“The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson
Whether it is developing healthier, more productive habits, changing careers or developing confidence, these books will help you find what you’re looking for. Here are seven books to help you re-discover your purpose and keep you on the right according to an article by Forbes.
1. ‘The Life-Changing Magic Of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing’ by Marie Kondo
Kondo’s organizational laws and philosophy discuss everything from how to fold your clothes to how to organize by category, but her tenets can be applied to how you should approach and organize every facet of your life. Most methods advocate a room-by-room or little-by-little approach, which room you to pick away at your piles of stuff forever. The KonMari Method, with its revolutionary category-by-category system, leads to lasting results. With detailed guidance for determining which items in your house “spark joy” (and which don’t), this international bestseller featuring Tokyo’s newest lifestyle phenomenon will help you clear your clutter and enjoy the unique magic of a tidy home and the calm, motivated mindset it can inspire.
2. ‘The Power of Habit’ by Charles Duhigg
Written by Pulitzer Prize-winning business reporter Charles Duhigg, ‘The Power of Habit’ investigates the scientific discoveries that explain why habits exist and how they can be changed. Duhigg skillfully clarifies vast amounts of information into a compelling narrative that helps illuminates the reader about human nature and its potential for transformation.
3. ‘How To Talk to Anyone: 92 Little Tricks for Big Success in Relationships’ by Leil Lowndes
Lowndes breaks down everything from body language to the exact phrases you should use when introducing yourself to important people when explaining how to make a lasting impression. Developing charisma takes practice, but she gives you the tools to succeed with techniques and strategies to navigate social interactions and to feel comfortable in your own skin.
4. ‘The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fuck: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life’ by Mark Manson
The Subtle Art of Not Giving A F*ck’ is the first book by blogger and author Mark Manson. In it, Manson argues that life’s struggles give it meaning and that the mindless positivity of typical self-help books is neither practical nor helpful. The book is a reaction to the self-help industry and what Manson saw as a culture of mindless positivity that isn’t practical or helpful for most people. Manson uses many of his own personal experiences to illustrate how life’s struggles often give it more meaning, which, he argues, is a better approach than constantly trying to be happy. Manson’s approach and writing style have been categorized by some as contrary to the general self-help industry, using blunt honesty and profanity to illustrate his ideas.
5. ‘Un F*** Yourself ‘ by John Gary Bishop
Bishop preaches with his direct, no-nonsense prose that it is not other people or your circumstances standing in your way- you are responsible for your own life and you are wired to win. So stop getting in your own way, stop being so hard on yourself and get to work.
6. ‘The 7 Habits Of Highly Effective People’ by Stephen R. Covey
Scientific research and millions of articles have argued that success and excellence are achieved not by one grandiose act, but by the habits people develop and the work they put in every day. The book has been hailed by CEOs, professional athletes, and politicians as a guide to success for nearly 30 years, as it ignores trends and distills the basic, classic tenets of excellence.
7. ‘The 5 am Club: Change Your Morning, Change Your Life’ by Robin Sharma
Legendary leadership and elite performance expert Robin Sharma introduced the 5 am Club concept over twenty years ago, based on a revolutionary morning routine that has helped his clients maximize their productivity, activate their best health and bulletproof their serenity in this age of overwhelming complexity. Now, in this life-changing book, handcrafted by the author over a rigorous four-year period, you will discover the early-rising habit that has helped so many accomplish epic results while upgrading their happiness, helpfulness, and feelings of aliveness. Through an enchanting–and often amusing–it is a story about two struggling strangers who meet an eccentric tycoon who becomes their secret mentor. The 5 am Club will walk you through things like how great geniuses, business titans and the world’s wisest people start their mornings to produce astonishing achievements.
Go on, read these books, they might just help you figure out your life.
