Top 10 Self-Help Books
1. Man’s Search for Meaning — Viktor Frankl
Frankl, a Nazi concentration camp survivor, writes a gripping account that in every moment of living, life never ceases to have meaning, even in suffering. Frankl concludes from his experience that a prisoner's psychological reactions are not solely the result of the conditions of their life, but also from the freedom of choice they always have, even in severe suffering. One of a few books that completely changed my life.
2. In the Realm of Hungry of Hungry Ghosts — Gabor Maté
In Buddhist tradition, a “Hungry Ghost” was this entity with a tiny throat and a huge belly that could never get enough. Whether it is behavioral or a substance, every human craves something they can’t possibly get enough of. Or, to use a quote from the book, “It’s hard to get enough of something that almost works.” This book will change the way you look at others for the better.
3. Brain Rules — John Medina
How the brain evolved to learn, process, basically do everything. Knowing how my brain works struck me as somewhat important in being the best human I can be, and this book explains it in very comprehensible and value-added ways.
4. How to Win Friends and Influence People — Dale Carnegie
For me, this was the first book on EQ. Listen to others versus constantly trying to impress others, and you will in fact impress others!
5. 10% Happier — Dan Harris
On the lighter side and somewhat of an autobiographical journey. But we all suffer at times, and this is one person’s journey to finding the way out of suffering. Funny and impactful.
6. Atomic Habits — James Clear
My doctoral research was in goal-setting, and despite all the time I have spent on that singular topic, Clear debunked it in one sentence, something along the lines of, “Everyone in the Olympics has the same goal — to win the gold medal.” The goal itself may be the end game, but the sustainable habits we form along the way are what get us there.
7. Unfu*k Yourself — Gary John Bishop
Love this book. Just read it. Kind of a lighter version of “Man’s Search for Meaning” — the main theme is: reality isn’t what we think; reality is what we get up and do.
8. Can’t Hurt Me — David Goggins
Another autobiography about one person looking in the mirror and saying, “Today is the day — no more excuses; this is who I will become,” and then becoming exactly who they said they would. A promise kept.
9. The Obstacle is the Way — Ryan Holiday
It’s in the name: we can see obstacles as destructive setbacks, or we can see them as opportunities. It’s not the obstacle itself, but how we see it that matters.
10. The Road Less Traveled — M. Scott Peck
One of only two books on this list that I read many years ago that still stands out. “Life is difficult,” it begins. Words that are true for every human who has ever lived. How to handle the difficulty is the dignity with which we go through life.