Despite how other people’s lives appear in their heavily curated social media feeds, life isn’t smooth-sailing–for anyone. For those of us who are introspective, there are moments that lead to the re-evaluation of who we are as a person or how our life is progressing in general. Even with the wisdom that we acquire from our friends, relatives or significant other—there’s often still a gnawing feeling inside us that we need an expert (or a guru!) to answer all our impending needs for an upgraded life. But success in your career, relationships, or life path isn’t just about knowing all the tips and tricks. Most often, it starts with our holistic well-being as a person.
If you find yourself stuck in a rut and in need of dire upgrade, whether it’s in small or bigger aspect of your life, maybe it’s time that you find the inspiration that can motivate you to move forward. Here are 5 motivating audiobooks that can help you ‘2.0’ your life (and you can listen for free with Audible’s free trial):
The Untethered Soul
The Journey Beyond Yourself
Michael Singer is an author you should know about, but probably don’t. This book is an all-time great IMHO, given the immense power it unleashes to its readers. He gives us the easy steps that allow us to align with our true selves and release the assumptions about the world that don’t serve us (or the world) well. It asks us to analyze the voice in our head and determine if that voice knows what it’s talking about, or full of BS. The page turner should be on every shelf across the globe and read in schools. You’ll feel lighter as the pages turn, and see the day with confidence and truth. It’s an audiobook you’ll listen to more than once. Pop this baby in your headphones on your way to work. You’ll be happy you did…
The Book of Joy
Lasting Happiness in a Changing World
We all know how happiness can create a big difference in a person’s life. Just by knowing where to anchor your emotions and spiritual life, you’re on your way to an upgrade. Despite the trials and adversity I was going through at the time, when I listened to this audiobook my heart felt lighter and my mind felt clearer. By listening to this uplifting audiobook, you will discover the Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu’s infectiously happy stories and teachings designed to aid you in searching for a better purpose in this changing world. They will inspire you to find a purpose that is fueled by compassion, and help you to be a joy to yourself and to others. (Even if you think you’re already the happiest and nicest person on Earth.) After all, this is “The Book of Joy”!
10% Happier
How I Tamed the Voice in My Head, Reduced Stress Without Losing My Edge, and Found a Self-Help That Actually Works
Dan Harris (the Nightline anchor) will take you on an unexpected, hilarious, and deeply skeptical odyssey in this audiobook. With spirituality and self-help, he discovers a way to be happier in an achievable way: through daily meditation “for fidgety sceptics”. Still sceptical? You’re not the only one. Even Dan used to think that meditation was useless and felt powerless to tame the loud voice in his head that was causing negative feelings and actions. But he solved many of his life’s issues when he found out that meditation can do almost everything–from helping us see our life and relationships more clearly, to lowering your blood pressure and even rewiring your brain!
The Happiness Equation
Want Nothing + Do Anything = Have Everything
New York Times best-selling author Neil Pasricha gives us the formula for a happy life through common ideals that are flipped on their head and cast in a completely new light. It includes fascinating lessons such as ‘why success doesn’t lead to happiness’, ‘how to make more money than a Harvard MBA’, ‘why multitasking is a myth’, and ‘how eliminating options leads to more choice’. Personally, I found that it contributed to a shift in how I thought about ‘everything’ in life—and how ‘everything’ contributes to a bigger change. The lessons here are highly relatable and easy to apply in life. Just a tip: you might want to makes notes as you read. It’s full of good references that can be useful in the future.
The 5 Second Rule
Transform your Life, Work, and Confidence with Everyday Courage
This audiobook teaches you how to: become confident, to break the habit of procrastination and self-doubt, to beat fear and uncertainty, to stop worrying and feel happier, and to share your ideas with courage. It is a very simple yet powerful book that contains stories of people who used the 5 Second Rule and witnessed the drastic changes in their lives. This isn’t your typically extremely motivating book, don’t get me wrong. It simply reminds you that whatever it is that you want to upgrade or achieve lies within you—and no one else. “The secret isn’t knowing what to do—it’s knowing how to make yourself do it.” Ain’t that the truth!
For someone who enjoys to destress every once in a while, I find that reading is one of the best ways to get back on track and be back with fresh ideas and a pumped up spirit. I would love to read the happiness equation because I feel like no matter how many times we remind ourselves to be happy we always somehow forget our own smiles along the way no matter what we are doing. Thank you for this list of must reads!
I was reading this Book of Joy at the hairdressers and when I was paying, one of the hairdressers came to me to tell me she enjoyed watching me read as she saw me chuckling while reading it. Then I showed her the title and said that it must be working already! It’s a very light-hearted read. I downloaded the Audible too so I can listen to it while I’m doing chores at home. I still chuckle everytime I listen to it.
This book is truly a joy. I’ve read it a few times just to lighten up my mood. It’s a feel-good read and I love those.
I love these books, it’s a bunch of my favorite self-help books. It is so different than any I’ve ever read, and even though I’m picky in expanding the types of books I read, I loved most of this!
The 5 Second Rule is short, little repetitive, but totally motivating! Worth a re-read when my mojo is dead.
I’ve read 3 out of 5 and I could say that the list improved my outlook in life. Of course you need to push yourself to do the work because no book can equal to working your way through a goal.
The Happiness Equation book was very insightful! I enjoyed how it was presented and there were a few thoughts that really resonated with me.?
Amazing list to consider reading. I think I need a little upgrade in my life and this would definitely help a lot.
Mel really nailed this 5 Second Rule… I’ve read countless self-help and motivation books, I would never have thought something so seemingly simple would change things in my life this quickly.
True! Just because the book was simple it doesn’t mean it was terrible. I’ve read a lot of mixed reviews on this but I’m glad I took a chance on this one.
This book The Happiness Equation is thought-provoking, inspiring, reflective and hopeful. I highly recommend it for anyone searching for a little more happiness.
The Untethered Soul struck a chord in me because it encourages detachment from this never-ending feedback inside our brains. It’s time to shut it up so we can function better.