Self-help books are non-fiction reads that instruct you on how to solve a problem or how to better an area of your life. And sure, some people may think they’re cheesy and that they don’t need them. But every reader should be able to find at least one piece of advice within each they can use, if not at least feel that much more empowered.
Ahead, we’ve rounded up some of the most known self-help books on shelves. From a book by a German spiritual teacher on accepting the present, to another by a qualitative researcher who interviewed hundreds of people to find the common themes of “wholehearted living”, these reads will help you take control of your life and change it so you can live with more happiness and peace, and less pain.
Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown
Brene Brown is a qualitative researcher who is best known for her work on vulnerability. In Gifts of Imperfection: Your Guide to a Wholehearted Life, she shares what she discovered by interviewing hundreds of people who identified as living ‘wholeheartedly’. Each chapter discusses a life theme she heard again and again throughout the interviews.
The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle
The Power of Now is the best-known book of German teacher Eckhart Tolle. In it, Tolle explains the concept of the ‘ego’, a part of the mind that seeks to control your thinking and behaviour. Once you’re aware of it, you can learn to accept the present, reduce the amount of pain you experience and improve your relationships. The result? You’re able to enjoy a better life in general.
How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
Since How to Win Friends and Influence People was published in 1936, over 15 million copies of it have been sold worldwide, making it one of the best-selling books ever. Carnegie’s advice on how to get people to like you and see your way of thinking still stands true to this day.
The 4-Hour Work Week by Tim Ferriss
The 4-Hour Work Week is about escaping the 9-5 grind, so you’re living more and working less. Author Tim Ferriss details how to send your work to overseas virtual assistants, trade a long-haul career for short work bursts, and live anywhere on the planet, while still earning income.
Atomic Habits by James Clear
Atomic Habits is a guide on how to build good habits and break bad ones. In it, you’ll learn how to avoid the common mistakes people make when changing habits, overcome a lack of motivation and willpower and develop a stronger identity.
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Mason
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck argues that people should find meaning through what they find to be important and only engage in values they can control. According to Mark Mason, we shouldn’t try to be “positive” all the time to lead a happy, rich life, instead, we should get to know our limitations and accept them.
The Resilience Project by Hugh Van Cuylenburg
In The Resilience Project, author Hugh Van Cuylenburg shares his learnings from volunteering with an underprivileged community in northern India. There, he discovered that the key traits and behaviours the children had were gratitude, empathy, and mindfulness. He dives into the neuroscience of ‘resilience’ and how we can address it in our lives.
The Four Agreements by Miguel Ruiz
In The Four Agreements, Miguel Ruiz reveals the four behaviours to adopt to experience freedom, happiness, and love. They are: Be impeccable with your word, don’t take anything personally, don’t make assumptions, and always do your best.
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