The 20 Best Personal Development Books BY STEVE MUELLER

The 20 Best Personal Development Books

 BY STEVE MUELLER ON MAY 16TH, 2016

20. The Compound Effect by Darren Hardy
	There’s no magic bullet for success. As such, The Compound Effect has no gimmicks or hyperbole to offer. Instead, Darren Hardy shows what it truly takes to be successful. His book outlines the core principles that lead to a successful life. It distills the very essence every individual needs to know in order to become extraordinarily successful. The Compound Effect addresses a wide range of topics, ranging from business, relationships, habits and goal setting. The book also presents actionable step-by-step strategies on what you can do to accomplish more in life. In short, The Compound Effect equips the reader with effective tools that actually help in making progress on the road to success.
19. The One Thing by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan
	In a time where people are exceptionally proud of being skillful multitaskers, The One Thing introduces a more balanced approach: Simplicity. The authors reveal in their book that the ability to focus on one activity at a time is the true secret behind extraordinary results. They point out in The One Thing that the narrowed down focus on a single activity can dramatically improve the results of your work. So instead of taking on ever more responsibilities and tasks, the authors encourage readers to peak productivity by decluttering and simplifying their lives.
18. Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl
	None of us can avoid suffering. We all suffer from time to time and we all are confronted with strokes of fate. In his book Man’s Search for Meaning, Viktor Frankl shows that while we’re unable to avoid suffering, we’re still capable of coping with it. His book brilliantly shows how we can find meaning in suffering and what we can do to move forward. The book is greatly based on Frankl’s experiences as a surviving inmate of the Auschwitz concentration camp. It is also an excellent guide that encourages the reader to pursue what they find meaningful. On a side note, the book that sold more than 10 million copies was named in a reader survey for the Library of Congress as one of the 10 most influential books that made a difference in reader’s lives.
17. Quiet: The Power of Introverts by Susan Cain
	If you’re an introvert, this book is a must-read. Quiet by Susan Cain highlights that it’s not always the one who is the loudest that has the best ideas. Instead, she goes on to show how a large number of great contributions stem from those who dislike self-promotion and are rather quiet in nature. Cain drives home the point that introverts are dramatically underestimated in modern day society. Her book is a carefully researched study that is filled with real stories about introverts and the impact they have. By introducing the reader to highly successful introverts, Quiet dramatically changes the reader’s perspective on introverts.
16. Drive by Daniel H. Pink
	When it comes to motivation, there are numerous misperceptions that prevent us from igniting the fire within. Daniel Pink seeks with his book Drive: The Surprising Truth about What Motivates Us to shed some light on these illusions. He argues that the carrot-and-stick approach to motivation is highly outdated and not effective. Instead, the sense of having a purpose and the quest for mastery is what drives excellence, performance and satisfaction. It’s our very desire to strive for greatness that enables us to peak performance. In Drive, Daniel Pink presents an alternative to the outdated concept of self-motivation. He highlights actions we can take to affect positive changes, and in doing so presents a strategy of transforming our lives by discovering the source of true motivation.
15. Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman
	The decision-making process consists of two systems. The first system is largely based on our intuition and emotions. It makes us respond quickly, without meeting a rational decision. The second system is largely based on logical decision-making. It enables us to act in a more deliberate manner. In Thinking, Fast and Slow, Daniel Kahneman addresses these two systems of thinking and their wide-ranging impact on our lives. He brilliantly highlights the issues that come with acting too quickly or thinking too slowly. Kahneman embarks with his book on a journey through the human mind and explorers the decision-making processes that greatly shape our fates. Packed with excellent advice, the book also points out in which situations you can trust your intuition and when you should better think things through.
14. The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Peale
	Published in 1956, The Power of Positive Thinking was heavily criticized by psychologists, literature critics and theologians alike. The idea that positive thinking could have a deep impact upon a person’s life was quickly dismissed, back then. But as it is often the case, revolutionary ideas are often heavily attacked, until they are quietly adopted and profoundly change the status quote. The same held true for Norman Vincent Peale’s book The Power of Positive Thinking. More than 60 years after its publication, it’s scientifically established that positive thinking can have a profound influence on your life. The book brilliantly highlights how positive thoughts can lead to a positive reality. But unlike its unofficial successor The Secret, Peale is not promoting the “think positive and success will miraculously manifest”-approach. Instead, the book equips the reader with the attitude required to become successful.
13. Blink by Malcolm Gladwell
	Decision-making can either make or break you. It’s one of the most important skills with a great impact on your life. However, it is highly neglected. In Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking, Malcolm Gladwell investigates how some people are seemingly able to instantly make a decision – and how they are able to meet the right decision almost all the time. Gladwell invites us with his book on a journey to explore the world within. He takes the reader on an adventure to find out why some individuals have become exceptionally successful decision-makers by following their intuition. Especially the idea of “thinslicing” – the ability to separate key decision factors from a wide range of variables – is an invaluable concept of decision-making.
12. The Magic of Thinking Big by David J. Schwartz
	The ability to think big is what separates extraordinarily successful individuals from the average. David Schwartz argues in The Magic of Thinking Big that the relative smallness of people’s aims is holding them back. He therefore highlights the important role thoughts (and thinking positively about yourself) can have on your life. Schwartz challenges the reader to set high goals, to pursue these optimistically and to give everything to reach these aims. Even more so, The Magic of Thinking Big indicates that it’s not always intelligence, education or connections that truly contribute to a person’s success. Instead, it’s the unique ability to see beyond what already exists. To expand the horizon and to discover what truly is possible. David Schwartz created with The Magic of Thinking Big a classic self-help book that introduces a carefully developed strategy for making the most out of your life.
11. Mastery by Robert Greene
	The #1 New York Times bestseller Mastery is the synthesis of Robert Greene’s research about the traits of great historical figures, such as Albert Einstein and Leonardo da Vinci. The result is a book that it distills the essence about attaining true excellence and greatness in life. By means of analyzing the biographies of these true masters, Greene discovered that they all followed a similar pathway to success. Each and every one of these historical figures was not only intensely immersed in their respective fields, but they also sought to obtain true mastery in these areas. Reading the book can have a profound impact upon your life. Not only will it change the way you think about your life, but it will also give you valuable tips to get started in the process of attaining greatness.
10. Who Moved My Cheese? by Spencer Johnson
	Change is inevitable. It’s a central aspect of life and can be found all around us. Forcibly trying to avoid any kind of change is therefore impossible. In Who Moved My Cheese?, Spencer Johnson explores brilliantly effective strategies to deal with unexpected change. The basic assumption of his work is that we’re not able to avoid negative developments from happening, as we’re not able to predict the future. What we can do, however, is to react to these situations and to seize these new opportunities. Johnson therefore highlights that the ability to quickly respond to new developments can highly effect your success in life. In summary, Who Moved My Cheese? is an uplifting and inspiring guide that helps the reader to better deal with change and in doing so, reduce stress.
9. Outliers: The Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell
	Outliers, by the definition of Malcolm Gladwell, are the best of the best. They are extraordinarily successful individuals who do not fit the regular categories of success. Their accomplishments range at the outer boundaries of each statistic. But what is it that makes these people so special? Malcolm Gladwell embarks in his book on a journey to reflect the nature of these people’s successes. What he discovers is truly inspiring. His investigations highlight how important the 10,000 hour rule is when it comes to accomplishing extraordinary things. Gladwell also points out that attaining greatness is the key to success in all areas of life. In sum, Outliers is the intellectual quest to better understand what it really takes to be more successful than 99% of all people.
8. Awaken the Giant Within by Anthony Robbins
	Popular motivational coach Anthony Robbins created with Awaken the Giant Within a personal development classic. As the title suggests, the book outlines a variety of strategies to attain greatness and self-mastery. It’s all about awaking the giant that lies dormant within each and every one of us. But Robbins also encourages us to be the best we can be. Filled with timeless advice and profound philosophical thoughts, Awaken the Giant Within seeks to help the reader to unlock their full potential. What makes this book so powerful is the fact that Robbins stresses numerous times how important it is to actually implement his teachings in everyday life. Additionally, Robbins shares his own struggles in life and what helped him to overcome these. These lessons alone provide excellent ideas on what you can do to transform your life.
7. The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle
	The present moment is all we have. But instead of being able to truly enjoy it, we’re haunted by the past or worried about the future. The Power of Now seeks to address this issue. By encouraging the reader to enjoy the present moment, Eckhart Tolle introduces a novel approach to mindfulness. Even more so, the book introduces a unique approach to overcoming worries about past and future by living in the present moment. But Eckhart Tolle also challenges us to reflect on the nature of our thoughts and to make adjustments if necessary. In doing so, we become more thoughtful and learn to better appreciate each and every moment. In the end, The Power of Now introduces an interesting approach to living life and shares meaningful philosophical wisdom.
6. The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg
	Habits greatly influence our lives. They shape our personalities and ultimately, they make or break us. Our behavioral patterns can therefore make all the difference in life. In The Power of Habit, Charles Duhigg discusses the transformational power of cultivating positive habits. At the core of his writing, Duhigg emphasizes to identify disruptive habits and to replace them with more beneficial behavioral patterns. But the book is so much more than just a manual on changing unbeneficial habits. It is an interesting journey that initiates the reader into the development and functioning of habits. The author also presents individuals who magnificently changed their lives by addressing disruptive habits. Even more importantly, he analyzes the beneficial habits of extraordinarily successful people. Consequently, the intention behind The Power of Habit is to challenge the reader to proactively change negative patterns. And in doing so, the author brilliantly empowers us to break unsupportive behaviors instead of allowing them to break us.
5. As a Man Thinketh by James Allen
	Published in 1902, this timeless classic inspired millions to give more thought to their thinking patterns (if you excuse the pun). It was one of the first books that highlighted the intertwined relationship between thoughts and character. And by doing so, greatly differentiates itself from the vast majority of personal development books. Instead of focusing on the discussion of strategies to become more successful, Allen’s book takes a more reflective and internal approach. His discussions are centered around the great impact our thoughts can have on our lives. In a brilliant and eloquent manner, Allen points out how our behavior and personality is shaped through our thinking processes. The result is a unique book that encourages the reader to strive for integrity, purity of mind and the realization of one’s dreams.
4. Talent is Overrated by Geoff Colvin
	In his landmark Talent is Overrated, Geoff Colvin embarks on a quest to discover what separates world-class performers from the rest. The findings of his journey condensed to essential insights about personal growth. In Talent is Overrated, Colvin highlights that exceptional accomplishments are not primarily determined by talent. Instead, he points out that true greatness can only be attained by practice and perseverance. But it’s not just hard work that made individuals such as Tiger Woods and Warren Buffett world-class performers. It’s the way they practiced, how they tracked their progress and the key lessons they learned from failures that enabled them to attain greatness.
3. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey
	First published in 1989, Stephen Covey’s The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People sold more than 25 million copies worldwide. His unique approach inspired millions to cultivate beneficial habits. But instead of promising a quick fix solution, Stephen Covey develops a unique approach to increase effectiveness. Covey’s powerful lessons are enriched by the philosophy that habits profoundly influence our lives. His strategies to become more effective are therefore centered on cultivating powerful habits. Additionally, the book takes a holistic approach to success. It encourages us to change within to affect positive change on the outside world. All in all, Covey’s book is an invaluable roadmap for better living.
2. How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
	Published in 1937, How to Win Friends and Influence People is the first of its kind to become a bestseller. Even though it was published nearly 80 years ago, the book’s lessons are still invaluable today. Centered around strategies on dealing with people, Dale Carnegie’s book is so much more than just that. It’s a timeless classic that encourages you to achieve your maximum potential. Even though the title of the book seems to indicate the manipulative nature of the book, quite the contrary is the case. Instead of helping you to manipulate people, Carnegie’s lessons show how to win people for your cause with integrity, honesty and authenticity. Plus, a wide variety of interesting anecdotes from real-life scenarios make this book an exciting and supremely valuable read.
1. Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
	Admittedly, the number of self-improvement books centered around becoming successful is almost infinite. However, none of the existing books come close to this timeless classic. Published in 1937, Think and Grow Rich quickly became a bestseller that sold more than 70 million copies. It is based on the valuable insights Napoleon Hill gained, while studying 500+ extraordinarily successful individuals. He condensed the impressive findings resulting from 20 years of research in 13 brilliant principles for successful living. Think and Grow Rich inspired millions of people to transform their lives. It is such a powerful personal development book because it profoundly changes the way we perceive life. Even further, it encourages the reader to actively change their reality. Numerous modern-day self-improvement books discuss the principles that this book laid out. But not a single one comes close to the original. This is the mother of all personal development books.