The Top 10 Self Improvement Must-Read Books
As we kick-off September and head into the holiday weekend, why not dive into a great book?
September is Self-Improvement Month!
There are thousands of self-improvement books published each year. We are lucky to have so many resources available. However, it can be hard to know where to start.
I’ve got you covered!
Here are my top 10 self-improvement must-read book suggestions:
1. Psycho-Cybernetics by Maxwell Maltz, MD, FICS
I had to put this book first because it changed my life. The author, Dr. Maxwell Maltz, coined the term psycho-cybernetics. It’s a mouthful, but it simply refers to training your mind toward positive self-image, success, and happiness.
While Dr. Maltz worked as a cosmetic surgeon, he noticed that many people’s poor self-image remained the same after their procedures. He believed we could apply the principles of cybernetics to our minds and reprogram our thoughts for success.
The book is meant to be read like a textbook. There are even exercises to complete at the end of each chapter. I highly recommend doing them to get the most benefit.
Maltz’s books, especially this one, are often credited with inspiring the whole self-help genre. I couldn’t think of a better way to kick off our list!
2. The Now Habit by Neil Fiore
Are you a procrastinator? This book details how most of us get trained to procrastinate as children. The biggest bombshell of this book is its novel approach to scheduling called unscheduling. Instead of scheduling work first, the author encourages you to prioritize self-care and play. Even if you can’t go to that extreme, it will probably help you rethink all the essential activities you don’t think you have time for. If you’re a procrastinator, it’s worth trying Neil Fiore’s approach.
3. Nonviolent Communication by Marshall Rosenberg
We all could benefit from better communication. There is even a kids’ version of this book called Giraffe Juice. No judgment if you need to start there!
In this book, Marshall Rosenberg helps us to reframe our most frustrating encounters. He encourages us to communicate our feelings and needs. Maybe even more importantly, he guides us to look past our judgment of others and try to see what they are feeling and what they may need.
His approach is a great way to build a bridge of compassion and understanding between ourselves and others.
4. The Simple Path to Wealth by J.L. Collins
Many people avoid dealing with finances because it seems complicated and stressful. J.L. Collins encourages simplicity, and it’s a breath of fresh air. This book breaks down finances in a way that makes them accessible to everyone.
His three basic rules are:
Spend less than you earn.
Avoid debt.
Invest the rest.
Then he shows you how in the simplest ways possible.
5. How to Break Up with Your Phone by Catherine Price
Have you ever looked around only to see everyone on their phones? Have you ever been shocked by your screen time report? This book is packed with information explaining why technology has taken over our lives.
Spoiler Alert: It’s not you; it’s your biology.
More importantly, it’s packed with practical tips to reclaim your life so you are using your technology instead of letting it use you.
6. Healthy Habits Suck by Dayna Lee-Baggley
This book is for everyone who has ever struggled to love and health and fitness. If you recognize the value of healthy habits but are not thrilled about your workout or healthy meals, this book is for you. If you feel annoyed by people who seem to live for eating salads and running marathons, you will love the author’s sarcasm and realism.
It offers scientific explanations as to why it’s so hard to stay on track. The author focuses on acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) to ground good habits despite our understandable resistance to them. She uses humor to acknowledge how difficult a healthy lifestyle can be. Then she gives you a framework for staying consistent anyway.
7. Deeper Dating by Ken Page
People often complain about the types they attract: Mr. Emotionally Unavailable, Ms. Self-Absorbed, etc. However, we don’t have to keep everyone we happen to draw. This book helps us focus on who we are attracted to and name those attractions: attractions of inspiration and attractions of deprivation. Ken Page then empowers us to follow only our attractions of inspiration.
Even if you are not dating, this book provides an interesting perspective on our relationships. It shows us how to break patterns instead of feeling victimized.
8. Attached by Amir Levine and Rachel Heller
Attachment theory seems to be all the rage these days. It characterizes all of us as being predominantly secure, avoidant, or anxiously attached. You can even take a quiz to find out your attachment style. There are valid critiques of attachment theory. But it can give us a framework for describing our behaviors and patterns in relationships and help us understand others.
Regardless of your attachment style, the authors provide ways all of us can do better in our relationships.
9. The Happiness Advantage by Shawn Achor
Shawn Achor flips our usual narrative on the relationship between happiness and success. We tend to think we get happier as a result of being successful. Shawn Achor posits that the inverse is true: we become more successful when we are happy and positive.
Achor shares his own mental health struggles and habits he’s developed to cultivate happiness and positivity: meditation, exercise, gratitude, etc. He shares many ideas for how we can reshape our thoughts about the world and our potential.
10. The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz
If you’re looking for a concise but valuable read, this book is a great option. It helps us to uncover and improve our belief systems about the world.
The four agreements are:
Be impeccable with your word.
Don’t take anything personally.
Don’t make assumptions.
Always do your best.
Those principles may seem pretty self-explanatory, but you need to read the book to benefit from the author’s wisdom behind them.
On your quest for self-improvement, remember that you are more than enough right now.
Be gentle with yourself and take your growth one day at a time.
Have you read any of these? What are some of your faves?
❤️ GG
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