Prior to the start of the New Year, I decided I would commit to reading one personal development book each month of 2016. I pooled together a list of books focusing on everything from gratitude, positive thinking, staying present in the moment, healthier self-esteem, courage, etc.
Closer to the start of the year, I posted the books I planned to read from January – June 2016. Welp, now that the second half of the year is upon us (jeez, already?), it’s time to release what’s in store for the remainder of the year.
1. Rising Strong by Brene Brown, July
I love Brene Brown, and I love her TED Talk. This book is all about vulnerability and living a brave and courageous life — showing up when there’s no guarantee in success. I just finished the intro, and can already tell this is going to be a book that truly impacts readers.
2. What I Know For Sure by Oprah, August
It’s Oprah. There’s no way I was going to have a list of books about self-development and not include Oprah. About this book: “Organized by theme―joy, resilience, connection, gratitude, possibility, awe, clarity, and power―these essays offer a rare, powerful and intimate glimpse into the heart and mind of one of the world’s most extraordinary women―while providing readers a guide to becoming their best selves.” Sounds like a winner to me.
3. The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success by Deepak Chopra, September
I really reading Deepak Chopra’s The Power of Now. So much in fact, that I felt he should make the list again for the 2nd half of 2016. This is also a book Kristen recommends. Deepak provides readers with new ways of thinking about disappointments, successes, achievements, and failures.
4. Presence by Amy Cuddy, October
A few months ago, I saw Amy Cuddy give a talk about her book, Presence. I thought it was such a great concept, and ties in nicely with everything I’m trying to do / learn / get much, much, much better at with my everyday life. And also, Amy’s TED Talk? Amazing, and still one of my favorites.
5. What To Say When You Talk to Your Self by Shad Helmstetter, November
This is a pretty old book — 1990 — but it is still considered one of the most important and helpful personal growth books ever written. The author shows the reader how to erase and replace past mental programs with healthy, new programs that can be positively life-changing.
6. Loving What Is by Byron Katie, December
The reviews for this were glowing, and it was off a list that Jen Sincero recommends, so I decided to go for it, as the final personal development book of 2016.
I’m thrilled that my new list is ready to go — I’ve already learned so much from the first half of this years reads! Are there any personal development books you highly recommend, dear reader?