I guess it’s no great surprise that, aside from writing, I also love to read. Reading is helpful in many ways; whether it helps you relax, escape, educate or empower yourself, there is life-plumping magic in books.
Personal growth is one of my favourite book genres; my office shelves are full of them. As author and coach Tony Robbins famously said, ‘success leaves clues.’ and I believe we have much to learn from others who are well-travelled on the path we wish to tread.
Taking time to learn about ourselves, the world we inhabit, the way our brains work, the most helpful practices to get us where we want to be is undoubtedly time well spent.
Today, I want to share with you 5 of my most recommended personal growth books, the books on my shelves with exceptionally cracked spines, the ones highlighted and post-it-ed to within an inch of their life. These are the books I lend out, knowing the reader will be in capable hands, and I hope, if you try them, you’ll feel the same.
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5 Must-Read Books to Help You Grow
#01 The Chimp Paradox: The Mind Management Programme for Confidence, Success and Happiness (Prof Steve Peters)
Hailed as the mind programme that helped Sir Chris Hoy win Olympic golds, The Chimp Paradox aims to help you understand yourself and your emotions. Prof Steve Peters introduces the ‘power players’ within our brains explains how they make us operate and their impact (good and bad) on our lives. Using this knowledge, we learn methods to recognise and manage what’s happening, ultimately improving our quality of life.
Written in a no-nonsense style, The Chimp Paradox is heavy on the facts and light on the fluff. While I can’t entirely agree with everything Peters says, I still found it highly relatable and helpful. It’s certainly helped me react differently to people and situations, making for a much better outcome.
Find out more here.
#02 The Success Principles: How to Get from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be (Jack Canfield)
This is my personal growth bible. It has helped me get so clear on my purpose, aided me in handling challenging situations – not to mention rejection! – and empowered me to push forward using proven success techniques confidently. This is a brilliant book to help you realise your ambitions, but you have to be prepared to do the work. I think it’s the perfect book to hold your hand as you bravely grow!
Find out more here.
#03 The Miracle Morning: The 6 Habits That Will Transform Your Life Before 8 am (Hal Elrod)
My friend Lauretta introduced me to this book. She’s been undertaking the six ‘habits’ contained within and found it exceptionally helpful. I had to get myself a copy. The premise is that you can change your life simply by changing what you do in the mornings. By practising the six life S.A.V.E.R.S advocated within, Elrod claims you should expect to start the day with more energy, lower stress levels, clarity, and a potential improvement in your overall health. You don’t need to be a morning person either; you can transform your day in as little as six minutes. I’m in the early stages, but I already see the benefit.
Find out more here.
#04 Good Vibes, Good Life: How Self-Love is The Key to Unlocking Your Greatness (Vex King)
Progressing on from the Law of Attraction, Vex King educates us on the Law of Vibration. By adopting positive lifestyle habits, adjusting your mindset, and raising your ‘vibe’, you can learn to love yourself and free yourself to live more happily and meaningfully. Packed with practical tips, motivational golden nuggets and relatable experiences, you’ll need your highlighter for this one.
Find out more here.
#05 Human Kind: A Hopeful History (Rutger Bregman)
I’m going to call this book my wild card. You know how on one of those property search programmes, the presenter throws in a property (the wild card) the prospective buyer didn’t ask for, but the presenter felt that it’s something they should genuinely consider – well, that’s me now.
I became wholly absorbed reading Human Kind whilst on holiday last year. I love history, and kindness and optimism are two of my guiding forces, so I wanted to see what this book had to offer. It’s not a ‘this is how you grow in 6 easy steps’ type of book, but it does provide an enlightening perspective on the world we inhabit.
As the opening Anton Chekov quote states, ‘Man will become better when you show him what he is like’, I feel this is a great way to challenge our judgements and expectations, opening us up to a new, perhaps more progressive way of thinking. And that in itself is personal growth at its finest!
Find out more here.
Ready for more book recommendations? Read: 5 Recommended Reads to Improve Your Well-Being
Have you read any of these personal growth books before? Did you find them helpful? Is there one you particularly like the sound of? Do you have any great personal growth books to recommend here too? Whatever you’d like to say – or ask – please do. I’m happy to help and I always love to hear from you.
