6 Personal Development Books to Overhaul your Life
Reading is one of the best ways for us to expand our knowledge and learn lessons from others.
It can be an amazing way to get a new perspective on life.
There are countless personal development books out there that provide amazing advice, today I'm going to share with you...
The top 6 personal development books that can change your life:
The Slight Edge by Jeff Olson
This edition of The Slight Edge isn't just the story, but also how the story continues to create life-altering dynamics—how a way of thinking, a way of processing information, can impact daily choices that will lead you to the success and happiness you desire. The Slight Edge is "the key" that will make all the other how-to books and self-help information that you read, watch and hear actually work.
This was the first personal development book that was exactly what I needed to read at the time I did (about 26?). It changed my perspective on the things we do on a daily basis and how much of a compound effect they can have. If you're looking for a really great foundational personal development book that is very easy to read, filled with stories as examples, this is definitely one you'll want to check out!!
High-Performance Habits by Brendon Buchard
After extensive original research and a decade as the world’s highest-paid performance coach, Brendon Burchard finally reveals the most effective habits for reaching long-term success. Based on one of the largest surveys ever conducted on high performers, it turns out that just six habits move the needle the most in helping you succeed. Adopt these six habits, and you win. Neglect them, and life is a never-ending struggle.
This one is FULL of practical nuggets. The one that stuck with me the most (and I've since told clients about) is when you're about to make a transition in your day (say from the car to your workplace), take a mindful minute where you set an intention for how you want the next situation to go. My client, for example, used it before they went to see their in-laws. They thought about how they wanted their dynamic to go with each person & he said it was very useful! Brendon is an incredible coach himself & it's a great book to get insight into what makes a high performer based on his many years of working with high-performing individuals.
Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
Whether we are looking to write a book, make art, find new ways to address challenges in our work, embark on a dream long deferred, or simply infuse our everyday lives with more mindfulness and passion, Big Magic cracks open a world of wonder and joy.
Would it be cheesy for me to say it was magical?! It really is an amazing book, it focuses on creativity and would particularly appeal to storytellers and artists (or people who enjoy either of these things). Anyone who wants to feel their creativity completely restored and rejuvenated. It's a feel-good book through and through. I'm always surprised when people haven't read this one!
Mindset by Dr. Carol Dweck
In her book "Mindset: The New Psychology of Success," Carol S. Dweck argues that a growth mindset—the belief that abilities can be developed and the desire to embrace learning, challenges, and setbacks as sources of growth—creates the drive and resilience that influence success in virtually every area of life.
Learning about the way many of us are taught to operate, with a fixed mindset, was very eye-opening. She discusses the alternative, a growth mindset and various areas of our life that this applies to. It was educational, interesting & I've since referred it to my coaching clients to help with their own black or white thinking.
The Big Leap
In The Big Leap, Gay Hendricks, the New York Times bestselling author of Five Wishes, demonstrates how to eliminate the barriers to success by overcoming false fears and beliefs.
This is an easy read that discusses an often overlooked tendency we all experience in life but aren't usually aware of - the Upper Limit problem. When things start going our way, we can often sabotage them subconsciously because we're not used to certain levels of happiness or success. It's a fascinating read, especially if you're in a stage of growth.
Spirit Junkie by Gabrielle Bernstein
In Spirit Junkie, Bernstein guides readers through the life-changing lessons that shaped her spiritual journey: how we become accustomed to fearful ways of thinking, how to recognize and change those thought patterns to make way for bliss, and how to maintain our happiness and share it with the world.
This one will always hold a special place in my heart because I read it when I was completely stuck and unfulfilled in life. It opened me up in a way I didn't expect and was actually a part of what led me to become a coach. It's a spiritual journey where she teaches lessons in a very digestible way from the book A Course in Miracles. It helped me find my way back to myself - as cheesy as that sounds.
If you do end up reading one of these, I would LOVE to know what you think!!
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If you want to follow along as I share my personal development journey more & tips that work for my clients, you can find me here: https://www.instagram.com/katieblodgettcoaching/
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Can't wait to hear from you!