25 Most Life-Changing Habits Books That Will Transform Your Daily Routine

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We’ve all been there: pumped to start a new fitness or nutrition plan, swearing that you’ll be able to stick to it this time.

You’re motivated, prepared, and ready to dive in head first, eagerly anticipating the changes that will take place as you work to transform your life.

Then, reality sets in, and motivation fades.

If this has happened to you, you’re not alone. According to The Wall Street Journal, just 40% of Americans are able to maintain their New Year’s resolutions after six months.

Of that 40%, just 19% are able to maintain their resolutions two years later.

Motivation is great to get started, but it’s not what keeps you going.

Creating sustainable healthy habits is more efficient and effective than simply having lofty goals.

It can be tough to get started with creating good habits, especially if you’ve tried to change your life in the past–without great results.

Learning from those who (literally) have write-down the lifechanging book on lifestyle change and one habit setting can help you begin to take meaningful strides toward personal effectiveness and personal growth.

I know that it’s not easy to make sustainable personal effectiveness and personal transformations and changes.

After years of yo-yo dieting, I didn’t just want to find a way to move forward in my own mental health–I wanted to find a way to help others as well.

As an authority in Brain, Body, and Belief Alignment, I understand the pathways and roadblocks that occur when you forge your way to authentic self and new habits.

Through empowerment, changing limiting beliefs, transcending barriers, and utilizing lifestyle changes, I work with clients to help them make the changes that stick.

Ready to start the journey of working toward healthier good habits? I’m here to help.

Take a look at each of these habit books and each of these categories to find the healthy and best habit texts that will help you move forward in becoming the happiest, healthiest version of yourself in 30 days.

flat lay of break bad habit concept — *Source*

In this post

Books for Establishing a Strong Foundation

Book 1: “Atomic Habits” by James Clear

“With the same habits, you’ll end up with the same results. But with better habits, anything is possible.” –James Clear, Atomic Habits

Clear’s formula for self improvement books is motivating in and of itself: you only need to become 1% better each day to achieve your goals.

This text digs into why habits reign supreme over motivation and willpower and how you can set up your day (or your week, or your 30 days) to allow yourself the time you need to create and implement new habits that stick.

Practical tips can help you move forward with staying on track with your new habits, and self-discipline even when life seems to get in the way.

Book 2: “The Power of Habit” by Charles Duhigg

“Change might not be fast and it isn’t always easy. But with time and effort, almost any mini habit can be reshaped.” ― Charles Duhigg, The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business

Implementing new habits is easier when you understand the science behind their effectiveness.

In The Power of Habit, you’ll get to learn how setting healthy habits actually changes the patterns inside your brain–and can help give you the drive you need to stick with small changes over time.

Patterns matter, and Duhigg digs into the small daily behaviors behind the success of superstars like Michael Phelps, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Howard Schultz, CEO of Starbucks.

You’ll see how creating the right habits isn’t just the difference between winning and losing- it can be a matter of life and death.

Books for Cultivating a Positive Mindset

Book 3: “Mindset” by Carol S. Dweck

“Incidentally, people with a growth mindset might also like a Nobel Prize or a lot of money. But they are not seeking it as a validation of their worth or as something that will make them better than others.” –Carol S. Dweck, Mindset

While any journey toward self-improvement has some sticking points and bad habits, it’s important to understand that you have the potential to grow and break bad habits.

In Mindset, Dr. Dweck explains the concept of a “growth mindset,” explaining how the simple belief that you can grow and change can make you more likely to succeed.

Of course, cultivating a growth mindset is more easily said than done, and Dweck takes readers on a journey of how to implement these mindset changes into your day-to-day life, work hard, improving your chances of success in health and fitness–and other aspects of your life.

Book 4: “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” by Stephen R. Covey

“What we are communicates far more eloquently than anything we say or do.” –Stephen R. Covey, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

book cover of "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People" by Stephen R. Covey

Published in 1989, Covey’s The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People is known as one of the lifechanging books and bestselling personal development books of all time.

Covey breaks down simple, actionable steps (like focusing on what you can control) instead of only offering theoretical ideas to keep you on track.

His Eisenhower matrix system will help you learn how to prioritize your tasks and small habits each day, boosting your productivity while giving you a clear system for choosing the good habits that matter most to your well-being.

Books for Enhancing Productivity and Focus

Book 5: “Deep Work” by Cal Newport

“Clarity about what matters provides clarity about what does not.” –Cal Newport, Deep Work

The distractions present in modern life–including cell phones, social media notifications, and a constant barrage of emails–can make it hard to achieve high productivity.

Newport’s Deep Work teaches simple rules for creating a distraction-free environment that will push you to achieve your best.

The author argues that the concept of deep work is not something of years past; rather, it’s a valuable skill that offers far more opportunity for productivity than the idea of multitasking.

Book 6: “Getting Things Done” by David Allen

“Everything you’ve told yourself you ought to do, your mind thinks you should do right now.” –David Allen, Getting Things Done

In Getting Things Done, author David Allen offers a practical approach to tackling a to-do list that seems like it will never end.

The book heavily focuses on developing and maintaining a positive work-life balance.

Allen places a heavy emphasis on personal responsibility, encouraging readers to utilize his strategies to help them fulfill commitments they’ve already made–and to say no to requests that they won’t be able to fulfill.

Reviewers state that they’re amazed at how well Allen’s advice works to organize a busy life, and his tips to improve focus can help increase the quality of work you perform. This is also one of the best books for personal transformation.

Books for Establishing Healthy Habits

Book 7: “The Power of Now” by Eckhart Tolle

“We must embrace the fact that if we don’t commit to thinking and living differently than most people now, we are setting ourselves up to endure a life of mediocrity, struggle, failure and regret—just like most people.” –Hal Elrod, The Miracle Morning

Shifting your focus from what you can be to what you are can create a monumental change in your perspective–especially when you work to implement this mindset before most others have even gotten out of bed.

Reviewers love how Elrod sticks to simple, straightforward tips to transform life before the sun is up, allowing you to start each day with a positive momentum that will impact your attitude and productivity for the rest of your waking hours.

Elrod encourages readers to follow through his S.A.V.E.R.S. morning routine, prioritizing silence, affirmation, visualization, exercise, reading, and scribing.

Fans of Elrod’s method state that as they are waking up excited about the day, rather than feeling the overwhelming urge to hit the snooze button.

Book 9: Yes! Commit. Do. Live. by Lisa Charles

“We know that science puts great importance on the power that words, both positive and negative, can have on the brain. Words help to create thoughts, which can lead to action, either good or bad. When those words become self-talk, they can lead to long-term harm.” –Lisa Charles, Yes! Commit. Do. Live.

After overcoming the painful cycle of yo-yo dieting, I lost 77 pounds–for good.

I wrote Yes! to allow me to share my story with others in a hope that my education, experiences, and scientific knowledge could help others get the same results.

I understand how paralyzing limiting beliefs can be when you’re working to make progress, and I know how to push through those thoughts, changing them into thoughts that help take you where you want to go.

I’m excited to be your go-to resource when you need a push in the right direction, or when you need to figure out how to work with your psychology instead of fighting against it.

Books for Nurturing Relationships and Communication

Book 9: “How to Win Friends and Influence People” by Dale Carnegie

“Any fool can criticize, complain, and condemn—and most fools do. But it takes character and self-control to be understanding and forgiving.” –Dale Carnegie, How to Win Friends & Influence People

When you have great relationships, other aspects of life are less stressful.

No matter where you’re at in your personal development journey, working to boost your habit blueprint and interpersonal relationships can go a long way to improve your well-being.

Carnegie offers time-tested tips and time-management skills that can help you to accomplish and create new friendships, deepen relationships you already have, and thrive as a leader at home or in the workplace.

When you make positive communication skills a mini habit, you’ll be able to encourage others and lower your daily stress levels.

The positivity that you feel from boosting your relationships with others can help you thrive in many aspects of your journey to healthy habits.

Book 10: “Crucial Conversations” by Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan, and Al Switzler

“It’s the most talented, not the least talented, who are continually trying to improve their dialogue skills. As is often the case, the rich get richer.” –Kerry Patterson, Crucial Conversations

If the thought of a tough conversation with a friend, colleague, or family member sounds like a nightmare, you’ll want to get your hands on this guide to tackling hard subjects with people you care about.

According to the authors, a crucial conversation involves opposing opinions, high levels of emotion, and high stakes. In many cases, people utilize their worst communication skills in the most important conversations, which can often contribute to a negative outcome.

Rather than reacting to tough conversations out of adrenaline or fear, this best book offers easy-to-use tools that can help you respond to tough issues in a way that positively moves to changing habits to life forward.

Books for Cultivating Financial Habits for Success

Book 11: “Rich Dad Poor Dad” by Robert T. Kiyosaki

“In school we learn that mistakes are bad, and we are punished for making them. Yet, if you look at the way human-being’s are designed to learn, we learn by making mistakes. We learn to walk by falling down. If we never fell down, we would never walk.” –Robert Kiyosaki, Rich Dad Poor Dad

Author Robert Kiyosaki grew up with his real dad and his best friend’s dad, who he thought of as his rich dad.

This well-known guide to personal finance teaches the so-called secrets of those who build wealth over time.

While the book was written in 1997, updated editions include “fast-forward” sidebars, allowing readers to see how Kiyosaki’s “rich dad” advice has stood the test of time.

If you’re working to develop positive financial mini habits, you’ll love the author’s simple tips to change your money mindset–and to teach your kids what they’ll need to know to follow through in your footsteps.

Book 12: “The Millionaire Next Door” by Thomas J. Stanley and William D. Danko

“It matters less how much more you make than what you do with what you already have.” –Thomas J. Stanley, The Millionaire Next Door

Looking at any given neighborhood, it’s impossible to tell what people have in the bank.

Some who appear to be living an uber-frugal lifestyle may actually be super-savers, while those who look like they’re well-off may be racking up credit card debt that they’ll never be able to pay off.

The Millionaire Next Door dispels myths about what it takes to become wealthy while offering practical tips that you can use to boost your net worth.

The author splits all people into two categories: those who have a low net worth compared with their income and those who have a high net worth compared to their income.

This book teaches you how to move into the latter category, one smart financial decision at a time.

Books for Nurturing Self-Care and Well-Being

Book 13: “The 4-Hour Workweek” by Timothy Ferriss

“What we fear doing most is usually what we most need to do.” –Timothy Ferriss, The 4-Hour Workweek

If you find yourself wishing away your time each week while you’re on the clock, you’re not alone.

Thankfully, the standard American 40-hour workweek isn’t your only option. In The 4-Hour Workweek, Timothy Ferriss shares tips from people who have found ways to work less while making more.

Ferriss doesn’t just talk in anecdotes and hypotheticals–he also offers concrete tips that you’ll be able to put to good use to simplify your work life.

From templates that show you how to eliminate unnecessary emails to tips for managing lifestyle costs in hard financial times, you’ll finish this book with practical ways to boost your net worth while lowering your work-related stress levels.

**Book 14: “The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck” by Mark Manson**

“Who you are is defined by what you’re willing to struggle for.” –Mark Manson, The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck

If you’re looking for the best book that will help quiet the voice in your head that makes you doubt your ability to succeed, you’re in the right place.

In this self-help guide, author Mark Manson doesn’t preach or break bad toxic positivity. Instead, he provides to-the-point truth-telling that encourages readers to start doing the work and changing habits necessary to live a happier life.

Manson makes it clear that all humans are flawed. Instead of trying to convince ourselves that the world is sunshine and rainbows, we need to enjoy the good–and train ourselves to be better at handling the bad.

Manson teaches that you only have so much time and energy each day, and it’s important to carefully choose how you expend your energy in order to live a healthy life.

This book doesn’t mince words and serves as a much-needed pep talk for lifelong people-pleasers who have spent far too many years worrying about what other people think.

Books for Fostering Continuous Learning and Growth

Book 15: “The Lean Startup” by Eric Ries

“We must learn what customers really want, not what they say they want or what we think they should want.” –Eric Ries, The Lean Startup

The business world has undergone a total overhaul over the past few decades, and understanding the way companies have changed is vital for those who want to make a living in business.

Author Eric Ries states that a startup is any organization that’s trying something for the first time with no guarantees that the risk will work out.

A startup can be viewed as a single person trying out a new idea for their corporate team for the first time or for a team of teachers who are interested in piloting a new program in their school.

Trying something new and uncertain is scary, but it’s the way to create change, according to Ries.

This book will teach you how to test your vision, adapt as necessary, and continually hone your idea until you find success.

Books for Embracing Positivity and Gratitude

Book 16: “The Happiness Advantage” by Shawn Achor

“Habits are like financial capital – forming one today is an investment that will automatically give out returns for years to come.” –Shawn Achor, The Happiness Advantage

If you’ve ever thought that you’ll be happy as soon as you get the promotion, the job, the right relationship, or a raise, you know that often, getting what we want isn’t actually what makes us happy.

Pursuing a goal is what makes us happy, not achieving the goal, according to Achor.

In addition to explaining tested techniques that can be used to boost individual happiness, Achor also talks about the importance of a strong social network and provides practical tips that can be put to use to help you reap the benefits of being interconnected with your community.

Book 17: “The 5 Second Rule” by Mel Robbins

“You have been assigned this mountain so that you can show others it can be moved.” –Mel Robbins, The 5 Second Rule

5, 4, 3, 2, 1: According to The 5 Second Rule author Mel Robbins, learning to push yourself to action in five seconds can be a life-changing technique to boost your productivity, improve your relationships, and help you live a happier life.

Reviewers state that this book helped them boost their confidence, and mental helath by teaching them how to spring into action rather than sitting back and questioning whether they should speak up.

Others love that the book have a proven way or helped them through moments when they felt frozen with anxiety, unsure of how to address a situation.

Whether you use the techniques presented by Robbins to overcome anxiety, boost your ability to stick to your best habits on your health and fitness journey, or help you speak up more at work, you’ll love how quickly you’re able to get things moving with the help of The Five Second Rule.

Books for Developing Effective Time Management

Book 18: “Eat That Frog!” by Brian Tracy

“The hardest part of any important task is getting started on it in the first place. Once you actually begin work on a valuable task, you seem to be naturally motivated to continue.” –Brian Tracy, Eat That Frog!

If you eat a frog first thing in the morning as your morning routine, you get to move through the day knowing, without a doubt, that the worst part is over.

Author Brian Tracy encourages readers to take this saying to heart, tackling the day’s most challenging task first.

The benefits of engaging in this practice are myriad: you get a confidence boost from knowing you’ve already handled something difficult, your productivity increases as you know the toughest part of the day is over, and your ability to manage stress increases as you witness, day after day, how well you can handle tasks that you normally would put off.

In addition to providing practical tips on how to knock out tough tasks first, Tracy also provides advice on time management, teaching you how to stay disciplined over time.

Book 19: “The Pomodoro Technique” by Francesco Cirillo

“A Pomodoro can’t be interrupted: It marks 25 minutes of pure work. A Pomodoro can’t be split up: There is no such thing as half a Pomodoro.” –Francesco Cirillo, The Pomodoro Technique

Named for a kitchen timer shaped like a tomato (pomodoro in Italian), Francesco Cirillo created his productivity-boosting system when he was a college student.

Instead of working on tough projects nonstop, the author used his kitchen timer to help him work in 25-minute intervals, with five-minute breaks in between.

Cirillo found that with this system, productivity becomes nearly limitless, allowing groups of people to tackle large tasks without becoming frustrated or overwhelmed.

In addition to tackling tasks in regimented segments of time, Cirillo also recommends tracking your progress toward your goal, keeping a detailed record of what you accomplish each day, and using visualization to keep you focused on your desired end result.

Books for Transforming Health and Wellness Habits

Book 20: “The 4-Hour Body” by Timothy Ferriss

“The decent method you follow is better than the perfect method you quit.” –Timothy Ferriss, The 4-Hour Body

When you’ve worked to improve your self-discipline and self-awareness but still find that you’re struggling to get motivate and make progress, it can be tough to stay on the path of healthy habits and routines.

With over a decade of experience working to understand what is the key takeaways for people to become motivational and become their healthiest selves, Timothy Ferriss’s Take Action provides actionable steps that can help you move toward your goal-setting.

According to reviewers, this self-help book of Ferriss provides easy-to-implement nutrition advice that can help you feel good and better fast–further motivating you to stay on the path to wellness.

Book 21: “Mindless Eating” by Brian Wansink

“Serving sizes start to make sense only when foods are individually packaged.” –Brian Wansink, Mindless Eating

Director of the Cornell University Food and Brand Lab Brian Wansink has spent his storied career working to figure out how and why we eat the way we do.

From understanding how packaging and advertising affect appetite to recognizing tactics used by food companies to make us purchase more food than we need, Mindless Eating will provide you with the knowledge you need to make strides when it comes to sticking to your nutrition plan and tiy habits.

Books for Strengthening Emotional Intelligence

Book 22: “Emotional Intelligence” by Daniel Goleman

“In a very real sense, we have two minds, one that thinks and one that feels.” –Daniel Goleman, Emotional Intelligence

We’ve all been there: trying desperately to get our point across to others, only to feel like our words are falling on deaf ears.

Improving our emotional intelligence can go a long way in boosting communication techniques.

Goleman’s text works to provide readers with concrete action steps that can be immediately implemented to help you feel comfortable communicating and help others feel comfortable communicating with you.

Book 23: “Nonviolent Communication” by Marshall B. Rosenberg

“All violence is the result of people tricking themselves into believing that their pain derives from other people and that consequently, those people deserve to be punished.” –Marshall B. Rosenberg, Nonviolent Communication

If you’ve ever felt like it’s tough to get your point across–or understand the points your loved ones are trying to make–Nonviolent Communication needs to become a mainstay on your bookshelf.

Using simple communication techniques, Nonviolent Communication teaches you how to be heard and let others know you’ve heard them as well.

There’s no therapy talk or regimented process in this style of communication.

Instead, you’ll use the techniques in this lifechanging book to deepen your own understanding of others while also checking in to ensure that you understand their intentions and their needs.

While this self-improvement book is effective for improving romantic relationships, the techniques can also be used to boost friendships, work relationships, and other types of relationships that are improved by great communication skills.

Book 24: “Tiny Habits” by B.J. Fogg

“There are three ways to change behavior: have an epiphany, change environment, change habits in tiny ways.” –BJ Fogg, Tiny Habits

Dr. BJ Fogg, a Stanford University habit expert, shares his method for creating good habits and management skills that will stand the test of time.

This best book teaches you how to recognize and appreciate the positive emotions that come with sticking to a one habit and provides you new habits with the practical tips that you need to stay on track with your new habits in day-to-day life.

Rather than focusing on what’s going wrong when it comes to setting bad habits, Fogg encourages you to focus on what’s going well, creating a tsunami of positivity that will help push you forward to personal growth.

Fogg’s work is based on extensive research–he’s worked with more than 40,000 people over two decades to find out exactly what it takes to create new habits that work.

Ready to Change for the Better?

Ready to transform your life? Choosing a personal development book to help you move forward with creating fantastic new habits is the first step.

Remember–when motivation wanes, bad habits stay. Get back on tapping into the mind-body connection can be an excellent way to boost your ability to persevere when things get rough.

When you work to change your daily habits, you’re taking small steps each day to create changes that matter.

Whether you’re a self-help guru or you’re just getting started with the idea of becoming your best self, pick up one (or two!) of thebest books or motivational books or a mustread books on my list today to begin the first day of the rest of your life.

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