Self-help books are closely related to psychology, as the essence of improving oneself and achieving personal growth is often found in classical psychological literature written by some of the greatest psychologists out there. Therefore, many pop-psychology books we read today actually have a very firm scientific background since they are extracted from the works of Jung, Freud, Lacan, and others.
Therefore, let’s take a look at some of the most popular self-help books ever that can help you improve your everyday life.
Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki
Rich Dad, Poor Dad is a masterpiece by Robert Kiyosaki written in 1997. The book is focused on financial literacy and its importance in every society. With a perfect dose of human psychology (mainly about the perception of money) and a lot of finance and economy-related stories, Kiyosaki managed to make an eye-opening piece for many people who lead a financial struggle. The book was sold in more than 58 million copies and was translated into 51 languages.
Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
The book by Napoleon Hill may seem like a piece of advice that some new-age enthusiast would give you, but it isn’t like that at all. For more than twenty years, Napoleon Hill had been studied individuals who amassed fortunes in order to write a book that ended up being an ultimate self-help book not only for the people who want to “grow rich” but also for those who want to master self-control and improve their overall lifestyle. In this book, he presented 16 “laws” that can help you improve yourself.
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey
Published in 1989, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People is a self-help book for people who want to be successful in business. Although primarily based on psychology, Covey also used certain mathematical principles to expand on the subject and explain the “character ethic” to his readers. The book was sold in more than 25 million copies, as well as 1.5 million audiobooks. One of the most important terms that Covey coined was the “abundance mentality” — a type of mindset one needs to acquire through everyday habits in order to make progress in his or her life.
How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
This self-help book was written by one of the greatest writers of this genre — Dale Carnegie. Carnegie wrote this book during the Great Depression, helping many people stand up and chase their dreams. Some would dare say Carnegie was one of the key figures that shaped the mindset of modern-day Americans. The book is not only about improving yourself, but also about improving the community around you in order to be able to achieve personal growth.
