I love reading and I just cannot get enough. Trying to narrow this list down to just 11 books will be a challenge for sure. I love reading all types of books, self help just happens to be my favorite. That being said, here are just some books that draw you back for a 2nd or even 3rd read. You make the top of my list if I pick your book up again and again. Some books are worth checking out of the library for a 2 week loan and others need to be read with highlighter in hand. These books  will wear out your highlighter.

1. 7 Habits of Highly Effective People – Foundational book that teach you what is important in life. Just by applying a few of these habits you can begin to see your life grow by leaps and bounds. My big take away from this book is that time management is a misnomer and that it is really all about self management. The other big take away is that we have a space in between what happens to us and how we react. The 7 habits book will always be one of my favorites.

2. Rich Dad, Poor Dad – This book was given to me as a Christmas gift a few years ago. I literally read the entire book within 48 hours. It is one of those books that once you read it you never think the same way again. Liabilities and assets took on a whole new meaning.

3. Total Money Makeover – While it seems like more of a personal finance book than one of the best self help books, this book will change your life. This is another book that has totally changes my view of money and how to use wealth. We have seen a radical change in our finances since applying these principles.

4. Your Best Life Now – This is a book written by Joel Osteen. He pastors the largest church in America and the principles shared in the book are solid for living a life of Joy. The road of life will not always be easy, but God wants to give us the peace that passes all understanding.

5. Getting Things Done – Another book that has dramatically shaped my thinking. The big take away for me is that I need a trusted system that I can use to consistently capture everything that enters my mind. I cannot tell you how much this has helped me because I used to pride myself in keeping everything I needed to do in my mind.

6. Developing the Leader Within – classic leadership book by john Maxwell. This is a foundational read for any youngster who desires to grow their leadership influence.

7. The Power of Less – This is a newer book but it has greatly shaped my thinking. We, Americans, live to accumulate stuff. This book builds a case for how great your life can be if you would only slow down and analyze why you are in such a hurry.

8. Awaken the Giant Within – This is a classic from Anthony Robbins. It really challenges your mind to take massive action. To many of us sit by idle with our dreams but this book is one of the best self help books of all time because it motivates you to take action.

9. 48 Days to the Work You Love – you may or may not have heard of this gem. It is a book that fits our current culture. Our culture is turning into more independent, knowledge workers. This book helps to encourage people out of the cubicle and into true work which they love.

10. Better Than Good – This Zig Ziglar book is full of inspiration and motivation. It is divided into three parts: purpose, passion and productivity.

11. The Purpose Driven Life – This is a great spiritual help book on the main purposes of the human life. Life is so much more than about ourselves and this book discusses in detail those main purposes.

12. In a Pit With a Lion on a Snowy Day – Mark Batterson is a rising star in spiritual self help. The book is about how God takes all the mistakes and bad circumstances in our life and changes them into the good.

So, there is the list. There are so many others that I would consider to be the top self help books, but this list is definitely among my favorites.