Not even a week of 2023 has passed that it already shook up my entire world, so I’m not sure what to make of this year so far. But, as the song says, “the show must go on”, and so, it does…

If you’ve started this year with the goal or intention of bettering yourself and your life, I always recommend turning to books of a specific genre: self-help.

I have read plenty of self-help books over the years, and, frankly, the vast majority hone down on the same ideas, with more “groundbreaking” books adapting those principles to nowadays realities and technologies.

Ultimately, human nature hasn’t changed in spite of all the progress we’ve made over the years, and our basic needs have remained the same, even in a much more complex world. But it is this complex world that sometimes makes navigating life more difficult, and there’s nothing wrong in trying to pick the brains of those highly-efficient people who, at least from the outside, seem to have most of it together.

I am also not dismissing personal improvement books because they serve as reminders, and many times, guiding paths for those times when we feel lost or simply need help.

Here are 5 books (and a bonus) that I read and have on my list to (re)read asap; read them all or go for the one that “speaks” to you if you have personal growth on your “to-do list” this year:

• Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear. There is a reason this book has been a bestseller year after year. While many self-help books appear overwhelming, James Clear advises about improving every day with a tiny habit change that eventually leads to long-lasting results. Here’s a snippet of the book’s description: “No matter your goals, Atomic Habits offers a proven framework for improving--every day. James Clear, one of the world's leading experts on habit formation, reveals practical strategies that will teach you exactly how to form good habits, break bad ones, and master the tiny behaviors that lead to remarkable results”.

• The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life by Mark Manson. Somewhat comical, this book tells it like it is. An enjoyable read, with several “aha moments”, I also recommend listening to it. Here’s the idea behind it summarized: For decades, we’ve been told that positive thinking is the key to a happy, rich life. "F**k positivity," Mark Manson says. "Let’s be honest, shit is f**ked and we have to live with it." In his wildly popular Internet blog, Manson doesn’t sugarcoat or equivocate. He tells it like it is—a dose of raw, refreshing, honest truth that is sorely lacking today. The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F**k is his antidote to the coddling, let’s-all-feel-good mindset that has infected modern society and spoiled a generation, rewarding them with gold medals just for showing up”.

• How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie. Published in 1936, this book is just as authentic today as it was at that time, which speaks to human nature not changing. Basic yet impactful principles that we often forget, “How To Win Friends And Influence People includes tips and techniques about improving conversational skills, gaining new clients, making friends quickly, and changing the way people think.”

• The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment by Eckhart Tolle. Aren’t we guilty of always chasing the next moment, never truly appreciating the present one? I think the pandemic taught us some lessons in that regard and this book makes it more clear: “Ekhart Tolle's message is simple: living in the now is the truest path to happiness and enlightenment.”

• Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill. Published in 1937, and with over 70 million copies sold, this book remains as true as it was at the time of its publication, and should be a must-read for everyone. Don’t let the title fool you, while the book speaks of principles to help accumulate actual “riches”, aka wealth, the “rich” it talks about is far beyond that. Per the book description: “Think and Grow Rich has been called the "Granddaddy of All Motivational Literature." It was the first book to boldly ask, "What makes a winner?" The man who asked and listened for the answer, Napoleon Hill, is now counted in the top ranks of the world's winners himself.

  The most famous of all teachers of success spent "a fortune and the better part of a lifetime of effort" to produce the "Law of Success" philosophy that forms the basis of his books and that is so powerfully summarized in this one.”.

  If you want to go deeper, I would very much recommend reading this book as well.

Do you have any other inspirational books you like to read/reread at the beginning of the new year?

xo,

Em