do you read personal growth books? Are you interested in personal development and self-improvement?
If so, great, but the question is: which book to choose. There are probably tens of thousands of self-help, personal growth, and personal development books out there. From personal experiences to folk psychology, from improving your cognition and productivity to keeping your relationships healthy, the shelves of the 21st century are full of authors destined to help each and every one of us with their ideas. . , knowledge or research results.
You are reading: Books for self growth
To help you make an informed decision, we’ve decided to share with you titles of books that had a positive impact on our lives. when we say “our” lives, we mean people on our team: the smart change team.
15 Best Personal Growth Books: Editor’s Choice
In the following paragraphs, you will have the opportunity to read a brief synopsis of our favorite books on personal growth. We will also share links to amazon or other websites where you can get them. if you’re more into audiobooks, we also include audible links.
daniel kahneman, think fast and slow
the man every psychology student knows from their textbooks, the winner of the nobel prize for the incredible research he conducted on decision making alone and with amos tversky, daniel kahneman is the founder of a new discipline: behavioral economics. he dedicated his life to studying how our psychology and cognition affect our decision-making processes.
His research is well known in the scientific community as it inspired a host of future experiments and examinations of human cognition. what makes this man special is his effort to bring cognitive science to all of us, using language and storytelling that everyone can understand.
Thinking Fast and Slow is a prose book in which Kahneman explains how our thinking is divided into two systems: one fast and one slow. the fast is actually our hardwired instincts, leftovers from our evolutionary past. without them, we would not be able to take our hand off a burning stove, nor flee when we perceive danger. it’s like our subconscious machine, not so rational, but efficient.
The other is our evolutionary advantage. the self-reflective, logical, and deliberate path. the conscious path over which we have a lot of control, however, also requires a lot of effort and concentration (which is why we tend to use it less often).
In his book, Kahneman explains in plain English how these two systems work, why and how the slow system sometimes fails us, and why we often don’t use the slow system correctly.
He backs up these explanations with the results of his mind-blowing experiments, teaching us how to make rational judgments based on logic and get the most out of both systems.
get your print, kindle or audio version now.
victor e. frankl, man’s search for meaning
If we had to choose a book everyone should read during their lifetime, it would be this one. We already praised this book in the article find your purpose in life, emphasizing its importance for personal growth and development.
After spending three years in the brutal conditions of the Nazi concentration camps, thinking that every day could be his last day, neurologist and psychiatrist Viktor Frankl explains in simple, sometimes even humorous, language that the search for meaning is at the core of every human being.
Thanks to his professional experience, this book is more than a memoir on how to survive the holocaust. it is also psychological research and the basis for creating a new school of thought and therapy: logotherapy.
The conclusion of this book is that if we are able to find meaning in life, we can go on even after experiencing the worst experiences imaginable for the human mind. inspirational, life-changing, eye-opening book.
You can find this book in print, kindle or audio format.
yuval noah harari, sapiens
Have you ever wondered how humans became what they are today? what are the exact differences between us and other animals? Why do we rule the world today?
In his best-selling piece sapiens, yuval noah harari retells the story of our species, providing surprising insights and deep insight into our behavior, habits, emotions, relationships, and more. explains how we got to where we are now with respect to animal exploitation and why we are not happier than our ancestors.
Using vivid and understandable language, Harari takes its readers on an unforgettable journey through human history. an absolute must read.
Visit their website for more information and to purchase books.
shawn achor, the happiness advantage
Most people think that happiness is achieved through hard work and the professional and personal achievements that go along with it. that is a kind of common wisdom, something that our culture and society teach us. If you get a good job, reach your desired weight, or get a promotion, you’ll be happy.
As honest as this motto is, have you ever wondered if the other way around makes more sense?
Recent research in positive psychology has revealed that the reverse formula is much closer to the truth and that it is happiness that really fuels success.
When we are happy, positive and open-minded, our brain becomes more susceptible to creativity, motivation and inspiration. we become more productive, resistant to stress and full of energy.
this is what shawn achor’s book is about. After spending more than a decade researching and lecturing on happiness at Harvard University, he decided to share the formula for rewiring your brain that will lead to happiness and success.
If you want to learn the principles of verified success, learn about the Tetris effect of retraining our brains, or how to build a social support network, check out the book The Happiness Advantage. after all, this book was the inspiration for creating the five-minute diary.
available in all formats on amazon.
seth godin, key player
seth godin, the author we admire here at smart shift, wrote one of the best personal growth books you’ll find on the market.
A traditional workplace used to have two teams of people: management and labor. today, there’s a third team: linchpins. linchpins are people, artists as godin calls them, who are indispensable, creative, innovative, and “outside the box” problem solvers. they jump when there is no rule book or clear instructions, they make their own path.
Your role in the workplace is to do emotional work, challenge the fixed mindset, and inspire your colleagues and clients because they love doing their jobs. Giving 100% of themselves, they manage to turn their work into art.
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These creatives are an essential part of any successful business. they have a lot to give, they create their own rules and play by them.
Axes are system changers, and if the idea of being one inspires you, we highly recommend you read this book.
the book is available in all formats on amazon.
david allen, getting things done: the art of creativity without stress
Ever wish someone could just give you a step-by-step recipe on how to do things no matter what?
well that’s what david allen offers in his book. a unique approach to productivity and time management based on years of experience and experimentation.
People are rarely well organized by nature. there are so many underlying processes responsible for our success or failure with time management. In his book, David Allen shares with you all the organizational tricks and advantages that can help you organize your things in both personal and professional plans.
This book is truly unique among personal growth books in that it gives you 100% accurate, many times tested, step-by-step tips and guides on how to take control of your life. getting things done is serious time management methodology, and you can even convince yourself by clicking this link and visiting david allen’s website.
Get your print or audiobook of David Allen’s masterpiece today.
jack canfield, the principles of success
if you like self-help and personal growth books, you probably know jack canfield for his chicken soup for the soul series.
In this book, he shares with his readers 65 ways to achieve a transformation in life. If you want clear and direct advice on how to change your life, this is the book for you.
The success principles the author mentions are quite simple and you may find that you already knew many of them. still, we believe that it is always good to remember the things we know and see them from a different perspective.
Here are some examples of Jack Canfield’s Success Principles:
If you want to be successful, you have to take 100% responsibility for everything you experience in your life.
You have control over only three things in your life: the thoughts you think, the images you see, and the actions you take (your behavior).
The only thing that will change your results is to change your behavior.
These principles may seem like common knowledge to most people, it’s good to go over them one more time and hear them in a fairly elaborate form, mixed with real life examples and logical explanations.
You can buy the print version of this book or listen to it on audible.
tim ferriss, the four-hour workweek
tim ferriss has been a rising star in the field of productivity, organization, influence and digital work for years. What does he do?
tim ferriss spent the last 10 years of his life learning all about the nouveau riche, an entire subculture that is ditching the standard lifestyle for a digital career, mastering new skills and creating mobile lifestyles and luxurious.
If you’re interested in changing the status quo and quitting your 9 to 5 job, this is the book for you. Tim Ferris will teach you all about pursuing a digital career, making the most of the “digital nomad” lifestyle, starting your own business, and staying motivated.
ferriss is an inspiring character, defender of productive habits and healthy living. learn more about him in a blog post, where he explains how he uses the five-minute journal to get the most out of it.
if you’re looking for a major change in your life, if you’re tired of being bossed around and want to start a career in dropshipping or affiliate marketing, get more control of your work hours, location and workload then tim ferriss He is the best person to consult.
Get your new print copy of the book, or if you prefer to listen, an audiobook is also available on Audible.
mihaly csikszentmihalyi, flow: the psychology of optimal experience
When we say “flow”, do you mean…?
what is your first partnership? perfectly tuned musical improvisation led by a couple of experienced musicians? a great conversation between friends or colleagues where two people are so in sync that they finish each other’s sentences? or maybe the feeling you get when you’re working on something and it flows?
whatever you’re thinking, you’re right. Hear from one of the most important contemporary psychologists and leading researcher in the field of positive psychology, Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi. After years and decades of scientific research, he decided to share his insights on productivity, happiness, self-control, creativity, everything that the term “flow” encompasses, with a broader, non-professional audience.
flow is a special state of mind, an optimal experience that cannot just happen to you. you need to prepare for that state, cultivate it and defend it. and how do you do that? taking control of your inner world.
This book is not your typical self-help and personal growth literature. It’s a half-scientific, half-philosophical work, based on real data and scientifically derived conclusions about happiness, content, productivity, and most importantly, flow.
The book is available as a paperback on Amazon, as a second-hand book, or as an audio.
tony robbins, wake up the giant within
For decades, Tony Robbins has been one of America’s leading authors, coaches, motivational speakers, and philanthropists. People know him from his infomercials, seminars, and personal growth books.
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Awaken the Giant Within is a book in which Robbins explains how to take immediate control of your life: your mental, physical, emotional and financial reality.
Over the years, Robbins has become a recognized expert in the field of the psychology of change, and this book is a step-by-step program designed to teach its readers some of the fundamental laws of self-mastery. You will learn how to discover your purpose, how to take control of your life, and how to awaken and nurture the forces that will shape your future in a more positive and productive way.
The book is available on amazon, seconsale and audible.
brown brene, exceedingly daring
If you are looking for a book that will help you improve your personal traits and gain a better and deeper understanding of yourself, then here is the perfect piece for you.
In her influential book Greatly Dare, thought leader and researcher, dr. brene. brown encourages readers to embrace and discover their vulnerability, imperfections, and a variety of emotions that we experience on a daily basis.
This book focuses on one central idea: You can live a courageous and courageous life by exploring your inner world and getting to know yourself better.
every day we face a variety of risks and uncertainties. as dr. brown, we must face these vulnerabilities and deal with them to “go big.” what he means by this is that we must challenge everything we know about vulnerability and transform it into our greatness, and that is exactly what he does in his book.
Whether it’s a new relationship in life, an important employment decision, or a complex family situation, it’s always important to reflect on our vulnerability and find the courage to face it.
the book is available in all formats on amazon.
david r. hawkins, letting go
If you want to learn to deal with and let go of emotions such as anger, resentment, pain, sadness, uncertainty, guilt, who better to ask for advice than a clinical psychiatrist?
david r. hawkins shares his insights and insights gained over many years of experience working with his clients and patients. Using simple and understandable language, he takes readers on a journey through depression, guilt, shame, but also love, courage, and personal growth.
The book is full of anecdotes, personal or professional examples, and descriptions of different states of being.
if you are ready to explore different sides of your psyche, learn from them, transform them into growth and align with your inner self, then this book is the perfect choice.
it is available on amazon in audible, print and kindle formats.
susan cain, chill, the power of introverts in a world that can’t stop talking
Sometimes being the loudest to communicate your ideas, seeking constant contact with other people, telling jokes or being the center of attention in a social group is not what everyone enjoys.
in this book, susan cain sheds new light on introversion. she reveals how many introverts have achieved success in her life, even if it means reaching the position of authority and being a “people person”.
If you’re tired of feeling like something is wrong with you, or that you should somehow change your personality to fit in with society, this is the book you need to read. It will help you understand why you act the way you do and how to use your strengths to move forward.
It would also be good for extroverts to read this book and better understand how introverts live, think and feel in this world.
Get your print or audio version today.
john c. maxwell, failing forward
Do you know what differentiates a person with a growth mindset from a person with a fixed mindset?
among many other things, it is your approach to bugs. living a life without making mistakes is already an impossible sentence, since we all make them sooner or later.
However, the crashes and bugs are not what matters per se. is our approach towards them. Are we going to give up or can we use our mistake as a valuable lesson needed to improve in the future?
In his book, John C. Maxwell teaches his readers to treat mistakes and failures as stepping stones to success. the more you fail, the better chance you’ll succeed next time.
and because persistence is not our natural reaction to failure, we need to remember this.
The book is available in print, kindle and audio formats.
col. chris hadfield, an astronaut’s guide to life on earth
When we were children, many of us dreamed of becoming astronauts. but little did we know about the unconventional philosophy one has to build and live by in order to succeed in such a quest.
if you want to enjoy one of the best books on personal growth ever written, along with incredible space stories, take it from this inspiring man.
Colonel Chris Hadfield spent more than 4,000 hours in space. During that time, he experienced unexpected situations we only expect to see in the movies: breaking into a space station with just a Swiss Army knife, going temporarily blind while clinging to the outside of a spaceship, or becoming acquainted with a snake while piloting a plane. >
This inspiring man reveals the strange philosophy he learned at NASA: be prepared for the worst at any time and enjoy it to the fullest.
Through humorous and thoughtful stories about all that has happened, one of the most successful astronauts in history shares valuable life lessons that every adventurer would enjoy.
the book is available in print and kindle format.
last word
Thank you for reading this review of the best personal growth books of our choice. Since a variety of people with different characters, personality traits, vocations and general interests participated in the writing of this article, we are sure that everyone can find something for themselves. from business-oriented personal growth books to science-based factual insights on how to improve your lifestyle, find purpose, and unleash your full potential.