Interesting books about self improvement and such?

[aflaba]

I've just read "Mastery" by George Leonard after seing it recommended on this board several times. It is a really great book.

I don't know if it will help me in any way but I hope so. Anyway it has been a great read and it has felt like a smaller enlightenment.

Are there any other books about self-improvement, life strategy and similar topics that you guys can recommend?

I'd be really interested in reading more books on those broad topics. Some more narrower topics that spring to mind are
-"Increase your energy"
-"Sharpen your concentration"
-"Quit procrasinating"
-...

This post is about books so I can understand if some people think it is better fitted for the books forum. I however feel that it is better suited for this forum.

Thanks!

[vexvelour]

Sounds stupid, but I'm reading "Natural cures they dont want you to know about" and it's actually extremely alarming. We are ingesting so many toxins in all of our food and drugs it's amazing we still function. Not just for 'curing' disease, but the book gives a great deal of information on how diet change can do and solve just about everything. Interesting read.

[popniklas]

At the moment I'm reading Theodore Bryant's "Self-discipline in ten days" after seeing it being recommended here on these forums. So far, it seems good and useful.

[aflaba]

[ QUOTE ]
"Self-discipline in ten days"

[/ QUOTE ]

That I need. I'll probably pick it up!

EDIT: I see it has gotten terrific reviews on Amazon here . I'll definetly buy it. Thanks for the advice!

And thanks to the previous poster for your advice as well!

[popniklas]

</font><blockquote><font class="small">Svar till:</font><hr />
</font><blockquote><font class="small">Svar till:</font><hr />
"Self-discipline in ten days"

[/ QUOTE ]

That I need. I'll probably pick it up!

[/ QUOTE ]

I got it at Amazon, some form of special delivery that took an extra week or so. Part of it might seem a bit silly (although not as silly as many other self-improvment books) but I actually think it's very good. It's written in a simple, pop-psychology style and actually fairly entertaining.

[Sniper]

There is an entire Industry built around Self Improvement...

Try books by...
Dale Carnegie (How to win friends and influence people &amp; How to stop worrying and start living)
Dennis Waitley (The Psychology of Winning)
David Allen (Getting Things Done)
Anthony Robbins (Unlimited Power)
Andrew Weil (8 weeks to optimum health)
Norman Vincent Peale (The Power of Positive Thinking)
Napoleon Hill (Think and Grow Rich)
Robert Kiyosaki (Rich Dad, Poor dad)
Steven Covey (The 7 habits of highly effective people)
Brian Tracy (Goals!)

All of these authors obviously have other books I haven't listed, and there are many more, but these should keep you busy for a while [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

[bohemian]

[ QUOTE ]
I've just read "Mastery" by George Leonard after seing it recommended on this board several times. It is a really great book.

I don't know if it will help me in any way but I hope so. Anyway it has been a great read and it has felt like a smaller enlightenment.

Are there any other books about self-improvement, life strategy and similar topics that you guys can recommend?

I'd be really interested in reading more books on those broad topics. Some more narrower topics that spring to mind are
-"Increase your energy"
-"Sharpen your concentration"
-"Quit procrasinating"
-...

This post is about books so I can understand if some people think it is better fitted for the books forum. I however feel that it is better suited for this forum.

Thanks!

[/ QUOTE ]

Look up Vernon Howard and Wayne Dyer.

[aflaba]

[ QUOTE ]
There is an entire Industry built around Self Improvement...

Try books by...
Dale Carnegie (How to win friends and influence people &amp; How to stop worrying and start living)
Dennis Waitley (The Psychology of Winning)
David Allen (Getting Things Done)
Anthony Robbins (Unlimited Power)
Andrew Weil (8 weeks to optimum health)
Norman Vincent Peale (The Power of Positive Thinking)
Napoleon Hill (Think and Grow Rich)
Robert Kiyosaki (Rich Dad, Poor dad)
Steven Covey (The 7 habits of highly effective people)
Brian Tracy (Goals!)

All of these authors obviously have other books I haven't listed, and there are many more, but these should keep you busy for a while [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ]


Very nice list! Which ones would you recommend the most? i.e. for my first read?

I know there is a huge industry around these books. That's why I had to ask on this forum. There are h8undreds of similar books on amazon. I don't want to waste my time. I only want to read the "best" ones.

Which of these books are top-notch?

thanks!

[ QUOTE ]
There is an entire Industry built around Self Improvement...

Try books by...
Dale Carnegie (How to win friends and influence people &amp; How to stop worrying and start living)
Dennis Waitley (The Psychology of Winning)
David Allen (Getting Things Done)
Anthony Robbins (Unlimited Power)
Andrew Weil (8 weeks to optimum health)
Norman Vincent Peale (The Power of Positive Thinking)
Napoleon Hill (Think and Grow Rich)
Robert Kiyosaki (Rich Dad, Poor dad)
Steven Covey (The 7 habits of highly effective people)
Brian Tracy (Goals!)

All of these authors obviously have other books I haven't listed, and there are many more, but these should keep you busy for a while [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ]

I will echo support for Covey's "7 Habits of Highly Successful People" and the Weil book - I haven't read his stuff, but I hear it is pretty good.

I have read Unlimited Power and it was pretty good - lots of good ideas, but it all seems to get too convoluted as you go.

That is why I really like "7 Habits" - it is an excellent guide to re-ordering your priorities and making sure that you accomplish what you set out to do.

I have read several other self-help books, but I found that most of them regurgitate very similar ideas - most of which are derived from Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy - which is about questioning your assumptions and changing your frame of reference in regards to your life. Even 7 Habits follows this approach, but it is presented very elegantly.

I would suggest that its often better to read books about ideas, rather than specific strategies to change your life.

I would recommend

Frankl - Man's Search for Meaning
Hesse - Siddhartha
Malcolm Gladwell - Blink

I also recently read the book "In Praise of Slowness" by Cark Honore - which has a lot of interesting things to say about the dangers of speed in our society.

I know I have read some other interesting stuff recently, but they haven't stuck with me.

[aflaba]

Thanks for the excellent text!

I'll make an order for the books you have suggested and a few more of the ones that were suggested earlier. And get on my path of self improvement.