Top 10 Books for Self Development in 2021

I have compiled a list of 10 of my favorite books that I have read in the past couple of years.

I have broken the list down into different categories:

• Leadership
• Entrepreneurship
• Psychology
• Communication
• Personal Finance

Whether you are working towards a promotion at work or trying to improve your relationships with your friends and family, I think these books will help you develop into a better person this year.

LEADERSHIP

1. Creativity, Inc. by Ed Catmull

In Creativity, Inc., Ed Catmull tells the story of the challenges he faced while founding Pixar and then eventually merging with Disney Animation. This book demonstrates how treating employees as the number one resource of a company leads to amazing creative work. Ed found that if you empower all employees, they will work hard to meet deadlines and complete projects under budget. This is a great read for any leader who wants to develop successful teams.

“Unleashing creativity requires that we loosen the controls, accept risk, trust our colleagues, work to clear the path for them, and pay attention to anything that creates fear.” – Ed Catmull

“When looking to hire people, give their potential to grow more weight than their current skill level. What they will be capable of tomorrow is more important than what they can do today.” – Ed Catmull

“Failure isn’t a necessary evil. In fact, it isn’t evil at all. It is a necessary consequence of doing something new.” – Ed Catmull

2. Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin

In Extreme Ownership, Jocko Willink and Leif Babin reflect on their time as U.S. Navy Seals and highlight how that experience can transfer into working in the corporate world as a leader. This book explains all the facets of what makes a great team. After reading, you will want to stop making excuses – leaders must own everything, there is no one else to blame.

“Implementing Extreme Ownership requires checking your ego and operating with a high degree of humility. Admitting mistakes, taking ownership, and developing a plan to overcome challenges are integral to any successful team.” – Jocko Willink

“Leaders must always operate with the understanding that they are part of something greater than themselves and their own personal interests.” – Jocko Willink

“The most fundamental and important truths at the heart of Extreme Ownership: there are no bad teams, only bad leaders.” – Jocko Willink

3. Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire to Take Action by Simon Sinek

In Start with Why, Simon Sinek explains why it is important to “practice what you preach” as a leader. In other words, people follow leaders that inspire them with a sense of purpose – a “why.” This is another great book if you are managing a team of people.

“There are only two ways to influence human behavior: you can manipulate it or you can inspire it.” – Simon Sinek

“We are drawn to leaders and organizations that are good at communicating what they believe. Their ability to make us feel like we belong, to make us feel special, safe and not alone is part of what gives them the ability to inspire us.” – Simon Sinek

“Leading is not the same as being the leader. Being the leader means you hold the highest rank, either by earning it, good fortune or navigating internal politics. Leading, however, means that others willingly follow you—not because they have to, not because they are paid to, but because they want to.” – Simon Sinek

ENTREPRENEURSHIP

4. Elon Musk: Tesla, SpaceX, and the Quest for a Fantastic Future by Ashlee Vance

In Elon Musk: Tesla, SpaceX, and the Quest for a Fantastic Future, Ashlee Vance tells the story of Elon Musk as he navigates his way through building some of the biggest and most admired companies in the world – PayPal, Tesla, and SpaceX. Musk provides anecdote throughout which provides insight into his demeanor and highlights exactly what goes on in his brain. This book will inspire you to evaluate your life and make you wonder if you are doing enough.

“If the rules are such that you can’t make progress, then you have to fight the rules.” – Elon Musk

“Good ideas are always crazy until they’re not.” – Elon Musk

“The best minds of my generation are thinking about how to make people click ads.” – Elon Musk

5. Shoe Dog by Phil Knight

In Shoe Dog, Phil Knight takes us on the journey of creating the global shoe and apparel company – Nike. This book will give you inspiration of how turning a small idea, with a lot of road bumps along the way, can quickly escalate into a well-known brand. I encourage you to read this book if you are interested in starting your own company one day.

“Let everyone else call your idea crazy . . . just keep going. Don’t stop. Don’t even think about stopping until you get there, and don’t give much thought to where “there” is. Whatever comes, just don’t stop.” – Phil Knight

“Don’t tell people how to do things, tell them what to do and let them surprise you with their results.” – Phil Knight

“Life is growth. You grow or you die.” – Phil Knight

PSYCHOLOGY

6. The 4-Hour Workweek by Tim Ferriss

In The 4-Hour Workweek, Tim Ferris outlines how he was able to quit his job and create his own business that operates with minimal time spent each week. While I don’t agree with everything in the book, I think it is worth reading in order to inspire you to brainstorm creative ways you can automate or spend less time doing unproductive things at your work or in your personal life.

“If you are insecure, guess what? The rest of the world is, too. Do not overestimate the competition and underestimate yourself. You are better than you think.” – Tim Ferris

“Focus on being productive instead of busy.” – Tim Ferris

“To enjoy life, you don’t need fancy nonsense, but you do need to control your time and realize that most things just aren’t as serious as you make them out to be.” – Tim Ferris

7. The Compound Effect by Darren Hardy

In The Compound Effect, Darren Hardy compares how the idea of compounding interest is similar to making small changes in your life that will set you on the path towards success. This was one of the first self development books I read, and the principles have stuck with me ever since.

“Don’t wish it were easier; wish you were better.” – Darren Hardy

“Small, Smart Choices + Consistency + Time = RADICAL DIFFERENCE” – Darren Hardy

“A daily routine built on good habits and disciplines separates the most successful among us from everyone else. A routine is exceptionally powerful.” – Darren Hardy

8. The 10x Rule: The Only Difference Between Success and Failure by Grant Cardone

In The 10x Rule, Grant Cardone outlines the principles he has developed that helped him transform from a broke drug addict to a successful businessman, owning multiple million-dollar businesses. This book is great for people who want to set goals to transform their lives and businesses.

“I suggest that you become obsessed about the things you want; otherwise, you are going to spend a lifetime being obsessed with making up excuses as to why you didn’t get the life you wanted.” – Grant Cardone

“Success tends to bless those who are most committed to giving it the most attention.” – Grant Cardone

“Think about it: What’s the worst thing that can happen to you if you just totally go for it?” – Grant Cardone

COMMUNICATION

9. Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss

In Never Split the Difference, Chris Voss gives us insights into his career as an FBI hostage negotiator and explains how we can use what he learned while in the FBI in our own negotiations, whether they’re happening at work or personal life. This book is not only great for learning how to handle negotiations but also how to develop your communication skills.

“He who has learned to disagree without being disagreeable has discovered the most valuable secret of negotiation.” – Chris Voss

“This is listening as a martial art, balancing the subtle behaviors of emotional intelligence and the assertive skills of influence, to gain access to the mind of another person. Contrary to popular opinion, listening is not a passive activity. It is the most active thing you can do.” – Chris Voss

“Negotiate in their world. Persuasion is not about how bright or smooth or forceful you are. It’s about the other party convincing themselves that the solution you want is their own idea. So don’t beat them with logic or brute force. Ask them questions that open paths to your goals. It’s not about you.” – Chris Voss

PERSONAL FINANCE

10. I Will Teach You to Be Rich by Ramit Sethi

In I Will Teach You to Be Rich, Ramit outlines a 6-week program to help get you thinking about how to start building wealth. From choosing a credit card to starting to automate investment accounts, this book will get you excited about personal finance.

“Spend extravagantly on the things you love, and cut costs mercilessly on the things you don’t.” – Ramit Sethi

“Most of us fall into one of two camps as regards our money: We either ignore it and feel guilty, or we obsess over financial details by arguing interest rates and geopolitical risks without taking action. Both options yield the same results—none.” – Ramit Sethi

“The single most important factor to getting rich is getting started, not being the smartest person in the room.” – Ramit Sethi