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Personal Development: The Top Books on the Subject in 2019

Read. Learn. Develop yourself. Grow.

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School taught a lot of things, some useful, most definitively not. But one thing that it definitively does not teach is how to become a better, more defined and unique individual. That’s something that cannot be taught, but definitively something you can discover on your own.

When the education system fails to instruct the student, self-education becomes a necessity. School can’t ever instruct you on how to become interesting, resourceful or more clever, but these books on personal development definitively can help you with that.

Learn through the words of those that already struggled with helping themselves grow past their own limitations. Take the advice from their experience on which paths work and which you better avoid. Help yourself to develop yourself with these on personal development.

 

#1 Not Your Average Cup of Joe by Joseph Braithwaite

Not Your Average Cup of Joe by Joseph Braithwaite
“Braithwaite, who was once homeless, and is now a successful entrepreneur, author, and public speaker, has a message for them. With his book, he takes everything you might think about what the average person might think they are able to accomplish and turns it on its head.

With this book, Braithwaite truly shows that every single person not only has unique and admirable qualities, but the ability to parlay those qualities into REAL success – allowing them to succeed beyond their highest hopes. “Worried you’re an average Joe,?” the book asks. It then reassures you – whoever you are – you are not.

Using his own life story- rising from hardship and becoming a successful leader – the author shares real examples of successful, determined people from a range of industries that will inspire confidence, teaching that literally every person has unique qualities – whether they excel in finance, construction, strategy development or simply at making great coffee – that can be leveraged allowing them to succeed magnificently. The book includes real, helpful, actionable talk about grit, mentorship, self-understanding, self confidence and how to leverage all of it. ”

Before buying a copy make sure to compare the price at various outlets:

Book Depository (International)Waterstones (International) Read more reviews and buy the book here

#2 You Are Worthy: A Guide For The Overwhelmed Perfectionist by Julee Hunt

You Are Worthy: A Guide For The Overwhelmed Perfectionist by Julee Hunt
A guide for the overwhelmed perfectionist struck a chord with me as I left my consulting job in Europe and moved back home. With 8 years of experience in 3 countries and 2 languages, I couldn’t seem to get anyone to respond to my job applications. Feeling low and wholly unconfident in myself, I read this book knowing I wasn’t alone in feeling this way – in tying my entire worth as a human to my career. Hunt shares personal stories and tools that helped me find my own worthiness again and start my own business.

Before buying a copy make sure to compare the price at various outlets:

Book Depository (International)Waterstones (International) Read more reviews and buy the book here

#3 Follow Your Detour by Lindsay McKenzie

Follow Your Detour by Lindsay McKenzie
“Follow Your Detour is a book about overcoming adversity, taking risks, and ultimately creating your own path. We’ve always been told to follow our dreams, but what happens when those dreams aren’t working out? We often run into dead ends along the paths we work so hard to create for ourselves.

Follow Your Detour shares the author, Lindsay’s, own journey of loss and how she embraced the most difficult dead end in her life as a detour. The concept of a detour is critical in life. Understanding that sometimes detours end up leading us on journeys better than we could have imagined or planned for ourselves helps us find purpose in our pain and faith in the future.

No matter what you’re going through, this book will help you find the courage to accept it, overcome your fears of uncertainty, and push forward towards finding the real you and discovering the greatness that’s out there waiting for you. All you have to do is follow that detour! ”

Before buying a copy make sure to compare the price at various outlets:

Book Depository (International)Waterstones (International) Read more reviews and buy the book here

#4 Peace Power Profits: Why You Don’t Have It, How To Get It by Gwendolyn Smith

Peace Power Profits: Why You Don't Have It, How To Get It by Gwendolyn Smith
“Whether you’re doing life or you’re doing business, you bring yourself to each situation.

Often people don’t make the association between the results they’re immediately having in their careers, life, business or relationships and the traumatic events in their past. These events such as abuse, abandonment, grief, loss, debilitating setbacks or self-limiting beliefs can wreak havoc on your success though you may not even know it. They leave trapped emotions inside of your body that go to work subconsciously, giving you results you’re repeatedly having.

The author Dr. Gwen uses her experience of her early abusive marriage to map a path to healing and wholeness using the Peace, Power Profits ACT Breakthrough Success Model. She shares the framework with tools and methods to help you heal your past, creating peace, power and profits and releasing you from the trap to go from *Broken to Breakthrough*. ”

Before buying a copy make sure to compare the price at various outlets:

Book Depository (International)Waterstones (International) Read more reviews and buy the book here

#5 365 Days of Happiness by Jacqueline Pirtle

365 Days of Happiness by Jacqueline Pirtle
“Do you have fun with your own life?

How often do you really pay attention and choose things to improve your day?

In 365 Days of Happiness, author, energy healer, and mindfulness teacher Jacqueline Pirtle has created daily inspirations that help you mindfully work towards living a more vivid experience of daily happiness. Showing that you can put in work to change your life while having fun, the practices are full of whimsy and delight. Each day teaches you to find happiness, use those sour lemons, and shift yourself into a “high for life” frequency where you can reach happiness anywhere at any time. ”

Before buying a copy make sure to compare the price at various outlets:

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#6 The One Thing by Gary Keller

The One Thing by Gary Keller
The One Thing is an incredibly inspirational and actionable read. It illustrates how to work towards a vision one day, one week, one month, one year at a time by answering the fundamental question of what the ONE thing is for every aspect of your life. This book has been a life-changer not just professionally but personally in evaluating our biggest priorities to get us closer to where want to be.

Before buying a copy make sure to compare the price at various outlets:

Book Depository (International)Waterstones (International) Read more reviews and buy the book here

#7 What They Still Don’t Teach You at Harvard B. School by Mark H. McCormack

What They Still Don't Teach You at Harvard B. School by Mark H. McCormack
This book is all about street smarts. It offers actionable advice that you can use in business as well as in your personal life. From making contacts to socializing to writing, this book is great for people from all walks of life. Often, personal development books get stuck in offering only theories, which don’t really help customers as much as practical advice does.

The author, a legendary sports agent and founder of IMG, a major management agency, offers examples from his life. He tells stories of failure and success, and this is precisely what makes the book so great – the author is honest, straightforward, and someone we all can learn from.

Before buying a copy make sure to compare the price at various outlets:

Book Depository (International)Waterstones (International) Read more reviews and buy the book here

#8 Choose to Win: Transform Your Life, One Simple Choice at a Time by Tom Ziglar

Choose to Win: Transform Your Life, One Simple Choice at a Time by Tom Ziglar
“Tom Ziglar’s new book, Choose to Win: Transform Your Life, One Simple Step at a Time (March 5, 2019; Nelson Books), instructs people to teach themselves how to make life-improving choices. By examining seven key life areas, Ziglar helps one learn new strategies to achieve life-changing goals.

Whether mental, financial, career or personal, stress at some point in one’s life will prove to be a deterrent for moving forward. The purpose of Ziglar’s book is to get individuals on the path to realise a forever change by replacing bad behaviours with good behaviours.

Ziglar Notes Seven Key Life Areas to Move Forward Positively

In Choose to Win Ziglar examines in-depth seven specific areas that affect one’s life. At the conclusion of each section is a list of questions, along with examples, to help one on their path to choosing to win. As new strategies are attained, bad behaviours are replaced with good ones allowing for goals to be achieved. ”

Before buying a copy make sure to compare the price at various outlets:

Book Depository (International)Waterstones (International) Read more reviews and buy the book here

#9 The 5am Club by Robin Sharma

The 5am Club by Robin Sharma
This book has totally changed our business. The 5am club is all about how to win your morning and how to win your day by getting up early exercising, meditating and self developing and putting into action certain routines to focus on your business, highly recommended.

Before buying a copy make sure to compare the price at various outlets:

Book Depository (International)Waterstones (International) Read more reviews and buy the book here

#10 Maximize Your Super Powers Vol. 1 by Capri Cruz Phd

Maximize Your Super Powers Vol. 1 by Capri Cruz Phd
This book epitomises personal development as the author, Dr. Capri Cruz, a previous victim of foster care and homelessness diligently worked to turn herself into something to be proud of. Now an International Psychotherapist, Hypnotherapist, and Life Coach, she outlines how anyone can turn their ordinary abilities into super powers through the workings of their mind and continued personal growth efforts, ultimately to create an incredible life worth living!

Before buying a copy make sure to compare the price at various outlets:

Book Depository (International)Waterstones (International) Read more reviews and buy the book here

#11 Choosing to be a Medium: Experience and Share the Healing Wonder of Spirit Communication

Choosing to be a Medium: Experience and Share the Healing Wonder of Spirit Communication
“Choosing to be a Medium offers something different in personal development. This unique book explains how spirit communication may be an option for every-day readers, and teaches how to develop the ability to connect with loved ones in spirit. Description below.

Experience the wonder of spirit communication firsthand—even if you don’t think you were born a medium. Sharon Farber shares her amazing story of becoming a medium through study, not birthright, and she reveals how you can become one, too.

This easy-to-use, empowering book provides everything needed to lay your foundation for connecting with loved ones in spirit. Build your skills through practical techniques and hands-on exercises. Explore the different types of mediumship, what it is and isn’t, and its roots in Spiritualism. Learn how to gather information from those you connect with in spirit and how to overcome common fears and challenges.

Featuring insights from Q & A sessions with various mediums, along with many ways to enhance your abilities—including setting intention, raising your vibration, trance work, meditation, and grounding—/Choosing to Be a Medium/ demonstrates that almost anyone can connect with spirits on the other side. ”

Before buying a copy make sure to compare the price at various outlets:

Book Depository (International)Waterstones (International) Read more reviews and buy the book here

#12 Radical Candor, by Kim Scott

Radical Candor, by Kim Scott
Radical Candor skirts the line between business book and personal development book. Kim Scott’s philosophy about how to be completely honest, yet caring, is to me, the most humane way to approach management, and interpersonal relationships at work. My learning how to be radically candid, you learn how to approach your fellow workers with compassion, yet still get the job done.

Before buying a copy make sure to compare the price at various outlets:

Book Depository (International)Waterstones (International) Read more reviews and buy the book here

#13 Connect: How to Love and Accept Yourself After Divorce by Dawn Burnett

Connect: How to Love and Accept Yourself After Divorce by Dawn Burnett
Connect is a foolproof plan to heal your heart, pinpoint your true dreams and desires, and find a meaningful and lasting authentic love for self. The 11 relatable stories take readers on a journey showing them how they can push past fears and struggles and build their confidence, so they can live the life they’ve been dreaming of.

Before buying a copy make sure to compare the price at various outlets:

Book Depository (International)Waterstones (International) Read more reviews and buy the book here

#14 Winner’s Bible: Rewire your Brain for Permanent Change by Kerry Dr. Spackman

Winner's Bible: Rewire your Brain for Permanent Change by Kerry Dr. Spackman
“Ten years ago I was introduced to the concepts, strategies and tools of The Winner’s Bible by the author Dr. Kerry Spackman. I started putting these tools into action and they have transformed my life personally and professionally. I am a health- and peak performance psychologist and many of my clients – from business professionals to World & Olympic champions – have benefited from The Winner’s Bible tools as much as myself.

What’s unique is that the book is supported by an App that coaches readers on their journey to become the best version of themselves.

Just five minutes daily use permanently rewires the logical and emotional circuits of the brain to accelerate the achievement of your goals and create the life you’ve always wanted.

I love using my App each morning. It only takes five minutes in the morning and keeps me connected to what truly matters, helping me stay on track with my Goals to create my Optimal Future.

If you ever wonder why it is so hard to change despite your best efforts then this book and app might be just what you need. ”

Before buying a copy make sure to compare the price at various outlets:

Book Depository (International)Waterstones (International) Read more reviews and buy the book here

#15 Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World by Cal Newport

Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World by Cal Newport
Deep Work drills down on how technology and social media are changing the keys to success. This book explains basic tasks are being automated or outsourced to the lowest cost labor possible due to technology and electronic communication. Even for advanced work, businesses can hire the “best of the best” anywhere in the world. Average doesn’t cut it.

You need to dedicate intense periods of “deep work” to master a complex skill. However, the interruptions of social media and network tools make focusing a rare talent. Before reading Deep Work, I was on social media daily, constantly checking my texts, and heavily distracted. Now, I am actively focused on getting valuable work done and my business is growing faster.

Before buying a copy make sure to compare the price at various outlets:

Book Depository (International)Waterstones (International) Read more reviews and buy the book here

#16 A Year of Living Kindly by Donna Cameron

A Year of Living Kindly by Donna Cameron
Kindness has been the topic of a good deal of research in recent years, and there’s substantial evidence showing that those who master the skills of kindness and the strategies for countering unkindness will enjoy in greater health, happiness, and success. A YEAR OF LIVING KINDLY is an inspiring, practical guide to help readers make a commitment to kindness. It explores both the why and how of kindness-using stories, observations, research, and humour to show the benefits, barriers, and skills of kindness.

The book illustrates how each of us can strengthen our kindness muscle, ultimately changing our lives . . . and maybe the world. At a time when incivility has reached epidemic proportions, many people are wondering if this is the new normal. It doesn’t have to be. Kindness is the best antidote to incivility and it’s also the path to a full and satisfying life.

Before buying a copy make sure to compare the price at various outlets:

Book Depository (International)Waterstones (International) Read more reviews and buy the book here

#17 How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie

How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
A classic, this book really does help the introvert and experience extrovert establish and maintain meaningful relationships with ease. There are great stories that keep the reader engaged, but also impactful takeaways. Plus, the book is broken down in such a way that you can pick it up and put it down when you only have 15-20 minutes at a time to read. This book has greatly impacted how I make new relationships, as well as continue to enjoy high quality personal and professional relationships decades in the making.

Before buying a copy make sure to compare the price at various outlets:

Book Depository (International)Waterstones (International) Read more reviews and buy the book here

Contributors to this article
Tracy Lamourie from N/A

Christina Albe from Haus von Albe

Lindsay McKenzie from Follow Your Detour

Dr. Gwen Smith from The Dr. Gwen International, Inc.

Jacqueline Pirtle from FreakyHealer

Meha Agrawal from SILK + SONDER

Jason Patel from Transizion

Jaquelyn Mahalick from Finn Partners

Scott Watson from Wickfree Candles

Capri Cruz from Maximize Your Super Powers with Dr. Cruz

Sharon Farber from Sharon Farber, Author Medium

Alexis Haselberger from Alexis Haselberger Coaching

Dawn Burnett from A New Dawn Natural Solutions, Inc

Sabine Tyrvainen from SabineTyrvainen

Earl Whute from House Heroes LLC

Donna Cameron from A Year of Living Kindly

Yaniv Masjedi from Nextiva

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  1. We are a family of book-lovers. A lot of my team members at Sell My House in Tampa are book-lovers. I will definitely share these suggestions to them! Thank you so much!

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