The Most Influential Self-Help Books For Every Category
Table of Contents
Of millions of self-help books already available and thousands of new ones published daily, these are the best ever to read.
To save your time and money, in this article, I’ve curated the BEST and most POPULAR 45 self-help books ever written.
Written to create change for the better – be that habits, character traits, or your physical appearance – every self-help book in this article are the best in its category.
With the help of Audible, Goodreads, and Blinkist teams, we’ve sifted through over 5,000 books to vote and decide the best of all time, 45 books in the self-improvement category.
IN THIS ARTICLE
Best Self-Help Books Of All Time
Best Self-Help Books For Women
Best Self-Help Books For Men
Best Self-Help Books For Anxiety
Best Self-Help Books For Relationships
Best Self-Help Books For Depression
Best Self-Help Books For Teenagers
Best Self-Help Books For Work
Best Motivational Self-Help Books
These are the best hits ever; the most popular self-help books you can buy and read; each one will drastically improve your life, no matter how experienced or old you are.
The books are also cataloged by category – women, men, teenagers, relationships, etc. – to save you time and effort.
In the process, we’ve also extracted the TOP 10 best-selling self-help books of 2022.
Ten modern self-help books on how the latest advancements in science can teach you to correct behavior mistakes fast, create new habits, improve your mindset, and reach powerful goals.
Time to explore the best 45 self-help books of all times; best quotes, life tips, personal pieces of advice, and why these books are MUST-READ if you want a better self.
SELF-HELP BOOKS FOR WOMEN
1/45
You Are a Badass
by Jen Sincero
2013
EDITOR’S NOTE
“One of the best self-help books ever; written to help you become self-aware, figure out what you want in life and not worry about peoples’ opinions by discovering and focusing on what makes you happy.”
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‘Audie Award’ winner in the personal development books category, Jen Sincero is a 2014 best-selling author, speaker, and success coach.
Jen Sincero cuts through the din of the self-help genre with her verbal meat cleaver in ‘You Are a Badass: How to stop doubting your greatness and start living an awesome life’ self-help book.
Making use of stories and pieces of advice, as well as easy exercises, the author provides a good starting point in your life-changing journey.
The book gives excellent advice on how to stop caring what other people think and figure out what you want without obsessing about how you’ll get there.
Key Takeaways
- Tips on how to keep your motivation strong and your vibe high in your quest for unstoppable transformation.
- Examples of how to figure out what you want.
- Ways of achieving goals without obsessing about how you’ll get there.
Ratings
2/45
Dare to Lead
by Brené Brown
2018
EDITOR’S NOTE
“A #1 NYT bestseller, Brene Brown will teach what it means to dare greatly, rise strong, and brave the wilderness, and how to put those ideas into practice and take the lead.”
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Dare to Lead is the culmination of seven years of research on courage and leadership and a book for those who choose courage over comfort, make a difference, and lead.
Brene Brown is a research professor at the University of Houston, visiting professor at the University of Texas at Austin McCombs School of Business, and an author of five #1 New York Times bestsellers.
Key Takeaways
- Don’t lead by pretending to know all answers; stay curious and ask the right questions.
- Leadership is not about titles, status, and power over people but about being accountable.
- Benefit from Brown’s two decades of research in courage, vulnerability, shame, and empathy.
Ratings
3/45
More Than Enough
by Elaine Welteroth
2019
EDITOR’S NOTE
“An instant New York Times bestseller and winner of the 2020 NAACP Image award for outstanding literary work, ‘More Than Enough’ offers a path to success as carved by a black woman in a predominantly white workplace.”
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Welteroth moves beyond the headlines and highlights reels to share personal profound lessons and struggles of being a barrier-breaker across so many intersections.
As a young boss and the only black woman in the room, she’s had enough of the world telling her – and all women – they’re not enough.
Key Takeaways
- As a change maker and young boss, Welteroth shows young black girls and women that they are more than enough.
- Part manifesto, part memoir, this self-help book infuses a wide range of concepts like race, identity, love, quality of life, and friendship into the social consciousness.
- Elaine’s book calls for young women to find their voice and courage to pursue a happier life.
Ratings
4/45
Big Magic
by Elizabeth Gilbert
2015
EDITOR’S NOTE
“Balancing between soulful spirituality and cheerful pragmatism, Gilbert encourages readers to uncover the “strange jewels” hidden within each of us.”
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From the worldwide best-selling author of Eat Pray Love and City of Girls: The path to the vibrant, fulfilling life you’ve dreamed of, ‘Big Magic’ is an instant number one New York Times best seller.
The author digs deep into her own generative process to share wisdom and a unique perspective on creativity.
With profound empathy and radiant generosity, she offers potent insights into the mysterious nature of inspiration.
Key Takeaways
- Discover a world of wonder and joy filled with challenges, mindfulness, and passion.
- A no-BS attitude towards unrealistic expectations and unnecessary melodrama attached to the concept of “creative living.”
- Accept your creative life and any creative inclinations or ideas as gifts from the universe.
Ratings
5/45
Daring Greatly
by Brené Brown
2012
EDITOR’S NOTE
“Daring Greatly is a book about having the courage to be vulnerable in a world where everyone wants to appear strong, confident, and in control of their actions.”
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Embracing your vulnerabilities can be a difficult thing to do.
Yet, if you have the right approach and know how to do that, you’ll soon realize that you can dare to do anything.
A unique masterpiece that combines a self-help approach with the characteristics of a business book, Daring Greatly is a manual for those who want to end their mental clutter and negative thinking.
Key Takeaways
- Powerful techniques to help you to overcome insecurities and live fearlessly.
- Vulnerability means strength, not weakness.
- Learn to acknowledge and verbalize shame to make it go away.
Ratings
SELF-HELP BOOKS FOR MEN
6/45
12 Rules for Life
by Jordan Peterson
2018
EDITOR’S NOTE
“12 Rules For Life is a stern, story-based, self-help manual for young people. The book lays out simple principles designed to help you become disciplined, act with integrity, and be in harmony with the world around you.”
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Essential writing in the self-help literature, Peterson’s book shows that inevitably, life will turn chaotic at some point in your life, and things won’t just make sense.
According to Dr. Peterson, there are rules and principles for life that everybody should know.
The author takes the time to explain each of the 12 rules for life in a humorous and informative way.
Key Takeaways
- Learn what is meaningful, not convenient.
- Treat yourself like a child you’re responsible for.
- Clean your patio before pointing to the city’s dirty street.
Ratings
7/45
The 48 Laws of Power
by Robert Greene
1998
EDITOR’S NOTE
“Inspired by history’s most influential conflicts, The 48 Laws Of Power cracks open the concept of power: what power looks like, how to get it, how to defend against powerful others, and, most importantly, how to use and keep it.”
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Amoral, cunning, ruthless, and instructive, this piercing work distills 3,000 years of the history of power into 48 well-explicated laws.
Robert Greene’s excellent self-help book outlines the laws of power in real essence by synthesizing the philosophies of Machiavelli, Sun Tzu, Carl von Clausewitz, and other infamous strategists.
The 48 Laws of Power is a self-help manual for gaining, observing, and defending against ultimate control.
Key Takeaways
- Always make superiors look more competent than you.
- Confuse competitors by acting unpredictably.
- Don’t force people to do what you want; seduce them instead.
Ratings
8/45
Awaken the Giant Within
by Tony Robbins
1991
EDITOR’S NOTE
“In a revolutionary self-help book based on his enormously popular ‘Date with Destiny’ seminars, Anthony Robbins unleashes the ‘sleeping giant’ within all of us through direct techniques that harness untapped abilities, talents, and skills.”
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Awaken the Giant Within is more than a self-help book but an ultimate program for improving the quality of every aspect of your life (personal or business, physical or emotional).
Awaken the Giant Within gives you the tools you need to become the master of your own fate immediately.
Key Takeaways
- Learn how to believe in yourself and develop self-efficacy.
- Quick steps to set simple, actionable goals.
- Learn how to build better habits, or as Tony calls it, “success conditioning.”
Ratings
9/45
Get Out of Your Own Way
by Mark Goulston & Philip Goldberg
1996
EDITOR’S NOTE
“Change 40 common self-defeating behaviors such as procrastination, envy, obsession, anger, self-pity, compulsion, neediness, guilt, rebellion, and inaction, with practical, proven self-help steps.”
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The book tackles the concept of self-defeating behavior, explaining how it poisons and prevents you from achieving the love, success, and happiness you want in your life.
‘Get Out of Your Own Way’ is an antidote book that explains why we sabotage ourselves, going back to childhood origins of various behaviors.
More importantly, it offers proven steps of action to transform behavior from self-defeating to life-enhancing.
Key Takeaways
- Self-defeating behavior is the single most common reason that people seek psychotherapy.
- Learn how to stop avoiding pain if you want your life to improve.
- Spot and break out of the limiting beliefs holding you back from reaching your full potential.
Ratings
10/45
Beyond Anger
by Thomas J. Harbin
1999
EDITOR’S NOTE
“It is a book that helps people control violent feelings by using simple exercises designed to identify when and why anger occurs and by helping form new habits to prevent it before it starts.”
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Written by a psychologist specializing in treating male rage, Beyond Anger shows angry and miserable people how to change their lives and relationships for the better.
An excellent self-help book explains the symptoms of chronic anger and how actions taken under irritation and pressure negatively impact family, friends, and coworkers.
Key Takeaways
- Don’t let others control how you feel.
- Understand how your emotions and anger work.
- Understand how anger impacts your body.
Ratings
SELF-HELP BOOKS FOR ANXIETY
11/45
The Four Agreements
by Don Miguel Ruiz
1997
EDITOR’S NOTE
“Draws on the tradition of the Toltecs, an ancient indigenous people of Mexico, The Four Agreements posits that people are ‘domesticated’ from childhood and how these guiding rules hurt them in the long run. The book gives techniques to break and replace these unwanted “agreements” with a new set of self-promises.”
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The Four Agreements has been a New York Times bestseller for over a decade, translated into 46 languages.
In the book, the author, don Miguel Ruiz reveals the source of self-limiting beliefs that rob us of joy and create needless suffering.
Based on ancient Toltec wisdom, The Four Agreements offers a robust code of conduct written to transform your life and achieve the authentic experience of freedom, happiness, and love.
Key Takeaways
- Be impeccable with your word.
- Don’t take anything personally.
- Don’t make assumptions.
Ratings
12/45
The Life-Changing Magic Of Tidying Up
by Marie Kondo
2010
EDITOR’S NOTE
“The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up takes you through the process of simplifying, organizing, and storing your belongings to turn your home into a place of peace and clarity.”
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Your environment dictates your mood, and this statement also applies to your home.
If your home is cluttered with all sorts of things, your mood will be impacted accordingly.
Tidying up your house might help you reach a feeling of calmness and to change your mindset – all for the better.
Key Takeaways
- Start with expensive items when considering what to discard and keep.
- YODO – you only declutter once (if you do it right).
- Ask yourself a few simple questions for each item.
Ratings
13/45
The Power Of Now
by Eckhart Tolle
1997
EDITOR’S NOTE
“The Power of Now shows you that every minute you spend worrying about the future or regretting the past is a minute lost. A self-help book that will help you live in the present, the now, by giving actionable strategies to live and enjoy every minute as it occurs.”
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According to Eckhart Tolle, living in the present moment is the only way to a happy life.
However, the complicated part for most people is consciously deciding to live in the moment, but this self-help book does just that.
Packed with useful information and inspirational ideas, this guidebook will inspire you to change your life for the better.
Key Takeaways
- Life is just a series of continuous moments taking place in the present.
- Pain is the result of resistance against the things you cannot change.
- Learn how to free yourself from pain by observing your mind without judging your thoughts.
Ratings
14/45
The Anxiety & Phobia Workbook
by Edmund Bourne
2015
EDITOR’S NOTE
“Celebrating 30 years as a classic in its field and recommended by therapists worldwide, The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook is an unparalleled, essential resource for people struggling with anxiety and phobias.”
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Living with anxiety, panic disorders, or phobias can make you feel like you aren’t in control of your life.
Tackle the fears that hold you back with this go-to guide, packed with the most effective skills for assessing and treating anxiety; this evidence-based workbook contains the latest clinical research.
You’ll find an arsenal of tools for quieting worry, ending negative self-talk, and taking charge of your anxious thoughts, including:
Key Takeaways
- Learn how to use relaxation and breathing techniques
- Discover the latest research on exposure therapy for phobias
- Lots of lifestyle, exercise, mindfulness, and nutrition tips
Ratings
15/45
The Highly Sensitive Person
by Elaine Aron
1996
EDITOR’S NOTE
“Written for highly sensitive people overwhelmed by stimuli, easily startled, and affected by others’ moods, this is an essential self-help book to learn about ourselves.”
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According to author Elaine Aron (also an HSP), sensitive people have an unusual ability to sense subtleties, spot or avoid errors, concentrate and delve deeply into the most complex life issues.
This book helps HSPs to understand themselves and their sensitive trait and their impact on personal history, career, relationships, and inner life.
Key Takeaways
- Honor your intuition.
- Limit sensory overload.
- Have plenty of sleep and a relaxing time.
Ratings
SELF-HELP BOOKS FOR RELATIONSHIPS
16/45
Atlas of the Heart
by Brené Brown
2021
EDITOR’S NOTE
“Atlas of the Heart is a self-help book that maps human emotions, their meanings, and the psychology behind feelings. Then, the book unveils how to make the most out of them to change your behavior and build meaningful connections.”
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With the help of science-backed facts and research, Brown explores over 87 human emotions and offers unique tools for expressing and understanding them.
This excellent self-help book is for those who seek to understand, control, and use emotions for a better connection with themselves and others.
Key Takeaways
- Learn how to traverse the daily struggles of being human.
- Know how to learn from hard feelings and past experiences.
- Give language and voice to your emotions to create empowered conversations.
Ratings
17/45
The Five Love Languages
by Gary Chapman
1992
EDITOR’S NOTE
“The Five Love Languages: How to express heartfelt commitment to your mate is a best-selling self-help book that outlines five main ways romantic partners should express and experience love.”
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According to Chapman, the five love languages are five unique ways of expressing and receiving love: words of affirmation, quality time, receiving gifts, acts of service, and physical touch.
As not everyone communicates and receives love in the same way, people have different ways they prefer to give and receive love.
Key Takeaways
- There are five different ways people give and show love.
- Identify your and your partner’s love language to deepen intimacy.
- As your relationship evolves, discover and learn your new love language.
Ratings
18/45
How To Win Friends And Influence People
by Dale Carnegie
1936
EDITOR’S NOTE
“How To Win Friends And Influence People is one of the most popular self-help books of all time, packed with critical, easy-to-understand principles on how to become a likable person, handle relationships well, win others over, and change behavior fast.”
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Published one year before another self-help classic, Think And Grow Rich, How To Win Friends And Influence People, has sold over 15 million copies during the 80 years it’s been in print.
This book has shaped behavioral psychology to the current understanding.
The book must be read like an instruction manual on how to be liked by others, get favors, and even change people’s behavior under your influence.
Dale Carnegie’s core idea is that you can change anyone’s behavior by simply changing yours first without manipulation or deceit.
Key Takeaways
- You can make a great first impression just by smiling.
- To be attractive to others, talk about their favorite topic: themselves.
- If you want to convince people, get them to say yes.
Ratings
19/45
Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus
by John Gray
1992
EDITOR’S NOTE
“Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus is one of the best self-help books for those seeking to improve their love or family relationships by identifying the critical communication differences between biological females and males.”
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Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus addresses some of the most common relationship problems every couple experiences.
The book highlights key differences between men and women in thinking, acting, and communicating.
However, we are all unique, and some of you may not fall into these general behavior patterns.
That said, the book provides several solid “aha” moments in the quest to figure out the opposite sex.
Key Takeaways
- Females want males to listen to them, while males think females wish for solutions to problems.
- Males are motivated when feeling useful; females are inspired when feeling loved.
- Females and males assign different meanings to the exact words.
Ratings
20/45
When Sorry Isn’t Enough
by Gary Chapman & Jennifer Thomas
2013
EDITOR’S NOTE
“In this excellent self-help book, number-one New York Times best-selling authors Gary Chapman and Jennifer Thomas unveil several new ways to approach and mend fractured relationships effectively.”
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Even in the best of relationships, people make mistakes and do and say things they regret, hurting those they love most. Simply saying sorry is never enough.”
‘When Sorry Isn’t Enough is a rare book that’ll help you discover how meaningful apologies provide the power to make your friendships, family, and marriage stronger than ever before.
Key Takeaways
- Learn how to cool down heated arguments
- Rekindle love that has been dimmed by pain
- Restore and strengthen valuable relationships
Ratings
SELF-HELP BOOKS FOR DEPRESSION
21/45
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck
by Mark Manson
2016
EDITOR’S NOTE
“The Subtle Art Of Not Giving A F*ck does away with the positive psychology craze and reverts to the Stoic, no-BS approach of living a life that might not always be happy but meaningful and centered around what’s important to you.”
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Sometimes you just can’t muster a positive attitude, no matter how hard you try.
If that’s you, Mark Manson’s research-backed self-help book, packed with strategies on enduring hard times by recognizing what is worth caring for, is the best resource you can read right now.
Key Takeaways
- Values you can’t control are not values you want to follow.
- The belief you know anything with certainty keeps you from learning and improving.
- The desperation to leave a legacy will ruin your life.
Ratings
22/45
The Alchemist
by Paulo Coelho
1988
EDITOR’S NOTE
“The Alchemist is a classic novel turned self-helping book, where the main character learns the true importance of who he is and how to improve his persona by focusing only on what matters in life.”
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It only took Paulo Coelho two weeks to write the original Portuguese version of The Alchemist in 1987.
Nowadays, the book is sold over 65 million copies and spent more than 315 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list.
The Alchemist also holds the Guinness World Record for the most translated book by a living author.
It’s also setting a record here on Four Minute Books as our first ever summary of a fictional book.
Key Takeaways
- Have a life-long dream to pursue if you want to be happy and fulfilled.
- Fear will be holding you back more than anything else.
- Life’s secret is falling seven times and getting up eight times.
Ratings
23/45
Man’s Search for Meaning
by Viktor Frankl
1946
EDITOR’S NOTE
“Written by the holocaust survivor Viktor Frankl, Man’s Search for Meaning details horrifying moments from Nazi concentration camps and his psychological approach of logotherapy – the technique that helped him survive and gain a new life perspective.”
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This 1946 world-famous book describes the author’s experiences in over three gruesome years spent in various Nazi concentration camps.
Frankl’s teachings – learned during the worst times of his life – insist that people can, and must, find meaning in their lives, even if all they know is tremendous suffering.
This approach is known as ‘logotherapy,’ a technique that made the author a key figure in contemporary psychology.
Key Takeaways
- Sometimes, the only way to survive is to accept the inevitability of your death.
- Your life has meaning, and it’s up to you to find it.
- Use the ‘paradoxical intention’ approach to make fears go away.
Ratings
24/45
The Antidote
by Oliver Burkeman
2012
EDITOR’S NOTE
“With a provocative and galvanizing message – inspired by a long and distinguished philosophical lineage ranging from ancient Roman Stoic philosophers to Buddhists – The Antidote has the answer to what’s wrong with positivity-based self-help advice and what you should do instead.”
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The Antidote is a series of journeys among people who share a unique way of thinking about life.
The point these people have in common is a constant effort to eliminate all causes that make them feel anxious, insecure, and unhappy.
Burkeman’s self-help book is witty, fascinating, and sometimes counterintuitive by turning decades of self-help advice on its head and forcing readers to rethink their attitudes toward failure, uncertainty, and death.
Key Takeaways
- Thinking about happiness and pursuing happiness is not the same thing.
- Imagining the worst-case scenario should make you resilient, not depressed.
- Choosing and chasing goals might make you happy, but it could also make you miserable.
Ratings
25/45
Change Your Brain, Change Your Life
by Daniel Amen
1996
EDITOR’S NOTE
“‘Change Your Brain, Change Your Life’ is a breakthrough bestseller that uses the latest scientific evidence in anxiety, depression, anger, obsessiveness, and impulsiveness and provides tools to keep them under control.”
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According to neuropsychiatrist Dr. Daniel Amen, the key takeaway of this book is that you’re not stuck with the brain you’re born with.
Hailed as “The book of brain prescriptions that works,” ‘Change your Brain, the book is a clear-cut self-help manual.
Discover how to quell anxiety and panic, fight depression, curb anger, stop obsessive worrying, conquer impulsiveness and learn to focus.
Key Takeaways
- Thoughts have a real and substantial impact on how you feel and behave.
- Develop an ability to stay focused for long periods.
- Learn something new every day.
Ratings
SELF-HELP BOOKS FOR TEENAGERS
26/45
The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse
by Charlie Mackesy
2019
EDITOR’S NOTE
“The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse is a graphic novel by Charlie Mackesy, packed with pictures and text that tells a beautiful story about friendship and acceptance.”
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Enter the world of Charlie’s four unlikely friends, and discover their story and most important life lessons.
The boy, the mole, the fox and the horse have been shared millions of times online, recreated by children in schools, and hung on hospital walls.
Here, you will find them together in this book of Charlie’s most-loved drawings, adventuring into the wild and exploring the thoughts and feelings that unite us all.
Key Takeaways
- Have the courage to ask for help.
- Learn how to accept your innermost feelings of delicate sensitivity and sincerity.
- Don’t get rid of people or animals just because they get old, and don’t give up on those who have been faithful to you.
Ratings
27/45
Just As You Are
by Kelly Skeen and Michelle Skeen
2018
EDITOR’S NOTE
“In Just As You Are, psychologist Michelle Skeen and her daughter, Kelly Skeen, offer tips to overcome feelings of inadequacy and unworthiness, stop comparing yourself to others, and accept who you are.”
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Sometimes it’s hard to see yourself with clarity and kindness.
This critical self-help guide teaches you to move past your faults, celebrate your strengths, and discover what matters in your life.
You’ll also learn to be aware of your thoughts and feelings using powerful mindfulness tools and build a plan of action for the future, all according to your values.
Key Takeaways
- Stop comparing yourself to others.
- You’re special just as you are.
- Silence your nit-picky inner critic, and cultivate self-compassion.
Ratings
28/45
Dr Christian’s Guide to Growing Up
by Christian Jessen
2013
EDITOR’S NOTE
“In his assured, no-nonsense fashion, Dr. Christian alleviates the fears and uncertainties of growing youngsters (and helps parents find answers) about puberty, sex, personal and emotional health, and body image.”
Amazon | from $7.64
TV’s favorite doctor, Dr. Christian, comes to the rescue of parents, boys, and girls with a self-help collection of answers to the most complex questions about adolescence, sexuality, and puberty.
Covering issues such as puberty, diet, sex, self-esteem, body image, personal health, and emotional health, the book is a godsend for every family household with children under the age of 15.
Addressing questions parents squirm at answering, Dr. Christian’s sensible, light-hearted advice guides boys and girls in becoming healthy, happy adults.
Key Takeaways
- Plain-speaking book for boys and girls.
- Details on weird feelings, hair growth in odd places, reproduction, STIs, contraception, bullying, intoxicants, and more.
- Sensible, light-hearted advice for boys and girls on becoming healthy, happy adults.
Ratings
29/45
Shoot Your Shot
by Vernon Brundage Jr.
2018
EDITOR’S NOTE
“Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant are some of the most high-profile names in the world’s most popular sport, basketball. The question is, what steps did they take to reach superstardom?”
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‘Shoot Your Shot’ unveils the fundamental principles that the world’s most elite basketball players have applied to become the celebrities they are.
Shooting your shot takes bravery, nerve, and willingness to be embarrassed if things don’t go your way.
The author details in this self-help book how to use those same principles to help you navigate life, accomplish your goals, and realize your dreams.
Key Takeaways
- Entertaining reading experience while equipping you with proven tools for success.
- Suitable for everyone–regardless of age, gender, background, or standing.
- Shooting builds confidence and the ability to believe in oneself.
Ratings
30/45
The Body Image Book for Girls
by Charlotte Markey
2020
EDITOR’S NOTE
“Rooted in scientific research on how puberty impacts the female body during puberty, this is a great self-help book packed with advice and recommendations about the girl-to-woman body, dieting, and the impact of social media.”
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Body image expert and psychology professor Dr. Charlotte Markey helps girls aged 9-15 to understand, accept, and appreciate their bodies.
She provides all the facts on puberty, mental health, self-care, why diets are bad news, dealing with social media, and everything in-between.
Girls will find answers to questions they always wanted to ask, the truth behind many body image myths, and real-life stories from girls who share their own experiences.
Key Takeaways
- Learn how to nurture both mental and physical health.
- Tips on how to improve your body image
- Learn how to go out into the world feeling fearless.
Ratings
SELF-HELP BOOKS FOR WORK
31/45
Deep Work
by Cal Newport
2016
EDITOR’S NOTE
“Deep Work introduces four simple techniques you can use to reclaim the ability to focus deeply again, learn how to immerse in complex tasks, and cultivate it, like a skill, to be able to concentrate for longer than ever before.”
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Another excellent self-help book by Cal Newport, the author behind the ever-so-valuable So Good They Can’t Ignore You.
Newport has been talking about deep work for quite some time on his blog, and finally, the accompanying book is out.
With an accent on deliberate practice, a concept the author described in his book, Deep Work, Newport suggests that the ability to immerse in complex tasks for more extended periods is a rare and valuable skill.
Then, he proceeds to outline four fundamental rules anyone can use to cultivate a deep work ethic.
Key Takeaways
- Intention is at the core of all four deep work strategies
- Meditation will help you work deeper, despite feeling like you’re taking a break.
- Stop working at the same time each day.
Ratings
32/45
Thinking, Fast and Slow
by Daniel Kahneman
2011
EDITOR’S NOTE
“Thinking, Fast And Slow describes two brain systems (ways of thinking) that are in a constant fight to control your emotions, behavior, and actions; a top self-help book that teaches the resulting errors in memory, judgment, and decisions, and what you can do to fix it.”
Amazon | from $9.49
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“Thinking, Fast and Slow” is about how two systems — intuition and slow thinking — shape our judgment and how we can effectively tap into both.
Using principles of behavioral economics, Kahneman walks us through how to think and avoid mistakes in situations with high stakes.
If you’re prone to making rash decisions that you sometimes regret — or feel too burned out to spend a lot of time weighing out the pros and cons, this book is worth checking out.
Key Takeaways
- The human brain has two ‘modes of thinking that impact how we act and react.
- Solving complicated problems requires mental resources, so the brain cuts corners when we’re tired or stressed.
- The brain uses confirmation bias to jump to conclusions and save mental resources.
Ratings
33/45
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
by Stephen Covey
1989
EDITOR’S NOTE
“The 7 Habits Of Highly Effective People teaches personal and professional effectiveness by changing the readers’ view of how the world works with the help of 7 habits, which, if adopted, will lead to happiness and success.”
Amazon | from $25
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With over 25 million copies sold, this is one of the best self-help books ever published.
The book was published in 1990 and is hailed, in 2022, as the bible of leadership and modern management.
The seven habits are:
- Be Proactive
- Begin with the End in Mind
- Put First Things First
- Think Win-Win
- First Seek to Understand, Then to Be Understood
- Synergize
- Sharpen the Saw
Key Takeaways
- Do the funeral test – remember you’ll die one day.
- Learn how to say no.
- Practice active listening.
Ratings
34/45
Getting Things Done
by David Allen
2001
EDITOR’S NOTE
“Getting Things Done is a self-help manual for stress-free productivity that works by setting up a system of lists, reminders, and weekly reviews to free up your mind from tasks and to-dos and instead focus on the task at hand.”
Amazon | from $23
ThriftBooks | from $4.09
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Considered the bible of productivity, this self-help book by David Allen has sold over 1.5 million copies.
Revised and updated in 2015 to reflect the changes in technology, the book packs a simple but effective productivity system.
Allen states, “there is an inverse relationship between things on your mind and the things you’ll get done.”
In simple terms, GTD is a time management system.
Key Takeaways
- Use a “collection bucket” to store things outside your mind and stay focused.
- Create a “next actions” list for all your projects to avoid thinking at the moment.
- Do weekly reviews of your lists, tasks, and actions.
Ratings
35/45
Who Moved My Cheese
by Spencer Johnson
1998
EDITOR’S NOTE
“Who Moved My Cheese bestows the readers with applicable and actionable parables they can use to stop fearing what lies ahead and thrive in this modern environment of constant changes and uncertainty.”
Amazon | from $8.55
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Who Moved My Cheese is a parable about two mice in a maze, Sniff and Scurry, spending most of their time looking for cheese.
Each mouse has a different character, depicting a different attitude towards change, with cheese being what we consider success.
Key Takeaways
- Overthinking about ‘cheese’ will paralyze you, so engage in action.
- No ‘cheese’ lasts forever, so keep your eyes open for changes and bad ‘cheese’ seasons.
- There’s always new ‘cheese,’ and things will get better the minute you start moving.
Ratings
36/45
Rich Dad Poor Dad
by Robert Kiyosaki & Sharon Lechter
1997
EDITOR’S NOTE
“Rich Dad Poor Dad book tells a unique story of a boy with two fathers, one rich and one poor; in the process, the book transforms your financial knowledge and mindset to how you can build a life of wealth and freedom.”
Amazon | from $6.45
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Rich Dad Poor Dad self-help book describes the author’s life lessons inherited from his two dads – a birth father (poor dad) and his best friend’s father (rich dad).
Robert Kiyosaki distills how both men thought, lived, and shaped their thoughts about money and investing.
The book dismantles several money-making myths, particularly the one that you must earn a high income to become rich.
Key Takeaways
- Set realistic financial goals
- Manage risks instead of avoiding them
- Build a business on the side
Ratings
37/45
The 4-Hour Workweek
by Tim Ferriss
2007
EDITOR’S NOTE
“The 4-Hour Workweek is the step-by-step blueprint to remove the shackles of a corporate job, create a business that will fund the lifestyle of your dreams, and live like a millionaire without having to be one.”
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Written out of frustration, this self-help is Tim’s manual on how he removed himself from the chains of his own company to do what he loves the most: learn and travel.
As suggested by the book’s title, Ferriss’s method demonstrates viable strategies to work only four hours per week without being financially penalized.
Key Takeaways
- Be sufficient, not perfect.
- Validate all of your business ideas.
- Pay a premium if it makes your life easier.
Ratings
38/45
Outliers
by Malcolm Gladwell
2008
EDITOR’S NOTE
“Outliers is a controversial self-help book centered around the idea that a “self-made man” is a myth, as success is just a series of random events, rare opportunities, and a mix of external factors, all out of your control.”
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You’re probably familiar with the concept that you need around 10,000 hours of practice to master a skill or subject.
Well, Malcolm Gladwell’s book Outliers is the source of this rule.
Ten thousand hours of practice equals about five years of uninterrupted 40-hour workweeks of practice.
As such, I expected the book to be about deliberate practice and how success is in your own hands if you work hard enough.
Believe it or not, the book argues the exact opposite very compellingly!
Key Takeaways
- Your birth month matters.
- After a certain level, skill and abilities won’t matter.
- Where you come from matters.
Ratings
MOTIVATIONAL SELF-HELP BOOKS
39/45
Atomic Habits
by James Clear
2018
EDITOR’S NOTE
“Atomic Habits is the ultimate self-help guide to breaking destructive behaviors and adopting good ones in four simple steps – the book shows how small, incremental, everyday routines compound into massive, positive change over time.”
Amazon | from $11
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James Clear’s first book, Atomic Habits, is a New York Times bestseller and the definitive guide on the topic.
An atomic habit is a regular practice or routine that is not only small and easy to do but is also the source of incredible power, a component of the system of compound growth.
Bad habits repeat themselves repeatedly, not because you don’t want to change, but because you have the wrong system for change.
Key Takeaways
- A habit is nothing but the execution of a four-step pattern: cue, craving, response, reward.
- To form new habits, you must make them noticeable, attractive, easy, and satisfying.
- Use a habit tracker to measure progress.
Ratings
40/45
Make Your Bed
by Admiral William H. McRaven
2017
EDITOR’S NOTE
“Make Your Bed is a powerful self-help book that encourages the reader to pursue higher goals and change the lives of others for the better by showing that success is a combination of personal willpower and mutual support.”
Amazon | from $9
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In 2014 Admiral William H. McRaven gave the commencement address at the University of Texas at Austin.
Encouraging the students to improve the world, he offered them many life lessons he had learned during his military life.
Eventually, the admiral’s speech went viral on Youtube and became a book.
In Make Your Bed, McRaven stresses that while life is unfair, what defines great people is how they deal with life’s unfairness.
Key Takeaways
- Making your bed first thing in the morning is the first easy-to-achieve task that should motivate the direction of the day.
- Never ring the bell (give up) if you want to change the world (succeed).
- You need “brothers in arms” to make a real difference in the world.
Ratings
41/45
Can’t Hurt Me
by David Goggins
2018
EDITOR’S NOTE
“Can’t Hurt Me is the journey of a depressed and overweight guy from working as a pest control technician (spraying cockroaches) to becoming a record-breaking athlete, highly-decorated military leader, world-class personal trainer, and arguably the toughest mother f..r on earth.”
Amazon | from $9.99
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David Goggins starts this excellent self-help biography book with the story of his abusive father and the deep emotional scars he suffered.
Eventually, David Goggins stopped making excuses and started giving life 100%, becoming an Air Force serviceman, decorated Navy SEAL, and an ultra-endurance athlete of several world records.
An excellent book for those at the bottom seeking to take stock of all the difficulties and hardships faced in life and achieve a better self.
Key Takeaways
- Past experiences and trauma don’t matter – you will always come out stronger with focus and hard work.
- There’s no overnight success but hard work if you want to discover your best self.
- Take advantage of the 40% rule to become the master of your mind and achieve impossible feats.
Ratings
42/45
Quiet
by Susan Cain
2012
EDITOR’S NOTE
“Quiet showcases how extrovert ideas of success took over in the 20th century, while the power of introverts became underappreciated – in the process, the author delivers new ways for both forces to cooperate in the form of an excellent self-improvement book.”
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The author shows that no matter what you are, an introvert or an extrovert, you are valuable and essential to society.
The book is a sensible guide for all young introverts in today’s world, designed to help them navigate challenges and find success.
Key Takeaways
- The world mistakenly thinks there’s something wrong with introverts.
- To reach out to quiet students, teachers must use the proper techniques.
- Introverts can succeed with the help of friends, a quiet spot, and focus.
Ratings
43/45
The Secret
by Rhonda Byrne
2006
EDITOR’S NOTE
“The Secret is a spiritual self-help book built on the “law of attraction,” which states that your thoughts control the physical universe, and thus, you have the power to manifest” your desires, just like placing an order from a catalog.”
Amazon | from $11.62
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Rhonda Byrne’s self-help book, a global bestseller that has sold almost 30 million copies, explains the law of attraction and how it works.
It details how positive energy attracts positive things into your life, governs thinking and actions, and how to use the power of positive thinking to achieve anything you can imagine.
According to The Secret, if you want to attract something into your life, you must make it your dominant thought and direct all your focus and energy towards it.
Key Takeaways
- The law of attraction is a powerful principle in the world.
- To use the law of attraction, you must think about what you want, not what you want to avoid.
- The three steps of the law of attraction are asking, believing, and receiving.
Ratings
44/45
The Magic Of Thinking Big
by David J. Schwartz
1959
EDITOR’S NOTE
“The Magic of Thinking Big by David J. Schwartz is a book on self-belief and confidence, teaching the reader how to think and act towards self and others.”
Amazon | from $8.58
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Success comes down to how you think.
If you think negatively, you will get damaging results; if you think positively, you will get positive results.
Successful people know this and use the power of belief to live more fulfilling lives.
Thinking big works like magic.
It will open new ways of solving problems, encourage action, help you to conquer your fears, and even earn you the respect of your friends and peers.
Thinking big begins with believing in yourself.
Key Takeaways
- Always be open to new ideas.
- Learn something new whenever you can.
- Ask yourself, “How can I do a better job today?” every day.
Ratings
45/45
Meditations
by Marcus Aurelius
161 – 180 AD
EDITOR’S NOTE
“From a journal by Marcus Aurelius, a powerful Roman emperor and great Stoic philosopher, Meditations became the self-book bible for those seeking to cultivate self-discipline, stop caring what people think, and prepare for life’s inevitable storms.”
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The emperor of Rome for almost two decades, Marcus Aurelius was the most powerful and influential man in the world.
Although Marcus was a powerful ruler, his problems appear similar to the daily issues we all face.
For example:
- he felt anxious about his son getting sick;
- he worried about other people’s opinions;
- he tried not to get angry with selfish people;
- he had trouble sometimes climbing out of his comfy bed.
As such, Marcus started to journal ideas that would help him deal with these fears.
Above all, these thoughts were never meant to become public, which makes the book even more special.
Key Takeaways
- While logic doesn’t always make sense, everything happens for a reason.
- Life is too short to complain.
- The only pain you suffer is the one in your mind.
Ratings
TOP 10 BESTSELLING SELF-HELP BOOKS (2022)
Conclusion
Self-help books require that you follow the advice given if you want to trigger positive change and yield life-long rewards.
With or without the help of books, changing one’s mindset, personality, habits, and behavior is a never-ending process.
Yet, change must start somewhere, and these self-help books are an excellent starting point for your journey.
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Now it’s your turn…
Which one of these self-help books are you going to read first?
Which self-help books do you think we’ve missed and should include in our next article update?
What are the most important factors you consider when it comes to self-help books?
Please leave your comments below; we always appreciate your comments and use them to learn, improve, and update these articles.
