Below are the top 10 self-development books you should read in your spare time. Self-improvement and productivity are key to thriving in today’s fast-paced world. Whether you are looking to build better habits, enhance your mindset, or optimize your workflow, the right book can be a game-changer.
Beside reading on personal finance and stock investment books, I do read up self-development books from time to time. Currently, I am reading this book “Smart, Not Loud – How to Get Noticed at Work for All the Right Reasons” that was written by Jessica Chen.
Another of my favourite book was Atomic Habits written by James Clear. The books teach you how to build your identity instead of setting goals. Building identity via habits is more sustainable as compared to trying to meet goals. You can read up how I tried to build identity-based habits in the year 2021.
Here are ten of the most popular self-development and productivity books currently trending on Amazon.sg.
1. Atomic Habits – James Clear
This book explores how small, incremental changes can lead to massive improvements over time. Clear introduces the Four Laws of Behaviour Change – make it obvious, make it attractive, make it easy, and make it satisfying – to help readers build good habits and break bad ones.
2. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People – Stephen R. Covey
Covey presents a principle-centered approach to personal and professional effectiveness. The seven habits include being proactive, beginning with the end in mind, putting first things first, thinking win-win, seeking to understand before being understood, synergizing, and sharpening the saw.
3. The Psychology of Money – Morgan Housel
Housel explains how financial success is more about behavior than knowledge. He explores the role of luck, risk, and long-term thinking in wealth-building, emphasizing that managing money wisely requires understanding human psychology.
4. Feel-Good Productivity – Ali Abdaal
Abdaal challenges the traditional notion that productivity requires discipline and hard work. Instead, he argues that joy and fulfilment are the keys to achieving more. He introduces three pillars—Energize, Unblock, and Sustain—to help readers work smarter, not harder.
5. 10 Branches of Growth – Kalen Bruce
Bruce takes a holistic approach to productivity, covering ten key areas of life, including character, discipline, habits, energy, time, and wealth. He integrates biblical principles to help readers cultivate a balanced and fruitful life.
6. The Whole-Brain Child – Daniel J. Siegel
This book explores how brain development affects emotional regulation, decision-making, and learning. Siegel and Bryson introduce 12 strategies to help parents nurture their children’s minds and foster emotional intelligence.
7. What’s Your Dream? – Simon Squibb
Squibb encourages readers to define their dreams, overcome fear, and take actionable steps toward a purpose-driven life. He provides practical exercises to help individuals align their passions with their goals.
8. Never Split the Difference – Chris Voss
A former FBI negotiator, Voss shares powerful negotiation techniques that can be applied to business, relationships, and everyday life. He emphasizes the importance of active listening, emotional intelligence, and tactical empathy to achieve better outcomes.
9. Habits of the Household – Justin Whitmel Earley
Earley explores how intentional routines can strengthen family bonds and deepen spiritual intimacy. He provides practical guidance for integrating faith-based habits into daily life.
10. Poor Charlie’s Almanack – Charles T. Munger
This book is a collection of Charlie Munger’s wisdom, covering topics like rational decision-making, investing, and lifelong learning. Munger emphasizes multidisciplinary thinking and the importance of mental models in achieving success
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