9 Books to Challenge You and Boost Your Personal Development
To me, September always brings with it the sense of beginnings—a new season, a new school year, and new opportunities. And for the first time in three years, the EPI team is gathering for a work retreat. I am thrilled to get together and set new goals, collaborate, strategize, and celebrate our 20th anniversary in business.
In addition to team development, we will also discuss personal development. Ahead of time, we shared and discussed books that have made an impact on us. We rounded up recommendations for 9 books that have boosted our creativity, lowered our stress, challenged our thinking, and pushed us to develop new ideas. And we believe these books will benefit you too. Enjoy!
The Power of Moments: Why Certain Experiences Have Extraordinary Impact by Chip Heath & Dan Heath
We have all heard the phrase “live in the moment” but then life happens and we rarely seize these fleeting moments. More often than not, we are passive in our own lives and moments typically happen to us rather than being created by us.
However, once you realize how powerful a simple moment can be, you may act differently. These moments can be life-changing and can help you achieve goals, increase motivation, defy expectations, make lasting memories, and change unwanted behaviors.
“Filled with stories of powerful moments that have changed people’s lives, this book will inspire you to generate your own powerful moments that will have a lasting impact on you and the people around you.” - Michelle Kelly, Chief Enjoyment Officer
Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Kimmerer
Written by a botanist and a member of an indigenous tribe, Braiding Sweetgrass weaves in nature and science in pursuit of reimagining our relationship with the land.
With a surprising amount of correlation to leadership, the book offers a new perspective on understanding how nature operates, what we can learn from non-human living beings, and how our reciprocity with Mother Earth can impact our personal development.
The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom by Don Miguel Ruiz
We all have self-limiting beliefs that steal our joy and make us second-guess our actions. Based on ancient Toltec wisdom, The Four Agreements provides guidance to improve our well-being and dramatically impact the amount of happiness in our lives, regardless of external circumstances.
“The Four Agreements is quite possibly my most referenced and recommended books to many coaching clients and workshop attendees. It can change people.” – Deanell Sandoval, VP Leadership Development
Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle by Emily Nagoski & Amelia Nagoski
Feeling overpowered by life? We all balance so many roles, which leaves us feeling like we are doing everything—yet doing nothing to our full potential.
Supported by science and real-life examples, the Nagoski sisters will help you understand how to manage pressure and depletion. This book provides insight and ideas to help end the cycle of feeling exhausted and overwhelmed.
Quiet by Susan Cain
In a culture that tends to favor extrovert characteristics, this book will make an introvert feel seen and heard. Supported by extensive research, case studies, and thoughtful conclusions, author Susan Cain outlines the challenges and advantages of being an introvert. This book presents several strategies and tactics for introverts to excel in a world geared toward extroverts.
Whether you are an introvert, work with one, are raising an introvert, or are living with one, you will find value in reading this book!
“Quiet is so helpful for introverts to feel justified in sensing that our world is designed for extroverts in so many ways. It is also valuable for extroverts to understand how incredibly overwhelming we can be to introverts.” – Jamie Cornell, Director of Leadership
Facing our imperfect selves can be difficult, but our perceived imperfections are exactly what set us apart from others. This book provides tools and practical guidelines to release our definitions of imperfection, find more self-compassion, and embrace living.
Through Brown’s 10 guideposts you will find ways to tackle your perfectionism tendencies, pursue meaningful work, cultivate resilience, practice authenticity, foster creativity, embrace stillness, and remember to not take yourself too seriously.
“This book helps you accept yourself completely. Instead of focusing your attention on your weaknesses, view them as gifts. The world needs your authentic self.” – Robbi McGuire, Learning Solutions Architect
The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron
Gain new insights into the creative process with The Artist’s Way. The book, along with its Morning Pages workbook, helps readers uncover problems limiting their creative flow and offers techniques to promote personal growth and discovery.
Not just for those in creative fields, this book and program will help you get back on track, revive your passions, and push you to make positive changes in your life.
“This book is amazing. I read it and did the journaling program when I turned 30 and again when I turned 40... I'm pretty sure I'll do the same with every new decade!” – Charlotte Bassin, Graphic/Multimedia Designer
Life speeds by pretty fast. The Zen Commandments offers 10 guidelines for living a more present life and being consciously aware of what ultimately brings us true happiness and freedom.
“I have gifted The Zen Commandments to various team members over the years. Even though it’s more than 20 years old, the book’s topics and guidelines still resonate today. You can pick this up whenever you need a bit of inspiration.” – Jami Edwards, Team Services Coordinator
Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek
Wise words from Simon Sinek: “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are a leader.”
As a leader we may not always realize or understand the impact our roles actually have on those we lead. Sinek dives into basic principles of building trust and maintaining it, keeping your teams safe, and being the first one to do the hard thing.