We all want successful careers, we all want that self-esteem that will allow us to do just about anything, the mindset that will allow us to take risks and be confident in what we do. These are the key ingredients to not just a successful life, but also to a healthy way of thinking. When we don’t have those traits, we tend to suffer both in our mind and in our career. So whether you are just starting out or are already chasing your dream, these books will help you get to your goal and will give you the mindset you need to achieve just about anything!
Thousands of authors speak of their personal experiences or of the lessons they’ve learnt throughout their lives, their books have helped change lives and still do today. In this list, I have collected the books that have personally effected me or are just so brilliant that everyone talks of them.
۱. “What I Wish I Knew Before I Was 20” by Tina Seeling
This book is highly popular and you have probably seen it in many bookstores. When I worked at a bookstore, this book was sold out by the end of every week! It speaks of how we can turn problems into opportunities and take a chance when we need to. It contains many essential and important points that everyone, no matter where they work and what they do, should know in order to make smarter decisions and live more effectively.
۲. “Mindset: The New Psychology of Success” by Carol Dweck
If you have issues on self-control and wish to grow as a person, this book is for you. The author is straightforward and logical in delivering her points. For those who are looking for ways to push themselves harder and get closer to their goal, this book will definitely get you closer to that mindset. While the book is primarily based on psychology and science, it is still pleasant to read and easy to digest.
۳. “Willpower: Rediscovering the Greatest Human Strength” by John Tierney and Roy Baumeister
This book focuses on willpower, the thing that drives and pushes us to achieve the things we want. It’s when we put aside our procrastination and allow ourselves to be driven by the a goal or dream. The book gives out ways we can control our thoughts and emotions to combine them into willpower.
۴. “۷ Habits of Highly Effective People: powerful lessons in personal change” by Stephen Covey
You’ll be familiar with the 7 habits that every successful person lives by. The book focuses on self-mastery and building a strong character to deal with others around you. Making a good impression on others and allowing others to see you as someone they can trust and rely on, is really important in the business world. Stephen Covey will walk you through those habits and help you find that strong character within you.
۵. “Who Moved My Cheese?” by Spencer Johnson
This book uses an interesting way of delivering its message. It uses four character (us) that are trying to find their favorite food (happiness and success) in a big maze (our lives). A short parable about change, this book will help you accept the changes that happen to you everyday and learn the lessons that could be picked from our previous actions.
۶. “Girl, Stop Apologizing” by Rachel Hollis
Women are often placed in a position where they have to get an approval from men, where they constantly have to apologize and suffer for doing a something that is “unwanted” by those around them. Speaking of a major issue, Rachel Hollis talks of how women shouldn’t be in this position and how they can survive it while not putting themselves down. This may seem like a book written for women, but it is also useful to men who are put in a similar position.
۷. “The 6 Pillars of Self-esteem” by Nathaniel Brandon
Reading this book is just like going to 6 sessions of therapy, it is written in such a friendly and professional way, that makes you feel like you are sitting across your therapist. We all lack the amount of self-esteem we need in order to live a happy life, and in this book you can find out how you can get to that point. By going through each of the pillars, the author uses specific examples and details to make you understand where you went wrong and how to pick yourself up again.
۸. “Motivation Manifesto” by Brendon Burchard
Habits shape our everyday lives whether they are good or bad. Changing those habits and replacing them with productive ones will allow you to have a successful day, everyday. This is the argument Brendon Burchard uses to convince us to understand the habits we have and their effects on our life. If you’re wondering why your life isn’t moving forward and you aren’t moving closer to your goal, this book is a must-read.
۹. “Talking to Strangers” by Malcolm Gladwell
Not being able to understand one another is very damaging, you may lose opportunities and misjudge someone just because you misunderstood them. This happens quite often, whether it’s in the business world or your normal life. Having the right communication skills, will not only allow you to understand others better, but will also allow you to express your thoughts in a better way.
۱۰. “#girlboss” by Sophia Amoruso
Sophia Amoruso is the owner of the brand Nasty Gal, a successful fashion brand. She talks of her story and how she came to be so successful. She points out that by learning from your mistakes and your loss, you can understand when you need to quit and when to ask for more. Books that speak of personal experiences are the most helpful, because readers can place themselves in their position and learn what they need to do and what they shouldn’t do.
۱۱. “The Forty Rules of Love” by Elif Shafak
Don’t be fooled by the title; this is not a romance novel, but a book full of life lessons and a new dimension of thinking. While the book itself is a fiction, the story is based on the two greatest poets and spiritual instructors in history; Rumi and Shams of Tabriz. The book contains two timelines, one in the present and one in the past. This book is a must-read, because it will introduce you to a whole new level of spirituality and life lessons.
I hope you have chosen at least one of these books to read, because you won’t regret reading them. After reading these books, you will have the right mindset to reach your goal and make the right decisions.
