Books are human’s best friend; they were my friend during some hard times in my life. I was able to change my life by learning some life techniques from self-development books. I want to share some of the books that I believe they have a unique value and will change your life.

Five books that you need to read (or listen to) in 2023:

The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle

This book was recommended by my psychologist. I was in such a bad mindset and I spent my time waiting for something to happen without enjoying my present. The book talks about how we should not waste any minute of our lives waiting for something to happen or thinking about something that happened in the past. We only need to think about the present moment and live it fully by being present; because it will never come back. The book offers some strategies and techniques to help you live in the now. I have to say that the book is not easy to read but I am sure it will change your life as it did mine.

The Atomic Habits by James Clear

In December 2018, I was fortunate to attend Massachusetts Conference for Women. James Clear hosted one of the breakout sessions to talk about his newly released book “Atomic Habits: Tiny changes, remarkable results “. The book was just published a couple of months ago and it was my first time hearing about the book and the author. The session was amazing and I ended up purchasing the book right after. The main idea of the book is how to break bad habits and create new ones by building a system. It emphasizes how we always need to start by doing small changes and try to stick with them by adding them to our daily routine. The small changes will compound into big positive changes which will lead to bigger changes in our lives.

For example: If your goal is to be more active and exercise 3 days a week, start by going for a walk for 20 minutes once a week for a month. Once you feel you have mastered this, increase the frequency to two times a week, then maybe start adding some resistance exercises,..etc until you reach your goal. Also, try to build a system, for example, probably you prefer to go for a walk first thing in the morning, so try to have your attire ready, and maybe stack it with your coffee (habit stacking is something the book also talked about), maybe you walk to the coffee shop instead of driving. How you build the system depends on your routine and what you like - the book teaches how to start small and how break the bad cycle and create positive ones.

The Secret by Rhonda Byrne

 While I don’t necessarily agree 100% with everything the book states. It did help me focus on the good things and think positively. I do think we attract what we think. We all have noticed when we are afraid of something happening, it happens. The reason is that we focus all of our energy on that thing we are afraid of and make it happens. The book teaches you how to shift your mindset, focus on the positivity and manifest it happening (by putting in the work to make it happen)

The Four Agreements by Don Miguel

The four agreements by Don Miguel. The book is quick and easy to read. It is a self-help book that is meant to guide you to freedom and well-being. Don based this book on the wisdom of the ancient people who lived in Mexico “Toltecs”. The 4 agreements that Don summarized from the Toltecs are:

1. Be implacable with your words

2. Don’t take anything personally

3. Don’t make assumptions

4. Do your best

The book talks in detail about each agreement and how to implement it in our lives.

Rich Dad Poor Dad Robert Kiyosaki, Sharon Lechter

If you want to learn about financial independence and financial freedom, then this book is perfect to start with. One issue with our education system is it doesn’t teach about finance and how to be smart financially. Robert (the author) shares his experience of how he was exposed to two different financial beliefs when he grew up from two different men (his dad “poor dad” and his friend’s dad “rich dad”).

One father believed in traditional living and advocated going to school, working 9-5 for 40 years, and retiring after that. Pretty much work for money for 40 years, pay bills and wait for retirement.

In contrast, the other father believed in building wealth by making the money works for you and changing the mindset by living in financial abundance

The book goes into detail about ways to build wealth and reach financial freedom through acquiring assets instead of liabilities and experimenting with some out-of-the-box ideas to make more money.

I think most the people follow traditional way when it comes to managing their finance and making money and the reason is that we don’t learn about investment in school

Let me know in the comments if there are other self development books that I need to read