In a previous blog, I shared my top 5 guided meditations. Today I am sharing my top 10 personal development books.
All of these books have had a massive impact on my growth and development. I recommend that you read as many of them as possible.
What if you’re not into reading books? Then how about try using audible and listening to them? A subscription is the cost of a few starbucks each month.
Not into personal development then get into. We all have areas that we need to improve. It’s definitely the way forward.
Make some personal education a weekly part of your self care process.
My Top 10
1- The Magic of Thinking Big – David J Schwartz
Synopsis: THE MAGIC OF THINKING BIG gives you useful methods, not empty promises. Dr Schwartz presents a carefully designed program for getting the most out of your job, your marriage and family life, and your community. He proves that you do not need to be an intellectual or have innate talent to attain great success and satisfaction — but you do need to learn and understand the habit of thinking and behaving in ways that will get you there.
2- Man’s Search For Meaning – Viktor E Frankl
Synopsis: A prominent Viennese psychiatrist before the war, Viktor Frankl was uniquely able to observe the way that both he and others in Auschwitz coped (or didn’t) with the experience. He noticed that it was the men who comforted others and who gave away their last piece of bread who survived the longest – and who offered proof that everything can be taken away from us except the ability to choose our attitude in any given set of circumstances. The sort of person the concentration camp prisoner became was the result of an inner decision and not of camp influences alone. Frankl came to believe man’s deepest desire is to search for meaning and purpose. This outstanding work offers us all a way to transcend suffering and find significance in the art of living.
3- You Can Heal Your Life – Louise L. Hay
Synopsis: Louise L. Hay, bestselling author, is an internationally known leader in the self-help field. Her key message is: “If we are willing to do the mental work, almost anything can be healed” The author has a great deal of experience and firsthand information to share about healing, including how she cured herself after being diagnosed with cancer. An excerpt from You Can Heal Your Life: Life Is Really Very Simple. What We Give Out, We Get Back What we think about ourselves becomes the truth for us. I believe that everyone, myself included, is responsible for everything in our lives, the best and the worst. Every thought we think is creating our future. Each one of us creates our experiences by our thoughts and our feelings. The thoughts we think and the words we speak create our experiences.
4- 7 Habits of Highly Effective People – Stephen R. Covey
Synopsis: In THE 7 HABITS OF HIGHLY EFFECTIVE PEOPLE Stephen R. Covey presents a holistic, integrated, principle-centred approach for solving personal and professional problems. With penetrating insights and pointed anecdotes, Covey reveals a step-by-step pathway for living with fairness, integrity, honesty and human dignity – principles that give us the security to adapt to change, and the wisdom and power to take advantage of the opportunities that change creates. ‘Fundamentals are the key to success. Stephen Covey is the master of them. Buy his book, but most importantly, use it!’ – Anthony Robbins, author of UNLIMITED POWER.
5- 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos – Jordan B. Peterson
Synopsis: Jordan Peterson has helped millions of people, young and old, men and women, aim at a life of responsibility and meaning. Now he can help you.Drawing on his own work as a clinical psychologist and on lessons from humanity’s oldest myths and stories, Peterson offers twelve profound and realistic principles to live by. After all, as he reminds us, we each have a vital role to play in the unfolding destiny of the world.
6- Extreme Ownership – Jocko Willink
Synopsis: Since it’s release in October 2015, Extreme Ownership has revolutionized leadership development and set a new standard for literature on the subject. Required reading for many of the most successful organizations, it has become an integral part of the official leadership training programs for scores of business teams, military units, and first responders. Detailing the mindset and principles that enable SEAL units to accomplish the most difficult combat missions, Extreme Ownership demonstrates how to apply them to any team or organization, in any leadership environment. A compelling narrative with powerful instruction and direct application, Extreme Ownership challenges leaders everywhere to fulfill their ultimate purpose: lead and win.
7- What’s Stopping You? – Robert Kelsey
Synopsis: A practical guide to attacking the most common of phobias: fear of failure A practical guide to attacking the most common of phobias: fear of failure Since its publication in 2011, What’s Stopping You? has offered readers a hard look at the quality of their careers and personal lives. For those who’d give themselves a solid “C+”, this brutally honest guide to taking stock also offers the keys to self-improvement. This unique handbook to overcoming the most basic of fears is a must for anyone who would like to upgrade the quality of their life.
8- Recovery: Freedom From Our Addictions – Russell Brand
Synopsis: The program in Recovery has given Russell Brand freedom from all addictions and it will do the same for you. This system offers nothing less than liberation from self-centredness, a new perspective, freedom from the illusion of suffering for anyone who is willing to take the necessary steps.
9- The Obstacle Is The Way – Ryan Holiday
Synopsis: The Stoic philosophy – that what is in the way, is the way – can be applied to any problem: it’s a formula invented more than 2,000 years ago, whose effectiveness has been proven in battles and board rooms ever since. From Barack Obama’s ability to overcome obstacles in his election races, to the design of the iPhone, the stoic philosophy has helped its users become world-beaters.
10- Change Your Thoughts, Change Your Life – Dr Wayne W Dyer
Synopsis: In this book, Dr Wayne W. Dyer has reviewed hundreds of translations of the Tao Te Ching and has written 81 distinct essays on how to apply the ancient wisdom of Lao Tzu to today’s modern world. Each chapter is designed for actually living the Tao or the Great Way today. Some of the chapter titles are “Living with Flexability”, “Living without Enemies”, and “Living by Letting Go”. Each of the 81 brief chapters focuses on living the Tao and concludes with a section called “Doing the Tao Now”.Wayne spent one entire year reading, researching, and meditating on Lao Tzu’s messages, practicing them each day and ultimately writing down these essays as he felt Lao Tzu wanted you to know them.This is a work to be read slowly, one essay a day.
I guarantee that you’ll enjoy the powerful insights and breakthroughs you will get from the books on this list.
Until next time, “Strength for Life”,
Davie
Davie McConnachie
Davie McConnachie is Scotland’s leading health and wellness coach, multi-award-winning gym owner, motivational speaker and the founder of DMC Fitness, a fitness education facility known as the premier choice for 1-2-1 personal training. He has inspired thousands of people to fall in love with fitness – his true purpose and mission in life.
Diving into the world of fitness and wellness has helped Davie to deal with his own trauma and inner demons. He, overcame many dark times using his own unique methods to continue his cycle of healing.