How I Use Self-Improvement Books to Motivate Me

I am a big self-improvement book fan and have read my fair share of them.  Self-improvement books can provide powerful ways to improve your life.  I like to use self-improvement books to find a few takeaways that I can use to motivate me on my own journey.

One of the biggest complaints against self-improvement books is that the reader lives vicariously through the successful people’s stories, giving them hope and good feelings but rarely elicit any real change.  You read and read and get excited and motivated, but then a few days pass, and you forgot what you just read.  As you were reading, you could relate to so many things that you could change, but then you get distracted.  Then the next book comes out, and you start all over again.

That is why you need to take notes and write down highlights of what you read.  In a perfect world, you will use your notes to remind yourself what actions can be taken to achieve your goals or motivate you when you feel a little defeated.

This year I have read Girl, Stop Apologizing, You are a Badass, and Big Magic.  These 3 books are very popular and either are or have been on the NY Times Bestseller list.  To use the information in each of these books, I have highlighted a few takeaways.  What I take away might be different from what you do, so if you find some motivation, you should read these books too!

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Girl, Stop Apologizing: A Shame-Free Plan for Embracing and Achieving Your Goals by Rachel Hollis

Rachel Hollis is a motivator!  She has lots of energy and believes in what she teaches.  This book comes on the heels of her New York Times Bestseller; Girl Wash Your Face, which is a huge success.  In this book, she uses many personal anecdotes from her own journey to encourage us to go after our big dreams without apologizing for wanting them.  She encourages us to show up for our lives and become who we were meant to be.  She has made a few mistakes in her business life and she has her share of haters, but I love the message and believe we can all use a little kick in the butt once in a while.

Here are a few takeaways:

• You can make the time to pursue your goals, and you have to do it now.  Why now?  Because if not now, then when?
• Every time that fear of not enough shows up for you in whatever stupid way it tends to, I want you to remind yourself of the truth.  Not the opinion of someone else.
• I don’t think the goal is ever to be balanced.  I think the goal is to be centered.
• When other people’s expectations start to dictate your actions, you’re lost.
• Be the kind of woman both your eleven-year-old self and your ninety-year-old self would be proud of.
• Be the kind of woman who never asks permission to be herself.
• You will never change someone else unless you find the courage and the will and the resolve to change yourself, and you will never do any of those things if you aren’t willing to let your journey inconvenience people.
• The incredible thing is, by embracing your calling and refusing to hide your glow, you wouldn’t just make your world brighter; you’d light the way for the women who could come along behind you.

You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life by Jen Sincero

This book offers sassy, funny, and “down-to-earth” advice for seeing your life through fresh eyes, finding your passion, and living the life you want.  I really liked the “in your face” practical tips she gave.  Jen believes in and uses the Law of Attraction.  She advises us to think about and write down our beliefs in our lives, such as money, love, work, and health.  We should then create our own affirmations and go out and live the life we want!  This is right up my alley!

Here are a few takeaways:

• No matter what you say you want, if you’ve got an underlying subconscious belief that it will cause pain or isn’t available to you, you won’t let yourself have it.  Become aware of your beliefs.
• Never apologize for who you are.  It lets the whole world down.
• Our greatest fears are the greatest waste of time.
• What other people think about you has nothing to do with you and everything to do with them.
• You are responsible for what you say and do. You are not responsible for whether or not people freak out about it.
• Follow what feels good in the moment, every moment, and it will lead you through a most excellent life.
• Take care of yourself as if you’re the most awesome person you’ve ever met.
• Because so often when we say we’re unqualified for something, what we’re really saying is that we’re too scared to try it, not that we can’t do it.

Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear By Elizabeth Gilbert

This book got mixed reviews.  She wrote the book, Eat, Pray, Love, and she talks about her success a lot in this book.  Some people thought it “was what I needed at the right time,” and others thought the author was bragging about her creative success. It is not an instructional book; it is more of an encouraging book written with conversational dialogue. I read this book at a time when I needed a little confidence booster in the creative field.

Here are a few takeaways:

• You have to have the courage to bring forth your treasures.
• You don’t have to be fully qualified to write about something.  If you are even a little qualified, be willing to learn the rest.
• Write for yourself, not to help anyone else.
• Enjoy your creativity – never complain – it’s your choice.
• Let go of perfection.
• You are entitled to exist and therefore express yourself.
• Be curious – if there is anything you are interested in – pursue it, see where it takes you.
• Never apologize for your work – put it out there! Hold your head up high!
• The work wants to be made, and it wants to be made through you!

One More!

The 5 Ls of Living Marvelously by Laurie Jonas

This book is an interactive guide to help you discover a life you love. I believe in the power of writing takeaways and ideas down on paper to help you remember and reflect on what you are reading. There are lots of activities, lists, and journal prompts included.

A Few Takeaways:

• Let go of all the things that block you from living your best life.
• Love yourself and others.
• Live your life. Act upon your dreams. Discover what makes you happy.
• Learn all you wish to know, academically and using the power of the Universe.
• Leap into your life. Do the marvelous things you have uncovered!
• When you read this book, I hope that you start thinking about what makes your life marvelous. And that you start taking steps now to achieve it.

Self-improvement books can be an easy and inexpensive way to motivate you to achieve your goals and dreams.  The trick is, however, that you actually need to do something with the information given.   I hope these takeaways will encourage you to take action!

Have you read these books?  What did you learn from them?

“Life is like a game of chess, and to win, you have to make a move.  Knowing which move to make comes with IN-SIGHT  and knowledge, and by learning the lessons that are accumulated along the way.”  – Allan Rufus

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