Thirty years is considered to be a milestone beyond which, ideally, all our doubts about who we are and what we want from life should remain. In practice, things with self-determination are not so good: some are tormented by the search for themselves until retirement age. So that you are not among them, we bring to your attention a selection of the 10 best books on self-development.

It is not necessary to master them all, and even more so - before the age of 30, it is never too late to learn new things and recognize yourself.

1. Neil Fiore "An easy way to start a new life"

About what? We often promise ourselves to bring something new into our lives - join a sports club or stop smoking - but rarely does anyone actually finish what they started. To reach the finish line, according to the American psychologist Neil Fiore, we are prevented not only by habits, but also by the features of our brain. We like to put things off, we are afraid of the unknown - in general, we ourselves complicate our lives. How to get rid of this "baggage", and teaches the book Fiore.

2. James Schuroviesky "The Wisdom of the Crowd"

About what? We are accustomed to using the word "crowd" in a negative sense. The author of the book, James Shuroviesky, has a different opinion. After conducting historical, economic and psychological research, the American journalist came to the conclusion that when we are together, we make better decisions. For example, if you are moving in a stream of people leaving the stadium after a football match, then you are unlikely to get lost: the crowd will definitely lead you on the right path. In this self-development book, other examples are analyzed that will allow you to take a fresh look at society and learn how to benefit from many situations.

Why read? To stop being afraid of the crowd and annoyed by the flea market in transport. Understanding collective psychology will also help you build relationships with colleagues and develop your mental abilities.

3. Tina Seelig "Do it yourself"

About what? In her book, Tina Seelig, a professor at Stanford University, actively shares with readers the secrets of entrepreneurship and new paths to success. But its main idea is not at all that everyone needs to strive for big business. Doing it yourself, according to Tina, means trying new things, expanding the boundaries of thinking and not thinking of yourself as a person who cannot change. The author invites us to take every chance to prove ourselves and avoid the limits that society, leaders or family members so willingly put on us. Tina recalls her student habit of asking the question "Will this be asked on the exam?". And he advises never to miss the opportunity to “be amazing”, that is, to allow yourself to show your abilities to the fullest.

4. Kate Ferazzi "Never Eat Alone"

About what? Not so long ago, it was considered almost immoral to use personal acquaintance (blat) when promoting, we were taught that what you do is more important than who you know. However, the fact that one does not interfere with the other, but rather helps, was mentioned infrequently. You can be a professional and still go unnoticed; a beauty and a smart girl, whose positive qualities are known to a limited number of men; a good person who finds it difficult to communicate and struggle with his loneliness. Connections and acquaintances really decide a lot. Successful businessman Keith Ferazzi explains in detail how to start and maintain them using simple communication skills.

5. Regina Brett "God Never Blinks"

About what? In this book on self-development, American journalist Regina Brett, who won a cancer diagnosis, collected her life experience. And summarized it in 50 lessons, following which we can become happy. Perhaps the main one is the ability to live now, not putting aside anything for a “special occasion” or relying on the distant “I will do it when I get married / change jobs / move, grow up (underline as necessary)”. It is clear that Regina had every reason for this - the disease left her no other choice. But we can do the same, without waiting for the same impulse from fate as the author had.

All lessons in the book are presented in the form of short and well-structured articles.

6. Ken Robinson "Vocation"

About what? Calling, according to psychologists, is a meeting of abilities and passion. That is, when “a job that you really like” and “a job that works great” coincide. Remember the phrase of Confucius “Choose a job you love and you won’t have to work a day”? Ken Robinson, a leading expert in creative thinking, education and innovation, explains how to do this in his book.

7. Kelly McGonigal "Willpower: how to develop and strengthen"

About what? Everything literally depends on our willpower: physical health, financial success, career, relationships with others - unless, of course, you plan to spend the life of an unassuming amoeba. Only a few manage to develop willpower: much more often we give up halfway. The author of the book, Stanford University professor Kelly McGonigal (not to be confused with "British scientists"!), knows how to achieve the intended goal. She summed up the latest research in applied psychology, added a bit of history, entertaining facts and subtle humor, as a result of which this unusually useful book appeared.

Why read? To develop in yourself not only willpower, but also a lot of related qualities: patience, composure, punctuality. And also, to overcome laziness and find the strength in yourself for everything that could not be completed.

8. Steve Harvey "Act like a woman, think like a man"

About what? Steve Harvey, host of the super-popular U.S. gender-relationship show, answers directly and in detail in this book the questions that have plagued us for so long: what do men really think about relationships with women? What can and should not you demand from your man? What are five questions you need to ask a man to understand how serious his intentions are?

About what? The birth of a child is a great event in the life of every couple. And both parents need to be ready for it. As a rule, women do not have big problems with preparation (moral and physical), but men, having heard about two stripes on a test, often feel lost. This book will help you come to your senses and make the transition from a carefree life to fatherhood. It is enough for caring wives to leave it in a conspicuous place, and the process of “rebirth” will be launched.

10. Vladimir Yakovlev "The Age of Happiness"

About what? The author correctly notes that the first 30 years of life is a time of learning and gaining experience. The second thirty go to self-realization. However, given that the average life expectancy is 80-90 years, after 60 a person still has another third of life. How to live long and make the most of all these parts is up to you. The book on self-development contains stories of people of different ages and nationalities, from whom we should take an example now, without waiting until we become the same age as the heroes.

Here's the deal: I've been at zero a few times, come back to life a few times, I've done it over and over again. I started new careers. The people who knew me then don't know me now. Etc.

I started my career from scratch several times. Sometimes - because my interests changed. Sometimes - because all the bridges were burned without a trace, and sometimes because I desperately needed money. And sometimes it was because I hated everyone at my previous job or they hated me.

There are other ways to reinvent yourself, so take my words with a grain of salt. This is what worked in my case. I've seen it work for about a hundred other people. From interviews, from letters that have been written to me over the past 20 years. You can try - or not.

1. Change never ends

Every day you rediscover yourself. You are always on the move. But every day you decide where exactly you are moving: forward or backward.

2. Start with a clean slate

All your past labels are just vanity. Have you been a doctor? An Ivy League graduate? Owned millions? Did you have a family? Nobody cares. You have lost everything. You are zero. Don't try to say that you are more than that.

3. You need a mentor

Otherwise, you will go under. Someone has to show you how to move and breathe. But don't worry about looking for a mentor (see below).

4. Three types of mentors

Straight. Someone who is ahead of you, who will show you how he got it. What does "this" mean? Wait. By the way, the mentors don't look like Jackie Chan's character in The Karate Kid. Most mentors will hate you.

Indirect. Books. Films. You can get 90% of the instructions from books and other materials. 200-500 books equate to a good mentor. When people ask me, “What is a good book to read?” - I do not know what to answer them. There are 200-500 good books worth reading. I would turn to inspirational books. Whatever you believe in, strengthen your beliefs with daily reading.

Anything can be a mentor. If you are nobody and want to re-create yourself, everything you look at can become a metaphor for your desires and goals. The tree you see, with its roots out of sight and the groundwater that feeds it, is a metaphor for programming if you tie the dots together. And everything you look at will "connect the dots".

5. Don't Worry If Nothing Excites You

You care about your health. Start with it. Take small steps. You don't need passion to succeed. Do your job with love, and success will become a natural symptom.

6. Time it takes to reinvent yourself: five years

Here is a description of those five years.

Year 1: You wallow and read everything and just start doing something.

Year 2: You know who you need to talk to and keep working with. You do something every day. You finally understand what the map of your own game of Monopoly looks like.

Third year: You are good enough to start making money. But so far, perhaps not enough to earn a living.

Fourth year: You provide for yourself well.

Year 5: You make a fortune.

Sometimes I got frustrated in the first four years. I asked myself, "Why hasn't this happened yet?" - He beat his fist on the wall and broke his arm. It's okay, just keep going. Or stop and choose a new field of activity. It does not matter. Someday you will die, and then it will be really difficult to change.

7. If you do it too fast or too slow, then something is wrong.

A good example is Google.

8. It's not about the money

But money is a good measure. When people say, "It's not about the money," they need to be sure they have some other unit of measure. "How about just doing what you love?" There will be many days ahead when you don't like what you do. If you are doing it out of pure love, it will take much more than five years. Happiness is just a positive reaction from your brain. Some days you will be unhappy. Your brain is just a tool, it does not define who you are.

9. When can you say, "I'm doing X"? When does X become your new profession?

10. When can I start doing X?

Today. If you want to paint, buy a canvas and paints today, start buying 500 books one by one and paint pictures. If you want to write, do the following three things:

Read

If you want to start your own business, start coming up with an idea for a business. Rebuilding yourself starts today. Every day.

11. When will I earn money?

In a year, you will put 5,000-7,000 hours into this business. That's good enough to put you in the top 200-300 in the world in any major. Getting into the top 200 almost always provides a livelihood. By the third year, you will understand how to make money. By the fourth - you will be able to increase turnover and provide for yourself. Some stop there.

12. By the fifth year, you will be in the top 30-50, so you can make a fortune.

13. How to determine what is mine?

Any area in which you are able to read 500 books. Go to the bookstore and find her. If you get bored after three months, go back to the bookstore. Getting rid of illusions is normal, this is the meaning of defeat. Success is better than failure, but the most important lessons come from failure. Very important: do not rush. During your interesting life, you can change yourself many times. And fail many times. It's fun too. These attempts will turn your life into a story book, not a textbook. Some people want their life to be a textbook. Mine is a story book, good or bad. Therefore, changes occur every day.

14. The decisions you make today will be in your biography tomorrow.

Make interesting decisions and you will have an interesting biography.

15. The decisions you make today will become part of your biology.

16. What if I like something exotic? Biblical archeology or 11th century wars?

Repeat the above steps and by the fifth year you will be rich. We don't know how. There is no need to look for the end of the path when you are only taking the first steps.

17. What if my family wants me to become an accountant?

How many years of your life did you promise to give to your family? Ten? All life? Then wait for the next life. You choose.

Choose freedom, not family. Freedom, not prejudice. Freedom, not government. Freedom, not the satisfaction of other people's requests. Then you will satisfy yours.

18. My mentor wants me to follow his path.

This is fine. Learn his way. Then do it your way. Sincerely.

Luckily no one puts a gun to your head. Then you would have to comply with his demands until he lowers the gun.

19. My husband (wife) is worried: who will take care of our children?

A person who changes himself always finds free time. Part of changing yourself is finding moments and reshaping them the way you would like to use them.

20. What if my friends think I'm crazy?

What are these friends?

21. What if I want to be an astronaut?

It's not about changing yourself. This is a specific profession. If you like space, there are many professions. Richard Branson wanted to be an astronaut and created Virgin Galactic.

22. What if I enjoy drinking and hanging out with friends?

Read this post again in a year.

23. And if I'm busy? Am I cheating on my spouse or betraying my partner?

Read this post again in two or three years, when you are broke, out of work, and everyone will turn their backs on you.

24. What if I can't do anything at all?

Read point 2 again.

25. What if I don't have a diploma or it's useless?

Read point 2 again.

26. What if I need to focus on paying off a mortgage or other loan?

Read point 19 again.

27. Why do I always feel like an outsider?

Albert Einstein was an outsider. No one in authority would have hired him. Everyone feels like an impostor sometimes. The greatest creativity is born out of skepticism.

28. I can't read 500 books. Name one book to read for inspiration

Then you can immediately give up.

29. What if I'm too sick to change myself?

The change will boost the production of beneficial substances in your body: serotonin, dopamine, oxytocin. Move forward, and you may not get well at all, but you will get healthier. Don't use health as an excuse.

Finally, rebuild your health first. Sleep more. Eat better. Go in for sports. These are the key steps to change.

30. What if my partner set me up and I'm still suing him?

Drop the lawsuit and never think about him again. Half the problem was you.

31. And if they put me in jail?

Perfectly. Re-read point 2. Read more books in prison.

32. And if I'm a timid person?

Make weakness your strength. Introverts are better at listening and concentrating, they know how to arouse sympathy.

33. What if I can't wait five years?

If you plan to stay alive in five years, you can start today.

34. How to make contacts?

Build concentric circles. You must be in the middle. The next circle is friends and family. Then there are online communities. Then - people whom you know from informal meetings and tea parties. Then - conference participants and opinion leaders in their field. Then there are mentors. Then - customers and those who make money. Start making your way through these circles.

35. What if my ego gets in the way of what I do?

After six months or a year, you will return to point 2.

36. What if I am passionate about two things at once? And I can't choose?

Combine them and you will be the best in the world for this combination.

37. What if I'm so passionate that I want to teach others what I'm learning myself?

Read lectures on YouTube. Start with a one-person audience and see if it grows.

38. What if I want to earn money in my sleep?

In the fourth year, start outsourcing what you do.

39. How to find mentors and experts?

Once you have accumulated enough knowledge (after 100-200 books), write 10 ideas for 20 different potential mentors.

None of them will answer you. Write 10 more ideas for 20 new mentors. Repeat this every week.

40. What if I can't come up with ideas?

Then practice it. The mental muscles tend to atrophy. They need to be trained.

It will be difficult for me to reach my toes if I don't exercise every day. I have to do this exercise every day for some time before this posture comes easily to me. Don't expect good ideas from day one.

42. What if I do everything you say, but it still doesn't seem to work?

It will turn out. Just wait. Keep changing yourself every day.

Don't try to find the end of the path. You can't see it in the fog. But you can see the next step, and you will understand that if you take it, you will eventually reach the end of the path.

43. What if I start feeling down?

Sit in silence for an hour a day. You need to get back to your core.

If you think this sounds stupid, don't do it. Move on with your depression.

44. And if there is no time to sit in silence?

Then sit in silence for two hours a day. This is not meditation. You just have to sit.

45. And if I get scared?

Sleep 8-9 hours a night and never gossip. Sleep is the first secret to good health. Not the only one, but the first. Some people write to me that four hours of sleep is enough for them, or that in their country those who sleep a lot are considered lazy. These people will fail and die young.

When it comes to gossip, our brains are biologically programmed to have 150 friends. And when you hang out with one of your friends, you can gossip about one of the other 150 friends. And if you don't have 150 friends, then the brain will want to read gossip magazines until it looks like it has 150 friends.

Don't be as stupid as your brain.

46. ​​And if everything seems to me that I will never succeed?

Practice gratitude for 10 minutes a day. Don't suppress your fear. Notice your anger.

But also allow yourself to be grateful for what you have. Anger never inspires, but gratitude never inspires. Gratitude is the bridge between your world and the parallel universe where all creative ideas live.

47. And if I constantly have to deal with some kind of personal squabbles?

Find other people to be around.

A person who changes himself will constantly meet people who try to suppress him. The brain is afraid of change - it can be unsafe. Biologically, the brain wants you to be safe, and change is a risk. So your brain will give you people trying to stop you.

Learn to say no.

48. What if I'm happy at my office job?

49. Why should I trust you? You've failed so many times

Don't trust me.

50. Will you be my mentor?

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Since childhood, we hear that only such a person who is constantly engaged in his self-development can be called an accomplished Personality. And, of course, everyone wants to develop, but not everyone knows how to do it efficiently and quickly. The problem is that few people really understand what self-development is.

Many people are mistaken in believing that self-development is a way that gives:

• Power and ability to manipulate other people;
• The discovery in oneself of some superhuman possibilities;
• Obtaining secret information inaccessible to the uninitiated;
• The ability to reach the heights and say "I have achieved everything";
• A set of specific rules that you must constantly adhere to in life.

If you think that personal growth and self-development will allow you to influence the lives of other people, you are also mistaken.

Being engaged in the development of his soul, a person gets a unique opportunity to change himself, and the result of these changes is a change in the attitude of others around us.

When people's erroneous expectations are not justified, they become disillusioned with self-development and begin to live an "automatic life", not realizing its laws and not managing it. We can say that such a person is in the "Comfort Zone", he does not want to change anything.

What is self-development?

Today, effective self-development of a person is understood as:

• The most effective, but far from the easiest and fastest way to prosperity and success in life;
• A qualitatively new stage in the development of the Personality;
• Awakening the energy of creativity, creating opportunities for life change;
• Healing from psychological and physical traumas;
• Transition from traditional thinking to creative, creative thinking;
• Constant introspection and introspection, allowing you to adjust personal qualities and develop new ones;
• Education among like-minded people.

Moreover, in this process, people are immediately in 2 hypostases: the Student and the Teacher. Self-development not only allows a person to learn new heights of knowledge, but also creates conditions for helping other people in mastering the stages that you have already passed. Teenagers are especially good at this process.

Everyone has their own path of self-development, someone goes
a short road, someone long, but it is never easy. Real personal growth requires constant and regular work on oneself, improving existing ones, and developing new personal qualities. In the process of constant self-development, a person is focused on his own goals and desires, all the time obtaining knowledge to achieve them. Such a process of self-knowledge is the basis for a successful life, allows a person to overcome his "Comfort Zone", makes him constantly move forward, fills his whole existence with meaning.

Ways of self-development

Any self-development is based on 3 foundations - physical activity, healthy nutrition and mental self-regulation. Everyone begins to take care of themselves in different ways: some first want to put the physical body in relative order, and then engage in spiritual development, and some, on the contrary, first look for ways of spiritual self-improvement, and then begin to deal with the physical body. The best thing is to engage in body and spirit at the same time, and not go to extremes and, while engaging in active spiritual development, launch your body. There is a wonderful phrase:

The human body is a bag, but spiritual knowledge is gravel. If a leaky bag is filled with gravel, it will tear.

This means that the physical body must correspond to the knowledge received.

You can try several ways of self-development on yourself until you find the one that will most effectively move you forward. It is difficult to predict in advance which of the methods will suit you more than the others, but you can always choose. We bring to your attention a small list of methods of self-development.

How can you do self-development?

Books and audiobooks on spiritual and personal self-development are one of the easiest, most affordable and low-cost ways to work on yourself and your potential. If you need advice on what to read for self-development, pay attention to the following recommendations.

Self-development through books (top list)

So, what to read for self-development? Everything is interconnected in a person, there is no spiritual growth without material support, it is impossible to achieve sustainable financial well-being if you do not work with your soul at the same time. Therefore, all recommended books that help our self-development can be divided into two categories:

1. The best books and audiobooks for spiritual self-development.
2. The best books and audiobooks for achieving financial independence.

List of books for spiritual self-development

1. The books of the Indian spiritual mystic and leader Osho (Rajneesh) do not speak the truth, but awaken your own thoughts.
   • "Mustard Seed" is Osho's commentary on the Fifth Gospel of St. Thomas in an absolutely incredible interpretation. This book can be read endlessly, like the Bible.
   • “Be Simpler” is a poetic cycle of Osho’s conversations with the Zen master Ikkyu about the lightness of being.
   • "Keys to a New Life" - Osho's thoughts on the development of inner courage. Courage according to Osho is not the absence of fear, but its acceptance with full awareness.
2. Louise Hay's self-development books and audiobooks are based on her personal experiences.
   • - The book explains the causes of diseases and offers keys to healing through positive affirmations.
   • - written for women, but men will find a lot of interesting things in it.
3. The main idea of ​​many bestsellers is to enjoy self-development.
   • - the author reveals to the reader the causes of many diseases, points the way to healing.
   • "Great Encyclopedia of Essence" - more than 500 spiritual articles about essence and being, arranged in alphabetical order.
4. The mysterious Russian writer and esotericist Vadim Zeland became famous thanks to his book Reality Transurfing. This book is a kind of teaching about the multivariance of the world, in which a person can consciously achieve the impossible. By abandoning the linearity of the world around them, men and women can become the real masters of their lives and the world itself.
5. Writer and homeopath Valery Sinelnikov has written many books and audiobooks on improving the quality of life for both men and women.
   • "The Power of Intention" - tells how to realize desires and dreams. What is Intention? How can it be accumulated correctly? Can Intention be used to harm? All answers will be found in this book.
   • "Love your disease" - presents the reader with a non-standard approach to recovery. Valery Sinelnikov tells how and why people create diseases in themselves, how to enter into a dialogue with the subconscious, how our negative emotions (selfishness, pride, hatred, etc.) affect health. The book also contains a whole list of unique practical exercises.
6. The incarnation of a Tibetan lama and astral traveler, Briton Lobsang Rampa introduces us to Buddhist teachings in an accessible form.
   • "Third Eye" - describes a unique operation to enhance the third eye, which was allegedly done with the author.
   • "The Saffron Robe" - tells about the author's childhood spent in the monasteries of Tibet. The book is literally crammed with all sorts of esoteric experiences and cases.
   • The Thirteenth Candle is Rampa's thirteenth book about his mystical experience of a visit to Venus. Reflects the author's views on the structure of the Universe and the Universe.
7. Anastasia Novykh is a contemporary Russian writer and artist. In her fiction books and journalism, she shares her vision of the world. This girl has a very non-standard psychology and ideas about life.
   
8. A series of books by the Bulgarian occultist, astrologer and alchemist, founder of one of the branches of the White Brotherhood, Omraam Mikael Aivanhov, describes the cosmic laws that govern the world and every person through interchange, the laws of interaction between women and men.
9. The work of the famous physicist, esotericist and inventor Drunvalo Melchizedek "The Ancient Secret of the Flower of Life" takes us on a journey through the world of sacred geometry. Everything in the world is drawn to simple forms, and spirituality, the Flower of Life, has the simplest form.
10. The Journey Home is a unique parable novel written by a real person, Lee Carroll, in invisible collaboration with a disembodied spirit named Kryon. How to get through the seven initiations? Can the hero of the work become a Warrior of Light and return home to Earth? Despite the fact that the book is read simply in one breath, today it is considered one of the best practical modern textbooks on metaphysics.

In addition to these authors, books and audio books by Sri Aurobindo, Katsuzo Nishi, Bob Frisell, Richard Bach will make you think a lot. It is also worth reading Barbara Marcignac, Alexander Asov, Alice Bailey, Sergey Alekseev.

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20.06.17 11:29

Inspiring and motivating books that help get rid of blues, depression, cope with difficulties, now just the sea. No, not even the sea - the ocean! Fiction, biographical, journalistic and scientific, written by well-known (and not so) fiction writers, journalists, psychologists and motivational trainers, they are on the shelves (or stored in electronic "subsoil") and are waiting in the wings. So that you do not get lost in this ocean, we will lay out a “route” in the form of a top 10. In it, we tried to include books of different genres that will help you cope with the difficulties in life. Some will move you, others will make you laugh, others will push you to action. How does it say? If life gives only lemons, then start making lemonade out of them!

"I" means "hawk": an unusual friendship

Let's start with Helen MacDonald's autobiography I Means Hawk. The author decided to fight her depression in a very unusual way (even considering that Helen is an ornithologist): a woman settled a female goshawk and began to hunt with her pet. MacDonald's notes about how she and Mabel the hawk increasingly "grinded" to each other and discovered new beautiful places are touching to the core. It seems that in unity with nature and this strange friendship, Helen managed to suppress the pain of her father's death (it was she who caused a terrible blues and made her forget for a while how beautiful life is).

P.S. I love you. How letters from the grave made you learn to enjoy life

The glory of the Irish Cecilia Ahern began with the novel “P. S.: I love you. In this book, the American Holly Kennedy also experienced a bitter and unjust loss: her husband died young. The widow fenced herself off from the world and almost reveled in her misfortune, forgetting about everyone and everything. From this state, Holly could only bring her ... husband. Yes, the same cheerful Irishman she met while traveling around the Green Isle. It turns out that he wrote several messages to Holly in advance with the condition that they can only be printed once a month. Of course, the widow could spit on all these conventions and read the letters in one gulp, but she decided to follow her husband's strategy and did not lose. The book was translated into five dozen languages, and the film with Butler and Swank was very well received by the public.

Happy people read books and drink coffee, while unhappy people go to Ireland and receive a gift of fate.

And another bestseller about the loss, this time extremely, unbearably difficult, because Diana lost both her little daughter and her husband at once (they died in an accident). Just like Holly, the heroine closed herself in four walls and did not want any news from the "outside world". However, Diana found the strength to travel and left her native Paris. It is curious that the heroine also chose Ireland as the place of her “pilgrimage” - there, as she believed, no one would disturb her. However, fate-joker presented the Parisian with a gift. The novel “Happy People Read Books and Drink Coffee” by the Frenchwoman Agnès-Martin Lugan published on the Internet, where the work immediately aroused extraordinary interest. Soon the novel was printed by a prestigious publishing house.

The woman who went to bed for a year: a non-standard method

If you think Helen MacDonald acted eccentrically by getting a hawk, just listen to what the heroine of the British novel Sue Townsend did! After seeing off the offspring that had flown away from the parental nest, Eva decided that from now on she would start a different life, free from stupid shopping trips, washing dishes, cooking and requests from a loser spouse. Eve climbed into bed and fell into pleasant doing nothing. The husband met such a "protest" with hostility, but his other half was adamant. Of course, life did not stop for Eva, on the contrary, Fortune began her mysterious game with her, in which jackpots did not always fall out ... Townsend's book is called, "The Woman Who Went to Bed for a Year." I wonder what would happen if we dared to repeat such an experience?

Death interruptions can cause havoc

We have repeatedly talked about death and how the heroines of famous books overcome adversity. But the Nobel laureate, Portuguese writer Jose Samarago imagined a different situation: a world in which there is no death at all. Yes, the old woman with the scythe just took an indefinite vacation! Of course, at first people were wildly delighted with such a prospect - who among us has not dreamed of immortality at least once! But then problems began to arise. Overpopulation, you know, food shortages, and some just got bored for endless years. The country (the author never revealed its name to us) was on the verge, and then death decided to return. However, it turned out that not everyone was happy with her! Samarago's novel Interruptions with Death also became a bestseller. By the way, the Portuguese himself, who was born in the first quarter of the twentieth century, lived to a ripe old age.

The most stupid angel will visit at Christmas

An inveterate bachelor, cheerful and ironic writer Christopher Moore calls himself a "talking animal." And Moore's books full of sarcasm can't be put off! For example, the novel The Stupidest Angel can cheer you up (especially if you like dark humor) and distract you from your own woes. Better look at the heroine of the book, poor Lena, how hard it is for her! On Christmas Eve, she managed to kill an unlucky ex who showed up to her uninvited. What will we do? How to bring back the Christmas spirit? With this mission, an angel is sent to Coniferous Bay - he will try to sort out the situation, although he will make a commotion in the town.

Six pebbles for happiness: give good to people!

Strange coincidence - the American writer Kevin Alan Milne is called almost the same as the author of the adventures of Christopher Robin and Winnie the Pooh! However, the native of Oregon has nothing to do with the good-natured bear. Another thing is interesting - after studying to be a psychologist, Kevin began to study prose, and his novels are popular and have been translated into almost two dozen languages. One of Milne's books is also a good "guide" for someone who wants to cope with difficulties. The main character of the novel "Six Pebbles for Luck" Nathan tirelessly does good. In order not to forget about good deeds, before leaving the house, he takes six stones with him. But surely Nathan did not always perform this ritual, something pushed the man?

Goddess in the kitchen: didn't know how or didn't want to?

Sophie Kinsella - under this pseudonym is a graduate of Oxford College Englishwoman Madeleine Wickham. It was she who wrote the cheerful novels about a shopaholic (now there are already eight of them). We remember very well the adaptation of one of the books - the comedy with Isla Fisher "Shopaholic". But now we want to draw your attention to another British novel - "The Goddess in the Kitchen", which tells about a woman who has suffered failure. Samantha has lost her business and is forced to take a job. From now on, she is the housekeeper of the rich, but at the same time she has absolutely no idea how she will run the household. The heroine has no washing-cooking-cleaning skills. But there is a great desire to start life from scratch!

Life Without Limits: The Amazing Experience of the Limbless Disabled

We are accustomed to complaining about a slight malaise, spoiled by a breakthrough of medicines - a little pricked, we are already running for a painkiller pill. And what is it like to live for people whose health problems do not fit into the usual "rut" of a headache, colic in the stomach or a mild cold? Limbless since birth (!) Nick Vujicic revealed his unique experience in the book "Life without limits" (subtitled "The path to an amazing happy life"). The courage, patience and perseverance of this man can only be admired. The Australian learned to swim, fish, type on a computer and even managed to get two diplomas without having arms and legs. Nick has a wife and two healthy children and has traveled half the world lecturing as a motivational speaker. Of course, he was lucky with his parents, who did not leave their disabled son and took care of him, but Nick achieved a lot on his own.

Happiness project: try it for yourself

There are no ready-made recipes for happiness. And even if you have read a lot of books on psychology and do everything as it is written there, this does not guarantee complete satisfaction with life and peace of mind. Moreover, life is rich in all sorts of surprises. However, it doesn’t hurt to make plans and try to implement them, and even dream about the seemingly unrealizable. Rounding out our top 10 books to help you overcome adversity is another autobiographical book, The Happiness Project by Kansas lawyer Gretchen Rubin. Her advice is well suited to take them into service! It is clear that everyone has their own, special “plan for happiness”, but Rubin’s train of thought inspires, it’s not for nothing that the book is so popular.

Jack Schafer and Marvin Karlis
“We turn on the charm according to the methods of special services”

To whom: suitable for those who are sure that charisma is the same muscle as everyone else. Pass by self-confident - You are too arrogant to exercise charm. A request to "leave the premises" of those who believe that psychology is hypocrisy, and the special services are James Bond in a Tom Ford suit. NLP-concerned, too, please do not disturb. The rest will learn something.

About what: a couple of tips from the personal experience of an alleged FBI agent in the context of his life stories. There is advice in the style of Alan Pease ("Body Language") and a bit of ordinary behavioral psychology.

Why read: because at least 3 reasons to think are provided. The author very soberly lays out such a touching concept as “friendship” into ingredients. Explains how to respond not to emotions, but to their cause. A separate plus for specific examples from life that allow you to “remember” what you read about.

This book made me rethink my relationship with others. I will reassure the skeptics: honesty with oneself will allow one to close one's eyes to a certain bravado of an agent-guru and think about the essence of his statements and conclusions. An ideal book for holidays and the beginning of autumn: light and "mobile".

As an aperitif:
- the law of the rocky road (stronger relationships for those who did not immediately like each other);
- men with low self-esteem choose less attractive women, and women, respectively, choose men with a lower income level;
- a slight tilt of the head on the move disposes a person (remember dogs);
People will forget everything about you except how you made them feel.

Dan Waldschmidt
"BE the best version of yourself"

I am an eternal seeker of a magic pill that can change life in an instant. Such a romance and stupidity at the same time. Therefore, I have high demands and expectations for books (and even more so, with such high-profile titles).

This reading is a collection of stories and advice about what you need to be in order to become a better person. On the one hand, this is a kind of motivational collection in the style of “Come on, come on! Better, higher, faster!” Such things can only ignite an inexperienced 16-year-old girl. A person who has gone through something in life, seen it, drawn conclusions, these calls for fierce competition are unlikely to be ignited.

But there are more productive thoughts in the book. "The more you fight, the more you win." A simple, but positive thought that can be taken out of a shukhlyad at moments close to a foul.

I liked the concept of "extreme effort" as well. On the one hand, I am against workaholism and careerism. But on the other hand, this rule (put a little more effort) applies to our whole life. On a personal example, I know that by calling the ZhEK again, for example, you can find out the necessary information. Googling for 10 minutes more, you can find cheap tickets. And if you wish your husband a good day in the morning, instead of the “smack” on duty, you can get a bouquet of flowers as a gift in the evening.

I also liked the ideas about discipline and generosity. For example, I never thought that a real gift should not be entirely convenient for the giver. That giving is not free. Otherwise, it's not a gift. A controversial concept, but worth thinking about.

Steve McCletchy
"From urgent to important"

I chose the book "From Urgent to Important" because its description really interested me. It says that "if you work hard and hard, but feel that it does not bring meaningful results, then this book is for you." It seems to me that this is a good description of the problems of every modern person who daily has to resolve a thousand vital issues that take away his time and energy, which he can spend on achieving his goals (read as "dreams").

As I delved into the book, I realized that it's worth distinguishing between two different concepts: solving problems and achieving success. Alas, we devote very little time to the second point, plunging headlong into the routine, which every minute throws us more and more urgent cases. Many generally confuse these categories, calling the way out of difficult situations at work or, say, the settlement of a conflict in the family, their personal success.

The publication helped me define my own definition of goals in life (or if not define, then at least think about the fact that they should appear), and then the most difficult thing is to learn how to find a balance between work, family and what makes you feel alive.

The book also touches on the issue of great and powerful procrastination, which sooner or later becomes our companion in the performance of any business. In fact, the habit of postponing everything to the last moment, banging your head against the table from stress and feeling fear because of the deadline is just the inability to make the right choice in your life. And this book teaches you to realize the value of time and correctly distribute your affairs. Moreover, on its pages everything seems logical and simple, but in reality you want to give up and just finish all your business before 18:00. But then there can be no talk of success.

Who to read: those who are tired of stress and monotonous life. For those who want to achieve more, but forget about it as soon as they come home from work and see a big cozy bed. And, finally, for those who cannot escape from the endless circle of everyday worries that cause a feeling of apathy.

Tal Ben Shahar
"What will you choose?"

The book of the famous specialist in the field of psychology Tal Ben-Shahar "What will you choose?" fell into my hands a few weeks ago. I would like to note right away that I love books on positive psychology, as they teach me to enjoy life every second of it.

This book did not disappoint me. Nothing new is written there, if this is not your first book in this area, however it is built on very real life examples. Therefore, it makes you not only think about the benefits of positive psychology, but also teaches you how to apply it in specific situations. As I read the book, I tried to really think and act positively every day, changing my habits. Yes, not everything works out right away, but “What will you choose?” makes you see unusual ways out of any situation.

The book is easy to read, in one breath, giving practical advice. Therefore, I recommend!

Robert Fritz
"Path of Least Resistance"

"The path of least resistance" is clearly not the kind of book that can be read in a couple of evenings with a cup of tea while it's raining outside. This is not a popular literature, more like a textbook on physics, and a little remotely a book on the psychology of perception.

So the first advice from me: be patient, and also a pen and a notebook, as the flow of thoughts lines up in a good and solid logical series, but in order not to miss all the little things that form it, it is better to make notes for yourself.

The most important thing, perhaps, is that the book reveals the importance of the conscious choice that a person makes throughout his life, and not just teaches, but gives advice and lessons. Therefore, if you are confused and stand at a crossroads, from it you can find out for yourself which path to take and, most importantly, how important this path is for you, and not for society as a whole. How important it is to achieve results, and not to surrender to chance (fate) and sit for days on end visualizing your dreams in the hope of help from self-hypnosis.

This book is for those who want to take action and build their own life with their own hands, while getting real results instead of fantasy.