The 7 Best Books for Self Improvement of the Year

The search for personal and professional development is in the plans of practically everyone in adulthood.

And this search is, many times, the great engine that drives these people to take a step further in the search for their projects and dreams.

To help in this process of personal and professional development, it is common for people to seek help from literature.

For this reason, we have separated here the 7 best books for self improvement of the year. Check it out and have a good read!

If you want to purchase any of the books listed below, click on the titles. They are affiliated links that will take you directly to the store.

1- 7 Habits of Highly Effective People – Stephen R. Covey

Written by consultant Stephen R. Covey, the book “7 Habits of Highly Effective People” was released in 1989 as a read for business professionals.

Today, the book appears in the self-help section and has had more than 15 million copies in 38 languages.

The book is suitable for those seeking personal and professional development as it awakens the reader to lessons in personal transformation.

Covey invites readers to reflect on their values ​​and other aspects of life and, from then on, embrace a philosophy of life that will help them to be more productive and adopt mindsets and attitudes focused on personal and professional development.

Among the 7 habits listed and analyzed by the author are:

• Be proactive;
• Start with a goal in mind;
• First the most important;
• Think Win/Win;
• Seek first to understand, then to be understood;
• Create Synergy;
• Tune the instrument.

Through the habits mentioned in the book, we can positively reinforce our behavioral skills, the Soft Skills, personal attributes that when developed are essential for a professional to be successful at work.

2- Thinking, Fast and Slow – Daniel Kahneman

Written by Nobel Prize winner in Economics, Daniel Kahneman, the book “Thinking, Fast and Slow” was named one of the best of 2011 by the New York Times Book Review.

The book is about how we tend to think in different ways and how it impacts our decisions.

Kahneman explains the reasons for fast, intuitive, emotional, slow, logical, and thoughtful thinking. All this when making a decision.

The great asset of the book is the way the author analyzes how we could make better decisions when using the slow part of the brain.

3- Influence, New and Expanded: The Psychology of Persuasion – Robert Cialdini

The bestseller “Influence, New and Expanded: The Psychology of Persuasion” has become one of the favorite and most sought-after readings by marketing and sales professionals.

Written by psychologist and PHD Robert B. Cialdini, the book talks about using mental triggers to persuade people.

These triggers are treated as weapons of persuasion, and they are:

• Reciprocity;
• Commitment and Coherence;
• Social Approval;
• Affection;
• Authority;
• Scarcity.

The author explains in the book that, by using the weapons of persuasion, even in common situations in our daily lives, we are able to influence people and, especially, with regard to their purchasing decisions.

In addition to learning some hacks on how to persuade people, the book also has some tips on how to avoid being persuaded and not falling into mental traps.

4- The Secret Words of Success – Dr. Shad Helmstetter

Written by human behavior researcher and motivational speaker, Dr. Shad Helmstetter, the book “The Secret Words of Success” is a true guide to control how to control your insides.

The book talks about how our internal dialogue is able to influence our decisions and, consequently, our lives.

But the real focus of the book is to address how we can control this influence through Neuro-Linguistic Programming, educating our thoughts and directing them to what is needed.

5- Discover Your Strengths 2.0 – Donald O. Clifton

Written by Donald O. Clifton, considered by many as the “father of the psychology of strengths”, the book “Discover Your Strengths 2.0” is intended to help the reader to identify and develop their talents.

The book was written from a Gallup Institute study of more than 2 million people in 63 countries. This study sought to identify which areas have the greatest potential for human and professional growth.

The work ends up citing several proven successful personalities, and how they used their strengths to achieve professional success and self-fulfillment.

One of the great successes of the book is a complete program so that the reader can recognize their greatest abilities and, based on learning from the book, put all the tips into practice.

6- Emotional Intelligence – Daniel Goleman

Launched in the United States in 1995, the book “Emotional Intelligence” is a work by the renowned psychologist Daniel Goleman.

The book has now been translated into 40 languages ​​and has had a major influence on educational practices and the business world ever since.

Goleman introduces the concept of two minds – emotional and rational – and explains how they are able to shape our destiny.

The author takes everyday situations as a basis and shows how emotional intelligence is essential for success in different areas of our lives.

7- Atomic Habits - James Clear

The book “Atomic Habits: An Easy, Proven Method to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones” is authored by the celebrated James Clear, author and speaker specializing in habits, decision-making, and continual improvement.

The central theme of the book was commented on by Andrei Calazans in the first issue of GeekStream, GeekHunter’s live career for developers.

It basically consists of creating small habits that can lead to great results.

Resilience and consistency are key on this journey. It is a book recommended for people interested in creating better habits in their personal and professional life.