Almost every other day, we see huge billboards and signs that say – Slow down and enjoy the little things in life. But we humans do not have time to invest in transient moments; we are constantly preparing for tomorrow. And while we are busy analyzing, contemplating, and planning, the present has already passed away.

There might be times when we cannot even say a proper goodbye to a loved one, walk down a green path on a sunny day, make and enjoy a cup of tea or sit down and talk about our feelings with someone special. All of these simple pleasures of life are taken over by wanting to please people who don’t even care. Looking for situations that will make us happy or clinging on to a false sense of hope will eventually break the bubble of life.

So when you want to feel motivated and overcome all of the anxieties and stress in life, pick up one of these books that make for the perfect guide to teach important life lessons. They teach that it is ok to take a break, you don’t always get what you planned for, and it’s completely fine to be human in every circumstance. Because life is short and there are numerous lessons that can become positive paths in life.

1. How to Win Friends & Influence People by Dale Carnegie

Dale Carnegie’s timeless advice has stood the test of time for countless people around the world. This book will be on the list of top sellers for the future; it motivates every individual to work on your dreams and passion. It provides advice on how not to let bitterness and resentment break relations that can be easily repaired with effective communication. The book describes humans as emotional beings, full of pride and vanity. When we are able to navigate the personal boundaries of every human being with care, we can create a harmonious future for ourselves.

The book is also filled with memorable quotations that can become landmarks in life and practice. Does it also provide effective advice on what to do with people like you? How can you convince people on your end through positive and constructive communication? How can you be an accomplished leader? A lot of life lessons are thrown away with a practical guide toward a successful life.

2. Eat, Pray, Love : One Woman’s Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia by Elizabeth Gilbert

The iconic bestseller of Elizabeth Gilbert was also turned into a successful Hollywood movie. The author has penned her memoir about her self-discovery after a harrowing divorce and leaving her comfortable career behind to find a spiritual path on a one-year vacation. The book takes the reader to Italy, where the author learns the lessons of finding joy in the mundane of simply enjoying a hot pizza or reveling in the company of strangers who turn into a life-changing friend. It then follows her to Bali, where she tries to transcend into the mysteries of life by meeting a Buddhist scholar who predicts that she will end up again to meet him, albeit with a happy state of mind. The author then reveals her internal struggles as she confronts her demons in an Indian ashram.

The book is a roller coaster of emotions; it touches all human feelings, from pleasure to pain. We all can relate to the soreness of ending a marriage or trying to find one’s existence in life. The most important lesson here is that every journey of self-discovery begins from within.

3. Rich Dad Poor Dad: What the Rich Teach Their Kids About the Money That the Poor and Middle Class Do not! by Robert T. Kiyosaki

Robert T. Kiyosaki has probably written the world’s no. 1 financial bestseller, this is not a book that gives cold and calculated financial lessons, but it leads with examples from real life. The author has put in the effort to educate the common man about the richness of investing in assets from a young age. The power of money doesn’t lie in earning from a nine to five job, but it is when one builds an own empire by thinking and implementing financial gains like the rich. This book advises that the wealthy class always buy assets first and later buy luxuries with surplus money. It also exposes that schools never teach young minds the need to plan their finances for a successful living.

It is packed with funny anecdotes and life lessons about how assets can put money in the pocket while liabilities mean double the expenditure. The common man can gain positive investments out of the real estate, businesses, and paper assets known as bonds to become rich. An excellent book to gain financial intelligence in cutthroat competition.

4. The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom

Mitch Albom’s book illuminates the mysteries of life with a non-fiction story that talks about a war veteran named Eddie who loses his life in a freak accident while saving someone and is sent to heaven. Once there, he meets five persons he would never have imagined seeing again. They take him on a vivid journey through his life and highlight the phases that have deep psychological meaning, and reveal his actual existence. The book has moments that will make the eyes cry with its reflective and philosophical lessons about life. The author did not preach language and tone strictly based on religion but, in a simple way, brought forth the idea of living his life with gratitude.

Heaven may be wherever we want it to be; we live with a lot of hatred and expectations about the future. It shortens our time to enjoy life to the maximum; this book teaches forgiveness and letting go because life is short.

5. The Obstacle Is the Way: The Timeless Art of Turning Trials into Triumph by Ryan Holiday

Ryan Holiday has taken a piece from ancient Greek philosophical thinking to another level in this modern world. The words or the advice that has been mentioned in the book is nothing new, but it does come with a fresh perspective. It talks about taking the lemons of life and turning them into a heady concoction of lemonade. The book is fundamentally based on Stoicism, where the ancient Greek philosophers practiced what and how they could control the situation rather than thinking about what could go wrong. Implying this simple task one can gain over the trials and tribulations that one faces through resilience and become stronger survivors. The author has also given realistic examples of successful people who made the most of the situations in their life and overcame stressful events.

It is a positive take on the things that could bring one down in life. By not giving up and looking at troubles as opportunities, anyone can easily succeed.

6. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R.Covey

Stephen R.Covey has written about a sure-shot way to succeed in life by imbibing the qualities of successful people from all over the world. The book is sprinkled with humorous anecdotes, quotes, life lessons, and practical ways to regulate time into meaningful activities that will be the stepping stone towards living the desired life. The author advocates thinking proactive, then working on a daily plan to achieve the goals, keeping the result in mind, and always believing in a positive outcome. The book has some actionable tips to be implemented in professional and personal life.

This book comes as a highly motivational read for young entrepreneurs, business professionals, and the common man aiming to create a life of fulfilled goals. An excellent read for those looking for positive guidance to bring about a change in their lives.

7. You Can’t Ruin My Day : 52 Wake-Up Calls to Turn Any Situation Around by Allen Klein

Allen Klein has written a terrific book about how we shouldn’t allow negative posts and people to ruin our day. We as humans always tend to place our happiness in the hands of others or happenings in life. Some are attached to a toxic relationship even though there might be red flags, some of us have jobs that we can change, but due to obligations carry on, and then there are some relationships that have already ended, but we still tend to carry the weight. In this way, the author found fifty-two inspiring stories to challenge the old mentality and turn ugly situations into blessings. The book advocates moving on from sticky situations, keeping a relationship taught, never getting back into it, and changing the perspective about stressful moments.

The book features timeless wisdom, humor, and eye-opening teachings of life. Readers may acquire new knowledge about how to control their response when they are stuck in an unpleasant condition. Positive thinking always translates into an affirmative response.

8. Wild : From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed

Cheryl Strayed has written her memoir and spoken about overcoming grief, building resilience, and traveling alone on a cross-country hike that changed her life forever. When she lost her beloved mother and her marriage failed, it was like a wake-up call for Cheryl to evaluate her life on all those things that mattered most. She set out on a journey to rediscover her strengths and vulnerable side with a rough terrain trek that tested her human patience. The book narrates about kind strangers that saved her life, the times when she gave in to the temptations of life, and how she reached her desired destination.

Every once in a while, we need a time check and an honest status update about where our life is leading. Some questions remain unanswered, and many are found when we take the first step towards self-realization.

9. The Gift : 12 Lessons to Save Your Life by Edith Eger

Edith Eger survived the deadliest concentration camps and emerged as a survivor; she has penned her own painful experiences and how she got the courage to overcome them. This book comes as a gift to the readers who are willing to embrace their inner foibles and create a life after healing. The author advocates through the book that one should move on from the past and try to break free from the chain of thoughts that make anyone a prisoner in their mind. She created a wonderful collection of narratives from her own life and her patients to inspire the readers.

The book deals with overcoming grief, guilt, shame, and other inner shortcomings. Each of the chapters in the book is thought-provoking and comes with some practical questionnaire guide.

10. Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life and Maybe the World by William H. McRaven

Admiral William H. McRaven’s book has been inspired by a graduation speech that went viral when he stood in front of the young graduating crowd and taught them lessons about life. The Admiral has advocated that it is always the basic things that change our lives, even the mundane task of making our bed every morning. These little habits are like ripple effects that keep the power of being transformed into bigger decisions in life. As the saying goes that one small step can change the whole direction; similarly, every action that we make in life is part of the bigger plan that unfolds with our purpose.

An honest account about humility and optimism under every circumstance, this book, like a pearl of wisdom for young and adult readers. The author linked these practical actions to his own personal stories. A simple yet soul-stirring self-help book for living a better life.

Conclusion

We are all different, and our ways of life are based on the decisions we make unconsciously or consciously in our everyday life. The above-mentioned books give a unique perspective into successful living in all spheres of life. There are practical guides, memoirs, financial hacks, and emotional balance books that can bring a new meaning to how we perceive things. All these books make a wonderful collection of well-learned life lessons.