what Kahneman can tell you is that two systems form our thinking. If you are looking for a curious conversation about the human mind, this book will not only get you thinking but also transform the way you think.
Key Takeaways
- The biggest leaps in progress are vertical, not horizontal.
- Your brain is lazy and thus keeps you from using the full power of your intelligence.
- When you’re making decisions about money, leave your emotions at home.
If you want to learn more, you can read our free four-minute summary or get a copy for yourself.
4. The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz
Favorite Quote
“Death is not the biggest fear we have; our biggest fear is taking the risk to be alive – the risk to be alive and express what we really are…” — Don Miguel Ruiz
The Book in One Sentence
The Four Agreements draws on the long tradition of the Toltecs, an ancient, indigenous people of Mexico, to show you that we have been domesticated from childhood, how these internal, guiding rules hurt us and what we can do to break and replace them with a new set of agreements with ourselves.
Why should you read it?
Our lives are usually conducted by a set of beliefs, and they can sometimes limit us and keep us away from our true calling. According to Don Miguel Ruiz, four agreements could help us transform the way we live our lives and experience its joys to the fullest. And if you are passionate about ancient wisdom, then this book might just be what you need.
Key Takeaways
- We’re domesticated from a young age and it leaves us living by a set of rules we haven’t chosen ourselves.
- What people say and do to you is a reflection on them, not you. Know who you are and you won’t take things personally.
- There are three ways to break your old agreements and live with new ones you choose yourself.
If you want to learn more, you can read our free four-minute summary or get a copy for yourself.
5. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey
Favorite Quote
“The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing.” — Stephen R. Covey
The Book in One Sentence
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People teaches you both personal and professional effectiveness by changing your view of how the world works and giving you 7 habits, which, if adopted well, will lead you to immense success.
Why should you read it?
Taking control of your life might seem like a difficult thing to do without the proper advice. But Covey has put together a few pieces of advice to help people achieve exactly what they want, from proactivity to success in both their professional and personal lives.
Key Takeaways
- Do the funeral test.
- Learn how to say no.
- Practice active listening.
If you want to learn more, you can read our free four-minute summary or get a copy for yourself.
6. Best Self by Mike Bayer
Favorite Quote
“It’s not selfish to take care of yourself.” — Mike Bayer
The Book in One Sentence
Best Self will help you become the hero you’ve always wanted to be by teaching you how to be honest with yourself about what you desire, identify your toxic anti-self, and discover the traits of the greatest possible version of you that you can imagine.
Why should you read it?
Do people change in order to become happier? If you are unsure how to answer this question, Coach Mike’s book might be a good starting point, as it will help you put into perspective where exactly your life is. Knowing where you stand can show you what you need to do and where to head to live a better life. Has this book made it to your “must-read” list yet?
Key Takeaways
- Don’t worry if you never learned how to reach your full potential, simply start now by defining the version of yourself that would make you happiest.
- Use the power of honesty to vanquish the villain of fear that is holding you back.
- Help yourself first so you can take great care of other people.
If you want to learn more, you can read our free four-minute summary or get a copy for yourself.
7. The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson
Favorite Quote
“Who you are is defined by what you’re willing to struggle for.” — Mark Manson
The Book in One Sentence
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck does away with the positive psychology craze to instead give you a Stoic, no bullshit approach to living a life that might not always be happy, but meaningful and centered only around what’s important to you.
Why should you read it?
Nowadays, wherever you turn your head, you hear that positivity is the key to living a happy and fulfilled life. But according to Mark Manson, this might be a flawed way of thinking and he will tell you that in a raw voice that will make you rethink all that you know about living a happy life.
Key Takeaways
- Values you can’t control are bad values to follow.
- Don’t believe you know anything with certainty, for it keeps you from improving.
- Trying to leave a legacy might ruin your life.
If you want to learn more, you can read our free four-minute summary or get a copy for yourself.
Best Self Help Books for Women
8. Girl, Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis
Favorite Quote
“You, and only you, are ultimately responsible for who you become and how happy you are.” — Rachel Hollis
The Book in One Sentence
Girl, Wash Your Face inspires women to take their lives into their own hands and make their dreams happen, no matter how discouraged they may feel at the moment.
Why should you read it?
Women deal with a lot of things that might not be visible to other people. In this book, Hollis makes use of a soft, yet empowering tone that helps women remove themselves from any mentality that might destroy their self-confidence and helps them stay on top of things, even when they seem to crumble. A book that is filled with honesty and humor, as well as precious advice.
Key Takeaways
- Build the habit of keeping your promises to yourself because breaking them pulls you down.
- Rather than fighting the river of chaotic home life, learn to embrace it.
- Visualize your dreams and focus on them in detail to stay motivated to make them happen.
If you want to learn more, you can read our free four-minute summary or get a copy for yourself.
9. You Are a Badass by Jen Sincero
Favorite Quote
“You are responsible for what you say and do. You are not responsible for whether or not people freak out about it.” ― Jen Sincero
The Book in One Sentence
You Are a Badass helps you become self-aware, figure out what you want in life and then summon the guts to not worry about the how, kick others’ opinions to the curb and focus your life on the thing that will make you happy.
Why should you read it?
Improving your life might sound like a tedious thing to do, but it doesn’t always have to be like that. Jen Sincero has written this book exactly for those people – the ones who want to change their lives, but not in a hard way. Making use of stories and pieces of advice, as well as easy exercises, this book promises to be a good starting point in your life-changing journey.
Key Takeaways
- Decide you’ll stop caring what other people think. Right. now.
- Figure out what you want but don’t obsess about how you’ll get there.
- If your habits, surroundings and friends don’t support you, it’s time to change them.
If you want to learn more, you can read our free four-minute summary or get a copy for yourself.
Best Self Help Books for Men
10. 12 Rules for Life by Jordan Peterson
Favorite Quote
“It’s all very well to think the meaning of life is happiness, but what happens when you’re unhappy? Happiness is a great side effect. When it comes, accept it gratefully. But it’s fleeting and unpredictable.” — Jordan Peterson
The Book in One Sentence
12 Rules for Life is a stern, story-based, and entertaining self-help manual for young people that lays out a set of simple principles that can help us become more disciplined, behave better, act with integrity, and balance our lives while enjoying them as much as we can.
Why should you read it?
Sometimes, life can get rather chaotic and some things just don’t seem to make sense. Not to mention those burning questions that nobody seems to have an answer to. But according to Dr. Peterson, there are some things everybody should know and he explains them in a humorous and informative way in this stunning book.
Key Takeaways
- Sweep in front of your own door before pointing out the street is dirty.
- Treat yourself like a child you’re responsible for.
- Aim to do what is meaningful, not convenient.
If you want to learn more, you can read our free four-minute summary or get a copy for yourself.
11. The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene
Favorite Quote
“Powerful people impress and intimidate by saying less. The more you say, the more likely you are to say something foolish.” — Robert Greene
The Book in One Sentence
The 48 Laws of Power draws on many of history’s most famous power quarrels to show you what power looks like, how you can get it, what to do to defend yourself against the power of others and, most importantly, how to use it well and keep it.
Why should you read it?
What constitutes power? Is it a set of black and white moral views? Or is it a set of gray moral views, the ones that some people never really talk about? This challenging book puts into perspective a synthesis of philosophies and historical legacies that might be surprising to the reader. Are you curious yet?
Key Takeaways
- Always make superiors look smarter than you.
- Confuse competitors by acting unpredictably.
- Don’t force others to do what you want, seduce them instead.
If you want to learn more, you can read our free four-minute summary or get a copy for yourself.
Best Self Help Books for 20-Somethings
12. The Courage to Be Disliked by Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitake Koga
Favorite Quote
“The courage to be happy also includes the courage to be disliked. When you have gained that courage, your interpersonal relationships will all at once change into things of lightness.” — Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitake Koga
The Book in One Sentence
The Courage to Be Disliked is a Japanese analysis of the work of 19th-century psychologist Alfred Adler, who established that happiness lies in the hands of each human individual and does not depend on past traumas.
Why should you read it?
Is it that easy to liberate our real selves and be happy, despite past experiences and doubts that might have shaped us differently? This book offers precious insight in terms of what we need to do to let go of any burdens that might keep us away from who we truly are.
Key Takeaways
- It’s dangerous to believe that your past determines your future.
- If you focus on what’s wrong with you, you might be looking for reasons to hate yourself on purpose.
- Most of what we think of as competition is just made up and hurting our happiness.
If you want to learn more, you can read our free four-minute summary or get a copy for yourself.
13. Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl
Favorite Quote
“Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms – to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.” — Viktor Frankl
The Book in One Sentence
Man’s Search for Meaning details holocaust survivor Viktor Frankl’s horrifying experiences in Nazi concentration camps, along with his psychological approach of logotherapy, which is also what helped him survive and shows you how you can – and must – find meaning in your life.
Why should you read it?
Do you ever wonder what is exactly that people are pursuing? Could it be anything we find meaningful or is it just something that brings us happiness and pleasure? Written by a psychiatrist, this book wants to inspire us to find something meaningful not just when it comes to things, but when it comes to your life.
Key Takeaways
- Sometimes the only way to survive is to surrender to death.
- Your life has its own meaning and it’s up to you to find it.
- Use paradoxical intention to make your fears go away.
If you want to learn more, you can read our free four-minute summary or get a copy for yourself.
14. How to Stop Worrying and Start Living by Dale Carnegie
Favorite Quote
“Let’s not allow ourselves to be upset by small things we should despise and forget. Remember: Life is too short to be little.” — Dale Carnegie
The Book in One Sentence
How to Stop Worrying and Start Living is a self-help classic which addresses one of the leading causes of physical illness, worry, by showing you simple and actionable techniques to eliminate it from your life.
Why should you read it?
Do you feel like you are constantly worrying and that this is taking its toll on you? This book might help you cope with those feelings, by making use of simple, yet effective techniques that can bring you peace. You might also find out the golden rule for conquering any kind of worry – but that will not be spoiled here.
Key Takeaways
- Use a 3-step approach to deal with confusion and you’ll eliminate the worry caused by it.
- Put a stop-loss on stress and grief.
- Take criticism as compliments.
If you want to learn more, you can read our free four-minute summary or get a copy for yourself.
Best Self Help Books for Self Esteem
15. Daring Greatly by Brene Brown
Favorite Quote
“Courage starts with showing up and letting ourselves be seen.” — Brene Brown
The Book in One Sentence
Daring Greatly is a book about having the courage to be vulnerable in a world where everyone wants to appear strong, confident and like they know what they’re doing.
Why should you read it?
Embracing our vulnerabilities can be a difficult thing to do, but once we learn how to do that, we find out that we can dare to do anything. Dr. Brene Brown has come up with a powerful vision that encourages us to do exactly that: overcome our insecurities and learn how to live our lives fearlessly.
Key Takeaways
- Vulnerability means strength, not weakness.
- Understand and verbalize your shame to make it go away.
- Children can only become who you are, so be a role model.
If you want to learn more, you can read our free four-minute summary or get a copy for yourself.
16. Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
Favorite Quote
“It seems to me that the less I fight my fear, the less it fights back. If I can relax, fear relaxes, too.” — Elizabeth Gilbert
The Book in One Sentence
Big Magic is the book that’ll give you the courage you need to pursue your creative interests by showing you how to deal with your fears, notice ideas and act on them and take the stress out of creation.
Why should you read it?
Inspiration is a mysterious thing, but that’s what makes it so interesting. And Elizabeth Gilbert knows that, which is why she has written this book. In Big Magic, she tries to show us how to embrace who we are and to find those hidden things inside us, which can help us accomplish wonderful and unimaginable things. Filled with wonder and with a sense of joy, this book might be what you need to let go of your fears and live in a way that inspires you to change.
Key Takeaways
- Let your fears coexist with your passions.
- Give yourself permission to create.
- Keep your day job to fuel your creative affair.
If you want to learn more, you can read our free four-minute summary or get a copy for yourself.
17. Quiet by Susan Cain
Favorite Quote
“Spend your free time the way you like, not the way you think you’re supposed to.” — Susan Cain
The Book in One Sentence
Quiet shows the slow rise of the extrovert ideal for success throughout the 20th century, while making a case for the underappreciated power of introverts and showing up new ways for both forces to cooperate.
Why should you read it?
There are people in the world who prefer to listen, rather than talk. Or people who have greater results on their own, rather than inside a team. And those people are most likely introverts. Susan Cain presents us in this book with stories about those quiet people and promises to give us a different perspective in regards to how we perceive these quiet people.
Key Takeaways
- Whether you like small talk or not is part of your personality type.
- Western cultures portray extroversion as the ideal of success.
- Companies need to adjust their workplaces to introverts as well.
If you want to learn more, you can read our free four-minute summary or get a copy for yourself.
18. The Magic of Thinking Big by David Joseph Schwartz
Favorite Quote
“Do what you fear and fear disappears.” — David Joseph Schwartz
The Book in One Sentence
The Magic of Thinking Big gives you several starting points to develop and strengthen the most important trait of successful people: believing in yourself.
Why should you read it?
What do you need in order to become successful? Is it talent or intellect or is it just a habit of thinking in such a way that all you’ve ever wanted will be sitting right in front of you? Dr. Schwartz has put together a few useful methods to achieve all those things you want but never dared to get: from a good job to a good life.
Key Takeaways
- Always be open to new ideas.
- Learn something new whenever you can.
- Ask yourself “How can I do a better job today?” every day.
If you want to learn more, you can read our free four-minute summary or get a copy for yourself.
Best Self Help Books About Relationships
19. How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
Favorite Quote
“It isn’t what you have or who you are or where you are or what you are doing that makes you happy or unhappy. It is what you think about it.” — Dale Carnegie
The Book in One Sentence
How to Win Friends and Influence People teaches you countless principles to become a likable person, handle your relationships well, win others over and help them change their behavior without being intrusive.
Why should you read it?
Making things work to your advantage doesn’t have to be just a dream. All the things you have in mind can happen and all you need is to follow the solid advice Dale Carnegie has to offer in this bestseller. How to make friends, how to win people by making use of the way you think. and how to change people – these are all things you will encounter in this book.
Key Takeaways
- You can make a great first impression just by smiling.
- To be interesting to others, talk about their favorite topic: themselves.
- If you want to convince people, get them to say yes a lot.
If you want to learn more, you can read our free four-minute summary or get a copy for yourself.
20. The 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman
Favorite Quote
“True love cannot begin until the ‘in love’ experience has run its course.” — Gary Chapman
The Book in One Sentence
The 5 Love Languages shows couples how to make their love last by learning to recognize the unique way their partner feels love.
Why should you read it?
Love is a curious thing, and it can even be deemed as challenging sometimes. But there is a secret to keep things going and this book contains it. Filled with practical examples, Dr. Chapman’s approach will help you experience a deeper connection with your partner and also discover the love language of both you and your partner, through a Couple’s Personal Profile assessment.
Key Takeaways
- As your relationship matures, communication is key.
- There are 5 different ways people give and show love.
- Identify your and your partner’s love language to deepen intimacy.
If you want to learn more, you can read our free four-minute summary or get a copy for yourself.
Best Self Help Books About Productivity
21. Deep Work by Cal Newport
Favorite Quote
“If you don’t produce, you won’t thrive – no matter how skilled or talented you are.” — Cal Newport
The Book in One Sentence
Deep Work proposes that we have lost our ability to focus deeply and immerse ourselves in a complex task, showing you how to cultivate this skill again and focus more than ever before with four simple rules.
Why should you read it?
There is a valuable skill out there that could you get the best results in whatever you do. Being able to focus without being distracted can seem like a difficult thing to do, but it is a very powerful skill that could help you achieve your goals and unexpected results. If you want to find out more about this skill, Cal Newport’s book might be a good starting point.
Key Takeaways
- There are 4 strategies for deep work, all of which require intention.
- Productive meditation can help you work deeper, even while you’re taking a break.
- Stop working at the same time each day.
If you want to learn more, you can read our free four-minute summary or get a copy for yourself.
22. Getting Things Done by David Allen
Favorite Quote
“Your mind is for having ideas, not holding them.” — David Allen
The Book in One Sentence
Getting Things Done is a manual for stress-free productivity, which helps you set up a system of lists, reminders and weekly reviews, in order to free your mind from having to remember tasks and to-dos and instead let it work at full focus on the task at hand.
Why should you read it?
Things change daily and that can sometimes become overwhelming and even frustrating. But that doesn’t always have to be the case, as David Allen depicts. Filled with methods that will help our productivity reach its peak, even in the case of stressful situations, this book will help you get things done, under any circumstances.
Key Takeaways
- Use a “collection bucket” to store things outside your mind and stay focused.
- Create a “next actions” list for all your projects to avoid thinking in the moment.
- Do a weekly review of everything, or else!
If you want to learn more, you can read our free four-minute summary or get a copy for yourself.
23. Who Moved My Cheese? by Spencer Johnson
Favorite Quote
“What would you do if you weren’t afraid?” — Spencer Johnson
The Book in One Sentence
Who Moved My Cheese? tells a parable, which you can directly apply to your own life, in order to stop fearing what lies ahead and instead thrive in an environment of change and uncertainty.
Why should you read it?
This is not your usual guide, but rather an amusing story that will put things into perspective. You are in a maze and there’s a block of cheese in front of you. Your life is the maze and the cheese is the prize, but there is a tricky thing about it – you constantly have to chase it. Just as it is in life, this story puts into perspective the challenges we have to deal with in order to reach our goals. But what’s the moral of the story? You’ll discover it when you read this book!
Key Takeaways
- Thinking too much about your cheese might paralyze you, so just start looking.
- Nothing lasts forever, so keep your eyes open for approaching changes.
- You can always find new cheese, and the minute you start moving things will get better.
If you want to learn more, you can read our free four-minute summary or get a copy for yourself.
Best Self Help Books About Money
24. Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert T. Kiyosaki
Favorite Quote
“The main reason that over 90 percent of the American public struggles financially is because they play not to lose. They don’t play to win.” — Robert T. Kiyosaki
The Book in One Sentence
Rich Dad Poor Dad tells the story of a boy with two fathers, one rich, one poor, to help you develop the mindset and financial knowledge you need to build a life of wealth and freedom.
Why should you read it?
As a child, growing up, your views and thoughts are usually shaped by your parents. And in this book, Robert tells the story of how his views about money and how they were shaped by his two dads, one of them being his real father and the other one, his best friend’s father. Money makes the world go round, but how do you deal with them? Read this book to find out.
Key Takeaways
- Get a real financial education if you ever want to exit the “rat race” and stop living paycheck to paycheck.
- Stop saying “I can’t afford it” and instead focus all your energy on answering the question “how can I afford it?”
- Get more assets, which are anything that brings in more money, and pay off all liabilities, which are anything that takes your money away.
If you want to learn more, you can read our free four-minute summary or get a copy for yourself.
25. Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
Favorite Quote
“The starting point of all achievement is DESIRE. Keep this constantly in mind. Weak desire brings weak results, just as a small fire makes a small amount of heat.” — Napoleon Hill
The Book in One Sentence
Think and Grow Rich is a curation of the 13 most common habits of wealthy and successful people, distilled from studying over 500 individuals over the course of 20 years.
Why should you read it?
In life, you have to take certain steps to achieve your goals and there is also a point where you have to avoid certain steps to be successful. Filled with timeless information and pieces of advice that might take you far, this book is a must-read for your personal development.
Key Takeaways
- Use autosuggestion to build an unshakable belief in yourself.
- Be stubborn and always stick to your decisions.
- Join a Mastermind group to cut the learning curve.
If you want to learn more, you can read our free four-minute summary or get a copy for yourself.
Best Self Help Books for Business
26. The 4-Hour Workweek by Tim Ferriss
Favorite Quote
“Doing something unimportant well does not make it important.” — Tim Ferriss
The Book in One Sentence
The 4-Hour Workweek is the step-by-step blueprint to free yourself from the shackles of a corporate job, create a business to fund the lifestyle of your dreams, and live life like a millionaire, without actually having to be one.
Why should you read it?
The world keeps changing, but some things seem to always stay the same. If you feel that your business is trapping you in a life that is not the best for you or if you just feel overworked, while other people seem to be doing very little and are living their lives to the fullest, you might want to dive into this book and find out exactly what you might be doing wrong.
Key Takeaways
- Be effective, not efficient.
- Validate all of your business ideas.
- Charge a premium to make your life easier.
If you want to learn more, you can read our free four-minute summary or get a copy for yourself.
27. Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell
Favorite Quote
“Who we are cannot be separated from where we’re from.” — Malcolm Gladwell
The Book in One Sentence
Outliers explains why “the self-made man” is a myth and what truly lies behind the success of the best people in their field, which is often a series of lucky events, rare opportunities and other external factors, which are out of our control.
Why should you read it?
Are those considered high achievers different from the rest of the world? Malcolm Gladwell answers this question and not only, in a book that puts into perspective the background of those high achieving people. According to him, being that kind of person is not just about what you are like, but so much more. Are you curious to find out the secrets of all these great people?
Key Takeaways
- After you cross a certain skill threshold, your abilities won’t help you.
- The month you’re born in matters.
- Asians are good at math, because where you come from matters.
If you want to learn more, you can read our free four-minute summary or get a copy for yourself.
Best Self Help Books for Positive Thinking
28. The Power Of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale
Favorite Quote
“The way to happiness: Keep your heart free from hate, your mind from worry. Live simply, expect little, give much. Scatter sunshine, forget self, think of others. Try this for a week and you will be surprised.” — Norman Vincent Peale
The Book in One Sentence
The Power of Positive Thinking will show you that the roots of success lie in the mind and teach you how to believe in yourself, break the habit of worrying, and take control of your life by taking control of your thoughts and changing your attitude.
Why should you read it?
You usually hear people saying that you should have faith in yourself, and that alone will bring you to the point you want to reach. But what if you had more faith in action? Filled with practical advice, this book will help you clear your mind and realize that sometimes, you just have to let yourself believe.
Key Takeaways
- Start with confidence and watch your problems shrink.
- Your world is nothing more than the thoughts you have about your experiences.
- In order to live worry-free, first imagine a worry-free life.
If you want to learn more, you can read our free four-minute summary or get a copy for yourself.
29. The Secret by Rhonda Byrne
Favorite Quote
“Ninety-nine percent of who you are is invisible and untouchable.” — Rhonda Byrne
The Book in One Sentence
The Secret explains how the law of attraction governs your thinking and actions, and how you can use it to achieve whatever you desire in life.
Why should you read it?
This is the seminal book on visualization, manifestation, and how to make your dreams a reality through the power of your thoughts. It’ll help you understand and unlock the true power of your mind. It’s not a cheat code for not doing any work, but it goes a long way in tackling our challenges with more optimism, vigor, and determination than ever before.
Key Takeaways
- The law of attraction is one of the most prevalent principles in the world.
- To use the law of attraction, you must think about what you want, not what you want to avoid.
- The three steps of the law of attraction are asking, believing, and receiving.
If you want to learn more, you can read our free four-minute summary or get a copy for yourself.
Best Self Help Books About Stoicism
30. Meditations by Marcus Aurelius
Favorite Quote
“Put an end once for all to this discussion of what a good man should be, and be one.” — Marcus Aurelius
The Book in One Sentence
Meditations is a collection of 12 books written by Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius, who’ll introduce you to Stoic philosophy, the concept of logic, self-discipline and give you faith that the course the world runs is a good one.
Why should you read it?
A remarkable collection of personal writings by Marcus Aurelius, this book will help you realize that simple and true ideas might be the most important things to live life to the fullest extent. Things are temporary, and so are people and their feelings, but what is not temporary is the work we put into developing ourselves. An enlightening read, this book will provide you with some challenging beliefs.
Key Takeaways
- Logic doesn’t always make sense, but everything happens for a reason.
- Life is too short to complain.
- The only pain you suffer is the one you create yourself.
If you want to learn more, you can read our free four-minute summary or get a copy for yourself.
31. The Obstacle Is the Way by Ryan Holiday
Favorite Quote
“There is no good or bad without us, there is only perception. There is the event itself and the story we tell ourselves about what it means.” — Ryan Holiday
The Book in One Sentence
The Obstacle Is the Way is a modern take on the ancient philosophy of Stoicism, which helps you endure the struggles of life with grace and resilience by drawing lessons from ancient heroes, former presidents, modern actors, athletes, and how they turned adversity into success, thanks to the power of perception, action and will.
Why should you read it?
You might ask yourself, is there a way to transform obstacles into actual opportunities? Ryan Holiday shows us in this book that there is a way for us to turn different situations into victories, as impossible as they might seem at the beginning. And all of this, by making use of different philosophical principles.
Key Takeaways
- Imagine you’re advising yourself as a friend to keep an objective perspective.
- Large obstacles have large weaknesses – identify them and use them against them.
- Use your will to accept what you cannot change and change the things you can.
If you want to learn more, you can read our free four-minute summary or get a copy for yourself.
Best Self Help Books About Mindfulness
32. The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle
Favorite Quote
“Realize deeply that the present moment is all you have. Make the NOW the primary focus of your life.” — Eckhart Tolle
The Book in One Sentence
The Power of Now shows you that every minute you spend worrying about the future or regretting the past is a minute lost, because really all you have to live in is the present, the now, and gives you actionable strategies to start living every minute as it occurs.
Why should you read it?
Is living in the present moment the key to a happy life? According to Eckhart Tolle, this might just be what we need – to be conscious and to live in the moment. Employing useful information and ideas which prove to be inspirational, this guidebook will inspire you to change your life for the better.
Key Takeaways
- Life is just a series of present moments.
- All pain is a result of resistance to the things you cannot change.
- You can free yourself from pain by constantly observing your mind and not judging your thoughts.
If you want to learn more, you can read our free four-minute summary or get a copy for yourself.
33. The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo
Favorite Quote
“The question of what you want to own is actually the question of how you want to live your life.” — Marie Kondo
The Book in One Sentence
The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up takes you through the process of simplifying, organizing and storing your belongings step by step, to make your home a place of peace and clarity.
Why should you read it?
Your environment dictates your mood. And it also applies to your home. If your home is cluttered with all sorts of things, your mood will be affected by it. Tidying up your house can help you reach a feeling of calmness and change your mindset, both of which will make you happier.
Key Takeaways
- Move from easy to hard items when considering what to keep.
- YODO – you only declutter once (if you do it right).
- Ask yourself a few simple questions for each item.
If you want to learn more, you can read our free four-minute summary or get a copy for yourself.
Bonus: 2-Minute Pep Talks by Niklas Göke
Favorite Quote
“Pep talks are like vitamins: You can take them every day preemptively, or you can wait until your body signals a lack of them — but sooner or later, you will need your vitamins.” — Niklas Göke
The Book in One Sentence
2-Minute Pep Talks is a collection of 67 short jolts of inspiration for more hope, comfort, and love in any situation, providing you with a daily dose of good-spiritedness so you can tackle each day with the lightness, excitement, and optimism we all used to feel as kids.
Why should you read it?
If you feel tired, burned out, or are going through a slump in motivation, this book is for you. It’ll reignite your inner fire, but not with rah-rah speeches and bold claims. Instead, these soothing daily messages will make you think and give you a quiet sense of strength that, yes, you can do this — whatever “this” is. If you enjoy brief stories from all walks of life that contain powerful lessons and are looking for a way to stay consistently motivated without injecting caffeine straight into your veins, get this book.
Key Takeaways
- No matter what has happened in your life thus far, you’re still here, and that’s all that matters.
- The secret to life is that there is no secret, except showing up on a daily basis for the things and people we care about.
- If you’re not valued, chances are, you’re just in the wrong place.
We don’t have this one on our roster yet, but thankfully, each chapter is even shorter than a Four Minute Books summary! Grab a copy, and in just two minutes a day, you’ll feel empowered, calm, and resilient!
Conclusion
That concludes our list of the best self-improvement books. We hope we managed to give you a bit of insight into what self help means and how to do it right. We’re confident that these 33 books will help you figure out where to start and how to become the person you want to be.
Letting go of certain beliefs or ideas might be scary, but when you take a leap, you’ll discover parts of yourself you never knew existed. Knowing yourself and changing yourself is not a piece of cake, but it will bring out your most remarkable sides.
What idea spoke most to you in our list? Which book presented it the best? Take that idea and put it into practice, and you’ll find yourself improving immediately!
Other Book Lists by Topic
Looking for more of the best books on various topics? Here are all the book lists we’ve made for you so far:
- The 60 Best Business Books of All Time (Will Forever Change How You Think About Organizations)
- The 20 Best Entrepreneurship Books to Start, Grow and Run a Successful Business
- The 14 Best Finance Books of All Time
- The 21 Best Habit Books of All Time to Change Any Behavior
- The 33 Best Happiness Books of All Time That Everyone Should Read
- The 60 Best History Books of All Time (to Read at Any Age)
- The 7 Best Inspirational Books That Will Light Your Inner Fire
- The 40 Best Leadership Books of All Time to Help You Become a Truly Inspiring Person
- The 31 Best Motivational Books Ever Written
- The 12 Best Nonfiction Books Most People Have Never Heard Of
- The 35 Best Philosophy Books to Live Better and Become a Great Thinker
- The 34 Best Psychology Books That Will Make You Smarter and Happier
- The 25 Best Sales Books of All Time to Help You Close Any Deal
- The 33 Best Self-Help Books of All Time to Read at Any Age
- The 22 Best Books About Sex and Sexuality to Improve Your Love Life and Relationships
- The 30 Most Life-Changing Books That Will Shift Your Perspective and Stay With You Forever
Other Book Lists by Author
Looking for more books by the world’s most celebrated authors? Here are all of the book lists by the author we’ve curated for you:
- All Brené Brown Books, Sorted Chronologically (and by Popularity)
- Jordan Peterson Books: All Titles in Order of Publication + The 5 Top Books He Recommends
- All Malcolm Gladwell Books, Sorted Chronologically (and by Popularity)
- All Michael Pollan Books, Sorted Chronologically (and by Popularity)
- Peter Thiel Books: A Comprehensive List of Books By, About and Recommended by Peter Thiel
- All Rachel Hollis Books: The Full List of Non-Fiction, Fiction and Cookbooks, Sorted by Popularity and the Best Reading Order
- All Ray Dalio Books, Sorted Chronologically (and by Popularity)
- All Robert Greene Books, Sorted Chronologically (and by Popularity)
- All Ryan Holiday Books, Sorted Chronologically (and by Popularity)
- All Simon Sinek Books, Sorted Chronologically (and by Popularity)
- All Tim Ferriss Books, Sorted Chronologically (and by Popularity)
- All Walter Isaacson Books, Sorted Chronologically (and by Popularity)
Other Book Lists by Year
Want more books sorted by the year they came out? Here are all the best-of lists we’ve made for you based on various years:
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Last Updated on September 30, 2023
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