-->
(Last Updated On: 2023-12-28)

One of the many reasons that I love reading so much is that it has the capacity to have such a great influence on your life. Books can take you to places you have never been, provide you with knowledge you didn’t have and personal growth books can change your thinking. Other books can provide endless pleasure in the way that they allow you to escape your day-to-day life.

personal growth-read-change

Without being exposed to the knowledge, expertise and thinking of others, the inevitable result is stagnation. The only way you can expand your thinking and grow is to explore what others are prepared to share. If you want to make a change, learn a new skill or expand your knowledge; books are always within easy reach.

Over the last 10 to 15 years of my growth journey I have read a large number of personal growth books each year to assist me in getting better. Some hit home far more than others, although I must admit there were very few that didn’t make an impact at all in some way.

The five books I am sharing with you today cover diverse personal growth topics but each one left a marked impression on my thinking and the way to live my life. I definitely believe that they will do the same for you.

Don’t grow old – GROW UP by Dorothy Carnegie

This book’s title is what grabbed my attention first. What is being suggested is completely opposite to what most people believe. Surely “old” people are all grown up? As a 50 plus Boomer myself, this caught my interest.

This book explores and provides insight into the process of maturity, whether you are 16 or 60. Dorothy suggests as long as we are learning, developing, contributing, producing or enjoying, we are maturing. Old age only sets in when there is no longer any growth of mind or personality.

The core message throughout the book is to take responsibility for where you find yourself, make the best of each day and be kind to yourself.

She also tells some great stories that will explain the core personal growth concepts in such a unique way you will definitely remember them long after you have put the book down.

Top Takeaway

You should strive to never consider yourself to be too old to do anything that you desire and are capable of doing. Hence my philosophy that “Age is only a number”.

 

 

Mind Power into the 21st Century by John Kehoe

Although John Kehoe wrote more than one book in this series – this one always stands out. Fundamentally we all know that our minds are very powerful and using it in the right way, can and will change the course of our lives.

In this book John marries those core principles for use in the 21st Century and beyond, opening our minds to the fact that no matter how technologically we advance, our minds still remain one of our most powerful tools.

Top Takeaway

This book provides you with the tools and methods how you can harness the power of your mind to serve you best, allow you to grow and achieve more success.

Living Magically by Gill Edwards

Most people I believe have heard the expression, “When the student is ready, the teacher will appear.” Well, in my case, this book was it. It crossed my path exactly when I needed it most.

The author shares ideas, tips and methods that show you how you can live a magical life. A life where choice squarely lies within your grasp – it’s purely a matter of action.

We often allow ourselves to be limited by society, family, loved ones and the circumstances we find ourselves in. This needn’t be the case. Read this book and find simple but powerful ways to re-invent who you are and live a more fulfilled life.

Top Takeaway

It’s all about choice and how we choose the react to everything around us. Change can only happen, if we take action. YOU are the only person responsible for the life you are living. Powerful stuff.

The only way you can expand your thinking and grow is to explore what others are prepared to share. Click To Tweet

Today Matters by John C Maxwell

Another one of those great books whose title explains it all. Too many times people want to live in the future, hoping that tomorrow, next week or next year will improve the quality of our lives.

Mr Maxwell points out that it’s what you do today that makes the impact on the future. He provides you with 12 daily practices to make sure you live each to its fullest potential and set your life up for maximum success.

Top Takeaway

It’s about living each day and making the most of it. One of my top life philosophies came out of reading this book and its one I practice each day.

Today’s actions for tomorrow’s future”

Ruth Coetzee

The One Thing by Gary Keller with Jay Papasan

In today’s hectic lifestyles it always seems that everything is about doing more each day. Multitasking is encouraged at work. Our days seem to fill up with more and more to do. Life just never seems to stop.

This is what makes this book so unique. Gary and Jay suggest that “Less is definitely more”. It’s about finding that “One Thing” that will have the biggest impact on your life, your business, your career and then concentrating on making that your complete focus. It’s about doing one thing really well.

Remove all other distractions and just keep that front and centre to improve your life exponentially.

Top Takeaway

More does not mean better. In actual fact, more just distracts us from focusing on what is really important and what actually needs to get done. Become laser focused on your “One Thing” and see your life change.

personal-growth-books-better

So in Closing…

Although these books are really a bit of a mixed bag, they really resonated and made an impact not only on my thinking, but my life as a whole. I am sure there are many more that I have read over the years that I could share with you as well but these really stood out.

My life would definitely have been much poorer for not having read these books.

Are there any books that you would like to share with us that had a similar effect on your life?

Please let me know in the comments – I would love to hear from you.

Till next time

The Name of the author of the blogpost - Ruth Coetzee

 


Ruth

Ruth is just an ordinary 50 something granny that loves reading, her electronic devices and expanding her knowledge in many diverse fields. She has an insatiable curiosity, a bucket list that is a mile long, enjoys spending time with family and friends and every now and then "pushes the envelope" by doing things that society says she cannot do. "Says Who?" To her - age is just a number and no matter what society dictates, she believes you can do anything you put your mind to and succeed.