Self-help books play a significant role in our lives. They are like a lantern that illuminates the path in darkness. They guide us when we feel lost and motivate us when we feel hopeless. Whether you are an entrepreneur, a soon-to-be mother, or looking for ways to strengthen your relationship, self-help books can help you find the answers you are searching for.
Over the years, thousands of self-help books have touched our lives and helped us grow. They taught us to never give up, embrace our strengths, how to love, rise above our fears, and reach new heights in our career–everything that helped us become the person we dreamt to be.
While each of us may have our list of favourite self-help books, some titles are bound to be ubiquitous, as they are considered the best of all time in the self-help genre. Let’s take a closer look at these books, which have found a special place in our hearts.
Man’s Search For Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl
A book for the ages, Man’s Search For Meaning chronicles the life of its author Viktor E. Frankl as a prisoner in Nazi concentration camps during World War II. Frankl was among the few who survived the genocide and wrote this book within months of his liberation. Man’s Search For Meaning is his story of survival and searching for hope amid hopelessness. The book teaches us that we cannot run away from suffering but we can choose how to respond to it, find meaning in it, and move forward with a refined purpose. The book also breathes new life into the words of Friedrich Nietzsche, who once said, “He who has a why to live for can bear almost any how.” A testament to the unbreakable human spirit and the will to never give up, Man’s Search For Meaning is a jewel that will never lose its shine.
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R Covey
When author, educator, and speaker, Stephen R Covey first thought about writing The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, he may not have thought that it will go on to sell more than 40 million copies and carve its name as the quintessential self-help book. As the title suggests, the book reveals seven habits that can transform our lives. Among them, one habit is becoming proactive and start taking responsibility for your life. The book also teaches the habit of starting any venture with the end goal in mind. Ask yourself what you want to do in life and what’s your destination to get a clear picture of what your ultimate aim is. Likewise, the book offers several valuable lessons that can change the way we look at life.
You Can Heal Your Life by Louise Hay
Published in 1984, You Can Heal Your Life by Louise Hay is a book that everyone going through tough times should read. The book throws light on the two main reasons why we suffer—lack of self-love and self-confidence. They breed thoughts like I don’t deserve happiness or I won’t find anyone. These ideas are the result of our upbringing and conditioning. Hay, through her book, attempts to uproot these thoughts and give a fresh and positive perspective to the readers. This self-help book teaches the importance of loving ourselves, how to use the power of positivity to stay calm, and ways to be thankful, kind, and optimistic in life.
Rich Dad, Poor Dad, by Robert Kiyosaki
If someone asks you to choose between spending your life in a rat race or finding your way to financial freedom, the answer is obvious. Everyone wants to be rich. But not everyone knows how to be rich. Through his bestseller, Rich Dad, Poor Dad, Robert Kiyosaki shares lessons on creating wealth. He talks about several ingredients of the recipe for becoming rich, such as the importance of taking risks, taking charge of your emotions, getting real-world exposure, gaining financial knowledge, and learning the art of spotting opportunities. From separating the habits of the rich and poor to explaining the virtue of becoming business owners early in life, Kiyosaki offers financial wisdom for people from all walks of life.
Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff and It’s All Small Stuff by Richard Carlson
When life hits us hard, we tend to lose sight of one important thing, without which we fall prey to negativity. This missing piece separates our ability to withstand tough times and our habit to give up during an uphill battle. Bestselling author Richard Carlson calls this missing piece perspective. In his book, Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff and It’s All Small Stuff, Carlson emphasises the importance of perspective and why we should have it to overcome life’s challenges. It helps us subdue our anger as we learn what to let go of and what to focus on during arguments or challenging situations. This book teaches us how to become patient, compassionate, and grateful in life, as we learn how to find what matters the most in life with a simple shift in our perspectives.
The Power of Positive Thinking by Dr Norman Vincent Peale
The biggest reason why most of us fail in life is due to the lack of self-belief. Instead of believing that they can succeed, they feel that they are not good enough. They get consumed by overthinking, low self-esteem, and defeatism, all of which are a result of harbouring a negative mindset. Dr Norman Vincent Peale’s The Power of Positive Thinking is an antidote for our negativity. It teaches us how to remain positive, especially during tumultuous situations, and how to take control of our thoughts, along with our lives. The author has shared his ideas on the importance of self-belief and how you can use it to overcome your biggest challenges. The book also talks about the power of a positive attitude that could be our biggest strength and ways to live a stress-free and successful life.
How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
Published in 1936, How to Win Friends and Influence People has sold over 30 million copies to date. The book has influenced many people, including billionaire investment banker Warren Buffett who had attended the Dale Carnegie Center for Excellence. “In my office, you will not see the degree I have from the University of Nebraska, or the master’s degree I have from Columbia University, but you’ll see the certificate I got from the Dale Carnegie course,” Buffett says in the HBO documentary, Becoming Warren Buffett. The lessons from the book don’t just apply in the business world but also in our personal lives. The book teaches how to be successful in all spheres of life by offering tips on how to speak confidently, learn from criticism, be genuinely interested in people, acknowledge your mistakes, et cetera.
The Secret by Rhonda Byrne
When The Secret was published in the fall of 2006, it took the world by storm. Written by Rhonda Byrne, the book is about the law of attraction and how it can be used to find love, have a healthy relationship, achieve success and good health—everything we all dream to have. Its message is simple yet profound: you attract what you focus on. That means if you think positively and optimistically, you can attract good fortune. You just need to visualise what you want, believe strongly that you will get it, and work towards achieving it. Remember, everything starts from a single strand of thought, and how you use that thought to get what you want is the secret to happiness.
The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts by Gary Chapman
Each one of us is different and so is our way to express love. That’s the premise of Dr Gary Chapman’s The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts which highlights five ways people love in their own ways. He calls them love languages–words of affirmation, quality time, receiving gifts, acts of service, and physical touch. The idea is for the partners to understand each other’s love languages to find the root of their arguments, connect more intimately, and grow their bond stronger than ever.