I have done a lot of personal development this year. I mean a lot. We had such a big change in our lives in January that I felt this was the perfect time to really dig in and learn about myself.
Before I get into what books I have loved and how they have helped me, let’s talk about what personal development is. The definition of personal development is activities that improve awareness and identity, develop talents and potential, build human capital and employability, enhance the quality of life, and contribute to the realization of dreams and aspirations. Basically, it helps you figure out your dreams and full potential.
It has been an immense help to me this year as I figure out a new job, a new city, a new home, and everything else. I have taken personality tests like the Enneagram, I have listened to podcasts, I have read blogs, and I have read books. Today, I want to share the four books that have read and loved.
I’ll start with the two everyone has probably heard of by Rachel Hollis, Girl Wash Your Face and Girl Stop Apologizing. I purchased Girl, Wash Your Face in August of 2018 because everyone I knew and follow on Instagram was talking about this book. This was my gateway into personal development. Each chapter of this book discusses a different lie that many of us tell ourselves. Rachel then gives her tips and methods to defeat those lies. I’m not going to say this is the best-written book I have ever read, but it spoke to my soul. I am a fairly confident person, but we all have insecurities and this book covers them. Rachel Hollis has a unique way of pumping you up to tackle your dreams in short chapters that are an easy read.
Her next book, Girl Stop Apologizing came out this March. I feel like this book was better than the first one. I found myself folding down corners of pages to read again, or highlighting lines to remember or write down for later. This book is less about the lies you tell yourself, and more about accomplishing goals without the shame of taking time away from other parts of your life. Women especially feel guilty or selfish when we take time away from our friends and family to accomplish our own goals, and this book deals with these topics.
The next two books I love and plan to re-read are by Emily Ley. If you know me well, you know I have a girl crush on Emily Ley. She designs the Simplified Planner which I love and use every day. I love the culture of her business and her message to the world. The first book of hers I read was A Simplified Life. I cannot recommend this book enough, guys. In this book, there are chapters on a simplified space, a simplified schedule, simplified technology, simplified style, and so much more. Have you ever purchased a new planner or a planner app with the intention of tracking your sleep, your meals, your water intake, your thoughts, what you are grateful for, and your schedule? Then you are so overwhelmed by the amount of time all the tracking takes that you can’t get anything else done and you quit. Her books and planners are the opposite of that. Functional and simplified. If your life is simplified you are taking some of the decision making out of your day leaving more brain power for more important things like family, friends, and your self.
Because I finished that book in record time, my love for Emily Ley grew stronger and I purchased her next book, Grace not Perfection. Let me tell you why everyone in the world needs to read this book. The book is broken up into three sections grace with yourself, grace with your people, and grace in your calling. We all are busy, and try to be the best employee, the best mom, the best friend, the best girlfriend, the best daughter. You can’t always be the best everything at the same time. This book talks about living with grace, and not perfection. One of my favorite things Emily Ley talks about is that life is like riding a bike. We are never fully balanced, we shift our weight from one side to the other to stay moving and in balance on a bike the same way we do in life. Sometimes the dishes can wait so you can spend time with loved ones, that is grace, not perfection.
Have you read any personal development books or listened to any podcasts? I would love suggestions. I have a list of books I want to read, I will update you on the ones I love.