From developing your mindset to good habits, learn how to up-level your life with the best self-improvement books to read.
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Why read self-improvement books?
Reading self-improvement or personal development books can empower and inspire you to do great things.
Related: Top 21 motivational Tony Robbins quotes
Although they can motivate you to live better, you must take action to see its positive effects.
The purpose of self-improvement books is to improve your personal or professional life, which leads to growth in both areas. Aside from personal growth, reading is a great way to continue learning and expand your mindset.
“Reading is essential for those who seek to rise above the ordinary.” –Jim Rohn
30 best self-improvement books
The following 30 books will give you the courage to start something new, motivation to be consistent, and the positivity to make a difference.
1. How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
How to Win Friends and Influence People is a classic self-help book that has been around for more than 80 years. It teaches life skills to make other people feel important.
Dale Carnegie shares how you can get what you want and build relationships by taking an interest in others.
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2. The One Thing by Gary Keller
The One Thing is all about the one thing you can do right now to make everything else easier. This book is all about prioritizing and focusing on one thing to be extremely productive.
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3. Start with Why by Simon Sinek
Start with Why is all about your mindset. Why is the reason people do things, make decisions, or purchase products.
Simon Sinek teaches that if you want to inspire others to do something, you need to start with why.
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4. Focal Point by Brian Tracy
Focal Point teaches you how to achieve your dreams and goals faster. Brian Tracy says that where you focus your energy is your focal point. Learn how and where to apply your time to be successful.
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5. The Magic of Thinking Big by David Schwartz
The Magic of Thinking Big teaches you where to start when developing the most important belief in success, the belief in yourself. David Schwartz shows you how to feel fully capable of doing what you want to do.
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6. Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
Think and Grow Rich is another classic self-improvement book. It’s all about mindset and thinking things into fruition. Napoleon Hill teaches how to have a money mindset and that wealth begins with how you think.
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7. No Limits by John Maxwell
No Limits by John Maxwell, helps you increase your capacity to be able to achieve anything. John Maxwell acknowledges how you tend to limit yourself in many areas of your lives and teaches how to “blow the cap off” of your capacity.
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8. The Compound Effect by Darren Hardy
The Compound Effect is about the power of the small and consistent choices you make. Darren Hardy shows you how these daily steps can create huge results.
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9. Daring Greatly by Brene Brown
Daring Greatly is about having the courage to be vulnerable. Brene Brown shows that by doing so, you can achieve true confidence and strength.
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10. Boundaries by Henry Cloud and John Townsend
Boundaries by Henry Cloud proves the importance of having the courage to say no. It teaches you when to say yes and how to say no.
By learning to say no, you’ll be able to take control of your life and not be subject to others controlling what you do.
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11. Everyone Communicates, Few Connect by John Maxwell
Everyone Communicates, Few Connect teaches how to truly connect with people on a deeper level. This book is great at teaching communication and people skills.
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12. The Entrepreneur Roller Coaster by Darren Hardy
The Entrepreneur Roller Coaster shows that entrepreneurship is like a roller coaster with ups and downs. Darren Hardy explains what it takes to start a business and how to prepare for the changes that you’ll go through as an entrepreneur.
He provides useful and timeless information to help you if you’re thinking about starting a business.
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13. The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene
The 48 Laws of Power explains the laws for attaining power in life, business and gives examples of each law in practice.
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14. The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod
The Miracle Morning teaches that you must start the day off with “wins” and personal development. Having a dedicated morning routine will change your life.
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15. Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin
Extreme Ownership is exactly what it sounds like. This book teaches how to lead and shows how important your team is. If you want to be a great leader and win in life, you must take ownership.
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16. I Will Teach You to Be Rich by Ramit Sethi
I Will Teach You to be Rich is a personal finance book that teaches you the different areas that you must take ownership of to thrive. Ramit covers topics ranging from credit score to budgeting.
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17. You Are a Badass by Jen Sincero
You are a Badass is a book that helps you overcome fears and doubts. By taking risks and confronting your fears, you’ll live a more free and successful life.
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18. Multipliers by Liz Wiseman and Greg McKeown
The book Multipliers teaches how to be a great leader by making everyone else better. By helping others, you’ll grow, and so will your organization or business.
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19. The Go-Giver by Bob Burg
The Go-Giver explains the principles of success. This book shows you the power of giving and taking your eyes off of yourself to focus on helping others.
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20. The Power of Now by Eckart Tolle
The Power of Now is all about the present. Eckhart Tolle explains how to let go of fear and pain. By releasing, you can focus on the present and have peace in life.
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21. Thinking Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman
Thinking Fast and Slow explains the difference between logical and emotional thinking. Daniel Kahneman shows you how to change the way you think.
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22. Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki
Rich Dad, Poor Dad explains how his father and his best friend’s father shaped the way he thinks about money. Robert Kiyosaki also teaches how to make money work for you.
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23. How Successful People Think by John Maxwell
How Successful People Think talks about changing your mindset. John Maxwell shows steps to change your way of thinking to improve your life.
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24. The 10x Rule by Grant Cardone
The 10x Rule is about figuring out whatever it is you want and multiply the effort and time it will take by 10.
People often underestimate the effort it takes to be successful, but by doing these things that Grant Cardone teaches, you’ll succeed.
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25. Crushing It! by Gary Vaynerchuk
Crushing It! is about growing your personal brand. Gary Vaynerchuk teaches you how to build a business by growing a personal brand and monetizing it. This book is a favorite among many young entrepreneurs.
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26. Grit by Angela Duckworth
Grit explains that the secret to achievement is not talent. It’s a focused persistence called grit. Psychologist and researcher, Angela Duckworth shares insight on her research on grit.
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27. The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo
The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up takes decluttering to the next level. The KonMari Method is a category-by-category system that leads to lasting results.
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28. Presence by Amy Cuddy
Presence by Harvard Business School professor Amy Cuddy encourages people to stop worrying about the impression they make on others. Instead, she teaches you how to use simple tools like body language to change the way you feel about yourself.
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29. Deep Work by Cal Newport
Cal Newport teaches you how to have an intense concentration and a distraction-free environment that results in fast, powerful learning and performance.
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30. Principles by Ray Dalio
In the book, Principles, Ray Dalio teaches a five-step process to getting what you want out of life. He states that life, management, economics, and investing can be systemized into rules.
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Conclusion
At the end of the day, to achieve more and improve your life, you must take action.
Use self-improvement books as guides, and it’ll get you on the right path to an improved mindset.
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