My “thing” in life is self-improvement. I prefer reading books, watching videos, listening to podcasts about how to improve your life, your mental health, your finances, all that great stuff. We are just past the halfway point of the year and it is a great time to re-evaluate our progress from New Year’s Day. How have those resolutions been coming along? Do you need a pick me up? A reminder that you have work to do and why you are doing it? Well, we got you covered. The following are my favorite books on self-improvment of 2025.
- Atomic Habits : Tiny Changes, Remarkable Results by James Clear
- James Clear begins with telling the story of his sports accident that nearly killed him and left him with brain damage. He explains how hard he tried to get back to full capacity thinking it took drastic changes in his life just to get frustrated and give up. He eventually learned that it took small changes in his daily life to improve recovery and growth. The improvements happened and he didn’t even notice. Clear shares how it worked for him and how it can work you his readers.
- You are a Bad Ass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life by Jen Sincero
Sincero started out like any other regular person under the impression that self-help was cheesy and uncool. That saying affirmation to yourself did little to nothing to improve our lives. Well, she admits she was wrong. Self-help doesn’t have to be cheesy like back in the day. In fact, the whole concept has come a long way. She approaches the self-improvement mindset from a completely different angle, an angle that makes sense to us “cool” people. She gets down to the nitty gritty about why we sabotage ourselves and what we can do to break down the wall of our self-imposed limiting thinking, beliefs, and behavior.
- The Audacity to be Queen: The Unapologetic Art of Dreaming Big and Manifesting Your Most Fabulous Life by Gina DeVee
There is a huge difference between a princess and a queen. A princess has the never-ending story of being saved by her prince charming and living happily ever after. A queen waits for no one. She does what she needs to do to make things happen. DeVee clarifies that a queen is not a woman who expects to be handed everything she demands like a spoiled child. A queen calculates, plans, and does not allow the victim to obsess over things that aren’t always as they seem. The queen is not afraid to go for what she wants without compromising her integrity.
- Eat that Frog! Third Edition: 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time by Brian Tracy
If you were required to eat a frog every day, like myself, you might procrastinate until the end of the day. But, you would also be fretting about it all day long. Why not get it done and over with at the beginning of the day and not worry about it? You might be thinking why would someone eat a frog? That’s just not practical. Luckily, this is only metaphorical. But the concept is quite simple. There are things we just don’t want to do but know they need to be done. I’ll admit I’m a huge procrastinator. I will stress myself out because “I don’t wanna!” My nemesis is laundry. Specifically, putting it away. I know full well that if I don’t put it away the clothes will get wrinkled and they wear out faster. Not to mention if you’re looking for just a pair of socks you’ll get mad because you have to dig through the laundry basket just to find a matching pair.
The point is to get it done and out of the way. Eat That Frog gives a solid strategy to tackle procrastination and take care of your responsibilities. If you’re a procrastinator like myself, I highly recommend this book.
- Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
This book by Napoleon Hill is one of my favorite books. Rhonda Byrne’s book The Secret utilized many of the concepts from Hill’s teachings. But, this is more than just sitting around and hoping things will happen. This is adjusting one’s mentality and thought process to become successful in life. He applies “13 Steps to Riches” as his strategy
First published in 1937, it has been updated again and again over the years. It adjusts to fit the times. But, the concepts are still the same. That’s why it has lasted for so long and read by so many like Bob Proctor, Oprah Winfrey and Tony Robbins. Why would anyone not want to read this fantastic and eye opening book?
Utilizing these books will to help motivate you to get back on track and continue to move forward in this journey we call life. Don’t forget to celebrate yourself and be proud that you haven’t given up. You got this.
Cultivating Elegance 