"Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body and prayer is to the soul. We become the books we read."
-Hal Elrod
I have talked about in past posts that what we consume influences our thoughts and ultimately, our thoughts are what we become. It is why I am such a huge believer in consuming positive material every day; whether that is though reading books, podcasts or videos. It it is the single most important think you can do for yourself to increase the quality of your life for the better now and in the future. If you aren't someone who practices personal development regularly now, I encourage you to start. We are all a constant work in progress throughout our lives to continue to learn, grow and improve to get closer to the person we want to be.
When we read or consume personal development, or positive material to better our lives, it doesn't meant that nothing bad will happen to us. We will always have obstacles and challenges that come up in our lives. But, the more you can program your mind and thoughts to think for the better, to have a more positive outlook. The better equipped you will be to deal with what life throws at you, and you will always have a better perspective of the situation. Things just won't bother you as much.
Below is a list of some of my favorite personal development books if you need a suggestion on somewhere to start, but there are a TON of great ones out there! And if there's one you'd like to share that has influences you in a positive way, please share in the comments!
The Slight Edge isn’t just another personal development book. It’s an entirely new way of thinking; a way of processing information that enables you to make the SIMPLE daily choices that will lead you to the success and happiness you desire. It’s NOT another motivational method you must learn in order to travel the path to success. It shows you how to create powerful results from the daily activities of your life.
The Miracle Morning: The Not-So-Obvious Secret Guaranteed To Transform Your Life… (Before 8AM) is one of the highest rated books on Amazon, with over 2,500 five-star reviews, and is being widely regarded as “one of the most life-changing books ever written.” Based on the premise that how you start your day largely determines the quality of your day, your work, and your life, The Miracle Morning gives you the ultimate morning ritual and teaches night owls how to beat the snooze button, even if you’ve never been a morning person.
Author Rhonda Byrne, like each of us, has been on her own journey of discovery. In The Secret, she explains with simplicity the law that is governing all lives, and offers the knowledge of how to create – intentionally and effortlessly – a joyful life.
In The Magic, Rhonda Byrne reveals life-changing knowledge about the power of gratitude that was hidden within a two-thousand year old sacred text. Then, on an incredible 28-day journey, she teaches you how to apply this life-changing knowledge in your everyday life, completely transforming every aspect of your life into joy.
This refreshingly blunt #1 NY Times bestselling how-to guide serves up 27 bite-sized chapters full of hilariously inspiring stories, transformational insights, easy exercises and the occasional swear word.
By the end of You Are a Badass®, you will understand why you are how you are, how to love what you can’t change, how to change what you Don’t love, and how to kick some serious butt.
Think and Grow Rich is Napoleon Hill’s most popular book, summarizing his Philosophy of Success and explaining it for the general public.
Think and Grow Rich is based on Hill's earlier work The Law of Success, said to be the result of more than twenty years of study of many individuals who had amassed personal fortunes.
Hill studied their habits and drew some 16 "laws" to be applied to achieve success. Think and Grow Rich condenses them, providing the reader with 13 principles in the form of a "Philosophy of Achievement"