Reading has always been a means of escape for me and lately, I’ve been immersing myself in self-improvement and inpirational books.
The books I’m featuring on this list are filled with lifestyle and career gems. Whether you’re looking for words of wisdom on how to navigate your career or you’re looking to learn how to be more extraordinary and creative in your social and professional circles, this list has something for you!
Here are 5 Self Improvement Books that I’m loving!
1. More Than Enough by Elaine Welteroth
You know a book is gonna be lit when the title is an affirmation! Whenever I tell anyone that this is one of my favorite self improvement books it feels super personal, because I can relate to so much about what Welteroth shares about her life growing up in a small town with dreams of becoming a magazine editor. I mean… some of the recollections of her childhood were almost too familiar and don’t even mention the grind of working in the magazine business.
Fun Fact: When Welteroth was working at Ebony I was a beauty intern at Essence magazine. She was besties with my mentor Andrea Arterbery and I remember being in awe of them both when they would link for lunch. They were so stylish and seemed so sure of themselves, I was like “I want to be like these women when I graduate from college!”
Get it here: More Than Enough
If you want amazing career advice in addition to some good laughs, pick up this book. It’s not only relevant to people in the magazine field, it transcends to any ambitious woman looking for some motivation. I also have a physical and audio copy of this book.
2. The Path Made Clear by Oprah Winfrey
If you have ever struggled with finding your purpose, living your purpose and cultivating your personal vision for your life, you need this book! It’s filled with first-hand accounts of everyone from spiritual gurus to celebrities sharing their aha moments of discovering their purpose and sharing the truth and experiences of navigating their journeys of self-discovery. It’s a short read that you can reference in bites or in totality.
I read this book during a time of uncertainty in my career and it really encouraged me to lean into my why while continuing to create write my vision and make it plain. I highly recommend it if you’re in a time of limbo or just need a motivational reminder that your life is significant and your story toward fulfilling your destiny is oftentimes a marathon and not a race.
I purchased the Audible version of the book and I’m so glad that I did because it contains audio from Oprah and all the featured guests, so it feels like you’re a part of an intimate conversation with profound people sharing their inner-most thoughts and offering practical advice on living your purpose.
Get it here: The Path Made Clear
3. Becoming by Michelle Obama (Book & Journal)
I have a physical copy of this book as well as the Audible download and I’ve listened to the audiobook twice in a 3-month period. It’s just that good and filled with so many gems. I particularly love that FLOTUS Obama gives a full-circle look at her life from her childhood to life after the White House. Oftentimes, when we see people who are living a “dream life” it can feel unattainable or there can be the assumption that they were groomed for that lifestyle through wealth and power.
I really connected to the fact that a loving family, hard work, intention and fearlessness all played a key role in her success! There were no shortcuts, there were no silver spoons… just hard work, vision, self-love and service for others. She also spills major tea on what it was like meeting her husband, motherhood, being on the campaign trail, spending 8 years in the White House and more. As a matter of fact, I feel like I need a refresher!
I also purchased the accompanying journal which has amazing prompts, tables and charts that you can complete. The best part is the topics touch on everything from your personal and family goals to gratitude, reflection and planning for a more productive month.
Get it here: Becoming book & Becoming Journal
In the spirit of sahring self-improvement books and resources, check out my FREE positive affirmations & journaling workbook here!
4. Talking To Strangers by Malcolm Gladwell
You know how you meet people for the first time and walk away with an idea of who they are based on the flow or topic of conversation, what they were wearing, their body language and so many other things? Now, layer in thinking you’re a pretty good judge of character w and that your assessment about this person is accurate because you’re a good judge of character. Well… this book will make you rethink your ability to read people. Gladwell does what he does best by merging history, pop culture and data to take you on a psychological experience that ultimately helps you to know better, but also prompts you to want to do better.
If you’re looking for a book that will cause you to peel back the layers of how you view people, especially strangers, this one will blow your mind. Three words that I will forever carry with me from this book are the “default to truth” theory. Look it up and thank me later!
Tip: Listen to the audio version of this book to hear original audio and voices of the featured guests. It enhances the experience so much that Gladwell also recommended doing this!
Get it here: Talking to Strangers
5. Eff This Meditation: 108 Tips, Tricks, and Ideas for When You’re Stressed Out, Anxious, Or Overwhelmed by Liza Kindred
The title of this book literally speaks for itself. It’s a self-care tool that outlines actionable ways to practice self-improvement and mindfulness in bite-sized pieces. The book outlines 100+ ideas for tapping into your best self that range from 1-minute long to 1-hour long, so you really can start where you are or pivot depending on your mood for the day.
And, check this out, y’all: there is something for pretty much every interest, ability and income level. Topics range from deepening your yoga practice, to delegating a task, taking a hike or tapping into activism.
Tip: You don’t have to read this book in chronological order. Bounce around from topic to topic and use the glossary to help you find what you need at any moment.
Get it here: Eff This Mediation
What are your favorite self improvement books?
xo,
