If you’ve ever hung out in the personal development section of the major bookstores, you may have been overwhelmed with the extensive number of volumes related to the subject. With all this information, where do you begin? And of these titles, are there specific must-read books out there which are essential for your own growth and understanding? Well, over the next 52 weeks I’ll attempt to answer these questions.
Inspired by Trent over at The Simple Dollar, I’ve decided to undertake a project and read 52 books over a 52-week period. I will read one book related to personal development every week and offer an in-depth review, spreading this review throughout the week. These will include many of the classic as well as more modern titles.
Each Monday, I will provide an overview of the book, describing the general premise as well as any reviews or comments that may have been given. Tuesday through Thursday will be set aside for the meat of book, divided into three sections, spread evenly throughout the three days. To wrap it up, each Friday will be dedicated to my own personal thoughts and opinions on the book.
I must admit, some of these will be books that I’ve already read, but I look forward to rereading them anyways, as I’m sure they will offer new insights and awareness that I may have previously missed. It’s my goal with this project, to not only increase my own understanding and knowledge pertaining to personal growth, but also provide you with a well written review of 52 personal development books that you can use to determine which books will be most beneficial for your growth.
Here you’ll find a complete list of all books reviewed so far with links to their respective posts. UPDATE - 03/19/2007: Also included is a link to download each complete review in .pdf format (just right-click the link and click “Save Target as…”) [thanks for the pdf idea Peter Damoc!!]
Good luck! Definently a great idea. Looking forward to the upcoming year!
Left by Bradley Woods on March 7th, 2007
Thanks Bradley, I’m excited!
Left by Erich on March 7th, 2007
Great idea. Can’t wait to read them.
Left by David Paul Robinson on April 1st, 2007
Thanks David!
Left by Erich on April 1st, 2007
[...] Inspired by Life Training Online’s 52 Personal Development Books in 52 Weeks series, I’ll be conducting my own experiment. For 50 days I’ll be following Richard Templar’s Rules of Life. Everyday I’ll be adopting and blogging about a single practice from the ‘Rules for You’ section of the books, which, as Templar puts it: are rules that will help us get out of bed in the mornings, face the world with a positive air and navigate our way safely and successfully throughout the day, no matter what may arise. These are the Rules that will help reduce stress levels, give us the right kind of outlook, encourage us to set our own standards and have goals to aim for them’. [...]
Left by Yemisi Blake » Blog Archive » 50 Rules of Life Experiment on April 11th, 2007
Are you needing some recomendation for PD books? I know plenty, please feel free to contact me for any advise. I EXTREAMLY recommend “The Magic of Thing Big” by David J Schwartz, Ph.D.
Left by Steve on August 12th, 2007
Steve,
Definitely send some recommendations my way! I’m always open to new sources of PD knowledge.
Left by Erich on August 13th, 2007
OK
1. You Don’t Need a Title to be a Leader- Mark Sanborn
2. What it takes to Be #1- Vince Lombardi, JR.
3. Positive Words, Powerful Results- Hal Urban
4. Positive Impact- Gregory Scott Reid / Charlie “Tremendous Jones
5. Leading Leaders to Leadership- John Fuhrman
6. The Laws of Lifetime Growth- DAn Sullivan / Cathrine Nomura
7. How to Have Confidence and Power in Dealing with People- Les Giblin
8. Critical Choices that Change Lives- Daniel R. Castro
9. Believe and Achieve- W. Clement Stone
10. The 17 Essential Qualities of a Team Player- John C. Maxwell
11. Personality Plus- Florence Littauer
12. You and Your Network- Fred Smith
13. How to Win Friends & Influence People- Dale Carnegie
14. The Like Ability Factor- Tim Sanders
15. The Five Love Languages- Gary Chapman
16. The Five Languasges of Apology- Gary Chapman / Jennifer Thomas
17. Launching a Leadership Revolution- Chris Brady and Orrin Woodward *
There are 17 for you!! These are books that can be gotten at most book stores, if you have any difficulty finding any of them please feel free to contact me. These are ALL books the are sold in my Leadership Development business. *The last book number 17 is not released yet, it is due out in Oct. This book was sold exclusively through our business till now and I have one copy if you did not want to wait.
Left by Steve on August 15th, 2007
Steve,
Thanks for the great list! I’ll definitely incorporate some of these books in future reviews.
Regards,
Erich
Left by Erich on August 18th, 2007
I would also recommend
- 12 Pillars by Jim Rohn
- The Richest Man in Babylon by George S. Clayson
- The Greatest Salesman by Og Mandino
Left by Mikael Rieck on October 4th, 2007
This is a great thing to do. I first did the same thing two years ago when I was a warehouse laborer. I read books during my lunch break and I used to get teased by the other workers, now two years later I am the “lucky one” who was able to quit my job and work full-time from home.
It’s a fact that what you think about all the time you attract to you, so cleansing your mind with a book a week is an awesome way to go. I have continued to do this the last two years and have set it as minimum yearly goal for now on.
Left by Ryan Puusaari on October 5th, 2007
Ryan,
That’s awesome. Thanks for the inspiration!
Left by Erich on October 5th, 2007
Erich:
Just wanted to let you know that “Launching a Leadership Revolution” hes been receantly released by Time Warner books….This is a MUST for your course.
Steve
Left by Steve on October 28th, 2007
[...] Full article [...]
Left by Selected Personal Development Articles » Blog Archive » Review of 52 Personal Development Books on May 30th, 2008
How do you read so fast?
I’m reading one a month right now, and my bookshelf keeps piling up with others that I want to get to. I’d love to read a book a week.
I suppose if I was just sitting on a beach in Thailand I could do it.
Left by Daniel Johnson on September 2nd, 2008
When did you actually begin reading the first of your 52 books and where are you in this process? If I am reading it correctly you made an update on 03/19/2007. Have you considered listing the books that you hope to eventually complete and then add the reviews as you finish the book? It would be nice to see the entire list of books.
Left by Taunna on September 28th, 2008
[...] membaca buku setiap minggu saya peroleh di blog Life Training. Saya kira ini salah satu gagasan menarik untuk senantiasa mensyukuri perubahan dan peralihan hari [...]
Left by Jurnal Asep Setiawan » Resolusi Membaca Buku Motivasi 52 Minggu on December 24th, 2008
Greetings
Selecting which 52 books is the most difficult task. As a psychologist, I have dedicated my life to discover what are the fundamental factors that create burdens for us or help us achieve our goals. I have found that we all have the same problems but we all have unique strengths. My book, POSITIVE DIRECTIONS offers a very clear explanation of what goes wrong and how to refocus on the positive to overcome the obstacles and enjoy more success.
Everyone who has read it has given very positive feedback. Would you like to read what I have discovered that all the healthiest and most successful people already know?
Visit my website and read about it - TakePositiveDirections.com Cheers JR
Left by John Ryder, PhD on June 5th, 2009