Everything that we consume affects us more than we think, from what we do for a living to what we watch on TV and especially the books that you choose to read. Watch what you watch and think about what you think about. Guides for Growth have narrowed our selection down to a neat variety of 6 easy-to-read but life-changing self-growth books that you MUST read.
This is not a selection about “how to get rich in a year” or “the fastest route to getting a six-pack” but a collection based on the knowledge you need THE MOST to fill your life with long-term happiness and sustainable success. These books will help you grow in many ways; from enlightenment, to pursuing your full potential, to learning what death really is, and a whole lot more — everything life has to offer.
In this year’s selection, we want to highlight a small variety books (in no particular order) written over the last three decades. Yes, these are very different times, and the world has changed A LOT , but the topics covered in the books are universal, timeless, and may even be more relevant now than ever before.
Take your time to read these “golden nuggets” and enjoy our selection.
1. Anthony De Mello | Awareness
Have you ever heard about the story of the eagle egg in the chickens nest? If not, here’s the short version:
A man finds an eagle’s egg and places it in the nest of a barnyard hen. Soon, the egg hatches and the eagle grows up with the other chicken. All his life, the eagle does exactly what chicken do, thinking he is a chicken; he scratches the earth for worms, clucks and cackles, and thrashes his wings only to fly a few feet into the air. One day, after many years in the barn, the eagle sees a magnificent bird soar above him in the sky and asks the chicken: “Who’s that”? One of the chicken answer: “That’s the eagle, the king of the birds. He belongs to the sky. We’re chicken, and we belong to the earth”. So the eagle lived and died a chicken, for that’s what he thought he was.
Awareness is a book that, in a straight-forward, no BS manner, teaches you how to realize your full potential with the message: You are an EAGLE and not a CHICKEN . We all are, if that’s how we choose to look at it.
This book is a piece of work that has changed many lives for the better and continues to do so. In fact, its message is more substantial than ever, because people are less aware than ever. Most of us are sleep-walking; we walk around in a slumber going about our daily duties — keeping busy with careers and money, dating and babies, cell phones and distractions (and the list goes on) without ever realizing our full potential as a human being. We live as chicken. Let this book be your wake up call.
2. Paulo Coelho | The Alchemist
This is a classic that we’re sure you’ve already heard of, and if not, it’s about time you give it a read. The Alchemist is a transformative fiction book beautifully written by the Brazilian, world-renowned author Paulo Coelho. With a mysterious, romantic tone, Coelho shows the importance of letting your heart be your guide in life through the journey of a Spanish shepherd in search of a treasure.
If you learn to listen to the hints from your heart, you’ll be pointed in the right direction; you’ll be in alignment with the Universe. Once you’re in alignment with the Universe — willing to take chances and follow your passions — you will find what even some of the most successful people never do: Purpose.
This novel is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for anyone who have yet to find their path in life or feel stuck or burnt out. It’s not too late to make changes. Guides for Growth wish you the best of luck finding YOUR treasure.
3. Matthew McConaughey | Greenlights
Someone who has certainly learned to let his heart be his guide is Matthew McConaughey. Even if you are not the biggest fan of his movies, this well-written memoir of his first 50 years of life is TRULY captivating.
Yes, Greenlights might sound like another piece of pop-literature, but it actually holds lots of insightful “bumperstickers” (as McConaughey labels his little lines of poetry), perspectives, and stories from his fascinating life. And as we already know, McConaughey is a GREAT storyteller so humor and entertainment is a guarantee with this read.
The art of “catching greenlights” is what McConaughey is trying to teach you us. This is when you set yourself up to find flow in life. He talks more about this on the Tim Ferriss Show, so if you want a better feel for the book and the McConaughey that you don’t see on your TV-screen, we recommend that you check out the podcast here.
4. Mitch Albom | Tuesdays with Morrie
In Western culture, we tend to look at death as this tragic, distant thing that happens to us when we’re gray and old. Based on the true story of Morrie Schwartz, a dying professor of sociology with ALS, this novel depicts a more mindful way of looking at death and dying.
Death is a natural part of life that we might as well learn to accept. It’s going to happen to all of us, yes YOU TOO . Picture yourself in your last years of life or even on your deathbed. What are you most proud of and what are your regrets? Too many of us will one day look back at their days of youth with regret and think about how much time they invested into things that matter very little like money or status. Tuesdays with Morrie teaches you what is truly important in life. In the words Morrie: “Once you learn how to die, you learn how to live”.
This book is a great read for ANYONE , but to people who are grieving or is in the process of losing a loved one to disease, this book is a real gift. Bring a couple of tissues and enjoy.
5. Don Miguel Ruiz | The Mastery of Love
Almost FIFTY PERCENT of all marriages end in divorce or separation (not to mention the people that stay unhappily married). Going into their marriage, ALL of these newlyweds certainly didn’t expect such a bitter end to their relationship. In those moments, they are experiencing true love. So why is it that these same people struggle to maintain this true love?
In The Mastery of Love, Don Miguel Ruiz teaches us that our expectation of what we think love is can make or break relationships. Instead of hunting for love in others, we should harvest the love that is inside us. This is a simple secret that many couples never understand that will allow long-lasting, mutual, romantic love to blossom.
Through short, heart-warming anecdotes, Miguel Don Ruiz beautifully paints a picture and brings his messages of what love REALLY is to life. Remember, you can’t depend on your happiness to come from someone else.
6. Ainslie MacLeod | The Instruction
Do you believe in the existence of a soul world? In reincarnation and past lives? How about spirit guides that nudge you in the direction in which you were meant to go?
Whether you believe in the metaphysical or not, the Instruction is a new way of looking at human growth via soul levels and soul types — SUPER interesting for anyone who are willing to find out who they are truly meant to be.
Ainslie MacLeod is a past-life psychic with access to “the soul world”. He teaches you how to tap into your soul and establish a relationship with your spirit guides. You’ll learn find your soul level as well as your soul’s challenges, desires, talents, and a lot more. Put your life into perspective and live the life your soul intended.
If you want to get a better feel for what a past-life psychic is and does, give this podcast with Ainslie MacLeod a listen on J.J. Flizanes’ show (especially if you are a sceptic).
Most importantly…
We believe that knowledge is power. Books are empowering, and self-growth books help you acquire the knowledge and perspective you need to make important changes in your life — changes for the better. BUT REMEMBER …
You can read all the books in the world, and still not be the wisest man or woman. You can be the brightest student in the classroom, but your life is in complete shambles. As cheesy as it may sound, it’s true: Being book-smart is great, but don’t JUST be book-smart. Most importantly, be life-smart.
Why?
Because TRUE KNOWLEDGE comes from experience. You must apply what you learn and USE it. THAT is true knowledge. This collection of books is merely an introduction to all that you can become, if you choose to apply the knowledge to your life.
If you’re familiar with other encouraging self-growth books, we invite you to inspire others and share them in the comments below. Thank you for your time and enjoy your reading.
Guides for Growth