We all want to live awesome and fulfilling lives. Sometimes we get in our own way of doing just that. I have been on a big journey to be happier and more content with my life this year.
Today I'm sharing several of the Self Help Books I've found that are helping me in my journey to living my best life.
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I think reading is one of the best ways to learn new things that can improve ones self.
There are so many brilliant people out there that have written books. These brilliantly written books are not just there to hock products and make money. These books were written by people who want to help other people like you and me- People who want to take control of their happiness.
Reading is very relaxing to me.
On top of that, if I can get one new way to look at things or find a different way to reframe my thoughts, then reading a book is 100% worth it.
Here are some of my favorite Self Help Books:
Guys, Mel Robbins is a freaking genius. She is no nonsense about calling her readers out on their crap.
"To regain control of your life you must stop pretending everything is fine. Your life has not turned out as you had hoped. Your brain works hard to insulate you from this fact.
Convincing yourself that you are fine is a great strategy for keeping yourself stuck."
I don't know about you, but living a life of 'fine' is not something I'm interested in. This book has practical ways to make course corrections that can add up to being changes in your life.
If you've never heard of Brene' Brown, where have you been? She is a thought leader on shame and vulnerability.
She starts her book with this beautiful quote from Theodore Roosevelt.
"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles,
or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man
who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly..."
Brene' says, "When we spend our lives waiting until we're perfect or bulletproof before we walk into the arena, we ultimately sacrifice relationships and opportunities that may not be recoverable, we squander our precious time, and we turn out backs on our gifts, those unique contributions that only we can make."
Reading this book has given me so much courage to be myself, and show up how I am!
This is the first Self Help book I ever read. I picked it up because of it's sassy title. But I kept reading because of what I learned about myself as I read it. I bought the paper copy and the kindle copy and have read it at least 3 times. This book does have some strong language so just be aware of that. (My son was offended by the language on the cover so I covered it with washi tape.)
"This is about getting mighty clear about what makes you happy and what makes you feel the most alive, and then creating it instead of pretending you can't have it. Or that you don't deserve it. Or that you're a greedy ego maniacal fathead for wanting more than you already have. Or listening to what Dad and Aunt Mary think you should be doing.
It's about having the cojones to show up as the brightest, happiest version of yourself,
whatever that looks like to you. The good news is that in order to to this, all you need to do is make one simple shift: You need to go from wanting to change your life to deciding to change your life."
Guys, run out and get this book today. Rachel Hollis is funny, relatable and gives such common sense advice!
"This book is about a bunch of hurtful lies and one important truth.
The truth? You and only you, are ultimately responsible for who you become and how happy you are.
Girl, get a hold of your life. Stop medicating, stop hiding out, stop being afraid, stop giving away pieces of yourself, stop saying you can't do it. Stop the negative self talk, stop abusing your body, stop putting it off for tomorrow or Monday or next year. Stop crying about what happened and take control of what happens next. Get up, right now.
Rise up from where you've been, scrub away the tears and the pain of yesterday, and start again. Girl, wash your face."
Who doesn't want to stress less, sleep more and restore their passion for life.
"Ask a friend, an acquaintance, or even a stranger how she's doing, and more than likely,
she'll sigh and say some variation of, "I'm so busy. I can barely breathe most days just trying to survive. You know how that goes. Sadly yes, Most of us do know the feeling.
We are busy juggling a way too long to do list, and we can't seem to get ahead - or even just get the basics crossed off many days.
You don't have to stay perpetually overwhelmed and exhausted, barely existing in survival mode, anymore. You can start living with direction and passion. Today."
No matter what circumstances you are in right now, you have the power to create your best life. This book, that is almost a work book, walks you through setting goals to lead you on the path to happiness.
"Creating Your Best Life is revolutionary in its content and approach. This is the first comprehensive guide that combines the science of goal setting with the science of positive psychology to help you conceive and achieve the goals that contribute to your quality of life."
Another Brene' Brown book.
"Let Go of Who You Think You're Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are.
Owning our story and loving ourselves through that process is the bravest thing that we will ever do."
Even my teenage daughter has read this book and loved it.
"If you can't control people, then control your reaction to them. If you can't control a situation, then prepare for it."
"Work Hard and Be Nice to People. Not being nice is like poisoning yourself with bad vibes."
Bobby Bones is a radio DJ in Nashville. He started with nothing and willed himself into achieving his goals.
"Fight: Deciding what it is you really want; setting your goals; and strategizing and taking the first steps toward that goal. Grind: Never missing a detail; always being ready and on call; and doing the work no matter how tired, sick, or over it you feel. Repeat: having patience, resources, and resilience to keep doing the same thing over and over until you get what it is you really want."
Not all of these books will resonate with everyone. As you read them, take what you want from each book and leave the rest. Hopefully you will find something that will resonate with you, and call you to action.
You guys, happiness is possible. With small course corrections, like those suggested in these books,
we can all live our best lives!
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