Top 13 Books that Have Changed my Life - Personal Development

I used to think personal development books were only for people who NEEDED "self help".  { Kind of ignorant, huh? }  I didn't understand how growth provoking and life changing they could be for ME.  

I've never been the type of person to sit down and READ a book.  I'm a busy person.  My mind is always racing, and I can't sit still and focus for long periods of time!  

As a Beachbody Coach, part of my job is reading / listening to personal development.  When I first started coaching, I didn't take that part of my job seriously.  I didn't think I "needed" to read "self help" books.  About 7 months into coaching, I hit a rough spot in my business.  Anyone who is an entrepreneur knows it's not always smooth sailing.  Owning a business comes with it's fair share of ups and downs, and it's important to fill yourself with positive thoughts, strengthen your mindset, and become resilient so you can handle the ups and downs!

One of my coaching friends introduced me to a free trial of an audiobook website called Audible that I could listen to right on my phone.  I found it easier to listen to personal development as I took my morning walks, when I took a shower, when I drove long distances in the car, and while I cooked!  

After I listened to my first audiobook, I was HOOKED.  Why wasn't I doing this sooner??

It's been 4 years since I listened to that first book, and now my audiobook AND book collections have grown significantly, and as a result...so have I.  Not only am I a better business person, but I'm also a better wife, mom, leader, and better overall person.

I have fellow entrepreneurs, momtrepreneurs, friends, and family who ask me daily which books are my favorites and which books have helped me the most in business and in life.

Here is a list of my Top 13 most Life Changing Books.

1.  MIRACLE MORNING
I used to be a stressed out, scattered mama - juggling way too many hats and having a hard time managing it all!  I still have my days (don't we all?), but this book has helped tremendously!  Miracle Morning taught me how to set a morning routine that encouraged productivity, gratitude, more happiness in my life, and less stress. 

{Miracle Morning book / audiobook}

“How you wake up each day and your morning routine (or lack thereof) dramatically affects your levels of success in every single area of your life. Focused, productive, successful mornings generate focused, productive, successful days—which inevitably create a successful life—in the same way that unfocused, unproductive, and mediocre mornings generate unfocused, unproductive, and mediocre days, and ultimately a mediocre quality of life. By simply changing the way you wake up in the morning, you can transform any area of your life, faster than you ever thought possible.” 

2.  THE COMPOUND EFFECT
The Compound Effect was on of my first personal development books.  I struggle with an "ALL or NOTHING" personality.  This book completely opened my eyes to how the simplest behaviors over time = results.  I actually read this about once per year as a reminder to break my "ALL or NOTHING" habits.

“Small, Smart Choices + Consistency + Time = RADICAL DIFFERENCE” 

{The Compound Effect book / audiobook}

3.  5 LOVE LANGUAGES
This is one of my ALL TIME fav books!  I downloaded it on Audible one day, and listened to the entire thing and cleaned the whole house!  I believe EVERY couple should read this book, and I think it's a perfect add-on gift to give at a wedding.  Nick and I had a strong relationship before I listened to this book, but he and I have different "love languages", and it helped me understand how HE feels the most loved and appreciated so I can be a better wife to him.  This is another book I will read/listen to yearly.  There is also a book called, "5 Love Languages for Children" that has a similar concept, but it's all about better understanding your children.  That one is on my list.

“No matter how hard you try to express love in English, if your spouse understands only Chinese, you will never understand how to love each other.” 

{5 Love Languages book / audiobook}

4.  #GIRLBOSS
This book was an easy, fun read for any new female entrepreneur!  This taught to OWN my role as an entrepreneur and stop worrying about everyone else's opinions.

“No matter where you are in life, you'll save a lot of time by not worrying too much about what other people think about you. The earlier in your life that you can learn that, the easier the rest of it will be.” 

{#Girlboss book / audiobook}

5.  YOU ARE A BADASS
Need confidence?  Here is another easy, fun read that motivates and empowers!

“maybe, if you put your disbelief aside, roll up your sleeves, take some risks, and totally go for it, you’ll wake up one day and realize you’re living the kind of life you used to be jealous” 

{You are a Badass book / audiobook}

6.  THE CHARGE
This book was recommended to me by a friend when I was feeling like I was in a "funk".  You know...that feeling you get when you just don't feel motivated and you feel blah?  Sometimes we lack motivation and positivity, and we can't figure out why.  This book was perfect to help me snap out of it, dig deep, and figure out what drives me and what is most important in my life so I could do MORE of those things.

“entire life is deciding to control the quality of person you will be on an everday basis. What will you stand for? What kind of positive values, standards, and beliefs will you demonstrate each day? How much honesty, integrity, fairness, and kindness will you insist upon” 

{The Charge book / audiobook}

7.  THE 10X RULE
Ever wonder why some people are successful and some are not?  Successful people outwork the competition.  They follow the 10x Rule.

“I suggest that you become obsessed about the things you want; otherwise, you are going to spend a lifetime being obsessed with making up excuses as to why you didn't get the life you wanted.” 

{The 10X Rule book / audiobook}

8.  THE ENTREPRENEUR ROLLERCOASTER
As I mentioned before, being an entrepreneur has it's share of ups and downs.  But, if you've never been an entrepreneur before, you may not know what to expect!  This book helped me realize that the ups and downs I was experiencing as an entrepreneur were completely normal and expected which helped me push through when times were tough!

“The critical ingredient is getting off your butt and doing something. It’s as simple as that. A lot of people have ideas, but there are few who decide to do something about them now. Not tomorrow. Not next week. But today. The true entrepreneur is a doer, not a dreamer.” 

{The Entrepreneur Rollercoaster book / audiobook}

9.  ENTRELEADERSHIP
Most of us weren't born knowing HOW to motivate and inspire a team of people - or even your children.  I loved this no nonsense approach to learning leadership skills.

“If you are trying to get momentum in marketing, business, marriage, your physical condition, or your parenting, take your best focused intensity over time and multiply it by God for unstoppable momentum.”

{Entreleadership book / audiobook}

10.  PEOPLE FOLLOW YOU
Another great perspective about leadership!

“Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage. If you want to conquer fear, do not sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy. —Dale Carnegie” 

{People Follow You book / audiobook}

11.  CONTAGIOUS
This book is PACKED with info for anyone who markets their business online.  Why do some posts get traction and some don't?  What makes certain posts go viral or certain businesses thrive?  

“Word of mouth is the primary factor behind 20 percent to 50 percent of all purchasing decisions.” 

{Contagious book / audiobook}
Another great book for the social media marketer:  
Jab Jab Jab, Right Hook

12.  IT STARTS WITH FOOD
Listening to books that teach me more about nutrition not only help me learn more to better coach my challengers, but they also keep me motivated to stay on track with my own nutrition!

“You cannot “out-exercise” poor food choices and the resulting hormonal disruption.” 

{It Starts with Food book / audiobook}

Related: Whole30 Book (starting this journey in January...stay tuned and let me know if you'd like to join me!)

13.  WHY WE GET FAT {AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT}
The scientific evidence contained in this book is INSANE!  If you're having a hard time losing weight even though you've been following a strict nutrition plan and working out...you need to check this book out!  

“In other words, the science itself makes clear that hormones, enzymes, and growth factors regulate our fat tissue, just as they do everything else in the human body, and that we do not get fat because we overeat; we get fat because the carbohydrates in our diet make us fat. The science tells us that obesity is ultimately the result of a hormonal imbalance, not a caloric one—specifically, the stimulation of insulin secretion caused by eating easily digestible, carbohydrate-rich foods: refined carbohydrates, including flour and cereal grains, starchy vegetables such as potatoes, and sugars, like sucrose (table sugar) and high-fructose corn syrup. These carbohydrates literally make us fat, and by driving us to accumulate fat, they make us hungrier and they make us sedentary.
This is the fundamental reality of why we fatten, and if we’re to get lean and stay lean we’ll have to understand and accept it, and, perhaps more important, our doctors are going to have to understand and acknowledge it, too.” 

{Why We Get Fat and What to do About it book / audiobook}


What are some of your favorite, most life changing, eye-opening personal development books?  Share your favs below so I can add them to my upcoming reading list!!

xo- Lindsey