30 Personal Development Books We Should All Read Before It Is Too Late

1. I May Be Wrong by Bjorn Natthiko Lindeblad

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In his mid-twenties, Bjorn Natthiko Lindeblad swapped his entire life that was based around being a successful business executive for a life in the jungles of Thailand as a Buddhist Monk.  He spent 17 years living life as a Buddhist Monk and this is where he was given the name Natthiko which means "one who grows in wisdom".  Sadly, he passed away in January last year after an incurable diagnosis and he believed that facing death gave him the clarity about what really matters in life.  I May Be Wrong

has won the hearts of many, as he shares fascinating insights into his life, as well as sharing the wisdom he learned along the way about opening up to a more peaceful existence.

2. Me Vs Brain: An Overthinker's Guide To Life by Hayley Morris

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In this debut from comedian and TikTok sensation, Hayley Morris, Me Vs Brain: An Overthinker's Guide To Life

has been described as an absolute joy to read.  This hilarious take on 21st Century high functioning anxiety will have you really belly-laughing and nodding along to its completely heartfelt and relatable content.  In fact, if you follow Hayley Morris on social media, you'll completely understand why she won the Content Creator Of The Year Award and this book falls nothing short of her genius and incredibly funny, but also honest and real, content.

3. Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before by Dr. Julie Smith

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Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before?

is exactly the question you'll be asking as you'll wonder why no one's ever recommended this read to you before now!  This fascinating book from online sensation, Dr. Julie Smith, draws upon her years of experience working as a clinical psychologist and she shares her own expert advice and really powerful and effective coping techniques to help you to get through life's ups and downs.  And it really doesn't matter why you want to read a self-help book, whether it's getting support with dealing with criticism, managing anxiety, or even coping with loss, this book has it all.

4. When The Body Says No by Dr. Gabor Maté

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Dr. Gabor Maté draws upon decades of experience as a doctor working with mental illness, trauma, and addiction, and his fascinating clinical research on the link between the mind and body is truly groundbreaking.  In this book, he sheds light on the role that stress and emotions have to play in the development of diseases such as cancer, heart disease, arthritis, multiple sclerosis, as well as irritable bowel syndrome.  He says that stress and emotions have a very real physical effect on our physical bodies and he offers up the 'Seven As of Healing' to provide support to those that might be experiencing suffering in their lives.

5. The High-Five Habit by Mel Robbins

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Do you ever 'high-five' yourself in the mirror?  Well, if you don't do it already, after reading The High-Five Habit

by Mel Robbins, you're going to wonder why you've not been doing it sooner.  This self-improvement book helps you to take charge of your life, particularly when self-limitation has been an issue for you in the past.  You'll learn how to ditch that extremely unhelpful negative self-talk, as well as help you to establish a useful morning routine to help you to start your day in the right way.

6. Breath: The New Science Of A Lost Art by James Nestor

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We all know how to breathe, right?  Without it, we'd probably not be here but we're not just talking about just the mechanical act of breathing here.  In fact, when we focus on our breath and breathe with real intention, this can open up a magical and full world of self-care.  Journalist James Nestor traveled the world in order to discover the science behind ancient breathing techniques and found out that even just the tiniest alteration to the way we breathe can have profound benefits on our mental and physical health.

7. The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg

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When we get into a habit, it almost feels like we've been doing it forever, and breaking or changing habits can be really tough.  Habits are at the core of pretty much everything we do, from our morning routines to picking the skin around our fingernails, and research has found that they can impact your life, work, and even the society around you.  In this fascinating read, award-winning journalist, Charles Duhigg explores the intriguing world of habits and brings in real scientific research to explain why habits exist and how they can actually be changed.

8. The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle

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Living completely in the present and finding inner peace is far from easy, but the international bestselling book, The Power Of Now

by Eckhart Tolle provides readers with profound insights on personal and spiritual growth and transformation.  In the book, Tolle offers practical techniques for living in the now instead of losing yourself in worry, shame, and guilt about the past or anxiety about the future.  It really does reveal how you can nurture your mental and psychological well-being by living in the present.

9. A Monk's Guide To Happiness by Gelong Thubten

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The idea that everyone has the potential to be happy is what really resonates within Gelong Thubten's inspiring book, A Monk's Guide To Happiness.  

In the book, Thubten, a Buddhist monk and meditation expert, provides us with an achievable, practical, and sustainable approach to finding and maintaining happiness and offers up practical advice on how to use meditation and mindfulness in our quest to 'happy'.  It's all about looking within in order to find peace, rather than relying on external factors for our peace and fulfillment.

10. Good Vibes, Good Life by Vex King

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Good Vibes, Good Life

by internet sensation, Vex King, provides readers with valuable lessons surrounding maintaining a happy life.  It's the idea that happiness and contentedness don't necessarily come from what you have or own and what you can get, but rather from being grateful for the little things that are already in your life that make you happy.  This means that you don't necessarily have to make drastic changes to your life for it to be happy, it's more about embracing what already makes you happy.

11. Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman

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Four Thousand Weeks

by Oliver Burkeman is a fascinating read that gives a different perspective on time management.  Now we all know that time is precious because, for a lot of us, it's so scarce.  Our lifestyles are so busy that we never feel like we have enough hours in the day. And being busy, or living a 'hustler' lifestyle is somehow praised more than the opposite.  So much so that we've forgotten how to truly live in the moment.  This book taps into ancient knowledge from groundbreaking philosophers, researchers, and spiritual figures, and it really goes against our learned behaviors, explaining that time management is impossible and you basically shouldn't prioritize it anymore.

12. The Chimp Paradox by Professor Steve Peters

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The Chimp Paradox

is a fascinating read from Professor Steve Peters who's on a mission to help you to understand your brain a little better.  And because of the complexity of neuroscience, Peters has ingeniously approached this interesting topic through analogy - by replacing two complex-sounding names with simpler ones.  So our 'prefrontal cortex' becomes the more rational human part of our brain whilst our 'limbic system' is our emotional inner chimp.  And obviously, issues arise when these collide!

13. You Are A Badass by Jen Sincero

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When is it that we develop the much-desired skill of not caring about what other people think?  Is there a switch that turns off when we get to a certain age that makes us decide that the opinions of others, especially haters, just don't matter?  Well in You Are A Badass, 

Jen Sincero reassures us and remind us that we are responsible for what we say and do, but in her words: "You are not responsible for whether or not people freak out about it".  And it's true!  We just need to learn this earlier in life, and with the help of this book, we can!

14. Altruism: The Science And Psychology Of Kindness by Matthieu Ricard

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Altruism: The Power And Psychology Of Kindness

is a real gift from happiness researcher and Buddhist monk Matthieu Ricard.  In it, he explores the whole concept of altruism which is the genuine wish for other people to be happy and he examines the importance and the need to care for others.  And providing others with altruistic love and compassion, he points out, simultaneously benefits us as individuals and also our society.  In fact, he also believes that a genuine concern for others can answer some of the main challenges in life and in our economies.

15. The Sleep Fix by Diane Macedo

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Sleep is essential for our overall well-being including our mental and physical health.  And if you get a decent amount of good quality sleep, you're probably going to see improvements in your brain performance, your mood, and your health.  But what happens if you just cannot sleep?  Diane Macedo is a renowned ABC News anchor and, interestingly, she's also an ex-insomniac.  In her book, The Sleep Fix,

she aims to change bad sleep into good sleep with research-based revelations and practical advice and solutions.  Are you ready for a good night's sleep?  Then this is the book for you...

16. Who Moved My Cheese by Spencer Johnson M.D.

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Who Moved My Cheese

is a parable that tells the story of two characters, Sniff and Scurry, who are inside a maze looking for cheese (they're mice).  And then we've got Hem and Haw, who aren't mice but two little people who want the cheese because they think it's going to make them feel happy.  But because they have 'people' brains, complex thoughts begin to flood in and the task of finding the cheese is so much more complicated than the mice.  The idea of the tale is that you apply it to your own life, that you stop thinking about the 'cheese' whatever that may be, and actually start chasing it!  That's the first lesson in a string of valuable life lessons provided by the tale.

17. Outlive: The Science And Art Of Longevity by Peter Attia, M.D.

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In his new book, Outlive: The Science And Art Of Longevity,

Peter Attia M.D. not only explores the science behind a longer life but also provides an insight into how you can extend your 'aliveness' and live better.  It has been described as 'one of the most important books that you will ever read' as it rethinks modern medicine and explains why there's a need to update the current framework.  There are also practical steps and advice to follow to help you to take control of your life in order to prolong it rather than waiting for the inevitable.

18. 52 Ways To Walk by Annabel Streets

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Now this isn't your classic self-help or personal development read but 52 Ways To Walk: The Surprising Science Of Walking For Wellness And Joy, One Week At A Time

provides practical and accessible tips and tricks for making the most out of your daily step count.  Walking is so beneficial to our health; it strengthens our bodies, calms our noisy minds, and even improves our moods, but with the 52 ways to walk, there are so many more benefits to this enjoyable wellness activity.  Like, did you know that waking in cold weather burns more fat?!  And walking alone can help us to improve our memories?!  We didn't either!

19. Grit by Angela Duckworth

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Grit

by Angela Duckworth explores the scientific side of the ingredients that make up great achievements.  And the words inside this book come directly from Angela's own experience of needing what she calls 'Grit: courage and perseverance.  As a higher achiever, her psychology work and research took her to some of the most prestigious universities in the world, including Harvard, Oxford, and the University of Pennsylvania, according to sources.  And in the book, she offers up lessons in effort, passion, and perseverance in order to drive achievement in life.

20. Silence In The Age Of Noise by Erling Kagge

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In this powerful read from Norwegian adventurer Erling Kagge, you'll be transported to a magical wilderness of silence; away from the traffic noise, cell phone notifications, and our unrested spiraling thoughts.  And no, you don't have to do what he did and spend fifty days walking alone across Antarctica with nothing but yourself.  The amazing thing about this book is that it gives you the secrets to unlocking your hidden ability to find stillness and silence in the most unlikely situations.  You do have the ability to find silence in little pockets of your day, whether it's taking an intentional breath in the shower, or finding stillness on your commute to work, beautiful things grow from discovering it.  Trust us, you'll want to read this one - it's seriously life-changing!

21. Lighter by Yung Pueblo

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When things get tough, many deep thinkers and philosophers will advise you to turn inwards in order to gain a better understanding of yourself, as well as embark on a journey to healing.  Yung Pueblo did just this after years of drug abuse began to exhaust his mind and body.  Lighter

demonstrates how to get past this kind of heaviness that overburdens you, giving you the tools to become more self-aware in an effort to heal and live presently.  And it points out the importance of compassion in building a harmonious world.

22. The Bridge by Donna Lancaster

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The Bridge

has certainly been written for anyone who is experiencing pain and heartache.  In the book, author Donna Lancaster provides a practical 9-step program that aims to develop your ability to really treat yourself with love and compassion and to be fully aware of your feelings so that you can move forward from whatever heartbreak you might have experienced in the past.  The aftershocks of heartbreak can be extremely tough and it's easy to fall into the trap of not giving yourself the care that you deserve and need to heal.

23. Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert

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You might recognize Elizabeth Gilbert's name if you've ever read her memoir, Eat, Pray, Love, which spent a whole fifty-seven weeks in the number one spot of the New York Times paperback best-seller list.  In fact, her books have captivated readers from across the globe, and her book Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear

has done just this.  It has inspired audiences with her discussions surrounding the attitudes and habits we need to live creatively as we face our fears.  And creativity isn't just about what you make, but it's also a way of life, how you enhance your everyday life with more passion.

24. Atomic Habits by James Clear

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We've all got our habits, right?  There are some that we want to develop, and more often than not, some that we just want to put an end to.  Well, James Clear has often been described as one of the world's leading experts on habits, and in his book, Atomic Habits,

he gives readers insights into doable strategies that will provide you with the valuable tools and simple behaviors that will be sure to help you to form good habits and also break those bad ones.  And if that's not enough inspiration for you, the book is complete with fascinating science and enthralling true stories from star comedians, Olympic gold medallists, and business leaders who have applied science to their own lives and endeavors.

25. Think Like A Monk by Jay Shetty

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Social media sensation and host of the podcast 'On Purpose', Jay Shetty, decided not to attend his college graduation ceremony.  Instead, he took a trip to India to become a monk and devote his life to others.  On this journey, he meditated four to eight hours a day and learned so much timeless wisdom that he has been generous enough to share with the world.  In his book, Think Like A Monk

, Shetty reveals to us how we can access the calm in life and provides us with some practical advice on how to reduce stress and improve relationships.  The book proves that everyone can think like a monk, you just have to put the work in.

26. Brave, Not Perfect by Reshma Saujani

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Now this book, Brave, Not Perfect

actually started out as an inspiring TED Talk from bestselling author Reshma Saujani.  In the book, Saujani aims to empower women and girls to live without the fear of not being good enough; to actually be brave enough to embrace imperfection; and know that that's OK.  Choosing bravery over perfection helps women and girls to speak up and actually grab at the things that we actually want; not what's expected of us.  And this book helps us to do exactly that and reap the benefits of living boldly.

27. The Epic Of Gilgamesh

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Self-improvement is all about embarking on a quest; a quest of self-discovery.  So it makes sense that The Epic Of Gilgamesh 

is the ultimate inspiration as we anticipate venturing into the unknown and returning transformed and ready to share our bounty.  Now the Mesopotamian king of Gilgamesh gives us the ultimate story of transformation, as a once selfish king who wouldn't share any of his fortunes with his people returns from a trying quest with the plant of eternal life.  And instead of gobbling it all up himself like the selfish king he once was, he returned and shared it with his people!  And, interestingly, this is the oldest surviving story of its kind which makes it all the more badass!

28. The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri

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The Divine Comedy

is a 14th Century Italian narrative poem by Dante Alighieri and amazingly, after starting it in the year 1308, he didn't actually finish it until 1321.  The poem is a cautionary Christian tale that basically aimed to show people what horrors would befall their souls if they did not obey God.  But there are also fascinating readings of this poem that have discussed it as demonstrating the value of personal development and learning from past mistakes in order to live a well-balanced life with a bright future.

29. Jog On: How Running Saved My Life by Bella Mackie

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Bella Mackie ended her twenties struggling with her mental health, and after her divorce at a young age, she found herself barely able to move out of bed.  But one day, she decided to put on a pair of trainers and go out for a run...  And she did it again the next day.  All of a sudden, she began to set herself goals and she found that her mood got an unexpected boost.  In Jog On

, she tells her story of using running to help her through her debilitating anxiety and depression, as well as sharing inspirational stories of how others got their lives 'back on track'.

30. The Source: The Secrets Of The Universe, The Science Of The Brain by Dr. Tara Swart

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Neuroscientist Dr. Tara Swart's book, The Source,

has been hailed as an absolute game-changer that has even changed the lives of the rich and famous, as well as some of the highest-earning and respected leaders in finance, law, and media.  And the reason for this is that she has drawn on the latest cognitive science to provide some of the secrets to alter how our brains work so we can unlock our greatest potential.  She offers a four-step plan that is said to awaken the bower of the brain and rewire certain pathways to fulfill your full potential in life.