Reading Time: 6 minutesAre you looking to improve your professional and personal development?
Many people aim to succeed in their careers, improve their relationships, and prioritize their health and well-being. To aid in these goals, we’ve compiled a list of seven must-read books that focus on self-improvement, knowledge, financial empowerment, and business strategies. These recommended reads will provide valuable insights on how to enhance your career growth, achieve financial success and build meaningful relationships while also fostering personal growth and development.
One of the best and easiest ways to achieve a tremendous amount of growth is by investing in a good book…or two…or twenty. As the saying goes, “The more you know, the more you grow.” But the trick is – you don’t know what you don’t know. So, invest in yourself! A $10-$15 book could drastically change the course of your life.
The books chosen below could give you a considerable advantage in your career, whether it’s entry-level, executive, or entrepreneurial. Plus, the principles in these books are as relevant today as they were decades ago.
Wisdom is timeless.
If personal development is one of your goals this year, check out the list below and see what catches your eye. I’m a Kindle reader, so I’ve included Amazon links to each on every book cover image, but they can all be found at your local library for free too.
*Note: Biblical wisdom and self-improvement are not mutually exclusive. The Bible is forever on my personal list, but I didn’t include the Bible in this list because there is knowledge worth having that has nothing to do with faith or religion. There are wise atheists just like there are foolish Christians – so this list is not spiritually specific.
Here is the list (in no particular order):
How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
The title is straightforward enough, and the language is poignant yet simple. The book shares principles to help you develop relationship-building skills, which translates to better leadership qualities. The biographical and historical data of great leaders are told with fascinating stories and anecdotes. For me, it’s helped me build new interpersonal relationships and helped with my social anxieties. Standout quotes:
“People who talk only of themselves think only of themselves.”
“A man convinced against his will is of the same opinion still.”
Smart Couples Finish Rich by David Bach
The actual book title reads, Smart Couples Finish Rich: 9 Steps to Creating a Rich Future for You and Your Partner. It’s not just debt management as a couple, it’s really about aligning you and your partner’s financial goals so that you can benefit from your dual incomes. One of the biggest stresses in relationships is money, so eliminate the funny money business by learning to invest/spend/save/manage dual incomes successfully. Standout quote: “How you spend money has nothing to do with how much you love each other.”
We Need to Talk: How to Have Conversations That Matter by Celeste Headlee
Take a moment to consider how many outcomes in your life may have been affected by poor communication skills. Could you have gotten that job you really wanted? Or maybe mended that relationship or friendship? What about that disagreement that got out of hand? How is it that we often fail to say the right thing at the right time? I’ve only just started this one but looking forward to learning how to communicate both personally and professionally in an effective manner. Standout quote: “We must learn how to talk to one another and, more important, listen to one other. We must learn to talk to people we disagree with, because you can’t unfriend everyone in real life.”
The Secret by Rhonda Byrne
If you’re the philosophical type, you may be interested in The Secret by Rhonda Byrne. Sometimes our goal is to steer our lives in a new direction, but we feel blocked by negativity and doubt. It is highly recommended for people looking to hone their positive thinking skills. Standout quote: “All that we are is a result of what we have thought.”
Blue Ocean Strategy by W. Chan Kim
Do you know how to compete in today’s ultra-competitive marketplace? The Blue Ocean Strategy: How To Create Uncontested Market Space And Make The Competition Irrelevant is based on a study of 150 strategic moves spanning over thirty industries. Authors W. Chan Kim and Renee Mauborgne argue that lasting success comes from creating ‘blue oceans’: untapped new market spaces ripe for growth. This is an excellent and highly recommended read for Marketing careers and brand-building for entrepreneurs.
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey
Want to learn more about taking full advantage of opportunities that come your way? Sometimes we’re not even aware or prepared for those moments. Don’t get ready; stay ready! This principle-centered approach to solving personal and professional problems is applicable to time management, productivity, and personal development. Standout quote: “The key is not to prioritize what’s on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities.”
Outliers: The Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell
The first taste of Malcolm Gladwell came in the form of the very entertaining and informative Revisionist History podcast. He really takes the facts of so-called history and exposes the truth of what really happened. Gladwell is a renowned author as well, including this little gem. The #1 National bestseller focuses on what Gladwell calls the ‘outliers’: the best and brightest, the most famous and the most successful. It basically discusses the mystery of success, what factors come into play, and of course, the 10,000-hour rule. Standout quote: “Hard work is only a prison sentence when you lack motivation.”
Honorable mentions include The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene and 177 Mental Toughness Secrets of the World Class by Steve Siebold.
The takeaway from this book list is that you don’t have to figure everything out alone. A good book can be the start of something great.
These books offer valuable insights and practical advice for anyone looking to improve their professional and personal development. Whether you’re striving for career success, financial stability, strong relationships, or overall well-being, the wisdom and guidance found in these pages can help you achieve your goals. We recommend giving these books a read and incorporating the lessons you learn into your daily life. Happy reading!
