Five Self-Help Books That Changed My Life

This book opened my eyes to a brand-new world. As much as I wanted to believe (at first) that it was a bunch of mumbo-jumbo motivational crap, the more I read it, the more intrigued I became. Sincero makes you feel (and believe) that anything is possible if you go at it as an unstoppable force.

What I learned from this book:

Universal Intelligence is real and happening. I needed to open my mind.
I needed to step out of my victim mindset and step into my accountability mindset.

My mindset matters. The more I practice working on my mindset, the better it will get.

Affirmations are so important. The more I put into the Universe, the more I will get out of it.

Loving myself will help me succeed, and it will make the road to success so much brighter.

You are a Bad Ass at Making Money by Jen Sincero

While this book has the same author of “You are a Badass,” this book goes into detail about our relationship with money, how to heal that relationship, and why healing that relationship can make you rich. It provides completely different information from “You are a Badass,” but it is just as valuable, motivating, inspiring, and uplifting as the previous one. As a business owner, I felt constantly stuck with my business growth and growing my finances. I watched businesses start small and grow to six figures, and I wanted that more than anything. But a huge part of being stuck with my finances had to do with being stuck in my mindset.

What I learned from this book:

Wanting, loving, and being excited over money is not greedy. I deserve to thrive, not just scrape by and survive.

My MONEY mindset matters. The more I practice affirmations, patience, persistence, and confidence, the more the Universe will align me with opportunities for income.

I needed to STOP living in a scarcity mindset and start living in an ABUNDANCE mindset. Instead of constantly worrying if there is enough, I’m constantly affirming I am ABUNDANT with opportunities, money, support, and love.

Intuitive Eating by Evelyn Tribole & Elyse Resch

I’ve spent most of my life having an unhealthy relationship with food. From third grade to senior year of high school, I was borderline obese, using food as a coping mechanism for my depression and anxiety. I started calorie counting at the age of seventeen, lost 60 pounds, then began cycles of obsessive dieting, eventually spiraling into anorexia. I tried every single possible diet, waist trainer, pill, skinny tea…you name it, I’ve tried it. I eventually became so fed up and depleted, I knew I needed to try something new. Along with therapy, I started reading this book and it was a total game changer.

What I learned from this book:

Reaching a specific weight or body image is not going to make me happy. I needed to stop depending so much of my happiness based off the way I looked.

Everyone is built differently, so having a body goal is silly. If you eat intuitively, listen to your body, and trust your body, you will reach the weight your body naturally wants to be at. Be patient and be persistent.

Peace with food is worth so much more than having the “ideal body.” Finally feeling like I have a good relationship with food, one where I don’t obsess over it, is invaluable.

I needed to challenge any toxic, negative thoughts associated with food. Food is no longer the enemy and never was. Food is fuel and I deserve to enjoy it.
I, in all honesty, learned how to eat from this book. Instead of stuffing myself or starving myself, I learned how to honor my hunger (and hunger cues.)

The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle

This was one of my very first self-help books, and it 100% got me deeper into self-help books, especially ones about meditation and connecting with Universal Intelligence. The Power of Now discusses the importance of living in the present instead of focusing too much on the past or the future. Although important to explore the past or future for reference, true happiness comes from living in the present moment.

What I learned from this book:

Affirmations and meditation are vital and necessary for not only connecting to the Universe but also for feeling the power of the present.

My perception is my reality. What I choose to focus on is what will become the focus of my life. I can choose to focus on the past, my traumas, the negative things happening to me…or I can focus on what I can do in this present moment to heal myself and feel genuine happiness.

“Whenever anything negative happens to you, there is a deep lesson concealed within, although you may not see it at the time. Even a brief illness or an accident can show you what is real and unreal in your life, what ultimately matters and what doesn’t. Seen from a higher perspective, conditions are always positive.” Often negative things are happening FOR us, not TO us.

Girl, Wash Your Face

If I’m being honest, this wasn’t my absolute favorite self-help book. The writing style didn’t match my personality at all, so it took me a little while to really get into the book. But I didn’t let that stop me from reading the valuable information inside. Once I got into the book, I finished it FAST. Hollis discusses the importance of accountability, getting your mind right, and getting out of the victim mentality and on the road to empowerment.

What I learned from this book:

I needed to stop making excuses for not showing up for my friends, clients, and myself. If I really want to live the life I’ve dreamed of living, I need to hold myself accountable.

I need to stop giving up on myself and the people in my life and start showing up for them…because that is what they deserve. That is what I deserve

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My level of productivity does not determine how much I am worth. Resting and keeping my stress levels low is just as important as working.

It’s okay to say no to opportunities, offers, ideas, etc. that don’t feel right to you. Even if you feel crazy at the time for saying no, it’s okay to listen to your intuition and trust your gut. Saying “no” at the right time can be damn empowering.

What all of these books have in common: LOVE. YOURSELF. FIRST.