Life-Changing Books to Help You Do the Work
The Self-Help Theory claims the self-help industry is based within 5 categories.
The industry can cross over topics. I’m not confining any of the resources, books, podcasts to ONE topic, but I’ve noticed a trend in the amount of self-help books I’ve read over the last few years.
When I’m talking about these topics, what I’m meaning is that these are areas in life that the industry points to and says “how can I help you improve this.” Within this, I’m suggesting that if you follow at least one resource from each topic, you can completely transform your life, heal from your past, or become the person you’ve been all along.
Do the Work
This is where you’ll find those really annoying Pinterest posts about “getting your life together using this spreadsheet” or “journaling everyday really changed my life and here’s how it can change yours”. Over it too?
Well not to sound JUST like them, but they aren’t totally wrong. It’s not about what spreadsheet or bullet journal technique you use, it’s about accountability and consistency. It’s about doing whatever it takes to keep you going when there’s no motivation. But we’ll get on that later.
So what do I mean when I say Do The Work? Simple enough you have to do the work. Most of what these authors, podcasters, whatever it is you read or listen to, you have to physically do the work. If they say “here’s a guided meditation,” do the work. If they say “I’ve given you some prompts to try out for your next journaling session,” do the work. Even if they say, “here’s your homework” (ew), do the work.
When I mean do the work, I mean you can’t expect to heal or grow if you aren’t actually in the trenches of your self-healing journey. You can listen to all the podcasts and how to’s or read all of the books in the industry, but nothing will ever change unless you are actively making the changes presented to you.
Now there are resources in this field whose sole purpose is teaching you HOW TO DO THE WORK, but really all the resources have an element of work that needs to be done.
Components of Do the Work:
Embarking on a self-healing journey requires dedicated effort and a commitment to personal growth. It involves actively engaging in the process of healing and transformation. Four key components of doing the work in a self-healing journey are goals, consistency, accountability, and practice.
Setting goals provides a roadmap for your self-healing journey. Clearly defining what you want to achieve and the areas you want to address helps you stay focused and motivated. Goals serve as guideposts, giving you direction and purpose as you navigate through the healing process.
Consistency is vital in a self-healing journey. It involves committing to regular and persistent effort in your healing practices. Consistency builds momentum and allows for deeper integration of healing strategies into your daily life. By consistently dedicating time and energy to your healing journey, you create a solid foundation for lasting transformation.
Accountability plays a crucial role in self-healing. Being accountable means taking ownership of your actions, choices, and progress. Establishing accountability mechanisms, such as working with a therapist, joining support groups, or having an accountability partner, helps you stay committed and motivated. It provides a space for reflection, feedback, and support, empowering you to overcome challenges and maintain momentum.
Practice is the active application of healing techniques and strategies. It involves engaging in specific exercises, rituals, or therapies that support your healing journey. Regular practice allows you to cultivate new habits, develop self-awareness, and build resilience. Whether it's mindfulness, journaling, therapy sessions, or other healing modalities, consistent practice strengthens your capacity for self-reflection, healing, and growth.
In combination, goals, consistency, accountability, and practice create a powerful framework for doing the work in a self-healing journey. They provide structure, motivation, support, and active engagement in your healing process. Remember, self-healing is a journey, and it requires effort and commitment. By embracing these components, you empower yourself to embark on a transformative path toward wholeness, well-being, and self-discovery.
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Atomic Habits
Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear is a transformative guide to understanding and mastering the science of habits. Clear breaks down how small, incremental changes—“atomic habits”—can lead to remarkable improvements over time. With a focus on actionable strategies, he explains how to create good habits, eliminate bad ones, and harness the power of consistency to achieve long-term success. Filled with research-backed insights and practical techniques, Atomic Habits is an essential read for anyone looking to make lasting positive changes, whether in personal goals, work productivity, or everyday routines. This book is a powerful resource for anyone ready to transform their life, one habit at a time
Smart Women Finish Rich
Smart Women Finish Rich: 9 Steps to Achieving Financial Security and Funding Your Dreams by David Bach is a comprehensive, empowering guide for women looking to take control of their financial futures. Bach addresses the unique financial challenges women often face and provides straightforward, actionable advice on saving, investing, and building wealth. With his signature “Latte Factor” method, he shows how small, consistent changes can lead to significant financial gains over time. Covering topics from budgeting and retirement planning to investing with confidence, Smart Women Finish Rich equips readers with the tools to make informed decisions and build a financially secure, fulfilling life. This book is an invaluable resource for women at any stage of their financial journey, from beginners to those looking to refine their wealth-building strategies.
Designing Your Life
Designing Your Life: How to Build a Well-Lived, Joyful Life by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans brings the principles of design thinking to personal development, helping readers craft a fulfilling life at any stage. Burnett and Evans, both innovators in product and experience design, offer a fresh perspective on career and life planning, encouraging readers to approach their lives as designers would a project. Through practical exercises, prototyping techniques, and real-life examples, Designing Your Life guides readers to identify and explore various life paths, redefine success, and overcome obstacles with creativity. Ideal for anyone feeling stuck or seeking direction, this book is a hands-on toolkit for building a meaningful and adaptable life by designing rather than drifting.
Stop Self-Sabotage
Stop Self-Sabotage: Six Steps to Unlock Your True Motivation, Harness Your Willpower, and Get Out of Your Own Way by Dr. Judy Ho is an insightful guide to overcoming self-defeating behaviors and realizing your full potential. Dr. Ho, a clinical psychologist, breaks down the psychological roots of self-sabotage and presents a clear, evidence-based six-step program for breaking free from patterns that hinder progress. By addressing core issues like fear, procrastination, and self-doubt, Stop Self-Sabotage empowers readers to replace negative habits with constructive ones and to set and achieve meaningful goals. With a mix of practical exercises and personal stories, this book is perfect for anyone looking to build self-confidence, find motivation, and create lasting change in their life.
The 5AM Club
The 5AM Club: Own Your Morning, Elevate Your Life by Robin Sharma introduces a powerful morning routine designed to boost productivity, enhance well-being, and maximize potential. Through an engaging story format, Sharma reveals how waking up at 5 a.m. and following his structured morning habits—focused on exercise, reflection, and personal growth—can transform one’s mindset, energy, and life trajectory. This book combines motivational wisdom with practical strategies, encouraging readers to harness the quiet, early hours for deep work and self-improvement. Ideal for those looking to reclaim their mornings and achieve high performance, The 5AM Club is a guide to living with purpose, discipline, and passion.
Quit Like a Woman
Quit Like a Woman: The Radical Choice to Not Drink in a Culture Obsessed with Alcohol by Holly Whitaker offers an empowering perspective on sobriety and self-discovery for women who want to rethink their relationship with alcohol. Whitaker, a sobriety advocate and founder of the Tempest sobriety program, explores how alcohol dependency disproportionately affects women and why traditional recovery methods may not work for everyone. She shares her personal journey and offers tools for achieving a life of fulfillment, strength, and freedom without alcohol. Blending practical advice with cultural insights, Quit Like a Woman is an inspiring, nonjudgmental guide for anyone looking to redefine their life on their own terms and build a healthier, more empowered self.
Declutter Your Mind
Declutter Your Mind: How to Stop Worrying, Relieve Anxiety, and Eliminate Negative Thinking by S.J. Scott and Barrie Davenport is a practical guide to managing stress and creating mental clarity in a busy world. Scott and Davenport explore how chronic worry, stress, and negative thinking can clutter the mind and impact emotional well-being. Through mindfulness techniques, mental exercises, and actionable strategies, Declutter Your Mind helps readers let go of mental noise, focus on the present, and make room for what truly matters. Ideal for those seeking peace and balance, this book provides readers with tools to shift their thinking patterns and cultivate a calm, purposeful mindset.
How to Stop Feeling Like Shit
How to Stop Feeling Like Sht: 14 Habits That Are Holding You Back from Happiness by Andrea Owen is a candid, no-nonsense guide for women looking to break free from self-sabotaging behaviors and embrace a more joyful, authentic life. Owen, a life coach and personal development expert, identifies 14 common habits—such as perfectionism, people-pleasing, and negative self-talk—that often keep women feeling stuck and unfulfilled. Through humor, real-life examples, and practical advice, How to Stop Feeling Like Sh*t encourages readers to recognize and replace these habits with healthier, more empowering choices. This book is a compassionate yet straightforward roadmap for anyone ready to overcome self-doubt, boost confidence, and live with greater self-acceptance.
How to Do the Work
How to Do the Work: Recognize Your Patterns, Heal from Your Past, and Create Your Self by Dr. Nicole LePera is a transformative guide to self-healing and personal empowerment. Known as “The Holistic Psychologist,” Dr. LePera blends psychology with holistic health practices to help readers understand and heal their mental, emotional, and physical selves. She explores the impact of childhood conditioning, trauma, and ingrained behaviors, offering practical tools to break free from unhelpful patterns and reclaim agency over one’s life. Through introspective exercises, mindfulness techniques, and actionable advice, How to Do the Work empowers readers to take an active role in their healing journey and create lasting change. This book is an invaluable resource for anyone committed to personal growth and self-discovery.
Essentialism
Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown is a compelling manifesto for anyone seeking to simplify their life and focus on what truly matters. McKeown argues that in a world filled with distractions and endless demands on our time, the key to achieving success and fulfillment lies in discerning the essential from the trivial. He introduces the concept of Essentialism, a systematic discipline that encourages readers to prioritize their efforts, eliminate non-essential activities, and make thoughtful choices that align with their values and goals. Through practical strategies, real-world examples, and a clear framework, Essentialism guides readers to reclaim their time and energy, ultimately leading to a more purposeful, meaningful, and productive life. This book is a vital resource for anyone feeling overwhelmed by the busyness of modern life and looking to cultivate a more intentional approach to living.
The Self-Help Theory is based off of a concept created and developed by Tyler Burch, an aspiring author and researcher, that states the self-help industry is based on 5-categories. The theory is if someone works on small change in each category, they can change their life exponentially.