11 of my top favourite and inspiring books to change your mindset today
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Your mindset is a powerful tool that can change your life in an instant. So where can you learn how to change and improve your mindset? My favourite place is the mindset and self-help books!
When I was younger, I was a huge bookworm. To the extent where I would walk around school with my head in a book almost falling downstairs on the way to my next class. I honestly, could not get enough and loved the way that books ignited my imagination, emotions, and immersed me in another world.
Unfortunately, life distracted me from my love of reading but only a few years ago I was introduced into a whole new world of learning in self-help. Diving into self-discovery and self-improvement books provided me with unending amounts of inspiration and tips to create the life I desire.
Here are my top picks of books to change your mindset. Also check my recommendations for wellness books too!
Tools to help you read more
Even if you don’t read much right now, you can start reading more often by using reading tools and tip. Making reading easier, faster and more enjoyable!
One of my favourite tools is Kindle Unlimited. A monthly subscription to Amazon kindle where you can have access to a huge selection of books on your kindle. Downloading up to 10 books at a time, highlighting and making electronic notes anywhere you like.
Another great tool is Audible. Instead of reading the books, you can listen to them all while doing other things like driving to work or even tidying up. Helping to make reading and learning from these books easier and a natural part of your daily routine.
In addition, taking notes using apps or post-it notes can help you remember the most important takeaways from the book to revisit in the future. This is a tip recommended by Jim Quick to help improve your memory and be in a position of active learning. Helping you to absorb and action as much information as possible.
Quick Picks – Best books to read right now and change your life
Can’t wait and want my top picks now? Check out the two mindset book recommendations below!
11 Best books to change your mindset and change your life
Top mindset books to change your life
Tony Robbins, Awaken the Giant Within
I love this book and continually revisit it to remind me of the actions I can take to change my life. ‘Awaken the giant within’ builds on his previous book, ‘Unleash the power within’, and it is jammed packed with actionable tips and exercises to implement in your life. Tony makes this book relatable and inspiring with everyday stories that make any kind of problem seem small and easy to overcome. Read this book to change your mindset, your habits, your relationships, and take charge of your power today.
Richard Carlson, Don’t sweat the small stuff
Sometimes I get angry at the smallest things and not too long ago I was taking out my anger on the people closest to me. In truth, I was simply feeling angry at the whole world. The way I was stressing about the past and the future was not helpful or productive for me. ‘Don’t sweat the small stuff’ gives you a whole new perspective on life and thought-provoking tasks to change your mindset. Encouraging you to live a more peaceful and fulfilled life.
Jordan B. Peterson, 12 rules for life
I love watching Peterson’s videos and listening to his advice so I gave his book a go. Peterson provides compelling and interesting rules for living a life of calm and responsibility. I love the big doses of reality and the powerful anecdotes from both his life and what he learnt during his practice.
My favourite rule is number 4, “Compare yourself to who you were yesterday, not to who someone else is today”. Reminding you to let go of comparison, focus on growth for yourself and that you can be a better version of yourself today, and tomorrow.
Must read books to change your mindset
Carol Dweck, Mindset
The inventor of the growth mindset, Carol Dweck’s book dives into a fixed mindset and growth mindset and the defining differences. Full of tips and advice on how to encourage yourself and your children in ways to change your mindset for success. Including how to change your language to “the power of yet” so that you are oriented to growth always. This is the top, must-read book to change your mindset
Simon Sinek, Start with why
I was first introduced to iron Simon Sinek on a London Real interview and was inspired by his concepts about life. Leading me to his most-watched TED talk and diving into his book, Start with Why. Although this book is directed at businesses, the principles can be applied to everyday life and help you start asking the right questions. Why do you do what you do? What is your soul motivation? These kinds of questions can help you change your mindset and direct your energy to things that fulfil your why.
Mark Manson, The subtle art of not giving a fuck
I have a confession that I haven’t read this book yet but it is on my list. However, I do know that Mark Manson is an incredible writer and I love his weekly Monday emails because they’re so thought-provoking. The same can be said about this book. Super raw, honest and down to earth, this book is throwing positivity out the window and is all about accepting the world for what it is, f***ed. This will help change your mindset from positivity to reality and giving a damn about what really matters to you.
Gretchen Rubin, The happiness project
The happiness project is all about the small changes you can make to your mindset and perspective that change your life without actually change your life. Honestly, I think this is a great book showing you that you don’t need to all things or overhaul your whole life to actually be happy and feel fulfilled. It’s all right there in front of you, you’re already rich.
Best books to change your habits and daily life
Stephen Covey, 7 habits of highly effective people
The simple 7 concepts that can make a massive difference in your life. When you turn your attention to how you can be interdependent and focus on your circle of control (just 2 of 7 habits), you can take a whole new position in your life as a creator. That’s why I love this book because I stopped associating myself as a victim and became the catalyst, creator and dominator of my life and you can do the same!
Hala Elrod, Miracle morning and the miracle morning for millionaires
From the smallest 5 steps to waking up more effectively to how to spend your morning most productively for you. These books are practical and actionable to start transforming your morning into the best part of your day. Helping you to change your mindset as well as your life at the same time. Even though I don’t plan on getting up at 5 am for my morning routine any time soon, these little tips can make the biggest difference in your life.
James Clear, Atomic Habits
You might not even realise the power that your habits have over your life, that’s because they’re automatic. Although, building new habits can help you change your life significantly but it can be one of the toughest challenges to overcome. James clear walks you through the most powerful life hacks to make new habits stick and how even the smallest of actions can make the biggest of difference over time.
Jen Sincero, You are a badass
A funny, relatable and light-hearted book, ‘You are a badass’ helps you change your mindset and your life. Accepting your greatness, overcoming self-sabotaging beliefs, and introducing habits that positively impact the life you dream of and want to create. I love the way that Jen Sincero writes in a friendly and casual tone so that the stories stick with you and are much more relatable to real life. In addition, she has more books in the collection to help with your money mindset and keeping motivated.
What happens after reading these books and what are the best ways to change your life?
Reading these books is amazing and helps change perspective but reading is passive. During school, we were taught in a very passive way where we were spoken at and read textbooks but how much do you remember from school? Passive learning is not the best and can easily be forgotten, you need to be actively learning.
Active learning involves you and your experiences. Therefore, you can take the tips from the reading and actually go and do them. Learn by doing and by experiencing the changes, the mindset and the habits that they recommend in order to change your life.
Only you can make the changes, no one else. Take responsibility for your learning by doing and experimenting with the ideas provided in the books to evaluate if they work for you and the change that they trigger.
I also encourage you to enjoy the process! Take the pressure off of yourself to be perfect because perfection doesn’t exist. Instead, embrace a growth mindset through the process to understand that you are learning and gradually creating the life you want.
Let me know which books you enjoyed the most and your biggest takeaways in the comments!
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