Now that may sound a little overdramatic, but when I first read those words in Dale Carnegie’s self-help classic, it got me thinking. Why should I be afraid of going forward and bettering myself?
I was reading his incredibly popular and feeling a little ashamed about it. I guess it’s because there’s a certain stigma attached to the idea of a man admitting he’s not perfect and that he could use a little help.
Damn our easily bruised male egos.I’ve now realised that this way of thinking is completely flawed. Self-help books should be celebrated. If a couple of hundred pages of the right book can improve your life, it’s well worth the small investment.
Eat That Frog! … by Brian Tracy
It comes from the old Mark Twain quote, “Eat a live frog first thing in the morning and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day.” Which kind of makes sense when you think about it.
The core message is one that’s worth remembering. Do the things you normally put off first. Get them out of the way and enjoy the rest of your schedule.It’s not revolutionary, but it’s a quick and concise read. Perfect if you’re in need of a productivity boost.
The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo
Now it may seem strange to see a book on this list that’s about cleaning up at home, but bear with us.Kondo explains if you de-clutter your home, you can so much easier de-clutter your brain. Once you do that, your path to self-improvement will be free from obstacles as well.Added energy, confidence and motivation will be yours. And if it isn’t, at least your apartment will be nice and tidy.
Man’s Search For Meaning by Viktor Frankl
Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms – to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way…”
Said to you by a friend or therapist, you may nod your head a little. But when it’s written by a Holocaust survivor who oozes amazing advice with every word, you can’t help but sit up and take notice. Viktor Frankl knows suffering. And he says it’s an inescapable fact of life.We just need to get on with it.
The Six Pillars of Self-Esteem… by Nathaniel Branden
So many male issues are borne of problems with self-esteem.If you don’t believe that you’re a worthy and capable man, it’s almost impossible to convince others of it.
It may be over two decades old now, but if you suffer from self-confidence issues, this self-help guide from practicing psychotherapist Nathaniel Branden is a must-read.
