A Deep Dive into 4 Life-Changing Books for Personal Growth and Development

“Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” – Ferris Bueller

Ferris Bueller said it best. If we don’t stop and pause… we miss so much, and opportunity can pass us by. That includes opportunities for your own growth! With the speed and pressures of life whether it’s work, relationships, parenting, sports practices, or whatever, we can be left stressed and overwhelmed, with very little time for ourselves. We either miss or aren’t aware of these growth opportunities in the hustle of our day to day. OR maybe you know you’re ready to do some work but aren’t sure where to start! Totally fair because there’s several outlets to consider. So now that I have your attention for a second, let me help you answer the question of “Where do I start?”

For me, it was reading. It was something relatively easy to integrate into my packed day. Reading not only gave me crucial new awareness into myself that I needed to heal and level up, but I was also flooded with new information, exercises, modalities, and techniques all to help facilitate that growth. All of which I now apply not only in my life, but in my coaching practice with clients.

I recently made a list of the books I've read over the past few years that have changed my life. The list is about 90 deep. To save you the time of scanning countless books and reviews online, wondering which ones might be helpful… I’m going to write reviews on all of them for you!!  You can pick and choose what sounds like a good read or a starting point… and off you go! Most (if not all) are available in hardcover, paperback, audio (Audible) and for kindle.

First up on the list are four pretty popular books by popular authors. These are some of my top favorites. In no particular order, here they are!

"Think Like a Monk" by Jay Shetty

"Untamed" by Glennon Doyle

"The Untethered Soul" by Michael Singer

"Atlas of the Heart" by Brene Brown

These four personal development books are all a big yes from me. They provide inspiration, tons of information, personal awareness, thought provoking insights and practical advice to apply right away for your own growth and spiritual development. Here we go!

"Think Like a Monk" by Jay Shetty:

"Think Like a Monk" offers super practical tips & advice, to help you to find areas of opportunity and how to make the adjustments you need, whether it be mindset or creating new habits.  If you don’t know, Jay Shetty is a former monk turned life coach, social media star and now author, who uses his personal experience and training to teach the power of mindfulness and fulfillment.

“Think Like a Monk” is divided into three sections: let go, grow, and give. In the first section, Jay discusses the importance of finding and letting go of negative thoughts and emotions to achieve that inner peace that so many are after. He provides practical tips to do just that. Including mindfulness and meditation, as well as exercises to help you cultivate a more positive mindset that works in your favor.

In the second section, he discusses the importance of personal growth and self-improvement. It’s a non-negotiable if you want to feel fulfilled. He provides advice on setting goals, developing healthy habits, and creating positive relationships. He also shares his personal story of how he transformed his life from a dissatisfied corporate worker to a monk living a fulfilling life of service. His stories are so relatable.

In the last section, Shetty discusses the importance of giving back and making a positive impact on the world. He shares stories of people who have made a difference in their communities and provides advice on how you can do the same, at whatever level you are comfortable with.

I was already a Jay Shetty fan when "Think Like a Monk" came out. But personal feelings aside, as a life coach, I can tell you that it is a very engaging and informative read, with lots of tips and knowledge that you can directly apply to your life right away. His relatability and writing style make this book a valuable resource for anyone who wants to develop a more mindful and purposeful approach to life. GET IT!

"Untamed" by Glennon Doyle:

Oh boy… this was the book that unleashed me, or should we say, “Untamed”. That was lame, I’m sorry, but I had to.

This book is always one of the first that I recommend to people. Unlike most of the world, I had limited knowledge of Glennon Doyle before I read this book. “Untamed” is a powerful memoir that inspires readers to break free from all of the societal expectations and live as your most authentic self. BOOM!!! Glennon shares her very personal story of how she learned to embrace her true self and live a more fulfilling life, even though it was not at all easy for her to do.

“Untamed” is divided into three sections: caged, keys, and freedom. In the first section caged, Glennon discusses the societal expectations and cultural conditioning, that we are all susceptible to, that leaves us feeling stuck and unfulfilled. She shares more of her personal story of how she tried to but struggled to conform to these expectations before finally realizing that she needed to break free. And boy did she ever.

In the second section, Glennon shares the importance of finding your own keys (to unlock your “cage”) and to find your truest selves. She provides practical advice on how to find and listen to your inner voice, how to trust our intuition, and make decisions that align with your values and desires.

In the last section, Doyle writes about the freedom that comes from living as our authentic selves. She shares stories of true happiness and fulfillment that come from breaking free and living in truth. I can tell you from someone who has found my own keys to unlock my cage and live much freer… It’s freaking awesome.

All in all, "Untamed" is a powerful and inspiring book. Her personality, her story and relatable message make this book a must-read for anyone who is seeking to find their true selves and live a more authentic life. Alignment to your most authentic self, is what it’s all about.

 Glennon recently released a guided journal to accompany the book. You know I have this one!!

Click here to check it out: Get Untamed

"The Untethered Soul" by Michael Singer:

This one spoke to my soul. Go figure. "The Untethered Soul" is a like a spiritual guidebook that teaches you how to break free from your limiting beliefs and achieve true inner peace and ultimately happiness. Singer provides a really thought provoking perspective on consciousness which then helps to develop a new self awareness, which is key for mindfulness.

The book is divided into five sections: awakening consciousness, experiencing energy, freeing yourself, going beyond, and living life.

In the first section, Singer goes deep to teach the important concept of consciousness and self-awareness. You’ll learn how to become becoming aware of your thoughts and emotions and in turn, how to observe them without judgment and let them pass through. VERY POWERFUL. He provides very practical exercises to help you develop these practices for yourself.

Section two, we get into the concept of energy and how it affects our lives.  Great place to start if you are new to this idea, but helpful even if you are already an energy aware guru. Again, he continues to provide practical techniques for managing your energy and how use it to achieve your desired outcomes.

Section three is all about one of my favorite topics. He teaches how to identify your limiting beliefs and your fears, and how to let them go. How to detach from them and free yourself from the crap in your mind that keeps you stuck. Its pure gold.

In the fourth section, is all about the importance of going beyond your ego and connecting with your true self. He teaches you how to connect with YOUR inner wisdom and how to achieve a greater sense of purpose and meaning in your life. Who doesn’t want that!?

The final section it’s all tied together with learning to live your life to the fullest and how to embrace the present moment. He provides helpful techniques on how to cultivate a more positive mindset and live a more fulfilling life.

I just read this book recently, and I’m surprised I hadn’t heard of it sooner. None the less, I’m happy I did because I absolutely loved it. Incredibly helpful, chalked full of different ways to understand these sometimes-complex concepts. "The Untethered Soul" is a must read. Thank you, Michael Singer, for this gem.

 Oh, there’s a journal that you can get with this one as well. And yes, I have this one too.

Click to check it out: The Untethered Soul Guided Journal

"Atlas of the Heart" by Brene Brown:

Oh, how I love Brene. She speaks so eloquently on human emotions, while being so real and raw at the same time. "Atlas of the Heart" did not disappoint. It is a beautiful and insightful book that offers a unique perspective on the human experience. Brene Brown is a researcher, writer, teacher and speaker who explores the complexities of human emotion and relationships. And she knows her stuff.

The book is divided into four sections: love, grief, fear, and hope. In each section, Brown writes about the different emotions that make up our human experience.

The first section is all about love, the concept of love and the many different forms it can take. She goes into complexities of romantic love, as well as the love that exists between family members and friends.

The second section is dedicated to grief. This is the hardest of all human emotions and experiences. She walks through different stages of grief and the importance of allowing ourselves to feel through it all, no matter how crippling it can sometimes feel.

Fear is covered in the third section. Another big emotion that tends to keep us stuck. Brown explores the concept of fear and how it can hold us back from living our lives to the fullest. She dissects the different types of fear that can grip us and provides valuable insight into how we can overcome and move through them. Love this chapter. Not Today Fear!

In the final section, Brene explores the concept of hope and the power it has to transform our lives. She shares the different ways that people find hope and inspiration in their own lives.

“Atlas Of the Heart” was an incredibly thoughtful gift from my client (She knows me well!) and I love the journey it took me on. It’s a thought-provoking, eye-opening read, offering a new and really unique perspective on what it means to experience human life. It is both captivating and emotionally powerful, making this book a must-read for anyone seeking to explore the complexities of human emotion and relationships.

Each of the four books I reviewed here has a tremendous offering for you as a reader.  Greater awareness, practical advice, considerations, motivation, inspiration, information on a new topic… it’s all here. If you are looking to improve your life, each of these could be a good place to start.

"Think Like a Monk" by Jay Shetty provides practical advice for achieving inner peace and happiness, "Untamed" by Glennon Doyle encourages readers to embrace their true selves and live a more authentic life, "The Untethered Soul" by Michael Singer offers practical exercises for achieving mindfulness and spiritual growth, and "Atlas of the Heart" by Brene Brown offers a unique perspective on the human experience.

Whether you are looking for some self-discovery or emotional healing and growth, finding your purpose, embrace your true self, learn about spirituality or explore human emotions (including your own!), consider these my top recommendations. So, go ahead and pick up one (or all!) of these books today – you won't be disappointed! Happy reading!!

Let me know your favorites in the comments!

Xo

Sara