2022 is about to end and what a great post to end the year. My year was focused on personal development and growth so It’s just perfect to end this year with this post.
Because, in order to be successful in life, we must first understand what success means. It begins with self-awareness. Being conscious about yourself helps you foster self-confidence and become goal-oriented. Success requires strategies and tools so your potential will be fully achieved.
Read these personal development books to help you achieve your goals!

Books about personal development
Personal development is an important part of living a happy and fulfilling life. It helps us learn new skills, grow emotionally, and develop our relationships. These books will help you improve your life by helping you become a better version of yourself. Read along!
1. The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz
The Four Agreements is a book written by Don Miguel Ruiz. He was born in Mexico in 1934. He has been teaching people how to live happier life since he was a teenager.
This book talks about how we were domesticated when we were young. We didn’t get to have our choices. Our society does it for us. By coming up with new agreements, we break this cycle. Such is the lesson you will gain from this book.
2. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist is a novel that tells the story of Santiago, who travels to the Egyptian desert to find his destiny after having recurring dreams about a hidden treasure. Indeed, it takes a lot of courage to start one’s own journey and eventually, discover one’s destiny.
Like Santiago, to fulfill your goals and your fate of becoming a successful individual, you must muster the bravery to set your course. Personal development blossoms as you gain courage. You may be as humble or simple as Santiago, but don’t underestimate your future. It will be grand.
3. Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
This book was published in 1937 and has been translated into more than 40 languages. That made it one of the bestselling self-help books of all time. Napoleon Hill’s Think and Grow Rich shows how the power of the brain can transform a man’s life.
Read this and you will be introduced to ways how you can make the most of your thoughts. In advancing your career, knowing how your mind really works is vital.
4. The Subtle Art of Not Giving A F*ck by Mark Manson
If you want to succeed at anything, you need to learn how to not give a f*ck. This sensational book by Mark Manson teaches you to focus on what’s really necessary.
Sure, you care so much about things and what other people think of you.
In your quest for personal development, however, you have to learn how to filter people’s expectations of you.
This is your journey and you are the master of it. Follow what would bring you up and not those that would bring you down.

5. The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman
This book was written by Gary Chapman, who has been studying love since he was a teenager. He has studied thousands of couples and discovered five different ways people express love.
These five languages are: Words of Affirmation, Quality Time, Receiving Gifts, Acts of Service, and Physical Touch. Knowing these is essential in your personal development.
6. So Good They Can’t Ignore you by Cal Newport
For Cal Newport, skills matter more than passion. His book, So Good They Can’t Ignore You, debunks the idea of following one’s passion. That to “follow your passion” is misleading and rather, bad advice. It is a must-have for those people who are confused about their life and how to deal with them.
In his book, what he wants people to pursue is a skill that could propel them to success or at least, help them with their personal development journey.
I certainly support his idea. No matter how passionate you are about something, if you lack the necessary skills, then your effort would be rendered futile.
7. The Ikigai Journey by Francesc Miralles and Hector Garcia

Personal development starts by discovering your Ikigai, which means “a reason to live”. This book will guide you on how to find your purpose. Most people are in limbo – they seem to be clueless about what to do with their life.
If you happen to be one of them, The Ikigai Journey book may help you determine the value of your existence. What would excite you to wake up the next day? What are those things that are truly valuable to you?
Such mind-boggling questions may find answers through this masterpiece.
8. Limitless by Jim Kwik
Unlocking your full potential is part of personal development. It is the heart of Jim Kwik’s Limitless. Jim Kwik’s fascination with the brain led him to craft this mighty work of art.
For someone who once experienced a traumatic brain injury, learning for Jim Kwik has never been easy.
He then made it his primary goal to delve into the wonders of the human brain and how its possessors can make the most of such a precious organ. Thus, if you are so into discovering your hidden abilities and what you can do more, you could use his book.
9. The Power of Broke by Daniel Paisner and Daymond John
Empty pockets. Hunger. Tight budget. Those are among the factors that drive people to pursue more in life and come up with SMART goals. Daniel Paisner and Daymond John joined forces to lay out in their book how being broke could be empowering.
It sets the journey toward personal development. According to the authors, being broke leads to innovations and authenticity.
It inspires action, creativity, and resourcefulness. In effect, you get to discover that there’s more to you than what you already know. So, join the club and make this stunning book a mandatory reading of yours.
10. High-Performance Habits by Brendon Burchard
Brendon Burchard’s High-Performance Habits book unravels one of the keys to successful personal development. Indeed, one must have habits that would increase one’s own productivity level. But first, you have to identify your purpose.
Then, raise your standards. Increase your productivity by investing your energy in what truly is vital. Finally, have a giving mindset which means, valuing your connections with other people and seeking to establish a deeper relationship with them. Know more about this method by reading this book.
11. What the Most Successful People do Before Breakfast by Laura Vanderkam
Thanks to renowned time-management expert Laura Vanderkam – one of the secrets of most successful people is about to be revealed. The first few hours after waking up are considered the golden hours of the day. It is when your energy is at its peak and ideas flow effortlessly.
Laura believed that most people find it easier to do almost anything in the morning. Thus, if your aim is indeed personal development, such a journey must start early in the morning. She suggested that one must start the day by immediately doing the thing that matters most rather than putting it off.
12. How to Stop Worrying and Start Living by Dale Carnegie
Dale Carnegie was famously revered because of his undeniable, massive contribution to the personal development world. You might have come across his book, How to Win Friends and Influence People. It’s quite the gem, isn’t it?
At any rate, How to Stop Worrying and Start Living is one of his masterpieces that most people should own. Part of personal development is battling worries in life so you may function well socially.
People worry every now and then and that’s pretty much normal. If it’s too much, however, it might get in the way of your life. This book teaches you how to curb your worrying tendencies and start living the life you so desire.
Develop Your Own Personal Development Plan with these books, courses, goals, and steps
Take your professional and personal life to the next level with a personal development plan.

Analyze Your Strengths and Weaknesses
Start by analyzing your strengths and weaknesses. Think about which skills come naturally to you, as well as any areas you could use improvement in.
It can be helpful to make a list of both categories so that you know exactly what you need to focus on while creating your personal development plan.
Identify Areas of Improvement
Once you have your strengths and weaknesses in front of you, it’s time to identify the areas that you’d like to focus on. Consider both your professional and personal goals – whether it’s learning a new skill, becoming more confident in yourself, or landing an amazing career opportunity.
Decide on 3-4 main areas for improvement and use those as your guide for creating your personal development plan.
Make a Plan That’s Reasonable, Attainable, and Measurable
After identifying your focus areas, put your plan into action. Before diving in, though, make sure that you’re creating a plan that’s reasonable, attainable, and measurable.
Set deadlines for yourself so that you don’t lose track of what needs to get done and when. Brainstorm with colleagues or friends to find ways to move forward on bigger goals and break them up into smaller steps that can be completed in the short term.
Take Small Steps to Reach Big Goals Over Time
Making little steps is the key to completing big goals and it’s about sustainable, long-term progress, not short-term fixes.
Aim for milestones that you can do in a short period of time. It could be as small as taking five minutes each day to learn a new language or tackling one more task in your daily routine. Celebrate every single accomplishment – no matter how small – each step will bring you closer to reaching your goal!
Personal development course
Mindfulness and Resilience to Stress at Work
Being more self-aware helps you to survive in almost any kind of environment including the workplace. The course regarding Mindfulness and Resilience to Stress at Work offered by Edx.org will help you navigate science-based strategies that are helpful in handling work stress or burnout.
It is self-paced and it has its free version. If you need a certification, you can always upgrade. Develop your strengths and turn your weaknesses into potentials by taking this personal development course.
Personal development goals
We are almost through 2022 and I think it’s just the perfect time to set personal development goals. Do you set personal development goals before the year ends? Here are some examples you can draw inspiration from.
1. Develop a growth mindset
A growth mindset is a belief that success is attained through hard work and perseverance. How you perceive yourself means so much in achieving success. Nothing is set in stone and so, anyone can be successful by having the right frame of mind.
2. Cultivate resilience
People are bombarded with several negative stressors. These could break them. Thus, part of personal development is cultivating resilience. It is as necessary as our basic needs. It helps one survive the rigorous life we have.
3. Enhance public speaking skill
Your ability to deliver public speaking boosts your interpersonal skills and helps you achieve more success in life. So, include this in your quest for personal development. The process is never easy but you’ll thank yourself for even trying.
4. Improve work ethic
To be an effective part of an organization, a strong work ethic is necessary. Make this a part of your personal development journey. The stronger your work ethic is, the farther you will achieve in life.
5. Make better decisions better decisions
Becoming better at making decisions has the potential of simplifying your life. It leads to better results and it lessens the possibility of negative outcomes. This, however, comes with age and a series of experiences.
6. Increase adaptability to change
Change is a painful and difficult process. It is not easy to adapt to it. But it is an essential aspect of personal development. Learn adaptability to change by taking on some extra work and getting out of your comfort zone.
7. Get better at managing stress
Nobody is safe from stress. It’s part of life. But how we deal with it matters. Stress could make you vulnerable. That’s why it’s essential to incorporate getting better at managing stress as part of your personal development goals.
Personal Development Quotes to Inspire Your Journey this 2023
Sometimes all it takes is a few words of encouragement and inspiration to get you back on track. Check out these personal development quotes to inspire and motivate you.

“If you consciously decide what to focus on, and where to direct your energy every day, you can shape the life that you want” – Lori Deschene
This quote serves as a reminder that your life is in your hands. You can choose to focus on what’s going wrong, or you can decide to direct your energy toward the positive things in life.
By being mindful of where you focus and consciously shaping your day-to-day decisions, you can create the life of your dreams!
“Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass; it’s about learning how to dance in the rain” – Vivian Greene
Life can be difficult and often filled with ups and downs, so it’s important to remember that you don’t have to dread rainy days. Instead, try to make the most of them.
You can choose to focus on the positive things that accompany the rain, such as a chance to relax or reflect.
Above all, use moments of struggle as an opportunity to learn a valuable lesson and become closer to achieving your personal development goals!
“Growth always comes at the point of resistance” – Robert Nelson
This quote serves as an excellent reminder that we can’t be complacent in our personal development journey. In order to grow, we need to push ourselves and face situations that make us uncomfortable.
We won’t become better versions of ourselves if we stay in the same place, so remember that growth tends to come when you confront the challenges life throws your way!
“The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, nor to worry about the future, but live in the present wisely and earnestly” – Buddha
This quote from the Buddha is a wonderful reminder that our health, both mentally and physically, comes from understanding how to be with ourselves in the present moment. We can’t move forward or become better versions of ourselves if we are preoccupied with worrying about past mistakes or future issues.
Learning how to live in the present is probably one of the most important lessons you can learn on your personal development journey!
“You become what you consistently do” – Robin Sharma
Robin Sharma’s quote is a powerful reminder that our actions determine who we are. The secret to success in any area of personal development lies not in superficial quick fixes or solutions, but rather in consistently making small, incremental improvements over time.
It’s easy to become despondent when you don’t see visible results right away, but it’s important to remember that the benefits of any journey come from the dedication and effort you put into the process.
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What are your Personal development plans, goals, and books you recommend?
To stay relevant, you have to continuously grow mentally and emotionally. This necessitates constant personal development. By reading the books above, you will be able to jumpstart. It’s not going to be easy but it will bring you to greater heights.

I’m working on myself nowadays and could use these books as they seem very helpful. Thank you for the recommendations!
This is a great list! I have read more than half of it and I highly recommend The Alchemist as well as the The Five Love Languages. It has definitely changed my outlook in life and on how I relate to others. Looking forward to reading all the books you mentioned.
Nnniiiccceeee…I have not read The Four Agreements before. I would love to give it a try!
So I really enjoyed the Mark Manson book. Especially the chapter on Dave Mustaine and the whole Megadeth versus Metallica saga. Happy New year!
I was pleasantly surprised to see Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist in this list. It’s a great book but I haven’t read others. So they are going in my list.
This is a really good selection of very useful books. I will definitely check some of these out.
There are some great books here. I’ve always loved using books like this to improve myself. You can learn so much with a fresh perspective.