Since I was a young boy, I loved reading. Historical fiction, westerns, and self-help books are my favorites today. You’ve heard the saying knowledge is power. I’m here to debunk that statement. Knowledge is NOT power if you don’t do anything with it. Knowledge coupled with action is power.

Many people read self-help books, listen to audios, and attend seminars. BUT, they never do anything with what they learn. They are excited at the moment… and by Monday, the spray paint wears off the rust. There’s no motivation to take action. Education becomes the medication to avoid change.

Now, don’t get me wrong. Personal development is important. And I am going to share my top 5 favorite self-help books. Before I do, understand this…

Personal development is the key to breaking through your barriers.  Reading self-help books can assist you with the following:

• inspire you to take positive action
• release limiting beliefs and old patterns    
• confront disempowering behaviors
• gain awareness
• allow you to see a new perspective
• raise your level of consciousness
• improve your skills, habits, and mindset

REMEMBER… You will only receive these benefits if you do something with the knowledge. That means to practice the new skills. Adopt new habits. Release your old mindset.

With that being said… let’s get to my list.

The Game of Life and How to Play It

The Game of Life and How to Play It was written by Florence Scovel Shinn. It was published in 1925. Don’t let the date fool you. This self-help book is a classic.   

It stresses that life is not a battle but a game of giving and receiving. My biggest take away from this book is that words do not return void. When you understand the power of your words, you will not speak into existence what you do not want. You will see how your vocabulary affects your mindset. And how it affects your ability to overcome obstacles. The lesson here… speak what you DO want… not what you don’t.

Think and Grow Rich

Think and Grow Rich is another classic self-help book. The author Napoleon Hill uses stories of Andrew Carnegie, Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, and other millionaires of his generation to teach his principles. Hill shares basic techniques that can lead to success.

The concept of auto-suggestion stands out to me the most. I have incorporated this concept into my books, coaching, and speaking. Auto-suggestion occurs when your subconscious adopts an idea through repetition and experience. It can have a positive or negative on your behavior. Understanding this process is a game changer in the self-help game.

You Can Heal Your Life

You Can Heal Your Life, is written by best selling author, Louise Hay. She’s the author that introduced the mind-body connection to me. She also teaches how the thoughts you think and speak create your experiences. Understanding the metaphysical connection to what is happening in your life gives you power. It’s the power to take responsibility and create change. Louise Hay’s book was a catalyst to my breakthrough process.

Power VS. Force

Power VS. Force by David R. Hawkins M.D. Ph.D. is one of the best books I have ever read when it comes to levels of consciousness. Hawkins is one of the best in the self-help books category. This is not a book you read… It’s a book you study for life. Go to chapter 8, The Source of Power. He explains how force creates a counterforce. Power stands alone. Force comes from lower vibrational states of consciousness. These are anger, hate, resentment, guilt, shame, grief, and apathy. When you live in these states, you will live in conflict. You will seek out people to be in conflict with. In power, you will live in courage, willingness, acceptance, love, joy, peace, and enlightenment.

Letting Go: The Pathway of Surrender

Letting Go is another book by David R. Hawkins M.D. Ph.D. This is one of my favorite self-help books. Letting go is what it takes to grow. Letting go is is what assists you to break free of the past. So many of my clients ask me, “How do I let go?” They want an easy answer. Letting go is not physical. It’s emotional.

When you begin to understand why you do what you do…

And you decide that it no longer serves you—the let go process can begin. If you only read one author for the rest of your life in the self-help books category… David R. Hawkins M.D. Ph.D. is the author!

Now, I know this is supposed to be my top 5 favorite self-help books… but I am going to recommend that you read, Transcending the Levels of Consciousness: The Stairway to Enlightenment.

This is another Hawkins book. It’s the one I am immersed in right now.

So there you have it.

My top 5… well 6, favorite self-help books.

Read these books and put into action what you learn.

Improve your life now.