"Reading is to the mind what exercise to the body." - Richard Steele
I came across this trend of reading books in 2016. On Instagram showing your bookshelf, posting a picture while reading, adding “avid reader” in your bio was indeed a trend. It was something that I used to see repeatedly everywhere. This somewhere made me buy my first book - World’s Best Boyfriend by Durjoy Datta.
I tried...tried so hard to finish this book but couldn’t complete even three chapters of it. This is when I was taken back from the idea of reading books.
At the end of 2017, I had started this habit of watching TEDx talks, interviews, and motivational videos. The more I learnt about the lives of successful people, the more I realised that the one thing which is common in all of them is “the habit of reading books”.
This is how I got to know about the “self-help” category in books. My first and one of the best self-help books was “The Power of Your Subconscious Mind” by Joseph Murphy. Initially, I wanted to start reading to be on the list of cool people but as I read my first book from the self-help category, something started to change in me (for good).
The more I learnt, the faster I wanted to read more self-development books. These books didn’t only change my mindset but made me start doing things that actually improved my life. Picking only five from all the books that I've read is a daunting task, but still, I would try my best to give you the list of best five *wink
Books that will change your life for the better
1. Ikigai by Francesc Miralles and Hector Garcia
Most of the time we find ourselves stuck, either in a job or a relationship. Isn't it? When you are clueless about what makes you happy, you feel stuck. This book Ikigai which means “a reason for being” is based on a Japanese concept which helped many people live a healthy and happy life even after their 100s. This is one of the best self-help books of all time which gives you a practical formula that will help you understand the purpose of your life.
2. Power of Your Subconscious Mind by Joseph Murphy
Ah..nostalgic. This is one of the best self-help books to read that I would recommend to everyone. If you want to understand why things happen the way they do, you must read it. This book talks about how everything in life is based on your subconscious mind and if you train it well, you can achieve anything in life.
3. Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert T. Kiyosaki
Very few people talk about financial literacy but it is one of those topics that must be taught to everyone. You must have heard or read that rich people keep getting richer and poor get poorer. Right? But have you ever thought, why does it happen? Financial literacy is your answer. The moment you start understanding how to make your money work for you, you start improving financially in life. This is one of the best personal development books that every individual who has an interest in financial literacy must read.
4. The Subtle Art of Not Giving A F*ck by Mark Manson
“I don’t care.” How cool does it sound? Doesn't it? But is it that easy to not care at all? All of us actually give a f*ck about several things in life and when the number of things that we worry about starts to pour out, you feel caged or suffocated. This is one of the top 10 self-help books that effectively makes you understand how to save your energy by stop giving f*cks about the things that really don’t matter.
5. Atomic Habits by James Clear
Have you ever wondered why scrolling through Instagram seems so much fun but not reading books? Why does eating fast food taste delicious but not healthy food? Why does being a couch potato feel comfortable but not working out? It all comes down to habits. What you keep doing repeatedly becomes your habit. One of the best self-improvement books - Atomic Habits isn't another habit builder book. It gives you life-changing and practical advice that you wouldn't want to miss reading. Right?
When you consume positive content, your mind also starts to think positively. Just reading self-help books wouldn’t help you improve your life, you must implement the advice that you get from these books in order to see your life-changing.
We hope you enjoyed reading this article on personal development books. What other book would you like to add to the list, comment down below!