{"id":6732,"date":"2023-09-21T22:02:21","date_gmt":"2023-09-21T22:02:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ericpartaker.com\/?p=6732"},"modified":"2024-02-02T01:51:36","modified_gmt":"2024-02-02T01:51:36","slug":"best-books-for-self-improvement","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ericpartaker.com\/blog\/best-books-for-self-improvement","title":{"rendered":"11 Best Books for Self Improvement (chosen by a CEO coach)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

If you\u2019re reading this, there\u2019s a good chance you want a better life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maybe you want to earn more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Or maybe you want to get into better shape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps you want to spend more quality time with your family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Either way, self-improvement will help you close the gap between who you are and who you are capable of being. And one of the easiest ways to start closing this gap is by reading self-help books.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So in this article, I\u2019m going to share some of the best self-help books that have been written by experts in their field and praised by thousands, as well as include my personal favorites that have helped me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Books Can Aid in Self-Improvement<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Books are like cheat codes. You often get 10 years or more of someone\u2019s experience, for a 10 hour investment of your time, for around $10. Whether you\u2019re looking to fast forward your progress financially, emotionally, physically, or spiritually, there\u2019s most certainly a book written by someone who\u2019s done it before. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For instance, if you want to learn how to become a better negotiator, you might read Never Split The Difference<\/em> by FBI hostage negotiator Chris Voss. You would be hard-pressed to find someone more credible than an FBI hostage negotiator to teach you about the intricacies of negotiation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The same applies to fitness, maybe you\u2019re interested in improving your physique quickly. The 4-Hour Body <\/em>by Tim Ferris is designed to help you do exactly that. Tim Ferris is an investor, podcast host, author, and \u201clifestyle guru\u201d who has extensively researched and experimented with his own body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, check out the recommendations below. I highly recommend saving the books on this list and reading them when you can.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My 11 Best Books for Self-Improvement<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Books on Mindset<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

1. The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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It\u2019s hard to enter a bookstore without seeing this bright orange cover. And for good reason. Mark Manson, a renowned American self-help author and blogger, offers one of the most realistic and refreshing approaches to self-improvement in recent times by challenging the \u201crelentless positivity\u201d mindset. Instead of promoting positivity, Manson wants his readers to embrace challenges, failures, and uncertainty. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe desire for more positive experience is itself a negative experience. And, paradoxically, the acceptance of one\u2019s negative experience is itself a positive experience.\u201d  \u2015 Mark Manson<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

One particular idea that stood out to me was Manson’s approach to happiness. According to the book, pursuing happiness creates unhappiness since it emphasizes what we lack. Instead, we should accept negative experiences as a natural part of life, which will result in more happiness. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. The Secret by Rhonda Byrne<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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The Secret<\/em> by Rhonda Byrne is a powerful self-help book that reveals the law of attraction. The idea is that we can achieve anything we want by first harnessing the power of positive thoughts and feelings. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The format differs from most self-improvement books, but the message is strong. Even Connor McGregor has praised The Secret<\/em> and explained how the law of attraction is something he believes in. One of the main takeaways from this book is that you need to visualize and believe in the success you want before you can achieve it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Everything starts in the mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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The Four Agreements<\/em>, a popular self-help book first released in 1997, draws upon the wisdom of the ancient Toltec civilization, a pre-Columbian Mesoamerican culture. The book lays out four fundamental principles for cultivating love and joy in one’s life. The Four Agreements are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. Be impeccable with your word.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Don’t take anything personally.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Don’t make assumptions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Always do your best.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    \u201cYour best is going to change from moment to moment; it will be different when you are healthy as opposed to sick. Under any circumstance, simply do your best, and you will avoid self-judgment, self-abuse and regret.\u201d \u2015 Don Miguel Ruiz<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    While some self-improvement books only provide anecdotes to help drive their points home, The Four Agreements<\/em> also provides concrete principles. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Books on Habits<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    4. Atomic Habits by James Clear<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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    Whenever I hear the word \u2018habit\u2019 I automatically think of James Clear. Atomic Habits<\/em> was a game changer for me, and I\u2019m certain it will help you too. The book is a practical guide that illustrates how tiny changes in behavior can have significant results over time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    You can expect to learn to form good habits<\/a>, break bad ones, and master the tiny behaviors that lead to remarkable results.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    I still use the habit stacking strategy<\/a> to easily form new habits by pairing them with existing ones. For instance, if you make tea before bed, you might as well fill up your water bottle (or a glass of water) and put it on your bedside table to build the habit of drinking more water in the morning.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    5. The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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    Like Atomic Habits<\/em>, The Power of Habit<\/em> by Charles Duhigg digs into the science of habits and how they can be changed. However, this book emphasizes that you must understand the nature of habit formation – and specifically the 3-part habit loop of a cue, routine, and reward –  to exercise any control over them. In the process, Duhigg shares real-life stories to highlight the truth behind his points. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    One of the first real examples is the introduction of brushing your teeth in society, which wasn\u2019t common in the 1900s. By leveraging different parts of the habit loop, including a cool tingling sensation, and clever advertising by advertising guru, Claude Hopkins, brushing your teeth with mint toothpaste became a global habit. And this is just one example, there are dozens more that are fascinating. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    6. The 7 Habits Of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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    Without The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People<\/em>, this list wouldn’t be complete. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The book explores the difference between character ethics and personality ethics. While both are important, Stephen Covey spends his time helping us develop our character traits to achieve sustainable success. This is done through the following seven habits:<\/p>\n\n\n\n