Let’s make this year all about personal growth and development. We can create New Year’s Resolutions for personal growth and we can set self-improvement goals, but there’s another way to work on your personal growth… Reading personal development books!
I absolutely love reading non-fiction and learning something new every day. And I especially love reading books on how I can improve myself.
Here is my list of 12 Personal Development Books I think you should read this year to help you focus on you.
Want to learn more about personal growth? Check out this ebook The Ultimate Personal Growth Guide. You’ll learn 10 different strategies for working on yourself and start taking steps towards becoming the best version of yourself!
Here are 12 of the Best Personal Development Books to Read in 2021:
1. The Miracle Morning: The Not-So-Obvious Secret Guaranteed to Transform Your Life (Before 8 AM) by Hal Elrod
To kick off this list, let’s talk about the book that started it all.
Hal Elrod’s book The Miracle Morning was the first of many personal development books I ever read.
I listened to this book on Audible in 2019 and I was so inspired that I bought the paperback book so I can read it again. Because of this self-help book, my life has completely taken a turn for the better. I am also now a morning person. Yep, that’s right. A book encouraged me to get out of bed in the morning!
If you are ready to get motivated in every aspect of your life, this book is for you.
“It’s time to wake up to your full potential.” – Hal Elrod
2. The Miracle Equation The Two Decisions that Move Your Biggest Goals from Possible, to Probable to Inevitable by Hal Elrod
Following “The Miracle Morning”, Hal wrote another book that dives deeper into the secrets of unlocking your full potential. And it’s just as inspiring.
From the publisher: “Even after the incredible success of his book The Miracle Morning, Hal Elrod realized that he still had more to share with the world. What he had discovered was a timeless but overlooked formula for success. The world’s top achievers have used it for centuries. He used it to thrive against seemingly insurmountable odds, from overcoming life-threatening health challenges to near financial collapse.
That formula is The Miracle Equation, and it couldn’t be any simpler: Unwavering Faith + Extraordinary Effort = Miracles.”
3. You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life by Jen Sincero
You are a Badass is my favorite self-help book so far. I finished it in just 2 weeks and highlighted about half the book. I’m even planning on going back and rereading it again before the end of the year. It was just that good.
Jen Sincero is blunt and tells it how it is and I think that’s what I loved so much about it.
Each chapter gives you incredible advice on so many personal development topics. Every topic will help you identify and change your self-limiting beliefs and behaviors that stop you from getting what you want and instead create a life you totally love.
By the end of the book, you’ll understand why you are how you are, how to love what you can’t change, and how to use “The Force” to kick some ass.
4. Think and Grow Rich by Napolean Hill
Think and Grow Rich is a classic self-help book for many reasons. I finally got around to reading it this past summer and while it wasn’t one of my favorites, it still had tons of valuable information that will keep you thinking.
From the publisher: “In Think and Grow Rich, Hill draws on stories of Andrew Carnegie, Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, and other millionaires of his generation to illustrate his principles. This book will teach you the secrets that could bring you a fortune. It will show you not only what to do but how to do it. Once you learn and apply the simple, basic techniques revealed here, you will have mastered the secret of true and lasting success.
BE PREPARED! When you expose yourself to the influence of this philosophy, you may experience a CHANGED LIFE which can help you negotiate your way through life with harmony and understanding and prepare you for the accumulation of abundant material riches.”
5. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change by Stephen R. Covey
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People is another self-help classic. I am actually currently reading this book. It is a bit of a longer read but I am absolutely devouring this book. Covey really dives deep into the 7 different habits and gives you action steps at the end of each chapter to help you put the habits into action.
From the publisher: “One of the most inspiring and impactful books ever written, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People has captivated readers for 25 years. It has transformed the lives of Presidents and CEOs, educators, and parents— in short, millions of people of all ages and occupations.”
6. Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert
Big Magic was a book that was just… “WOW”.
Elizabeth Gilbert told this incredible story of how ideas float around in the world just waiting for the right person to come along. She also shares so many inspiring stories throughout this book. I can’t recommend it enough.
From the Publisher: “Readers of all ages and walks of life have drawn inspiration and empowerment from Elizabeth Gilbert’s books. Now she digs deep into her own generative process to share her wisdom and unique perspective about creativity. With profound empathy and radiant generosity, she offers potent insights into the mysterious nature of inspiration.
“She shows us how to tackle what we most love, and how to face down what we most fear. She discusses the attitudes, approaches, and habits we need in order to live our most creative lives. Gilbert encourages us to uncover the “strange jewels” that are hidden within each of us. 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.”
7. The 4-Hour Work Week: Escape the 9-5, Live Anywhere and Join the New Rich by Timothy Ferriss
From the Publisher: “The Four Hour Workweek is for the aspiring entrepreneur who is ready to make some serious changes to their life. Are you ready to make money and change your lifestyle? Tim Ferriss will help you “escape the 9-5, live anywhere, and join the new rich”.
I have yet to read this book but it’s another classic self-help book, so it’s definitely on my list for the new year.
8. 10% Happier Revised Edition: How I Tamed the Voice in My Head, Reduced Stress Without Losing My Edge, and Found Self-Help That Actually Works by Dan Harris
This a different kind of self-help book, but I think it sounds really interesting. Definitely on my list of to-reads this year.
From the publisher: “In 2014, Dan Harris published his memoir 10% Happier. The book—which describes his reluctant embrace of meditation after a drug problem, an on-air freak-out, and an unplanned “spiritual” journey—became an instant bestseller and Dan, to his own surprise, became a public evangelist for mindfulness. Hoist on My Own Petard is the story of what happens to Dan Harris after the runaway success of his memoir and the lessons he had to (re)learn in the process.”
9. The 12 Week Year: Get More Done in 12 Weeks Than Others Do in 12 Months by Brian P. Morgan
This book has completely changed the way I plan my goals each year, now I only look at one quarter at a time when planning.
The idea is to get more done in 12 weeks than others do in 12 months, because you’re focused on just 12 weeks rather than a whole 52 weeks.
The book dives into how to develop clarity and focus, how to take back control of your days, and of course, accomplishing your goals in record time.
10. The Secret by Rhonda Byrne
If you have ever been interested in the Law of Attraction then you definitely need to read this book. Not only doesn’t it fully explain the law of attraction in simplest terms, it also gives you so many different ways you can start harnessing the power of The Secret in your own life.
Literally the most powerful book I’ve read this year.
11. Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear
If you want an easy-to-understand book on building habits, this is it.
This book is A-mazing!
James Clear breaks down habit formation into 4 simple steps. Using different scientific studies throughout the book, he explains exactly how and why habits form and how to make them easier to form.
He also goes into detail about how to break habits too, using the exact same 4 step process.
Atomic Habits will change the way you think about progress and success and give you tools and strategies to help transform your habits.
Related: 29 New Habits for the New Year
12. Girl, Wash Your Face: Stop Believing the Lies About Who You Are So You Can Become Who You Were Meant to Be by Rachel Hollis
I listened to this book on a road trip once and it was super inspiring. In every chapter, Rachel Hollis talks about a different limiting belief that many women(including herself) have and gives us practical strategies to help us move past them.
This was an incredible book that I will surely read again.
From the publisher: “In this challenging but conversational book, Rachel exposes the twenty lies and misconceptions that too often hold us back from living joyfully and productively, lies we’ve told ourselves so often we don’t even hear them anymore.
Rachel is real and talks about real issues. More than that, she reveals the specific practical strategies that helped her move past them. In the process, she encourages, entertains, and even kicks a little butt, all to convince you to do whatever it takes to get real and become the joyous, confident woman you were meant to be. Because you really can live with passion and hustle – and give yourself grace without giving up.”
Final Thoughts
You can learn a lot from books. That’s why I devote at least 20 minutes every morning to reading. I have learned so much from reading personal development books and I always continue to learn more and more from them every day.
What are your favorite personal development books? I always love adding more books to my ‘to-read’ list. Share with us in the comments below.
Have fun reading!
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