My Favorite (Personal Development) Books

Self-help, personal growth, self-development, self-improvement - whatever you want to call it, personal development is the ongoing act of assessing your life goals and values and building your skills and qualities to reach your potential. They can contribute to your maturity, success and satisfaction.

Many people strengthen their personal development skills throughout their lives to better themselves and reach their goals. They can do this through education, advice from a mentor, spirituality and more.

Over the years I have been given and introduced to a LOT of personal development books. My father is a highly successful businessman and he understood the power behind personal growth and always striving to better your skills and knowledge. One of the first books he gave me was Dale Carnegies How to Win Friends and Influence People. And I'm not kidding guys - it CHANGED MY LIFE!

You see I grew up in a very small rural area of New Zealand. I went to school with the same kids until I was ten, then on to another small school. Plus I was a quiet, kept to herself, introvert so making friends and meeting new people was not something that ever came naturally to me.

But I had a dream of moving to the USA and attending my senior year of high school just like in Beverly Hills 90210. I put in the work - got the grades, convinced my parents and was accepted into a Grade 12 high school abroad program. Then I was faced with the anxiety of moving somewhere completely new where I wouldn't know anyone! My Dad who is also an introvert, quietly handed me this book one day and with a gentle nudge told me to read it and tell him if I found it helpful.

Oh boy did I!

With the skills I learned in that book I went on to have the absolute best year of my life. I introduced myself to random strangers, made friends with interesting people of all colours, ages, genders and spiritual beliefs and learned so many life lessons that have stayed with me over the years. 

In 2019, I returned to the self help section when I ended my 12 year marriage. The Law of Attraction continues to be of particular interest but as I grow my business and change my habits other books have also inspired me.

My favorite personal development books are:

1. Big Magic – Elizabeth Gilbert
2. Atomic Habit – James Clear
3. 5 Second Rule – Mel Robins
4. Chillpreneur – Denise Duffield-Thomas
5. The One Thing – Gary Keller
6. Everything is Figuroutable – Marie Forleo
7. Super Attractor – Gabrielle Bernstein
8. How to Win Friends & Influence People – Dale Carnegie
9. Start with Why - Simon Sinek
10. Permission to screw up - Kristen Hadeed

It is likely that not all these books books will have the same effect on you that they have on me and my life. But I urge you to check them out in whatever format you prefer. I LOVE Elizabeth Gilbert and Mel Robbins on audible and have the paperback of Super Attractor with highlighted passages and notes scribbled in the margins!

Let me know on social media if any of my recommendations are useful or if you have a book you think I should read! I'd love to hear from you!

Bestselling author and CEO of Serenade Publishing, Sarah Williams spent her childhood chasing sheep, riding horses and picking Kiwi fruit on the family orchard in rural New Zealand. After a decade travelling, Sarah moved to Queensland, to raise a family and follow her passion for writing. She currently resides in Maleny on the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, Australia. When she's not absorbed in her fictional writing world, Sarah is running after her family of four kids, three dogs and an ever-growing number of chickens. She regularly runs writers workshops, mentors and supports her peers to achieve their publishing dreams.

Sarah is regularly checking social media when she really should be cleaning. You can find her online at: sarahwilliamsauthor.com serenadepublishing.com

Nominated Best Australian Author (2018) Australian Romance Readers Association Nominated Best Australian Romance for The Dairy Farmer's Daughter (2018) Australian Romance Readers Association Nominated Best Debut Author (2017) Australian Romance Readers Association Nominated Best New Romance Author (2017) AusRom Today