Post: #1

What are the best of the Motivational/Self-Help books that members here have come across in their day?
No particular focus, and could be "traditional" style or somewhat unconventional - any book that has helped you in whatever area of your life you were seeking to improve, that you consider the best among them- post it's title here. I have never placed much stock in such books, but am curious to know of those who have improved in this way

I am planning to read soon : Think & Grow Rich, and As A Man Thinketh

Thanks

Post: #2

The ones you mentioned are a great starting point.

I also recommend:

"Success Through A Positive Mental Attitude" by Napoleon Hill

"Your Erroneous Zones" by Wayne W. Dyer

"Healing The Shame That Binds You" by John Bradshaw

"What to say when you talk to your self" by Shad Helmstetter

Post: #3

"A Guide to Rational Living" by Albert Ellis and Robert Harper

The authors are both grandaddies of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and the book is them projecting their solutions to common problems that they've tested through their decades of experience as therapists. Some of the chapters are:
7. Overcoming Influences of the Past
10. Tackle your Dire Need for Approval
11. Reducing your Dire Fears of Failure
13. How to Feel Frustrated but not Depressed or Enraged
14. Controlling your own Emotional Destiny
18. Accepting and Coping with the Grim Facts of Life
19. Overcoming Inertia and Getting Creatively Absorbed

If you buy this book, read the introductions so you know what to expect and to avoid common mistakes that others have made.

Post: #4

The War of Art by Steven Pressfield.

Post: #5

How to Win Friends and Influence People
Influence: The Art Of Persuasion
The 48 Laws of Power

Post: #6

How I Found Freedom in an Unfree World by Harry Browne - It's written from a libertarian perspective, but it focuses on unshackling your mind from the expectations from others and the social programming that's drilled into us during our youth.

One of the biggest takeaways is the concept of 'Getting out of your box' where you get out of a stagnant situation in the quickest way by paying the necessary price and moving on.

Post: #7

For money, very simple book and free. Richest man in Babylon.

Post: #8

The Science Of Getting Rich by Wallace D Wattles, it is simple, powerful and a much smoother read than Think And Grow Rich.

Post: #9

Awaken the Giant Within- Tony Robbins, The 50th Law (50 Cent and R. Greene)

Post: #10

Amazon Link

Quote:In this new edition of his groundbreaking classic work, Csikszentmihalyi demonstrates the ways this positive state can be controlled, not just left to chance. Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience teaches how, by ordering the information that enters our consciousness, we can discover true happiness and greatly improve the quality of our lives.

Amazon Link

Quote:What you are today is not important... for in this runaway bestseller you will learn how to change your life by applying the secrets you are about to discover in the ancient scrolls.

You must be disciplined and read the scrolls in the manner recommended to truly get the most out of this book. One scroll, 3x day, for 30 days. Repeat until you have gone through all 10. Reading each scroll for a week provides moderate benefits. Reading the book once through will provide minimal benefits.


Amazon Link

Quote: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 offer a powerful code of conduct that can rapidly transform our lives to a new experience of freedom, true happiness, and love.

There are hundreds of good books out there and dozens of great books. These are three that have had the most impact on my daily life and I try to reread them annually.

Think and Grow Rich, What to Say When You Talk to Yourself, Richest Man in Babylon, Awaken the Giant Within, How to Win Friends and Influence People, and 48 Laws of Power are all outstanding reads as well. I haven't had a chance to read some of the others mentioned in this thread but they are on the list now.

Good topic FSW.

Post: #11

I enjoyed Altucher's "Rich Employee". It's a little cultish (his side gig is setting up cultish followers, so roll your eyes on that and skim fast)and horribly edited, but he hits three points really well:

1) how to navigate corporate America
2) how to bust your ass and internalize vs externalizations
3) how to build a system where you can swap between corporate America and entrepreneurship

I wouldn't say it changed my life but I do think he has some good content.