9 Self-Help Books That Changed My Life

I have read several self-help books, with varying levels of enjoyment and engagement.

Before we proceed, I would like to begin with a different subject, such as mortality.

"No Death, No Fear" by Thich Nhat Hanh.

Thich Nhat Hanh's book "No Death, No Fear" explores death, impermanence, and the search for happiness through Buddhist teachings. He writes, "There is no way to happiness. Happiness is the way." Reading this book during college helped me overcome anxieties and fears about the future. I learned that happiness and contentment are found in the present moment by letting go of regret, fear, anxiety, and doubt.

"The Definitive Book of Body Language" by Barbara and Allan Pease.

Body Language reflects a person's emotional condition. A hug with a pat on the back might indicate discomfort. Feet turned towards the door could mean a desire to leave a conversation. Crossed arms might indicate anger, but interpreting one gesture is not enough. Body Language is like any other Language; a word in a sentence with other Words helps understand meaning. Maybe your partner is cold instead of angry. After reading this book, I was hyper aware of my own Body Language. I bit my nails when nervous, paced when frustrated, and furrowed my eyebrows when angry. I was saying a lot without saying anything at all. Learning about Body Language has made a huge difference in my life.

"She Comes First" by Ian Kerner.

It is not wrong to read books about how to have better sex. Many guys are too proud to admit they need guidance in the bedroom. The book "She Comes First" provides helpful guidance for a deeper and more intimate relationship through oral sex. Open communication is crucial in any relationship, especially when discussing sexual preferences. It is important to acknowledge that everyone has different preferences. It is emotionally mature to seek knowledge and communicate openly about sex.

"Slow Sex" by Nicole Daedone.

This book offers a method for relearning unhealthy views and habits regarding sex, as well as a slower approach that can be more satisfying for everyone involved.

"The Obstacle Is The Way" by Ryan Holiday.

Ryan Holiday is admired for turning ancient wisdom into modern teachings. "The Obstacle Is The Way" teaches stoicism, which is about virtue, mastery, and self-control. The book's central theme is that obstacles are inevitable in life. Student debt, job rejections, and dating rejections are examples. Embrace these obstacles to develop a healthier relationship with problems. Ryan writes, "The obstacle in the path becomes the path. Within every obstacle is an opportunity to improve our condition". This book will change the way you think about challenges and may reduce complaining.

"Hope and Help for Your Nerves" by Dr. Claire Weekes.

While reading through the comments, someone recommended a book from Dr. Claire Weekes. I bought and read it, and it helped me cope with my anxieties. In the book, Claire talks about using gentle exposure therapy to build tolerance for stressful situations. She says that strength is born from weakness, so we should embrace our weaknesses. The book taught me to float through my anxieties instead of fighting against them.

The book offers an approach to managing anxiety by allowing oneself to experience it until it subsides. It is recommended for individuals dealing with anxiety and their supporters. Consider adding it to your reading list.

"Awaken the Giant Within" by Tony Robbins.

Tony Robbins' book "Awaken the Giant Within" provided useful tools and insights when I was becoming an adult and professional filmmaker. One key takeaway was the power of decisions; any decision can change the course of your life forever. Many people get paralyzed by choice and put off important decisions, but we can only get better at decisions by making lots of them. Reading self-help books, even if they seem corny, can be a good decision.

"I will Teach You to be Rich" by Ramit Sethi.

This book is a guide to building personal wealth. It covers earning, saving, budgeting, investing, and automating finances. The approach is minimalist and encourages spending on what you love and cutting costs on what you don't. Ignore social media trends and figure out what you want to spend money on. Financial wealth doesn't happen overnight, and it's important to read one personal finance book every year. If you haven't read one this year, start with this one.

"Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World," by Cal Newport.

"Deep Work" is a book that helps ambitious creators find more space for meaningful work. Author Cal Newport emphasizes the increasing rarity and value of the ability to perform deep work. By shutting off distractions and reducing our addiction to technology, we can be more productive. The book provides guidance on creating a distraction-free environment and developing rituals to support creative work. The author applied these lessons to create two in-depth projects, resulting in a bigger impact and better final product. The deliberate practice of "Deep Work" was crucial to their success.

"Man's Search for Meaning," by Viktor Frankl.

This book is a favorite for many. Viktor Frankl, a Holocaust survivor and psychologist, wrote it after his experience as a concentration camp prisoner. He noticed that it wasn't necessarily the strongest who survived, but those with a strong purpose. Frankl's hypothesis is that the search for meaning is the biggest driver of human beings. We can leverage this to get through difficult times. Frankl wrote, "Everything can be taken from a man but one thing, the last of human freedoms. To choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way." The book explores life, death, and everything in between. It's a must-read that many people come back to.