National Book Month: 10 Books for Personal Growth
October 13th, 2023
At Katapult Network, we understand that people are more than just a resume and jobs are more than just a list of tasks. We're a recruiting company that takes a human-focused approach to the job search where we're able to match college graduates with entry-level, professional jobs. Whether you're a job-seeker looking to start your professional career or a hiring manger seeking to build your future leadership at the entry-level, we're excited to be your partner in navigating the search process.
Happy National Book Month!
Embarking on a journey of self-improvement is a transformative experience, and literature often serves as a guiding light along this path. In this article, we'll explore ten must-read books that offer valuable insights, practical advice, and profound wisdom to aid you on your quest for personal growth and development.
1. "Atomic Habits" by James Clear:
No matter your goals, Atomic Habits offers a proven framework for improving—every day. James Clear, one of the world's leading experts on habit formation, reveals practical strategies that will teach you exactly how to form good habits, break bad ones, and master the tiny behaviors that lead to remarkable results.
2. "You Are a Badass" by Jen Sincero:
This book will help you: Identify and change the self-sabotaging beliefs and behaviors that stop you from getting what you want, blast past your fears so you can take big exciting risks, figure out how to make some damn money already, learn to love yourself and others, set big goals and reach them - it will basically show you how to create a life you totally love, and how to create it now.
3. "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People" by Stephen R. Covey:
This book will make you stand up and take notice that your life may be heading in the wrong direction. Moreover, you might realize that there are many simple things you can do to navigate your life correctly. This book provides wonderful education for people, teaching them how to live life effectively and get closer to the ideal of being a ‘success’ in life."
4. "How to Win Friends and Influence People" by Dale Carnegie:
As relevant as ever before, Dale Carnegie's principles endure, and will help you achieve your maximum potential in the complex and competitive modern age.
Learn the six ways to make people like you, the twelve ways to win people to your way of thinking, and the nine ways to change people without arousing resentment.
5. Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance" by Angela Duckworth:
Why do some people succeed and others fail? Sharing new insights from her landmark research on grit, Angela Duckworth explains why talent is hardly a guarantor of success. Rather, other factors can be even more crucial such as identifying our passions and following through on our commitments.
Drawing on her own powerful story as the daughter of a scientist who frequently bemoaned her lack of smarts, Duckworth describes her winding path through teaching, business consulting, and neuroscience, which led to the hypothesis that what really drives success is not genius, but a special blend of passion and long-term perseverance.
6. "The Power of Now" by Eckhart Tolle:
To make the journey into the Now we will need to leave our analytical mind and its false created self, the ego, behind. From the very first page of Eckhart Tolle's extraordinary book, we move rapidly into a significantly higher altitude where we breathe a lighter air. We become connected to the indestructible essence of our Being, “The eternal, ever present One Life beyond the myriad forms of life that are subject to birth and death.” Although the journey is challenging, Eckhart Tolle uses simple language and an easy question-and-answer format to guide us.
7. "Start with Why" by Simon Sinek:
Why are some people and organizations more innovative, more influential, and more profitable than others? Why do some command greater loyalty from customers and employees alike? Even among the successful, why are so few able to repeat their success over and over?
Drawing on a wide range of real-life stories, Sinek weaves together a clear vision of what it truly takes to lead and inspire. This book is for anyone who wants to inspire others or who wants to find someone to inspire them.
8. "The Four Agreements" by Don Miguel Ruiz:
In The Four Agreements, don Miguel Ruiz reveals the source of self-limiting beliefs that rob us of joy and create needless suffering. Based on ancient Toltec wisdom, the Four Agreements offer a powerful code of conduct that can rapidly transform our lives to a new experience of freedom, true happiness, and love. The Four Agreements are: Be Impeccable With Your Word, Don't Take Anything Personally, Don't Make Assumptions, Always Do Your Best.
9. "Daring Greatly" by Brené Brown:
In Daring Greatly, Dr. Brown challenges everything we think we know about vulnerability.
Every day we experience the uncertainty, risks, and emotional exposure that define what it means to be vulnerable, or to dare greatly. Whether the arena is a new relationship, an important meeting, our creative process, or a difficult family conversation, we must find the courage to walk into vulnerability and engage with our whole hearts.
10. "Mindfulness in Plain English" by Bhante Henepola Gunaratana:
Author Bhante Gunaratana, a renowned meditation master, takes us step by step through the myths, realities, and benefits of meditation and the practice of mindfulness. This expanded edition includes the complete text of its predecessor along with a new chapter on cultivating loving kindness. For anyone who is new to meditation, this is a great resource for learning how to live a more productive and peaceful life.
As you embark on your journey of self-improvement, these ten books serve as invaluable companions, offering diverse perspectives and practical tools for personal growth. Whether you're looking to build better habits, enhance your mindset, or cultivate resilience, the wisdom within these pages can inspire and guide you toward a more fulfilling and empowered life. Dive into these reads, and let the journey to self-improvement unfold.
