Self help books might seem a little corny to the uninitiated, but once you start reading them it becomes clear that they can carry an abundance of wisdom and motivation. After all, who better to learn from than your fellow man? We’ll be going through the top 10 best self help books to read, that’ll make you a better version of you.

10. Man’s Search For Meaning

Man’s Search For Meaning has captivated readers for generations, thanks to Victor Frankl’s descriptions of life in Nazi death camps. In the book, we learn of Frankl’s incredible strength in choosing life and spiritual survival over death at the hands of the Nazis. Frankl’s main argument is that it is impossible to avoid suffering, but that we can choose how we respond to it, cope with it, and find meaning in it. He argues that our main motivator in life is not pleasure, but rather the discovery of what we find meaningful.

9. The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success

Deepak Chopra’s, The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success, was first published in 1994 and has since gone on to become a classic in the self improvement book genre. His teachings can be summed up in 7 principles, which should be applied to all aspects of your personal life in order to garner success. Chopra’s essential ideal is that personal understanding and harmony promote fulfilling relationships and an abundance of material wealth without effort. You’ll find details on how to achieve this in each chapter.

8. The Four Agreements

Our next self help book is The Four Agreements. It’s rooted in ancient Toltec wisdom, of which there are four agreements in life that are essential to encounter on the path to your own personal freedom. Don Miguel insists that as your beliefs are transformed through keeping the agreements, your life will become filled with “grace, peace and unconditional love.”

7. Rich Dad, Poor Dad

Looking for a financial self improvement book? Robert Kiyosaki has got you covered with Rich Dad, Poor Dad. Kiyosaki addresses the issue of ‘financial literacy’, something that’s never taught in schools. He asserts that he had two paternal figures as a child, one who was “Rich Dad” and the other “Poor Dad”. The overall theory behind the book is that rich people make money work for them, while poor people work for money. This book can seriously change your idea and understanding of the financial system, and is a must read self improvement book.

6. The Road Less Travelled

“Two roads diverged in a wood, and I —

I took the one less travelled by,

And that has made all the difference.” — Robert Frost

The Road Less Travelled opens up with the line “Life is difficult,” so you pretty much know where you stand from the get go. M Scott Peck takes on the difficult task of leading us into an exploration of the nature of loving relationships, and leads us towards inner peace and fulfillment. You’ll learn how to identify codependency vs love, how to become a better and more sensitive parent, and how to become true to yourself.

5. Think and Grow Rich

Napoleon Hill was one of the first self help book authors, and his books continue motivating and inspiring people around the world today. Think and Grow Rich outlines Hill’s 13 Principles of Personal Achievement, condensing his laws of success into a book that has quickly become a genre staple. It’s argued that any person that is filled with desire, faith and persistence can reach success by eliminating negative thoughts and energy, and focusing on their goals instead.

4. Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway

None of us are entirely fearless — but fear shouldn’t stop us from achieving the things that we desperately want to. In Feel the Fear and Do it Anyway, Susan Jeffers shows you how to evolve from victim into creator. Following the 10-step process outlined in the book, you’ll learn how to switch off the negative talk in your mind and to create more meaning in your life by overcoming your fears.

3. How to Win Friends and Influence People

Dale Carnegie wrote what is arguably one of the most timeless self improvement books ever. In “How to Win Friends and Influence People”, Carnegie asserts that most success will come from your ability to communicate effectively. This book shows you how to value people and make them feel appreciated rather than manipulated, and shows that your personal success does not have to be to the detriment of others.

2. The Power of Now

Eckhart Tolle takes his readers on the ultimate journey of spiritual awakening to find their true and deepest self. By doing so, you’ll reach the peak in personal growth and spirituality, and the discovery of truth and light. He writes about how your own mind is the natural enemy to enlightenment, and goes further still — showing you how to really live and engage in the present moment.

Number 1 on the list of the top 10 best self help books has to be The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. Coelho tells that story of Santiago, an Andalusian shepherd boy, whose ultimate dream is to travel in search of an incredible treasure. We follow him from his home in Spin, to the markets of Tangiers, and across the Egyptian desert where he finally encounters the alchemist. This is a story of wisdom, listening to your heart, being guided by your intuition, and following your dreams. A must read!

Self Help Books: A tool for self-improvement

Self help books are a tool that you can use for personal development. We hope that you’ve found something that interests you out of this list of the top 10 best self help books! If you have, you should check out Blue Baikal. Blue Baikal is a blockchain based platform, where users can review their favorite (or least favorite) books, series, movies, music, and games and earn BBC (Blue Baikal Coin). Want to learn more? Click here.