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Books Recommended by Thoughtful Self Improvement

These are books I have personally found helpful, interesting, or thought provoking. I don't recommend things quickly. I wait at least six months then revisit the book to make sure it has lasting benefit. I will add to this page whenever I can. Check back frequently.
Introvert Power
Why your Inner Life Is Your Hidden Strength
by Laurie Helgoe, Ph.D.
As an extremely introverted person, I struggled. I wanted to be more like the Extroverts that seemed to thrive in crowds and conversations. Introvert Power helped me control and pace my interactions with other people so they were less stressful and more successful. Introvert Power was the first I'd heard that disputed the notion that introverts are a small minority of people. This fact improved my acceptance of what she wrote.

Part 1 dispels many myths about introverts. We're not anti-social, loners, misfits, or a minority. We can enjoy socializing, but on our own terms. "Introversion is not defined by lack. Introversion, when embraced, is a wellspring of riches."

Part 2 is about finding your quiet space. Accepting that solitude and stepping back from the crowd are essential to our well being and finding ways to indulge in them.

Part 3 is about how to get along in the extroverted world and the extroverted people around us. Giving several examples of conversations with extroverts and tips on making them successful. How to say "No" to the pressure to socialize. And how to know when we need to step back into the world.

Part 4 is a call for an introvert renaissance. For Introverts to step out of the shadows and take ownership of our contributions.

Introvert Power is full of energy and humor as well as great advice.

Learned Optimism
How to Change your Mind and your Life
by Martin Seligman, Ph.D.
Not your typical self help book in that it is more scholarly than most. That is, he goes into detail about various research experiments that support the conclusions and recommendations he gives. He became interested in depression and helplessness as a teenager because of witnessing his father's decline into helplessness. A colleague challenged him to find out why some people don't fall into helplessness, even when confronted with what debilitates most others. This lead him to Explanatory Style and it's effect on our lives.

Although it get's a bit bogged down in the research details, he offers many self tests, including optimism, depression and Explanatory Style. These can help you greatly in your search for ways to improve your self.
I found Learned Optimism an engaging read and a revelation that how we interpret events is the biggest factor in our lives. For better and for worse.


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A great way to track all your Self Improvement efforts is with The Journal.
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