Worth the Read: 5 Books to Help You Level Up

There’s no shortage of self-development books out there. They line the shelves of libraries and bookstores, each claiming to have the secrets to success. But with so many available, how do you know which ones are worth your time?

We turned to our community with this question, asking them which personal and professional development books they’ve found most helpful. Here’s a curated roundup of those game-changing resources to reinvigorate you as you work towards your goals. 

1. Better Than Before by Gretchen Rubin

Most of us have a habit or two we’d like to break, but one-size-fits-all solutions don’t always do the trick. After all, we form habits in different ways, for different reasons, under different circumstances.

In Better than Before, Rubin explores how understanding your individual tendencies and preferences can revolutionize your approach to behavior change. Her insights will help you design habits that align with your unique personality and lifestyle so that you can make real changes. 

2.  Atomic Habits by James Clear

“Habits are the ‘compound interest’ of self-improvement.” 

This is the argument behind James Clear’s bestselling guide to behavioral change. We are the product of our habits. They build upon each other to create our realities and determine our direction for the future. 

With this in mind, Clear breaks down habits to the smallest level to demystify exactly how to form good habits, break bad ones, and master the tiny actions that compound to create incredible results. 

3. The Freak Factor by David J. Rendall

We’ve all got that thing. The thing that we feel makes us weird or separates us from others. It keeps us from accomplishing what others do or getting what they have.

David Rendall’s “The Freak Factor” urges us to see our quirks and eccentricities as our greatest strengths. Through inspiring stories and practical exercises, Rendall shows you how to embrace your inner "freak" and use it to your advantage in both your personal and professional life.

4. The High Five Habit by Mel Robbins

If you're looking to boost your confidence and cultivate an unshakable positive mindset, look no further. In The High Five Habit, Robbins lays out how you can cultivate a greater sense of self-worth, overcome fear, and create the life you want through active gestures of self-support.

Robbins walks readers through this research-backed approach in a straightforward and uplifting narrative and provides moving examples from her own life to illustrate its power. 

5. I Am That Girl by Alexis Jones

Alexis Jones knows you already have everything you need to succeed within you. Recounting her own experiences and those of women from around the world, Jones offers heartfelt advice and inspiring insights for living life beyond the boundaries others draw for us.

From releasing limiting beliefs to building meaningful relationships, "I Am That Girl" will show you that you are worthy of success and happiness right now–not when you get a degree, earn that promotion, or reach any other arbitrary benchmark. 

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