If you were to ask a publisher their typical target audience for books in the self-help genre, they would probably say women. In may be a bit of a stereotype, but women are seen as more introspective and self-aware, willing to make changes to start “living their best life.” Of course, there are plenty of men who want to improve their lives too, but they might not relate to some of the same self-help books that are marketed towards women. Fortunately, there are options that can inspire men to work on anything from their health and relationships to their financial habits. Here are a few self-help books for the guy who wants to be the best he can be.
10% Happier – Dan Harris
Every self-help book has a subtitle that explains exactly what you’re getting yourself into and this one is no exception. 10% Happier: How I Tamed the Voice in My Head, Reduced Stress Without Losing My Edge, and Found Self-Help That Actually Works—A True Story is about how the author discovered the benefits of meditation. It touches on the how the practice can improve your physical, mental and emotional health and help you learn to relax and tolerate stress more effectively.
Quiet – Susan Cain
In a world where standing out and making an impression seems next to impossible when you’re in introvert, Susan Cain’s book Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking proves that you don’t have to be outgoing to be successful. If you’re one of those people who prefers listening to talking, working solo to collaborating, and would prefer not to have to self promote, it can be hard to see how you fit into the expected recipe for success. Cain introduces a number of highly successful introverts that have learned to use their strengths to get ahead and break out of the stereotype of the timid wallflower. If they can do it, so can you.
Everything That Remains – Joshua Fields Millburn
Minimalism is a lifestyle that rejects consumerism and excess. It stresses the importance of experiences rather than material things and reminds you that money isn’t the answer to all your problems. Everything That Remains: A Memoir by The Minimalists follows Joshua Millburn’s journey towards letting go of all his things and living more deliberately. With his good friend Ryan Nicodemus, Joshua travels the country promoting the minimalist lifestyle and inspiring people to follow in his footsteps.
The Power of Habit – Charles Duhigg
We all have habits and routines. Some, like needing a morning coffee, form naturally, while others, like hitting the gym every night after work have to be forced a little bit. Pulitzer Prize-winning business reporter, Charles Duhigg looks into the science behind habits, why they exist and how they can be changed. The key to developing those healthy habits we’re all struggling to fit into our lives might be understanding how habits actually work. Once you know that, creating new habits and breaking old ones becomes a whole lot easier.
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck – Mark Manson
If you’re sick of always hearing that thinking positive and looking on the bright side is the key to happiness and success, this book is for you. The actual key to happiness, Mark Mason says, is accepting your limitations and learning to work with them. Embrace your fears, faults and uncertainties and confront the things you’d rather deny about yourself and your life and you will actually start learning how to deal with them. We might not all be special butterflies destined to accomplish extraordinary things. Life isn’t fair sometimes and you might get the short end of the stick, but face your flaws head on and there’s no doubt you’ll be able to move past them.
The Productivity Project – Chris Bailey
Understanding productivity and what makes one person more productive than someone else is complicated. Chris Bailey set out to learn more about what made him most productive by taking a year to conduct a list of experiments such as cutting out caffeine, getting up earlier, using his smartphone for only an hour a day and living in complete isolation for 10 days straight to see how the changes affected the quality and quantity of his work. His insights will give you ideas into how to adjust your own thinking and learn to be a lot more productive with your time.
