Success and Personal Effectiveness
Self Help Books
Icons of success occupy a hallowed place in the American Pantheon: Ben Franklin, Andrew Carnegie, John D. Rockefeller, Bill Gates, Sam Walton. The United States is a symbol of success, welcoming immigrants who want to work hard and make a better life. Continue reading article on Success and Personal Effectiveness»
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The self help books listed below offer encouragement and support for those with dreams, and practical help for avoiding self-defeating behavior.
See also: Prosperity Consciousness; Self Esteem and Self Confidence; Creativity
Short List of Recommended Self Help Books on Success and Personal Effectiveness
"These are the Success and Personal Effectiveness self help books I recommend most frequently to my clients who wish to organize themselves, be more self confident, learn how to deal with setbacks, and proceed with optimism to tackle the challenges of their lives." David Yarian, Ph.D.
Recommended Self Help Books on Success and Personal Effectiveness
59 Seconds: Change Your Life in Under a Minute
Richard Wiseman
Richard Wiseman has been troubled by the realization that the self-help industry often promotes exercises that destroy motivation, damage relationships, and reduce creativity: the opposite of everything it promises. Now, in 59 Seconds, he fights back, bringing together the diverse scientific advice that can help you change your life in under a minute, and guides you toward becoming more decisive, more imaginative, more engaged, and altogether more happy.He outlines the research supporting the new science of “rapid change” and, with clarity and infectious enthusiasm, describes how these quirky, sometimes counterintuitive techniques can be effortlessly incorporated into your everyday life. 2010, Anchor Press
All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten
This little self help classic has sold 7 million copies, underscoring Fulghum’s wisdom in pointing us to the truth that the most basic aspects of life bring life’s most important opportunities. Filled with simple, profound wisdom, finding life lessons hidden in the laundry pile, musing about mortality and surviving catastrophe, Fulghum reminds us to be brave, creative, and engaged to the fullest with life. 2004, Ballantine Books
Anxious 9 to 5: How to Beat Worry, Stop Second Guessing Yourself, And Work With Confidence
Anxiety, worry, perfectionism, self-defeating thoughts and fears of failure in the workplace can hold you back from achieving the success you deserve, despite how hard you work. This self help book offers simple and effective techniques to get your workplace anxiety under control once and for all so you can enjoy work and be more productive. 2006, New Harbinger
Awake at Work: 35 Practical Buddhist Principles for Discovering Clarity and Balance in the Midst of Work's ChaosThis collection of teachings is designed to illuminate the power that mindfulness can have at work. By surrendering to the moment one becomes alert, open, and unusually skillful. In brief chapters, Carroll expounds some thirty-five slogans designed to be both fodder for meditation and mnemonic devices for when that particular message can help the most, during an opportune moment at work. "Welcome the tyrant" helps one to disarm a cranky boss; "avoid idiot compassion" reminds one to eschew giving merely superficial help. 2004, Shambhala
Awaken the Giant Within: How to Take Immediate Control of Your Mental, Emotional, Physical and Financial Destiny!Anthony Robbins, the nation's leader in the science of peak performance, shows you his most effective strategies and techniques for mastering your emotions, your body, your relationships, your finances, and your life. The acknowledged expert in the psychology of change, Anthony Robbins provides a step-by-step program teaching the fundamental lessons of self-mastery that will enable you to discover your true purpose, take control of your life and harness the forces that shape your destiny. 1992, Free Press
Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking
Blink is about the first two seconds of looking--the decisive glance that knows in an instant. Gladwell campaigns for snap judgments and mind reading with a gift for translating research into splendid storytelling. Building his case with scenes from a marriage, heart attack triage, speed dating, choking on the golf course, selling cars, and military maneuvers, he persuades readers to think small and focus on the meaning of "thin slices" of behavior. The key is to rely on our "adaptive unconscious"--a 24/7 mental valet--that provides us with instant and sophisticated information to warn of danger, read a stranger, or react to a new idea. 2007, Back Bay Books
Chicken Soup for the Soul: Living Your Dreams
This collection of 101 stories is based on the belief that true testimonies of goodness and loving transformations can nourish us to the bone and heal the cynicism in our hearts. The short, simple stories tell about an event, a person, or an everyday miracle that exemplifies the best of the human spirit. This multi-million selling self help book reminds readers that dreams really do come true for those who dare to believe that obstacles can be overcome with persistence, patience, and belief in oneself. 2003, HCI
Do What You Love, the Money Will Follow: Discovering Your Right Livelihood
Author Sinetar urges the reader to find the work best suited to his or her needs and talents. She provides assessment tools and guidance for overcoming fears, learning to take risks, and building self esteem. 1989, Dell
Don't Sweat the Small Stuff . . . And It's All Small Stuff: Simple Ways to Keep the Little Things from Taking Over Your LifeThis cheerful self help book offers 100 meditations designed to make you appreciate being alive, keep your emotions in proper perspective, and cherish other people as the unique miracles they are. It’s an owner’s manual of the heart -- and if you follow the directions, you will be a happier, more harmonious person. 1997, Hyperion
Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us
According to Pink everything we think we know about what motivates us is wrong. He cites a dizzying number of studies revealing that carrot and stick can actually significantly reduce the ability of workers to produce creative solutions to problems. What motivates us once our basic survival needs are met is the ability to grow and develop, to realize our fullest potential! Case studies of Google's 20 percent time (in which employees work on projects of their choosing one full day each week) and Best Buy's Results Only Work Environment (in which employees can work whenever and however they choose—as long as they meet specific goals) demonstrate growing endorsement for this approach. 2009, Riverhead Hardcover
This book was a Pick of the Month Self Help Book! Read David's full Book Review.
Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ
In this fascinating book based on brain and behavioral research, Goleman argues that our view of intelligence is far too narrow. He suggests that emotional intelligence -- defined in terms of self-awareness, altruism, personal motivation, empathy and the ability to love and be loved -- is the strongest indicator of human success. People who possess high emotional intelligence are the people who truly succeed in work as well as play, building flourishing careers and 
lasting, meaningful relationships. 2005, Bantam
Emotional Intelligence Quickbook: Everything You Need to Know to Put Your EQ to Work
The authors outline techniques anyone can use to achieve goals in an easier and more fulfilling way, improve relationships, enhance health, and become more accomplished. 2005, Fireside
Falling Awake: Creating the Life of Your Dreams
Businessman and philanthropist Ellis says, "Life can work." Falling Awake presents twelve major Success Strategies to assist you in reaching the life of your dreams. 2002, Breakthrough Enterprises
Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway
Jeffers teaches a ten-step program to convert the negative emotions of fear, indecision and anger into power, action and love. She offers cognitive exercises and visualization techniques to help persons move beyond destructive fear. 2006, Ballantine Books
First Things First: To Live, To Love, To Learn, To Leave a Legacy
This self help book will help you create balance between your personal and professional responsibilities by putting first things first and acting on them. Covey teaches an organizing process that helps you categorize tasks so you focus on what is important, not merely what is urgent. “Doing more things faster is no substitute for doing the right things,” says Covey. This book shows you how to balance your time to achieve a meaningful life. 1996, Free Press
Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity
David Allen offers a crash course in basic time management and personal organization. His message is concise: Organize yourself to free your mind for greater pursuits. This simple self help book makes that daunting task seem possible. It's a quick glimpse at setting goals, clearing clutter, and staying focused. 2002, Penguin
Getting to Yes: Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In
The classic self help guide to negotiation has sold over 1 million copies. This completely revised edition is a universal guide to the art of negotiating personal and professional disputes. It offers a concise strategy for coming to mutually acceptable agreements in every sort of conflict. 2011, Penguin
Get Out of Your Own Way: Overcoming Self-Defeating Behavior
Procrastination . . . Envy . . . Anger . . . Self-pity . . . Compulsion . . . In any of its many forms, self-defeating behavior is a poison that prevents people from achieving the love, success, and happiness they desire. Get Out of Your Own Way is an antidote, explaining the reasons for self-sabotage by going back to the childhood origins of various behaviors. With anecdotes and usable insights drawn from twenty years of psychiatric clinical practice, Dr. Goulston shares ideas that have helped thousands of patients overcome pain, fear, and confusion-to approach life's challenges with dignity, wisdom, courage, and even humor. 1996, Perigee Trade
I Could Do Anything If I Only Knew What It Was: How to Discover What You Really Want and How to Get ItWhether you are looking to make improvements in your work or personal life, the authors will show you how to identify what your objectives are, and how to successfully achieve them--even if right now the single thing you are certain of is that you're vaguely to extremely unhappy and haven't the foggiest idea what to do with yourself. 1995, Dell
Infinite Possibilities: The Art of Living Your Dreams
This 12-CD (or cassette) audio series is filled with encouragement – to think and dream larger, to grow into the belief that dreams can be actualized. Not a “motivational” series, but a playful and philosophical approach to life which affirms that abundance, health and harmony are your birthright. Dooley addresses beliefs which nurture success and happiness, your emotions and how to understand them, and includes many tools and techniques for the art of living your dreams. 2002, Totally Unique Thoughts
Learned Optimism: How to Change Your Mind and Your Life
Seligman says that pessimists believe that bad events are their fault, will last a long time and undermine everything. Optimists, on the other hand, believe that defeat is a temporary setback or a challenge. In this self help book, he teaches the skills of changing from pessimism to optimism which will enable you to take charge, resist depression, feel better and accomplish more. 2006, Vintage
Life Strategies: Doing What Works, Doing What Matters
Dr. Phil tells his readers how to make the dramatic changes in their lives that they’ve craved for so long. Whether in a bad relationship or a bad marriage, stuck in a dull career or in harmful habits, he offers ten strategies to help readers wake up and get out of their ruts. These self help strategies are eye-opening and no-nonsense, urging readers to take charge of their lives, get ready to act, and move on. 1999, Hyperion
The Now Habit: A Strategic Program for Overcoming Procrastination and Enjoying Guilt-Free Play
Author Neil Fiore offers the first comprehensive strategy to overcome the causes of procrastination and to eliminate its deleterious effects. His techniques will help any busy person get more things done more quickly, without the anxiety and stress brought on by failure to meet the workplace's pressing deadlines. Included are strategies to understand and deal with the complex role technology plays in procrastination today. 2007, Tarcher
Outliers: The Story of Success
In Outliers, Malcolm Gladwell poses a provocative question: why do some people succeed, living remarkably productive and impactful lives, while so many more never reach their potential? He challenges our cherished belief in the "self-made man," and proposes that superstars don't arise out of nowhere, propelled only by genius and talent: "they are invariably the beneficiaries of hidden advantages and extraordinary opportunities and cultural legacies that allow them to learn and work hard and make sense of the world in ways others cannot." Examining the lives of outliers from Mozart to Bill Gates, he builds a convincing case for how successful people rise on a tide of advantages, "some deserved, some not, some earned, some just plain lucky." 2008, Little, Brown and Co.
The Power of Intention: Learning to Co-create Your World, Your Way
This self help book might help readers land a better job, but it is more relevant for those who are ready to detach from an ego-driven life filled with quick fixes of happiness and step into a more authentic, joyful and spiritually fulfilling life. Dyer calls people who are consciously co-creating their lives by using the power of intention “individuals who have made themselves available for success.” He gives detailed instruction for connecting with the “seven faces of intention” – creativity, kindness, love, beauty, expansion, abundance and receptivity. 2005, Hay House
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
Covey, an internationally respected leadership authority, emphasizes that true success encompasses a balance of personal and professional effectiveness. This self help book is a manual for performing better in both arenas. Covey lists seven basic habits that are necessary for quality-oriented success: be proactive, be clear about the end goal, put first things first, think win-win, seek first to understand, synergize, and focus on renewal. Personal, family, educational and professional examples are used to illustrate the habits of highly effective people. 2004, Free Press
Secrets of the Millionaire Mind: Mastering the Inner Game of Wealth
Using pithy statements such as "Rich people focus on opportunities; poor people focus on obstacles," Eker argues that poverty or wealth begin first in one's imagination. This inspiring self help book challenges the reader to develop an intensly positive and optimistic focus and provides a set of tools and techniques to do so. 2005, HarperBusiness
Self-Defeating Behaviors: Free Yourself from the Habits, Compulsions, Feelings, and Attitudes that Hold You BackThis self help book explains that self-defeating attitudes or actions may have worked well at one time but ultimately cycle into adult behaviors that backfire. Self-defeatists harbor mythical fears that stifle creative thought patterns and cause faulty conclusions that perpetuate the destructive cycle. Through real-life examples, self-tests, and charts, this book helps readers identify, intercept, and overcome their self-imposed barriers to success and growth. 1993, HarperSanFrancisco
Self-Discipline in 10 Days: How to Go from Thinking to Doing
How do some people consistently transform their ideas into actions and achievements while others dream, think, and plan, but actually accomplish little? Answer: Self-Discipline! Follow the system in this book and you will achieve more self-discipline in your work life, your personal life, and any other area of your life. Youll learn to apply simple techniques that will benefit you for a lifetime. All you need is the desire to improve. This system will do the rest. 2011, HUB Publishing
The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success: A Practical Guide to the Fulfillment of Your Dreams
Deepak Chopra offers a life-altering perspective on attaining success: once we understand our true nature and learn to live in harmony with these natural laws, wellbeing, good health, fulfilling relationships, energy and enthusiasm for life and material abundance can be achieved. 1994, Amber-Allen
StrengthsFinder 2.0Do you have the opportunity to do what you do best every day? Chances are, you don't. All too often, our natural talents go untapped. From the cradle to the cubicle, we devote more time to fixing our shortcomings than to developing our strengths.
In StrengthsFinder 2.0, Gallup unveils the new and improved version of its popular assessment tool, which helps you identify your personal strengths and move to a plan of action for employing these strengths more effectively in your life. 2007, Gallup Press
Success Is a Choice: Ten Steps to Overachieving in Business and Life
Successful NBA coach Rick Pitino outlines his approach and techniques for motivating individuals. He describes success as the result of hard work, optimism, and determination. He doesn’t believe in short cuts and presents a ten-point program for achieving success in every aspect of life. 1998, Broadway
The Success Principles: How to Get From Where You Are to Where You Want to Be
Canfield knows about success: he is co-creator of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series which have sold more than 80 million books. He presents 64 success principles and draws on his own experience and that of others to illustrate them. Canfield's energy and enthusiasm bounce off the page: those starting off in business or in need of a refresher course may consider this self help book required reading. 2004, Collins
The Tao of Leadership: Lao Tzu's Tao Te Ching Adapted for a New Age
This self help book provides the most simple and clear advise on how to be the very best kind of leader: be faithful, trust the process, pay attention, and inspire others to become their own leaders. 1986, Humanics Publishing Group
Ten Days to Self-EsteemDr. Burns presents innovative, clear and compassionate methods to help the reader identify the causes of mood slumps and develop a more positive outlook on life. This self help book emphasizes that negative feelings do not result from the bad things that happen to you but from the way you think about these events. Burns provides a ten-step program to self-esteem; the book is filled with logs, charts and step-by-step guides. 1999, HarperCollins
Time Management from the Inside Out: The Foolproof System for Taking Control of Your Schedule - and Your LifeMorgenstern believes there are three primary reasons why people have difficulty managing time: "technical errors" (miscalculating the length of a task); "external realities" (new baby, new job); and "psychological obstacles" (perfectionism). Instead of trying to change people's natural behaviors and preferences, she encourages them to expand upon whatever is working already, no matter how overwhelmed they may feel. Morgenstern's simple self help book presents a superb, sound program for creating a life that nutures you and makes you feel good. 2004, Owl Books; 2nd edition
The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference
Gladwell's thesis is that little changes can have big effects: when small numbers of people start behaving differently, that behavior can ripple outward until a critical mass or "tipping point" is reached, changing the world. Word of mouth "epidemics" can be triggered with the help of three pivotal types: Connectors, who bring people together; Mavens, who like to pass along knowledge; and Salesman, who are adept at persuading the unenlightened. 2002, Back Bay Books; Reprint edition
Transitions: Making Sense of Life's Changes, Revised 25th Anniversary Edition
This revered self help classic has helped hundreds of thousands of readers cope with change by providing an elegantly simple yet profoundly insightful roadmap of the transition process. 2004, Da Capo Press
Unlimited Power: The New Science of Personal Achievement
If you have ever dreamed of a better life, Unlimited Power will show you how to achieve the extraordinary quality of life you desire and deserve and how to master your personal and professional life. Unlimited Power is a revolutionary fitness self help book for the mind, a guidebook to superior performance in an age of success. 1997, Free Press
Visualize Confidence: How to Use Guided Imagery to Overcome Self-doubt
This self help book presents a wide range of guided imagery tools to build confidence, overcome self-doubt, and increase self esteem. 2007, New Harbinger
The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles
Best selling author Steven Pressfield shows readers how to identify, defeat, and unlock the inner barriers to creativity. The War of Art is an inspirational, funny, well-aimed kick in the pants, guaranteed to galvanize every would-be artist, visionary, or entrepreneur. 2003, Warner Books
Watercooler Wisdom: How Smart People Prosper in the Face of Conflict, Pressure, & Change
This practical self help guide offers you pertinent and powerful techniques for coping with conflict, pressure, and change - the three greatest sources of stress for workers worldwide. Use these strategies to prosper - even when circumstances seem to conspire against you. 2006, New Harbinger
What Makes the Great, GreatAfrican-Americans seeking high levels of success and accomplishment must never let negative influences such as poverty and racism infiltrate their souls, exhorts Kimbro in this inspirational self-help manual. This self help book uses the success stories of black achievers in many fields to illustrate nine mental strategies which underlie high achievement – deep-seated spiritual beliefs, a guiding vision, passionate commitment, character, competence, willingness to take risks, self-confidence, discipline, and an I-can –do-it attitude. 1998, Main Street Books
What to Say When You Talk to Yourself
Helmstetter describes different levels of self-talk, the most useful being universal affirmation. He outlines a number of strategies including silent self-talk, self-speak, self-conversation, self-writing and creating self-talk tapes. This self help book is especially helpful for negative thinkers and people low in motivation. 1990, Pocket Books
What You Can Change and What You Can't: The Complete Guide to Successful Self-Improvement
This highly rated self help book provides a wealth of scientific thought about the effect of biology, genetics, heredity, environment and self-motivation on how we think and change. Seligman emphasizes that there is much we can do within these parameters to influence our quality of life. 2007, Vintage
When Smart People Fail: Rebuilding Yourself for Success
This self help book describes the feelings of fear, isolation, shame and remorse associated with losing a job, status or money. Hyatt and Gottlieb emphatically stress that career failure is something that eventually touches every professional. They describe the process of dealing with emotions associated with failure and how men and women may respond in different ways to experiences of failure. They offer a comprehensive strategy for personal reinvention after suffering a career setback through discovering how one has failed, learning from the failure, letting go of old ways of understanding oneself, expanding one’s career choices and making the transition from the old professional to the new centered and focused individual. 2009, Simon & Schuster
Win-Win Negotiating: Turning Conflict into Agreement
The author argues that conflict can be a positive force leading to increased communication, teamwork, and healthy change in an organization. He presents examples of many creative negotiating techniques such as “unpacking” – dealing with each point of disagreement as a separate issue, and “determining the mini-max” – how to get the most and give up the least without alienating your adversary. 1987, Wiley
The Worrier’s Guide to Overcoming Procrastination
The Worrier's Guide will help you develop the skills you need to understand and conquer the anxiety that lies at the root of your chronic avoidance of necessary and even important tasks. These proven skills for overcoming procrastination will help you to work productively, enjoy guilt-free leisure time, and free yourself from the anxiety that holds you back. 2011, New Harbinger
