Books to Help You Change your Life – for the Better
BOOK GUIDE #1: for Emotional Intelligence
Ever since I was six years old, I’ve loved reading books. It’s the smell of the paper when I first open a book that reminds me of sitting in a library reading as a child. My Grandma used to sit me in the corner of the children’s section whilst she searched for the perfect novel to borrow. It’s also the excitement of reading well-written phrases that an author has taken hours to write. It’s a craft and I’m in awe of authors who can first sit and write for the senses.
On the flip side, reading an eBook doesn’t quite have the same satisfaction. Call me ‘old fashioned’ — certainly not old, but I can still appreciate the style and tone. Even when I don’t particularly like the story — it still helps to educate the mind and broaden the horizon.
Lately I’ve been trying to read at least one book each week. Every night I read a chapter in bed. Even when I’m tired, I make myself read. It’s the push and pull of free-will that gets easier over time. It’s my educational habit. Reading makes you learn something new. It challenges you to broaden your knowledge in the most profound ways. For me it’s the character, the story line and the writing style. And it provides the freedom to fall into a space which doesn’t require concerns about my life — and what I have to do the next day. It gives me a sense of peace.
It’s a good idea to expand your mind by challenging your perception on how you view the world, through reading. Especially if you have been raised by a single parent, like myself. I was raised by my Mother who made me realise what hard work is. And because of her, I became more independent than most children. I also buried myself in books to learn as much as possible. This is where I fell in love with communication through the written word. I feel it’s important to develop your unique strengths — mine is writing. It can easily be done without having two parents but through educating yourself by reading books.
Every entrepreneur I know reads at least one book per month. Knowledge is power and power is freedom. Thomas Oppong, entrepreneur outlines the books that have helped him become a better man in his article: “Every Man Should Read these Life — Changing Books.” His article has encouraged critical thinking about all the books I have read, that have helped me become more emotionally intelligent.
7 Books to Begin your Journey
Here’s a list of books I personally recommend that have helped me become a more balanced person. These books will help you build a balanced emotional and mental state of well being. Please note these are in no particular order:
#1 The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change
A practical masterpiece written by Stephen R Covey with easy to follow instructions and guides. Learn to “put first things first” and “begin with the end in mind”. Stephen R Covey has sold over 25 million copies of this book which is a classic in management and leadership. It’s definitely a good read if you want to be in a position of influence.
#2 The Motivation Manifesto– 9 Declarations to Claim Your Personal Power
This book lifts the reader from mere motivation into a purpose and meaningful life. It’s a guide to help you reclaim your life and find your own personal freedom. World-renowned high performance trainer Brendan Burchard reveals the two enemies that stand in our way: an external enemy, defined as the social oppression of who we are as perceived by culture, and an internal enemy, a sort of self-oppression caused by our own doubts and fears. It’s an interesting read that will help you battle self doubt and avoid distractions of the day into victory.
#3 Awaken the Giant Within: How to Take Immediate Control of Your Mental, Emotional, Physical and Financial Destiny!
This book is full of high quality strategies that are immediately applicable to help you control your emotional self. Tony Robbins explains that every person has the power to take their own fate and get exactly what they want in life. He encourages you to take full advantage with the right attitude and actions to master your destiny. It’s all about leveraging your emotional intelligence and applying the ‘can do’ strategies to help your life flow towards what you really want.
#4 The Way of the Superior Man: A Spiritual Guide to Mastering the Challenges of Women, Work, and Sexual Desire (20th Anniversary Edition)
Even though this book is more applicable to men, it’s worth reading by any gender. David Deida helps you understand various emotional challenges that many men experience and how to gain mastery over one of the most difficult opponents: yourself. It covers integrity, empowerment and sexual spirituality with straight forward advice.
#5 Mastery
The author, Robert Greene teaches you how take the long road towards a higher form of success, one that very few people achieve, at a level of mastery. You will learn from case studies of the world’s greatest masters with practical advice on how you can apply it.
#6 The Art Of War
This book was written by Sun Tzu and has helped me become more authentic in my writing style which has led me to be a successful columnist with the Good Men Project and I’m in the process of writing my first book. It’s enabled me to break through my inner resistance to create my authentic self. The Art of War is a good read for entrepreneurs, writers, artists or any form of creative individuals.
#7 Manifesting Change: It Couldn’t Be Easier
Mike Dooley breaks down the metaphysical mechanics behind every physical manifestation. Manifesting Change has easy to understand exercises, stories and analogies that illustrate just how easy events can be triggered by our own thoughts, words, and actions. This book is the basics of how to change your circumstances with straight forward instructions.
Which book will you start with? All comments are most welcome.
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Caria Watt is a TV host and writer. She lives in Sydney with her over friendly cavalier dog, Tristan. In her spare time you’ll find her burning toast whilst simultaneously reading, or learning code — to feed her entrepreneurial addiction.
She’s on Twitter @wattisnow, is a weekly columnist for The Good Men Project and The eWord Magazine. Her writing has been published on The Dating Directory Co, The Women’s Project and The Holistic Entrepreneur Association.
Originally published at goodmenproject.com on February 27, 2017.
