Originally Published: June 11, 2018 Last Updated: September 24, 2021 A compilation of free personal development eBooks for your personal growth and self-improvement.
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Check out our other lists of free eBooks on personal finance, health and wellness, small business, parenting, and relationships!
Many of the authors we chronicle on Optimal Living Daily Podcasts don’t just blog & books, but short and free ebooks.
and while listeners of our shows have free access to listen to hundreds of personal development blogs covering productivity & minimalism, personal finance, health & exercise, business, relationships, and more, I want to share an organized list of free eBooks worth checking out.
Note, however, that almost all of the eBooks on this list require you to sign up for the blogger’s newsletter with your email address; Of course, you can always unsubscribe later if you don’t find value in it. I trust these authors won’t do anything suspicious with your email address and will properly unsubscribe you if you ask to be removed from their list.
I have written a summary below each book on this list so you can get an idea of the content of the eBook before you download it.
To help you quickly find what you’re looking for, I’ve organized the free eBooks into the following categories: Productivity & efficiency, happiness & relationships, habits & rituals, general personal development and mindfulness.
productivity and efficiency
1. “the trick of a life of highly successful people” by asian efficiency
link: asianefficiency.com (first banner button on home page)
This 10-page document covers six steps you can use for your morning ritual. This eBook also discusses the specific morning rituals of Benjamin Franklin, Tim Cook, Oprah Winfrey, Barack Obama, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Tony Robbins, and Arianna Huffington.
2. “zero inbox” for Asian efficiency
link: asianefficiency.com/inbox-zero
Even though this free resource is a 5 minute video, it will still help you with your productivity and efficiency. “Inbox Zero” by Asian Efficiency covers the steps you can take to get an organized email inbox. thanh pham from asian efficiency covers the inbox categories you need to create and talks about the simple question to ask yourself to decide whether to reply to an email right away or save it for later.
thanh also provides free pdf files that summarize the video and give your preferences on which email client to use (depending on whether you use mac or pc) and what folder structure to create.
3. “how to stop procrastinating” by celestine chua
link: personalexcellence.co/free-ebooks
In Celestine’s 29-page eBook, she dispels three perceived benefits of procrastination and offers three excellent counterpoints. she also talks about the two factors that cause procrastination (lack of desire and fear). Towards the end, she talks about how to cure procrastination using pen and paper (or computer) and some honest self-reflection.
4. “21 things I wish they had taught me in school” by positivity blog
link: positivityblog.com
In this guide, Henrik shares the top self-improvement lessons he wishes he had learned as a student. tips include understanding courage, charisma, being proactive instead of reactive, and how mistakes can be a great thing. Although the guide doesn’t delve into one area of personal development, it is a useful “checklist” to see what self-improvement tips she can implement in her life.
Bonus: In his blog post, How To Stop Being So Lazy: 10 Simple Habits, Henrik talks about how to improve your productivity and still be able to enjoy your “lazy time” without feeling guilty. the steps he gives are practical and easy to implement. available in a handy pdf checklist via a download link in the post.
5. “how to use a journal” by jim rohn
link: successacademy.com/howtouseajournal
Jim Rohn’s legacy lives on in his work on business and personal development. She learns about clarity, problem solving, and better communication with Jim’s free eBook, where she shares insights on how journaling is an important tool in achieving his goals.
a couple of years ago, jim rohn’s site offered a free ebook (jim rohn’s guide to goal setting) which is now available to purchase for $2.99. Although this e-book is 52 pages long, each page is quite short. this reading will take approximately 15 to 20 minutes. Jim discusses why goal setting is essential and how to set smart goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time Sensitive) to ensure success. talks about the practical steps you can take to make sure your goals meet the smart criteria.
6. “the productivity guide free ebook” by azendoo
link: azendoo.org (click here for a free pdf)
This was a free ebook sent to azendoo users, and the team decided to generously share it with the public too!
azendoo is a team collaboration platform that helps users easily integrate applications and migrate project tasks. the guide consists of articles published on the azendoo blog. is a collection of great pieces to provide productivity tips and tricks to anyone looking to maximize the use of their time.
7. “the top 3 productivity mistakes people make (and how to fix them!)” by craig jarrow
link: timemanagementninja.com/best-of
In 2018, Jarrow offered a free 19-page e-book titled The Top 3 Productivity Mistakes People Make, providing solutions for each of the top three productivity mistakes people are guilty of. The first two errors are related to people’s technological dependencies (email and phones). the latter is a personal factor: your attitude.
As of 2020, the best time management ninja posts have been compiled into two ebooks on amazon. publications are available in an e-book in kindle format for $4.99 each. the two titles of the e-book are: you are stronger than you think and crush your procrastination.
For free reading material, time management ninja’s popular productivity posts include:
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bonus: free resources by brian tracy
motivational speaker brian tracy does not offer free e-books at this time. offers free video training, blog posts, and audio training through his website. Check them out to improve your focus towards achieving your goals!
You can also listen to a selection of Brian Tracy’s blog posts narrated here in an old podcast.
happiness and relationships
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8. “emotional needs in relationships” by mark manson
link: markmanson.net/downloads
In mark’s 35-page eBook, he talks about how emotional needs predict how we act in relationships. his take on relationships is unique in that he proposes a model for getting what you want by understanding why people behave the way they do in response to your actions. talk about the three fundamental emotional needs that your partner has and how to satisfy them. the methods he suggests for improving your emotional well-being are based on practicality and involve concepts such as adopting a personality and writing letters. is a great resource for men in particular who are struggling with their love lives.
9. “the explorer’s guide to manifesting” by steve pavlina
link: stevepavlina.com (registration form is at the bottom)
In this 19-page eBook, Steve discusses sixteen ways to attract more of what you want in your life. discuss the key subtleties in the process of “imagining” what you want, such as pretending your wish has been granted for many years.
10. “the only ability” of leo babauta
link: zenhabits.net/lg
The founder of Zen Habits offered this free ebook to commemorate 41 years of the wonderful life he has lived. share ideas on how to learn to let go and how this can help you with many problems in your life.
another free ebook he has written is the little book of satisfaction.
11. “power of gratitude” by wes hopper
link: the-benefits-of-positive-thinking.com/free-gratitude-ebook.html
In Wes’ 18-page eBook, you’ll learn about the importance of being grateful. you may already know that it helps you stay in a positive frame of mind, focus on the present, and manifest what you’d like to see in your life. This short guide highlights five common blocks people often experience to being grateful. it will create more abundance in your life.
12. “top 100 positive affirmations list” by happiness start
link: startofhappiness.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/positive-affirmations.pdf
The beginning of happiness gives you strategies and tools to do what you love, more often. This collection of positive affirmations will help you build self-esteem and self-confidence. Have you ever noticed how a negative mindset can seep into your thoughts and behaviors throughout the day? When used correctly, positive affirmations have the power to change your life by reinforcing your beliefs in yourself to achieve what you want.
habits and rituals
13. first 50 pages of tim ferriss books
link: tim.blog (access via newsletter)
Download the first 50 pages of The 4-Hour Workweek, The 4-Hour Body, and The 4-Hour Chef. a 4-hour chef’s audiobook is also available for download.
A few years ago, Tim offered an e-book titled “5 Morning Rituals That Help Me Win The Day.” he wrote about the five morning rituals she uses to gain a sense of control in the early hours of her day. each ritual comes with its personalized way of doing it and the approximate time to perform each one (less than 3 minutes, less than 1 minute, etc.). you can listen to this content through episode 105 of his podcast or read the transcript.
14. Chapter 1 of “Atomic Habits” by James Clear
link: jamesclear.com
Atomic Habits is packed with evidence-based strategies to help you transform your habits. James teaches the science behind habit building, how to overcome personal struggles like lack of willpower and motivation, and how to make your environment more conducive to forming lasting habits.
You can also browse his blog archive or check out his new habits strategy guide for 5 simple yet powerful strategies.
15. “all about habits: a step-by-step guide to changing your life” by mark manson
link: markmanson.net/downloads/habits
In mark’s 21-page e-book, he begins by discussing a psychological study on instant and delayed gratification and then links it to the process of habit formation. The science of building habits and willpower isn’t revolutionary, but its guidance is practical and well-suited for the novice interested in productivity. he also talks about how long it takes to form a habit.
16. “habit accumulation: the morning routine” by s. J. scottish
link: developgoodhabits.com/my-books/ (scroll down to register)
morning routines are key to living a successful life. How you start your day sets the tone for the rest. Instead of impulsive activities like checking your phone, you can focus on completing a morning ritual that has an intentional and positive impact. This pdf reviews 11 routine habits you can do in an hour or less.
general personal development
17. “self-knowledge: how well do you really know yourself?” by brand manson
link: markmanson.net/downloads/self-knowledge
In this 22-page eBook, Mark discusses three ideas that will hopefully make you feel more comfortable questioning yourself. one of the ideas touches Buddhism. mark emphasizes mindfulness and how it can help us avoid falling prey to negative emotions.
18. “making the most of meditation” by mindworks
link: mindworks.org/ebook-getting-most-meditation/
mindworks is a non-profit organization created by five veteran meditators whose lives have been transformed by the practice. This eBook has tips on how to optimize your meditation practice. you’ll get an introduction to the different forms and what to explore depending on the type of results you’re looking for.
19. “personal development worksheets” by personal development ideas
link: personaldevelopmentinsights.com/free-personal-development-worksheets
These free personal growth worksheets are therapeutic and reminiscent of worksheets and tasks you may be assigned in a counseling session. Worksheets guide you like a mentor in the direction of overall self-improvement. They cover a wide range of topics (self-awareness, life satisfaction, your values, and thoughts for success).
20. “rekindle your dreams” by jack canfield
link: jackcanfield.com/pages/reignite-ebook/
This is a 3-day “mental reset” guide to help you free yourself from distractions and create a success-focused mindset. Jack Canfield is one of the world’s leading human potential experts, and this eBook will help you remember the real you and what you’re capable of.
21. “7 Must-Have Strategies to Learn Anything Faster” by Scott H. young
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link: scottyoung.com/blog/newsletter
In this 27-page e-book, Scott coins a term called “ultra-learning.” He discusses the importance of learning and details his ultra-learning case studies (i.e., The MIT Challenge, The Year Without English, and The 30-Day Portrait Drawing). She lays out the seven best practices for effective learning and introduces a concept called “active learning.”
22. “92 life lessons” by little buddha
link: tinybuddha.com
From the tiny buddha website comes a small e-book with 92 important life lesson quotes. Learn about love, mindfulness, struggling through growth, and possibilities in this little ebook.
23. “what matters now” by seth godin
link: seths.blog
This eBook was compiled by marketing expert Seth Godin. More than seventy great thinkers share an idea for you to ponder. These thinkers include Elizabeth Gilbert, Dave Ramsey, and Kevin Kelly. themes include dignity, fear, recapitalism, and more.
the first lines of seth are:
“When the economy tanks, it’s natural to think of yourself first. you have a family to feed a mortgage to pay. getting more seems to be the order of the day. It turns out that the connected economy does not respect this natural instinct. . .”
24. “Mastering Creativity: A Brief Guide to Overcoming Creative Blocks” by James Clear
link: jamesclear.com/mastering-creativity-1st-edition
a 34 page ebook by james clear where he talks about how anyone can learn to be creative. It also discusses ideas like the rule of equal odds, which can help you figure out what you’re good at.
25. “how to create empowering beliefs” by tony robbins
link: www.tonyrobbins.com
Are you constantly stressed and overwhelmed by struggling with many limiting beliefs? This free ebook will show you how to change the way you think. Robbins shares tips on fighting negative thoughts, building a strong identity, and overcoming obstacles.
26. “the consummate leader” by patricia thompson
link: patricia-thompson.com/the-consummate-leader/
In this eBook, Patricia examines the key ingredients to being a strong leader. leadership is not just about getting things done, but about accomplishing goals that allow a team to flourish with a contagious sense of enthusiasm and energy. Learn how to develop self-awareness, influencing skills, and positive workplace relationships for increased productivity.
bonus: “the 4 emotions needed to make an amazing first impression” by charisma on command
link: charismaoncommand.com
Although this is not an e-book, this free 9-minute video is useful for people who want to become more charismatic. the four emotions covered are fun, trust, respect, and interest. Charlie (the instructor in the video) also discusses the importance of sequencing these four emotions and how that can make or break their impression on people.
mindfulness
27. “what is mindfulness?” for the help of the therapist
link: terapiaaid.com/therapy-worksheet/what-is-mindfulness
This one-page booklet offers a comprehensive overview of mindfulness. This website is a treasure trove of essential tools for mental health professionals, with worksheets and guides covering a wide variety of topics including relationships, anger management, self-esteem, and goal setting.
28. “in the flow of mindfulness” increasing mindfulness
link: growmindfulness.com/free-mindfulness-ebook
This free 50-page guide has been downloaded over 120,000 times. shows you how to reduce your stress levels and rebalance your life, no matter how busy your schedule is. Author Marisa Garau talks about how to respond mindfully to things that happen in life and how to anchor mindfulness in her daily life.
29. “mindfulness made simple” by the happiness academy
link: happiness-academia.eu/mindfulness-made-easy-ebook
This e-book contains 90 short and easy exercises for a more mindful life. exercises are based on research. It’s beginner-friendly if you’re thinking of cultivating more mindfulness in your life, and it also has tips if you’re looking for new tools to broaden your mindfulness or meditation approach.
30. “mindfulness in 7 steps | little guide for beginners” by project happiness
link: happyproject.in/mindfulness-7-steps/#final_words (in the blue highlighted text box)
You can read this ebook online or download a pdf via the link above. He begins with breathing as the first step in his mindfulness meditation and shares scientific evidence of the effects of maintaining a regular mindfulness practice. A handy infographic features the 7 steps of mindfulness for reference.
personal finance
We’ve moved this list of eBooks into their own publication here: Best Free Personal Finance Ebooks.
bonus: optimal daily life (podcast)
link: show page
if you’re new to optimal daily living, you should know that we narrate the best personal development blogs for you, so you can listen in the car, while working out or doing chores, before bed, as part of your morning routine, or any other time you want. we’ve had millions of listens over the years and we’d love for you to check it out. Best of all, it’s free!
you can listen to virtually any podcast app (apple podcasts, google podcasts, spotify, etc) or on youtube, through amazon alexa (just tell alexa to “enable optimal daily life”) and right here on the website.
let me know if you find any other free ebooks worth sharing in the personal development niche, or if there are any other authors (besides the authors we already featured) we should look into.