Best short self-help books
If you are just starting to read and want to find the best short self-help books, then this is the post for you. I will go over some of my favorite short but impactful self-help books that you can go over in just one sitting.
You can read them in one day, but I do recommend taking your time. Or even using a Reading Journal to capture the most important ideas from these books.
How to choose self-help books
There are a couple of things I keep in mind when I buy new books:
- Is it about something I am interested in or want to work on?
- Will it help me feel more motivated and inspired?
- Is it making me question my beliefs?
- Can I learn at least one thing from it and apply it in my life?
If these boxes are ticked, then I will go ahead and buy it. Sometimes I check out reviews, but nowadays, you find criticism on everything, and if you base your decision only on reviews, you may find yourself struggling to choose. For every book, there will be a lot of critical readers who will say it is the worst book they have ever read.
My list of the best short self-help books
The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz
You will find that you don’t need to trust others as much as you need to trust yourself to make the right choices.
The Four Agreements has around 160 pages, but it is very easy to read and is one of my favorites this year. It gives you four agreements to live your life by, and the tips are something you can implement straight away.
The book breaks down four clear, actionable principles that can change how you think, speak, and live.
It tackles some of the biggest obstacles people face during their lives: inactivity, dependency, procrastination, and lack of freedom. By practicing the four agreements, you shift from reacting to life to consciously creating it.
Here is my short summary of this book.
How To Win Friends And Influence People by Dale Carnegie
This is not a very short book (it has 320 pages), but the format is small and can be read in just a couple of days. I read it again recently, and in my opinion, How to Win Friends and Influence People contains very useful advice on how to connect with other people and create friendships.
The tips are very practical, and there are a lot of examples you can learn from. In the age when we live a very disconnected and isolated life, this book is even more valuable.
I do believe everyone should read it, especially if you are young and you are struggling to find friends and relax in social situations.
You can check out my short review in this post.
Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life…And Maybe the World by Admiral William H. McRaven
“If you want to change the world, start off by making your bed.”
This quote sums up the book’s main idea: small actions, done with discipline and consistency, can lead to big changes in your life.
This is one of the first self-help books I read many years ago. Yet it is very vivid in my memory. Such a short (144 pages) but impactful book that will forever change the way you look at the simple habit of making your bed in the morning.
After reading Make Your Bed, I never once left my bed unmade; it gave such a powerful and simple message.
Meditations by Marcus Aurelius
“You have power over your mind – not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.”
Meditations were written by the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius either for himself or for his son and were not addressed to the wider public. His work, however, has become one of the most important texts representing Stoic philosophy.
You can start reading it from any chapter. The writing style is accessible. The book makes us reflect on ourselves and the world around us.
I do believe everyone should read this book at one point in their lives. I am currently reading it, so I will give a more thorough update in my next posts.
The Art of War by Sun Tzu
The Art of War was written 2,500 years ago by Sun Tzu, but the principles apply to business, leadership, personal development, and negotiation even today. It teaches you to think before you act, understand your environment, and avoid unnecessary conflict.
It’s short and more like a booklet than a full book. The language, however, can be abstract and metaphorical, depending on the translation. It’s a series of principles, not a story, so it reads more like poetry or proverbs.
Final thoughts
The best short self-help books are the ones that leave a mark on you and make you question your beliefs and decisions. I selected these books for several reasons. They are:
- short, under 200 pages (many under 100)
- practical — with takeaways you can apply today
- timeless — they don’t rely on trends
- easy to re-read —well, most of them
Related posts
How to improve self-confidence
How to retain more from the books you read
