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Self-Help/Motivational books?

Duck Rodgers

Duck Rodgers

Well-Known Member
Who/what do you guys like? I just read through the James Allen treasury and had to go buy me copy on Amazon right after I finished because it was good stuff that I need to read about 100 more times. I like some of the Stephen Covey books too. Eckhart Tolle is solid. Tried to read a Donald Trump self-help book awhile back and it was garbage.

Anyone I should be on the lookout for as I stroll the library corridors?
 
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Maybe this isn't exactly what you are looking for but:

Man's Search for Meaning
The Last Lecture
I find books by Malcolm Gladwell really interesting

I like to read books about people who have overcome tragedy:

Chick book-

One Light Still Shines: My Life Beyond the Shadow of the Amish Schoolhouse Shooting
'My story is not about my past, but about your future,' says Marie Roberts Monville. In the startling tragedy of the Amish schoolhouse shooting at Nickel Mines, one story has never been told; Marie Roberts Monville, the wife of the man who created such horror, tells her story for the very first time. It is a story of sorrow and destruction, but also one of majestic deliverance, unending compassion, breathtaking forgiveness, and grace-filled redemption.

This one seems appropriate for this forum, but I haven't read it:

who-moved-my-cheese2.jpg


There are also some good 16 minute Ted Talks on the motivation topic:

How to Start a Movement

The Puzzle of Motivation
 
^^^^^^Anything inspiring works. I'm just taking a break from political/economic books for at least a year and going to read purely positive stuff.
 
I don't like most books that are considered motivational or self help. For me it doesn't mater how enthusiastically Zig Zigler tells me to be inspired, I'm not inspired. I find more inspiration and motivation when I read books that focus on deep and meaningful character development, or provide insights into the soul.

For me there is nothing better for that than religious texts. I like portions of the Bible in the old testament for help with my work. Parts of the New Testament help when I am discouraged, and the Book of Mormon stirs my soul.

When I was young Jonathan Livingston seagull intrigued me.

Mans search for Meaning is fabulous.

Several years ago I was looking for a change of pace in my readings. By chance I stumbled upon some books about near death experiences written by dr. Moody (I think).

He records and catalogues personal accounts of people dying and coming back to life. His approach is more systematic re-telling than preaching. They are quick reads and easy to digest in short bites like on a train ride. It lead to a lot of introspection and self motivation.
 
I liked "Get Confident, Stupid!" and "Smoke Yourself Thin" and who could forget "Whoa, don't touch me there!".
 
I may be in the minority, but for me Who Moved My Cheese was a huge "duh" and little more than fluff. It is one of those that feels like it is speaking "truth" at first, but upon further review really didn't say much of anything. At least to me.

I still like "How to Win Friends and Influence People". Pretty solid book on social interaction and selling yourself.

I also like the Freakanomic books. They may not be directly self-help books but they get you thinking about all kinds of things in your life and make you view things from a totally different perspective, at least for most people, which I think is the basis for any personal change or growth.

And I will always push Eckhart Tolle. Might not buy into his entire philosophy, but being "present" in your life is a message I think most people need to hear, and has made a huge difference in my life. Even if I do think the "pain body" concept is a little too overblown and melodramatic.
 
LogGrad98 said:
And I will always push Eckhart Tolle. Might not buy into his entire philosophy, but being "present" in your life is a message I think most people need to hear, and has made a huge difference in my life. Even if I do think the "pain body" concept is a little too overblown and melodramatic.
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Yeah, I think with his pain body terminology it's best if you just mentally substitute whatever you referred to it previously as you read. I almost stopped reading the second half of that New Earth book because of that. He doesn't really use those terms in the first 100 pages or so and it works way better for him.
 
I've always had good memories of reading M. Scott Peck's "A Road Less Traveled." There are some concepts in that book that have stuck with me to this day.
 
PearlWatson said:
Like what?
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I think the most important one for me was the concept of discipline and how delaying gratification affected our lives in a positive manner. This is a really powerful concept that is often forgotten in our "immediate" culture and society. The other one I remember was accepting responsibility.

I think it's a fantastic book that touches on some really life empowering concepts.
 
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