36 Self-Development Books For Self Determination

Sep 18, 2021

9 min read

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When we talk about the present scenario of the existing generation, it is very disheartening to know that we surround ourselves with dark clouds of anxiety, overthinking, depression, mental instability, and a lot more. The consequence of these dark clouds is they burst out and flood away many innocent lives by suicide. 

People have become emotional, moody, and floaty. They crave constant pampering, attention, and social media show-off. 

In between all this, there are ways for self-enhancement. Processes like meditation, attainment of spirituality, books, and much more help us in molding ourselves. 

Books help a lot in nurturing ourselves. There are books by renowned authors that completely change your mindset and build up a confident persona of yourself. Here is a list of 36 self-development books.

1. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People - Stephen. R. Covey

The first book on the list of best self-development books is Stephen R. Covey's 'The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People'. This book has been an inspiration for people for 25 years. It focuses on values like integrity, honesty, principles, and dignity. 

2. Eat That Frog! - Brian Tracy

'Eat that Frog!' is one of the best-selling self-development books. The book deals with time management. Brian Tracy makes his readers understand that there is never enough time in our hands to complete our bucket list. 

He reveals the secret of successful people by telling us that they focus only on crucial work. They make sure to master that particular work.

3. Think and Grow Rich - Napoleon Hill

Napoleon Hill informs his readers that his book 'Think and Grow Rich' is an inspiration by a suggestion from business magnate and later-philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. The Business Week magazine's Best-Seller List ranked this book as the sixth best-selling business book.

4. Whatcha Gonna Do with That Duck? - Seth Godin

Seth Godin encourages us to think big, work smartly and work on ourselves with this book. 

If you need a guide in working smartly by leaving the donkey work, this is the best self-development book. 

5. Fooled by Randomness - Nassim Nicholas Taleb

'Fooled by Randomness' is a book that will change your perspective to look at the business world. It says that there is a hidden role of chance in life.

6. The 48 Laws of Power - Robert Greene

This book makes us aware of real-world tactics. It does not give false hopes. In short, this self-development book welcomes you to the problems of the real world. 

7. The Psychedelic Explorer’s Guide - James Fadiman

'Psychedelic Explorer’s Guide' is a book for spiritual, therapeutic, and problem-solving use. James Fadiman has made this book quite informative and exemplary. 

8. The Attention Revolution - Alan Wallace

Allan Wallace has a vast knowledge of Buddhism and is an advanced practitioner. Allan Wallace writes the attention revolution about methods of achieving concentration through meditation. 

This self-development book unlocks the secret to a focused mind. 

9. The Paleo Manifesto - John Durant

Self-development is rediscovering yourself and making yourself a better version. The Paleo Manifesto is a revolutionary approach towards health.

10. Mindsight - Daniel J. Siegel

Mindset can help you achieve many things. This book for self-development works on the New Science of Personal Transformation. 

It helps you to be optimistic and undergo changes. 

11. How to Win Friends & Influence People - Dale Carnegie

Dale smartly plays with people's mindset through this book, making them change their perspective towards life. 

A sale of over 30 million copies of this self-development has taken place worldwide. 

12. Feeling Good - David D. Burns

To uplift your mood, 'Feeling' good is one of the best self-development books. This book is a mood therapy kind of book. 

13. Thinking Fast and Slow - Daniel Kahneman

This book tells us the two phases of our mind. One is an emotional one, and the other is logical. The first phase is quite fast as compared to the logical one. 

14. An Astronaut’s Guide to Life on Earth - Chris Hadfield

Chris has spent his life training as an astronaut. The book is about how space taught Chris About ingenuity, determination, and being ready for anything. 

15. Perfect Health Diet - Paul Jaminet & Shou-Ching Jaminet

A perfect mindset and a healthy body is a must. Paul and Shou-Ching Jaminet's 'Perfect Health Diet' helps us to be nutritious and healthy. 

16. Failing Forward - John C. Maxwell

Grab the failure stones and turn them into stepping stones of success. 

This self-development book gives us the courage to face failures and move ahead in making the best out of these failing attempts.

17. The Power of Now - Eckhart Tolle

'The Power of Now' is an ultimate spiritual guide. It is a book to look within yourself and become a much better person than you are now. 

If you wish to see the real you, hear your inner voice and fill the voids present in you. This is one of the best self-development books. 

18. The Last Lecture - Randy Pausch

The 18th book on the list is one of the best-selling books for self-development. The book makes us aware of many new life lessons to learn and get inspired. 

19. Daring Greatly - Brené Brown

This book is also on Netflix now as 'The Call to Courage'. The book helps us accept changes and adapt to them. It makes us take risks or leaps of faiths to become majestically daring people. 

20. The Demon-Haunted World - Carl Sagan

Carl wants people to understand critical and scientific thinking through this book. Carl wants us to open our eyes wide and only believe in facts and not in rumors. 

21. Philosophy for Life - Jules Evans

A book with a collection of different philosophies from philosophical schools and relates these philosophies with real life. Jules Evans expresses that convictions saved his life. 

22. Man’s Search For Meaning - Victor. E. Frankl

This book is about the experience of Victor in prison during the second world war. Victor expresses his optimism and vision towards life while he was a prisoner. When you need positivity in life, and you feel you are losing your grip on everything, philosophy for life will help you. 

23. The Happiness Advantage - Shawn Anchor

The function of this self-development book is the Seven Principles of Positive Psychology that fuel success and performance at work. The belief that success brings happiness is found dead in this book.

Shawn makes the readers aware that success does not bring you happiness. He shares seven core principles of positive psychology that we can use to improve our careers. He says that happiness is the fuel for success. 

24. The Magic of Thinking Big - David J. Schwartz

Many people across the globe have changed their lives and mindset through this book. Forbes calls this book one of the best self-development books. 

25. Make Your Bed - Admiral William H. McRaven

There are little things that can change your life and maybe the world. This book is an inspiration from a Navy SEAL's inspiring graduation speech.

26. The Thinking Game - Kara Lane 

'The Thinking Game' is a winning strategy book for achieving your goals. Kara Lane will help you in molding yourself as well as your thinking process. 

27. Street Smart Disciplines of Successful People - Mark Mullins and John Kuhn 

As the name of the book suggests, this book covers the discipline habits of successful people. The book deals with seven easy ways to understand and executable action plans for Smart Success.

28. Declutter Your Mind - S.J. Scott ⁠and Barrie Davenport

'Declutter Your Mind 'is a perfect self-development book for all the overthinkers out there. This book is apt for how to stop worrying, relieve anxiety, and eliminate negativity, toxicity. 

29. Predictably Irrational - Dan Ariely

Dan Ariely says this book is a hidden force that can shape our decisions. This book helps the readers to change their choices by rational thinking. 

30. The 80/20 Principle - Richard Koch

Richard Koch helps the readers to achieve much more in very little time. This book helps us to become more productive and learn effectively in less time with the 80/20 rule. 

31. Awaken the Giant Within - Anthony Robbins

Anthony Robbins is one of the most famous and preached self-improvement and motivational speakers. The motto of this book is how to take immediate control of Your Mental, Emotional, Physical, and Financial Life.

32. The Power of Habit - Charles Duhigg

This book is about Why We Do and What We Do in Life and in Business. How habits can change our lives is thoroughly given by Charles Duhigg in this self-development book. 

33. Getting Things Done - David Allen

The book is about the art of stress-free productivity. This book is for busy people who have lost control of their lives. Getting things done will help you get that grip again and become more efficient. 

34. Tools of Titans - Tim Ferriss

Tim Ferriss interviewed around 100 world-class performers of different fields and sought their advice in this book. 

35. Start With Why - Simon Sinek

The motto of this book is how great leaders inspire everyone to take action. The book begins with two ways to manipulate and motivate human behavior. 

36. Learned Optimism - Martin E. P. Seligman

The last book on the list of self-development books is Martin's 'Learned optimism'. This book is about how to change your mind and your life. The book deals with the pros of positivity. It tells us how optimism can enhance our lives. 

Now quickly, grab your inspiration. Have a cozy evening on the couch sipping your favorite beverage, and get your hands on the pages of these great authors. 

Self-development or enhancement will be very beneficial for us in terms of professional as well as personal life. Like and share this article with those who are seeking self-development books.

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