Apart from reading academic books, it is highly recommended and equally important for students to read books of other genres as well for their personal development. The importance of reading personal development books should not be ignored because they potentially bring about positive changes in students and help them lead a more meaning full life. Personal development books even help you to develop into the person you want to be.
In this article, we have complied some of the top best personal development books that you should read. Even if you can’t read all of them but only one of these books, you will surely learn a few lessons that could stay with you for the rest of your life.
1. How to Win Friends & Influence People by Dale Carnegie
This is a highly recommended personal development book for every student out there. This book gives you an insight on how to connect with the outside world. Carnegie discusses the personal habits that lead to success. It also helps its readers in knowing how to have a meaningful conversation with people and how to win the hearts of your friends. This book is essential for every student as it teaches how to be influential, which is fruitful for a social life and good career.
2. The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch
The Last Lecture is based on Randy’s last lecture as a computer science professor after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. This book is not about dying but rather teaching you to live your life to the fullest. In this book, Randy focuses on meeting your childhood dreams without limiting them to society’s desires. A must-read book combined with humor and intelligence.
3. The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin
This book is all about finding the way to happiness. Even though the definition of happiness is different for everyone, Gretchen gave an insight of how one can create their own happiness. This book is a perfect read for you as it will help you find ways to remain happy and improve the quality of your life. Sounds interesting, right?
4. Failing Forward: Turning Mistakes into Stepping Stones for Success by John C. Maxwell
From a very young age, we are all taught how not to fail, avoid it at any cost because it will make us look like losers. But the truth is that every person out there fails at some point in their life. Mistakes help us learn better and make us a better person. In this book, John Maxwell writes: “When achievers fail, they see it as a momentary event, not a lifelong epidemic.” In this book, you will learn how to own up to your mistakes, observe your failures, analyze them and learn from them. A good read.
5. The 4-Hour Workweek by Timothy Ferriss
This book is for all those students who want to become entrepreneurs or want to be productive for a couple of hours. This book is a voice for all those who don’t believe in the typical 9 to 5 job. Timothy provides essential lessons on how it is possible to earn more with the reduced working hours. A must-read book for sure.
6. The Attention Revolution: Unlocking the Power of the Focused Mind by Alan Wallace
Nowadays, we are surrounded by so much technology that it’s hard for us to stay focused. Social media, smart phones and so many notifications are the main cause of our lack of focus. These things also add another layer of distraction to our everyday lives. However, Wallace in his book, The Attention Revolution, has taken the initiative to help many readers by sharing a bunch of techniques for meditation. These techniques help people to be more focused and attentive towards the things they get easily distracted from. It also helps with self-control and directs our minds towards more important things in life.
7. Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg
Lean In is a must-read book for all the girl students out there. This book highlights the experiences of Sandberg as a former Google employee as well as the Chief Executive officer of Facebook and of other women too. The book goes on to tell how the women made their way by leaning in and claimed what they aimed for. Sandberg shows how to draw a path and advice women on how to break the stereotypes and face professionalism. It also teaches a valuable lesson on how to learn to take risks and not give up on your career.
8. Getting Things Done by David Allen
If you want to read a book about productivity in your life, then make it this one. The main theme of this book is that you should get all your tasks and thoughts out of your mind so that they don’t end up cluttering your headspace. This book simply states to follow the 2-minute rule but if a task takes less than 2 minutes then do it now and don’t leave it to do later. But if it takes longer, then follow a simple five-step workflow: capture, clarify, organize, reflect and engage. Set these rules in your life, be it anywhere, whether it’s your workplace or school, and your life will be much simpler and easier. A must-read book.