M0st people read self-help books for pleasure, relaxation, or for a boost of inspiration. I do it as part of my work (not that I am complaining about it). I am always on the look out for a new great self-help book, interesting psychological discovery or an uplifting video that I can later share with you. My book shelves are stuffed with motivational literature. My iPad and laptop is filled with audio books, podcasts and videos that I need or would like to watch some day.

No wonder I have learned to consume and process large quantities of information quickly and efficiently! Yet sometimes I feel the need to stop and give myself time to savor a great book: to come back to important chapters and re-read them two of three times, to write down quotes that I loved, to reflect on how it applies to my own life.

Today I would like to share some of my favorite books with you. Each and every one of these self-help books has had a great impact of my core beliefs, work priorities, habits and my relationships with other people.

My advice to you is to pick one of the books from the list that resonates with you the most and read it slowly, enjoying every single chapter.

1. How to Win Friends and Influence People, by Dale Carnegie.

Dale Carnegie’s book “How to Win Friends and Influence People” is considered one of the first self-help books. It was published in 1936 and has since sold over 15 million copies.

I am sure you have heard of it, but if you still have not read it I suggest that you do. “How to Win Friends and Influence People” is by far the best and one of the most effective books that talks about the fine art of getting along with people, resolving conflicts effectively, and frankly expressing your thoughts and feelings without ever offending those around you.

It does not matter if you would like to improve your business communication, widen your social cycle or create an atmosphere of peace and understanding at home, this book can teach you how to do it.

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Have you ever read a great quote and thought, “Why didn’t I think of that? It is so simple!”

This is the power of brilliantly said self-help quotes – they pass your through your mind and find immediate response in your heart.

It does not matter if you read them when you are 10 or 87, they will still remind and inspire you to be kinder, to dream bolder, to work harder, to forgive faster, and to love deeper without expecting anything in return.

I noticed long ago that whenever I start my day with a positive and inspiring quote it is much easier for me to stay focused on the things I prize the most and to be more patient with myself and those around me.

Today I thought maybe you too are in need of some motivation and positive energy. If this is the case, I want to share with you some carefully selected Self-Help Quotes that are very dear to my heart. I hope that they will inspire you to continue improving yourself (because that is what all great quotes are supposed to do).

1. “The best way to predict the future is to create it.”
Peter F. Drucker

2. “Believe in Yourself and there will come a day when others will have no choice but to believe with you.”
Cynthia Kersey

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I sometimes wonder how often we have given up on our goals when we were just one step away from achieving them.

I know there have been at least a few times in my life when I felt discouraged, because I did not get the results I initially expected. I bet at some point you have felt like this too, but when you put those doubts aside and persisted you finally got what you wanted.

What was it that motivated you to stick to your goals and to keep on moving forward?

One of the things that has helped me is this video from Michael Jordan’s “Become Legendary” campaign. Every word in it is a powerful affirmation that should be repeated daily. There is one line, however, that especially resonated with me. It reads:

“I have something more important than courage. I have patience.”

Of course, it takes guts to go after your dreams, but courage alone does not guarantee that you will be successful in life. You need to be patient. You need to stay focused on your goal. You need to believe you can do it…

And you need to watch videos like this, because they inspire and challenge you to move forward!