4 votes

What self-help / personal development books did you find valuable?

Posted by bugsmith
Tags: ask.survey, help.self

Which titles have you enjoyed in the "self-help" or personal development category? How did they help you and what lasting changes have you made since reading them?

7 comments

  1. bugsmith
    Link
    I found Atomic Habits by James Clear to be life-changing. I've read many times that it's the ultimate example of a book that could have been a paragraph, or a blog post, etc. But for me, there is...

    I found Atomic Habits by James Clear to be life-changing. I've read many times that it's the ultimate example of a book that could have been a paragraph, or a blog post, etc. But for me, there is value in spending time with the concepts. I ran the London Marathon this year, which is one of the greatest achievements in my life, and I have no doubt it is ultimately as a result of having read this book a couple of years before.

    4 votes
  2. [3]
    chocobean
    Link
    Arrest-Proof Yourself - An Ex-Cop Reveals How Easy It Is for Anyone to Get Arrested, How Even a Single Arrest Could Ruin Your Life, and What to Do If the Police Get in Your Face -- Dale C. Carson,...

    Arrest-Proof Yourself - An Ex-Cop Reveals How Easy It Is for Anyone to Get Arrested, How Even a Single Arrest Could Ruin Your Life, and What to Do If the Police Get in Your Face -- Dale C. Carson, Wes Denham

    This essential “how not to” guide explains how to act and what to say in the presence of police to minimize the chances of being arrested and to avoid add-on charges—which can often lead to permanent disqualification from jobs, financing, and education. Citizens can learn how to avoid arrest both on the street and when pulled over in a vehicle and are alerted to basic tricks cops use to get people to incriminate themselves. Sprinkled with absurdity and humor, this urgent, eye-opening book is a guide to criminal justice for all Americans.

    3 votes
    1. bugsmith
      Link Parent
      I think I'm too European to fully understand this recommendation, but it makes me feel sad :(

      I think I'm too European to fully understand this recommendation, but it makes me feel sad :(

      2 votes
    2. pekt
      Link Parent
      In a similar vien, we strongly encouraged all of our pledges to watch this video on why you should never talk to the police: https://youtu.be/d-7o9xYp7eE

      In a similar vien, we strongly encouraged all of our pledges to watch this video on why you should never talk to the police: https://youtu.be/d-7o9xYp7eE

      2 votes
  3. philosurfer
    Link
    Fun topic! For me, The Now Habit by Neil Fiore. I have ADHD, but I think most people could benefit from this book. I still procrastinate, but it has really provided me with a lot of helpful tools...

    Fun topic!

    For me, The Now Habit by Neil Fiore.

    I have ADHD, but I think most people could benefit from this book. I still procrastinate, but it has really provided me with a lot of helpful tools to be more productive in my everyday life. I wish I could come across another book that's been as powerful as this one...

    EDIT: As OP mentioned in their suggestion, I highly recommend reading the entire book. However, here's a solid summary of the book which I often reference back to to refresh myself - https://hashref.com/summaries/TheNowHabit.pdf

    1 vote
  4. Weldawadyathink
    Link
    How to Think by Alan Jacobs. I don't think I can give it a good description, but I'll try. It's about how cognition works, why stereotypes are a thing, and how people change their minds. It's...

    How to Think by Alan Jacobs.

    I don't think I can give it a good description, but I'll try. It's about how cognition works, why stereotypes are a thing, and how people change their minds. It's definitely worth reading.

    The Introvert Advantage, by Marti Olsen Laney.

    This one is worth reading if you think you might be an introvert or might know someone who is, but it isn't essential if you are an extrovert. It's an extroverted world, so you extroverts don't need survival strategies.

    Also I want to clear up a misconception of introverts. People who are outgoing can still be introverts and people who are shy can be extroverts. How someone seems to act when around people doesn't define their introvertedness. My grandmother swears to this day that I am an extrovert just because I seem outgoing, even though on basically every test I end up extremely introverted.

    1 vote
  5. bitwyze
    Link
    I recently finished Nonviolent Communication by Marshall Rosenburg and Fight Right by John and Julie Gottman. Both were very good and I think are valuable and complimentary reads for anyone...

    I recently finished Nonviolent Communication by Marshall Rosenburg and Fight Right by John and Julie Gottman. Both were very good and I think are valuable and complimentary reads for anyone looking to improve their communication skills. They both get a little hokey at points, but the frameworks they both lay out are good.