The 5 Books That Have Impacted Me The Most (And Why You Should Read Them Too)
Aside from my teenage years, when the world of video games consumed the vast majority of my spare time, I've always considered myself an avid reader. And while I've delved quite heavily into a number of genres, the one that I've by far explored the most -especially since my mid-twenties -is that of personal development.
Whether it be a classic like Napoleon Hill's Think and Grow Rich, or a newer addition to the genre such as Neil Pasricha's The Happiness Equation, I've read quite a few and am incredibly grateful for what each has taught me or has helped me to realize.
Knowing that not all of us have the time to read the seemingly endless number of personal development books filling the shelves of your local library, I've decided to put together a list of the 5 in particular that have impacted me the most.
While I cannot guarantee that they will impact you in the same way, I do hope that they will, and feel confident that you taking the time to read them will not be an experience that you later regret.
Here are the 5 most impactful personal development books that I've read thus far, as well as why I believe you too should read them, in both video and written form:
1. Way of the Peaceful Warrior: A Book That Changes Lives
Way of the Peaceful Warrior is an autobiographical novel written by Dan Millman that blends fact with fiction to offer up some quite profound food for thought. The book tells the story of a world-champion gymnast (Dan) who forms an unexpected relationship with a service station mechanic (Socrates) who ultimately becomes his mentor.
HOW IT IMPACTED ME
The book effectively taught me the power of being truly present and attentive to every moment in life. For me, the character of Socrates represents what I've come to know as my intuition, and reminded me of how my thoughts and belief systems (rather than external factors) are my greatest limitation.
REASONS TO READ IT
- To better understand and strengthen your connection to your intuition.
- To help with a wandering mind that loves to always either dwell on the past or project into the future.
2. Awaken the Giant Within: How to Take Immediate Control of Your Mental, Emotional, Physical and Financial Destiny!
Awaken the Giant Within is a direct self help book that boldly challenges your values, goals, and overall approach to life. Written by world-renowned life and business coach Tony Robbins, it combines storytelling with exercises to encourage the reader to take action on changing their life as they read the book.
HOW IT IMPACTED ME
Choosing to actively complete each of the suggested exercises as I came across them meant that the book had an immediate impact on virtually every facet of my life. It helped me to identify conflicting values, better lay out my goals, and appreciate everything that has made me into who I am today. As an extrovert myself, Tony's style of writing and motivational speaking has always resonated with me, but I feel that this book in particular can be just as effective on even the most introverted among us.
REASONS TO READ IT
- To become a better goal setter (of goals you'll actually take action on).
- To better understand what is internally holding you back from attaining the life you desire.
3. The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment
While the title may sound a little to "woo-woo" for some, The Power of Now is the first book ever written by the infamous spiritual teacher and public speaker Eckhart Tolle. It is intended to be a guide to help the reader recognize the importance of staying in the present moment rather than be consumed by past or future thoughts.
HOW IT IMPACTED ME
I first absorbed the teachings of this book as an audio book while renovating my mother's house several years ago. I wasn't particularly happy to be doing the renovations at the time, but I was soon amazed by how the book shifted my perspective toward the work (and ultimately so much of what I do). It helped me realize just how many of my thoughts are charged by things that truly need to have no bearing on my current experience.
REASONS TO READ IT
- To become better at quieting your overthinking mind on demand.
- To develop a greater appreciation for everything that happens in life and to learn from it more effectively.
4. How to Win Friends & Influence People
How to Win Friends & Influence People is one of the most-read books of all time, with over 30 million copies sold since its publication in 1936. Despite being very dated in many of its references, the core subject matter remains remarkably applicable to modern life. Proof of this lies in its 2011 ranking by Time Magazine as #19 of the most influential 100 books of all time.
HOW IT IMPACTED ME
As the name suggests, this book significantly improved my communication and relationship skills. It showed me unhealthy speaking habits I had made a part of my regular life and gave me effective ways to replace them (that don't involve manipulation).
REASONS TO READ IT
- To identify the weaknesses within your communication skills that you're likely not aware of.
- To equip yourself with an easy-to-use set of tools for more effective formal and informal communication.
5. Conversations with God: An Uncommon Dialogue
Conversations with God is a three-part book series comprised of a back and forth conversation between the author of the book and a voice he refers to as God. Despite sounding like a religious text, the book does not connect to any particular faith and instead is better classified as spiritual.
HOW IT IMPACTED ME
What particularly impressed me about this book is just how many things that I had often wondered about were reflected in the conversation. Nearly all of the answers resonated with me, and gave me such a profound new perspective on life that I actually read it several times in a row, taking notes on my second and third pass.
REASONS TO READ IT
- To answer many of the questions you hold the solution to internally but have a difficult time accessing.
- To develop your critical thinking skills by identifying what does and doesn't ring true for you personally.
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