by Johnson Temiloluwa | Apr 4, 2022 | Personal Growth
Personal development is a lifetime process, a process that one goes through in their life stages and phases. One notable area to develop personally is mental development. There are countless things that you can do for yourself to develop yourself mentally, reading books is one of them. That’s why I am here to share with you the 10 best personal development books you should read.
Reading the right book improves your sleep hours, sharpens your mental acuteness, and relaxes your mind and body. Here are the 10 best and most carefully selected personal development books for you:
10 Personal Development Books to Read
1. The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale
For development to thrive, the mind needs to be trained to hold positive thoughts and the brain to think positively. This book comes with the package of faith and inspiration.
The title of the book quite gives it off and is highly expressive, straight to the point too.
The author; Norman Vincent Peale has written 46 other books and this particular book was an international bestseller with over 5 million print sales. People call him the father of positive thinking.
The book opens your mind, helps you be kind(er) to yourself, builds determination, and majorly, pushes you to believe in yourself.
2. The Power of Full Engagement by Jim Loehr and Tony Schwartz
You probably just rolled your eyes because here is another book titled “the power of…” that’s fine. Pretty understandable in fact. However, developing personally equates to seeing the power in the mundane things in and around you. One of the things this book highlighted is the power of your energy. It also debunked the excuse that we mostly tell ourselves; “I don’t have time”. It’s not the time to do that thing, it’s the energy you have as regards doing that thing.
When you read this book, one thing is for sure, you’ll understand this quote.
Success is about creating a series of “life-sprints”, not a marathon
3. Habit Stacking by S. J. Scott
Habits are what we do consistently and what makes us who we are in the long run. The hook highlights creating small deliberate positive habits in your day-to-day life. Studies show that it takes 5 minutes to do a small habit and 21 days to master the habit that it becomes part of one. Scott mentioned 127 small ways to change some aspects of your life.
Reading this book opens your mind to the possibility of building a habit.
4. Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience by Mihaly Csikszentmihaly
From the title, you might have deduced that this book is a mix of science and reality. Mihaly used science to back ways you can align and understand your flow. “Flow” in this context means your happiness, contentment, success, and whatever gives you peace. It opens a door that helps you understand these things and how you can maintain the flow.
Everyone has a flow, what is yours? Find out in the book.
5. Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking by Susan Cain
I am an introvert, I don’t like talking and my best thing to do is type. Seeing the title of this book gave me what I was looking for, “quietness”. Susan’s writing is quiet and it made me nod in affirmation almost every second, my neck hurts.
This book is one of the best personal development books that you can read as an introvert. It highlights the power and understanding of your quietness.
6. The Now Habit: A Strategic Program for Overcoming Procrastination and Enjoying Guilt-Free Play by Neil Fiore
We all procrastinate; it’s something in-built. Procrastination is a pandemic and this book is like a vaccination. Stating the scientific reasons why you procrastinate and how you can overcome it as a whole.
I procrastinate a lot and reading this has helped greatly, I’ll sure be going for a second read soon. You can start your first read.
7. Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity by David Allen
David Allen made sure to emphasize the fact that a person can be productive after they have had enough rest. The boom is quite lengthy but it is written with a clear tone. In a world where people want to be productive and develop, I think this is a must-read.
It encompasses time management and productivity plans.
8. Whatcha Gonna Do with That Duck? by Seth Godin
As friendly as the title sounds, that’s how friendly the book is. Seth Godin, among many other things, is a seasoned writer and a wise man. It slowly kicks off by asking you that question subtly, drags you far from your comfort zone then, by the end of the book, boom! You are left with fresh perspectives. Also, it is packed with honesty with yourself and your mind.
The book is one of the best personal development books out there.
9. The Attention Revolution by Alan Wallace
Nowadays, attention is lost and focus is nonexistent. Technology has a part to play in it but it can also be harnessed to stay and pay attention.
This book unlocks the power of a focused mind. It challenges you to train your mind to focus and gives you a guideline in stages that can help. It helps you recognize your distractions and that my friend is one of the first steps to personal development.
10. Failing Forward by John C. Maxwell
You have failed more than once and I have failed lots of times. But what did we do at that point of failure? Our attitude toward failure matters.
John is a big-time writer, growth coach, and speaker. In this book, he explains that failure is not a terrible thing as opposed to popular opinion. He gave a story about how he made failure his friend and how it developed him and several aspects of his life.
Failing Forward is a book that tells you to not stay where failure meets you but to evolve, move past it, and progress. It also tells you not to take failure personally but also to embrace it and persevere through it.
Conclusion
Each of the best personal development books that I have shared with you has its unique aspect it will develop in you. Pick one up and get growing!
While you are at it, you should check out books that changed my life.
You can also leave your questions or thoughts about this article in the comment section below. Thanks.
FAQs
Will reading any or all of these books build my mental development?
Yes. Only if you read to understand other than to finish the book. Also, the application of what has been read is also key.
Are these the only books I should read for my personal development?
Of Course not, there are several other books online that you can read. These are just my 10 best, for now.
How long would it take me to finish these books?
Everyone reads at a different pace. I am a fast reader; you can be a slow reader. The pace doesn’t really matter when you read. It’s the comprehension of the information that does. So take your time and enjoy the ride while reading.
by Johnson Temiloluwa | Mar 22, 2022 | Business & Finance
Reading books is fun; getting paid while at it is much more exciting and fun. It’s the 21st century and most people just want to get paid for doing what they love, and even more, doing something you love from the comfort of your home. Do people get paid to read books online? Can you read and get paid in nigeria? The answer is a big yes. How is this possible?
Have you ever read a book and had so much to say about it you could write a full-page opinion about it? Yes? Great! That’s how being paid comes in. You read and get paid in Nigeria by writing a review about it.
You must still be curious, how exactly do you get paid for writing a book review after reading a book? Continue reading and you’ll find out. The trick to getting paid to read books online is book reviewing; this can be done with your voice and your words.
How?
Getting Paid Using Your Words (Writing)
There are websites that are in need of your book review to push sales of their books and for other many reasons. So, regardless of the kind of books you read, there is a site willing to pay you for what you have to say about books that you’ve read.
I’ll share with you 5 real quick sites that you can get paid to read online:
1. Upwork
Like they call themselves, “The world’s marketplace”, lots of “Offer your service and get paid” goes on there. The pay is quite reasonable. Once you keep doing it over time and build a solid portfolio, you have the right to increase your charges.
All you just have to do is register with Upwork, write on your eye-catching bio that giving book reviews is what you do then send proposals for book reviewing job openings that you find.
Read and get paid in Nigeria? Easy-peasy-lemon-squeezy.
2. Online Book Club
This site’s payment rate is between $5 – $60. The site’s interface is easy to maneuver. You get a free copy of the book you are to review and deliver your review on time to get paid. Quite simple, yeah?
3. New Pages
If your opinion about a book is not too lengthy and is less than 500 words, New Pages is your best bet. New Pages are a portal for bookstores, new and small-scale publishers, and things alike. They are mostly in search of book reviews of about 100 to 200 words. It can be literary magazines or books that you’ve read.
To get a feel of what they are about and how their reviews are, check here.
4. Instaread
Instaread is quite unique out of other sites I have listed so far. They accept summaries. So, if you read a book and can summarize it in not more than 1,500 words, then Instaread is for you. For every summary, you read and get paid in Nigeria $100.
Another notable point for Instaread is that they have an app, you can download from any App Store for a much more personal experience. They have things they need from you before you write.
5. Writerful Books
This is a website where you can get paid for reading books online. You have the chance of picking the book to read and just submitting your review to them. They check and see if it fits their standards, and voila! You get paid.
Their pay is usually around $10 to $50.
Getting Paid Using Your Voice (Reading)
In the same way, you are using your words (by writing) to get paid to read books online, you can also actually read the books with your voice on various platforms and get paid. Exciting, right? Yes, absolutely. It’s a good way to get paid to read books online if you have a good voice for reading.
I’ll share with you platforms where you can use your voice to get paid by reading.
1. ACX
This is one legit platform where you record a book and get paid for it. The first step is creating an account with ACX then uploading samples or your book recordings or talking about the book you’ll like to record for them. If you are approved and they are impressed with your voice, they pick you, and voila, money rolling in and your voice becomes the money bank.
An experienced narrator makes around $160 per hour. Check here for more deets.
2. Voices
This platform has a large coverage of about 160 countries and over 200 languages. Just like ACX, you have to create a profile and upload good audio samples. After which you can move ahead to auditioning for different genres of books you’d like to read for them.
Conclusion
Reading can be made fun in many ways, and getting paid while doing that is a fair price. All of the ways I have explained that help you get paid to read books online are credible, however, make your research and understand each platform’s guideline before pitching.
Reading is fun; you know this already that’s why you want to get paid while doing it. Books that make you smart and the ones that help you find your inner peace are a good selection to read. It might not pay you in cash, but it definitely gives you value.
Happy reading!
FAQs
How exactly can I get paid by reading books online?
By writing or recording reviews about the books you’ve read then, go in search of outlets that need your services and are willing to pay you for them. Quite easy. Another way is having a blog of your own where you post reviews about every book you read.
How much do book readers get paid?
The lowest range to read and get paid in Nigeria is usually $10
How do I create samples of my book reviews?
You can use social media account, post about the books you read daily on your accounts, and once a job offer comes, send the link to your social media account. Also, you can write book reviews for other books you’ve read using Google Docs and compile them in a link. That way, you paste the link when your portfolio or sample is asked for.
This can be done for both voice book reading and word book review.
What is a book review?
A book review is a short piece (usually shorter than the literary piece itself) describing, summarizing, analyzing, or opining on what a book entails and is about.
Can I make a living from getting paid to read books online?
The honest answer is yes. You can make a decent living but don’t quit your day job just yet. It is a good side-pay outlet and higher pay is only guaranteed when expertise has been built over time.
by Aisha | Jan 17, 2022 | Personal Life
Reading is not only a way to get knowledge but also to develop cognitive abilities, and learn the ways of the society. Personally, reading provides an escape from the harsh realities of life. As a shy introvert, reading is how I get knowledge about how the outside world operates. But there are several books that have changed my life and I think they will change yours too.
Books that Changed My Life
1. 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens by Sean Covey
Sean Covey is the son of renowned author Stephen Covey who wrote a worldwide popular book called “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.” While his father’s book was targeted at grown-ups, Sean’s book is interesting to the teen mind.
With entertaining comic drawings, real-life stories, and friendly talk, it is fun and easy to read. The message of the book centres on personal development.
As the title implies, it teaches teens the habits that will ensure their success. The book is on themes, treating each habit separately and in detail. It is a book that has taught me very much about how to take the right path.
2. Tell Me Why (Revised and Updated) by Chancellor Press
This book served several purposes in my life. It is like an encyclopedia that answered the most basic scientific knowledge that everyone is required to know. Why was the sky blue? Why do volcanoes erupt? Also, why is time different in different countries?
I remember when I was 14, I had waited for my dad to come home just to ask about rainbows, and the next day he, brought me back this book and just the size overwhelmed me. But as I opened it, I immediately got engulfed. I did not need to wait for my dad anymore as I had my own little answer book.
Till today, the book has a special spot on my desk as one of the books that changed my life.
3. 17 Secrets of High-Flying Students by Fela Durotoye
This is one of those books that had a pretty cover that made me interested. I shelved this book for months after I got it. It wasn’t until one day when I was really bored that I started to read it. I am not the fastest of readers but I finished this book in a day. It was that good. It was easy and fun to read, colourful without being childish, and straight to the point.
Furthermore, it had real people stories that did not sound like a motivational speech. It mainly discussed how to navigate through high school successfully, managing friends, family, classes, expectations, and your own health.
It was a very inspiring book.
4. Why Men Marry Bitches by Sherry Argov
This is one of the books that changed my life. The book is mainly for the ladies and I have seen it on many personal bookshelves. Sherry, a woman herself, writes in a uniquely intimate way where she describes how most women are and what men really want in a woman. A nice woman does not get Mr Right, a smart woman does.
In a world where love is hard to find, it teaches females how to make themselves more endearing to the opposite gender without compromise.
It was truly an eye-opener and is highly recommended.
5. Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe
As much as I love the story in this book, it changed my life mainly due to the writer’s expert use of English. True, his English was less sophisticated than that of Wole Soyinka, but he passed amazing messages in his novels. He made me realize that to be good did not mean that you had to use gigantic words and that simple words used in the right way would get the message across just as beautifully.
Related: Things I Learned Too Late in Life
He was one of the main inspirations behind my love for writing.
6. Bari and Biba
Bari and Biba as one of the books that changed my life is the common name for the book ‘Al-Arabiyyatul Jadeed fi Nigeria.’ Anyone who wants to go to a school to attain Islamic knowledge of the Qur’an and Hadith (Islamiyya) should know this book. It is a simple grade course in Arabic where it teaches you basic things to know in the Arabic Language.
This book is entertaining, illustrated, and interesting to read. It made me feel like learning a language was not so difficult and pushed me towards learning more.
7. How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
If you have found that you are not very sociable and don’t make friends easily then this book is for you. Carnegie teaches, in easy words, how to navigate your way through the web of making friends. He teaches how to make friends honestly and successfully while also illustrating the importance of good friendships in your life.
This book is one of the reasons I have as many good friends as I do today and I will always remember that.
8. Who Moved My Cheese? By Spencer Johnson
When I picked up this book, I was 12 and thought it was a storybook. For a few pages, it was. But then I got further in and my 12-year-old brain got bored so I dumped it. I revisited the book 5 years later and I am glad I did. It was a major eye-opener for me.
The message of the book was the consistency of change. It taught me that no matter what you did, the change would find you. It does not matter how well you plan your life or how many binders you use for projects; life was not a tame lake but a raging ocean.
Not only did this book introduce me to this scary truth, but it also taught me how to handle the change and make the most of it. The fact that someone moved your cheese does not mean you should put your life on hold just to chase after a cheese thief.
Conclusion
There are several other books such as Lord of the Rings, Purple Hibiscus, Ben Carsons’ books, Rich Dad; Poor Dad, etc. that have made a massive impact in my life and would be a great read.
I would love to know what books changed your life so leave a comment and enjoy.
by Editorial Staff | Dec 12, 2021 | Northy Letter
My hands and feet are freezing right now and I could be in bed, enjoying some warmth but I have to write to you. We can’t lose communication, I know it’s important to me, is it important to you? Here are what we have for this week:
Monday
The New Year is approaching and I bet you have some plans for it. Maybe I can convince you to add one more thing to your list. Wouldn’t it be interesting to learn a new language? Yes? Yes! Here are 7 Quick Ways to Learn a New Language by Yourself Quickly. Just picture yourself mamacita-ing your way into Spanish.
It’s a little embarrassing that as I write to you now, my bio is nothing to write home about. I always feel I don’t have to try writing a good bio because I don’t have many great achievements and I go online and everything seems so much harder so I usually just wing it. But then, I’m trying to find a remote job and I have to write a better bio. Tell me we are in the same boat. If we are, Umar Farouk Kabir has a solution – How to Write a Professional Bio with Examples.
Are you intelligent? Or an investor? What if I told you that you could be both? Pick up Benjamin Graham’s The Intelligent Investor and let’s make it work. You’re about to tell me you hate reading but is this how you want to live your life comrade? These are the 15 Books Every Investor Should Read. You’re smart, I know you’ll give them a chance.
Tuesday
You’re not a great spender, I am not either. I am so reckless with money and I can’t keep track of where they disappear to once I start going through them but with the help of Umar Farouk Kabir, I have The 10 Best Expense Tracker Apps in 2022 to start afresh. It wouldn’t hurt to start when the year starts.
Find Out Your Ideal Job When You Take This Quiz. If you’re confused as to what path to take in life, maybe this is a sign to take this quiz and find out. Don’t just fold your arms and wait for fate. We’ve never been quitters so let’s not start now.
Wednesday
You have heard of yeast infections, vaginal infections but you haven’t heard of vaginismus? Maybe this is because our society frowns upon conversations that are even in the slightest bit sexual. However, this is a major concern because This Woman Has a Rare Medical Condition, She Doesn’t Have a Hole. You should read this because Wow! Yeah, it is that shocking.
Pineapple is such a fruit and we have always known that fruits are good for pregnant women so why it is that pineapple is bad for them now? Find out on 10 Foods You Should Avoid When Pregnant, No. 5 is the Worst. I was shaking with anger until I saw the reasons, you’d stop shaking too if you saw them.
Thursday
What’s that thing people say? What a man can do, a woman can do better. Such is the story of Queen Amina. A woman whose story passes down through the Hausa People. Read the Biography of the Great Queen Amina of Zazzau and see how she led an army of men into war.
I can bet a thousand dollars You Won’t Believe How the Famous Arewa Knot (Dagin Arewa) Originated. That thing is everywhere but I have always looked at it as a logo, nothing more. Turns out there’s more to it than being just a symbol.
Saturday
Weekends are times of the week where you have more space to increase your kitchen expertise by trying new recipes or improving on the ones you have. On that note, learn How to Make Awara (Soya Beans Cake) and How to Prepare Your Delicious Dan Sululu. These are foods you eat not because you are really hungry but because you just crave them. The spice is out of this world.
Sunday
I have a dream of home-schooling my kids until they are 5 years old because I truly believe home-schooled kids are smarter than their peers. Montessori Education as a Tool for Arewa Mothers is the best place to start. If you are thinking about this too, then I have got you covered for the future or now.
And we have come to the end of our newsletter for the week. I hope you had fun with it as I did, aaaaaand I can’t wait to see you next week bud!
by Ajibike Maryam Olaitan | Aug 31, 2021 | Personal Growth
Finding inner peace is one of the biggest goals we seek to achieve as humans, this is because life has a way of turning things from good to bad pretty fast, no matter what we do to prevent it from happening. Be it our relationships, work, families, friends, colleagues, loved ones, or even strangers, something always goes crazy at some point. It has been proven that the art of reading has its calmness and peace benefits, books also serve as answer holders to whatever questions you might have. This is why I have put together 20 books on finding your inner peace. In this article, you will have access to books on finding your inner peace, which would help you in achieving calmness, peace, and harmony.
Books on Finding Inner Peace
1. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
This is a fable of a poor Andalusian shepherd who sets off on a journey to find the world’s greatest treasures. However, he finds fear, suffering, truth, inspiration, strength, wisdom and so much more instead.
The Alchemist is an enlightening story about accepting yourself and following your dreams, which would help you overcome your fears and find some peace of mind.
2. The Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown
Brene Brown in her book explains that self-worth is one of the cornerstones of inner peace. She asserts that if we don’t accept and love ourselves, imperfections and all, it is nearly impossible to be truly happy. The author also explores the importance of overcoming paralyzing fear and self-consciousness.
In addition, she also provides ten guideposts on how to be true to ourselves and embrace our flaws to live a perfectly imperfect life.
Get The Gifts of Imperfection Now
3. The Miracle of Mindfulness by Thich Nhat Hanh
This is another book on finding your inner peace where Thich Nhat Hanh offers practical advice on how to bring mindfulness into your daily life.
The author describes the importance of mindfulness and also explains that your daily activities can be a form of meditation. You should read the Miracle of Mindfulness if you are struggling to find your inner peace.
4. Happiness: A Guide to Developing Life’s Most Important Skill by Matthieu Richard
Matthieu Richard is a French scientist turned Buddhist monk. He explains in his book how happiness is not just an emotion but a skill that can be developed. He provides simple exercises that will train the mind to concentrate on the important things in life. This would help an individual dedicate energy towards being happy.
5. When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times by Pema Chodron
Pema Chodron in this book illustrates how there is potential happiness even in the most painful circumstances. She explains how to use pain to develop wisdom, compassion and courage, openness in communication and how to reverse our negative patterns.
It is definitely a must-read for all seeking inner peace.
6. The Wisdom of Insecurity by Alan Watts
Alan Watts combines both Eastern philosophy and Western religion to explore man’s quest for psychological security in this bestseller. He explains that we live in a near-constant state of dissatisfaction and anxiety, and crave security which is both impossible and undesirable.
Alan Watts believes that the road to inner peace lies in embracing the present instead of anticipating the future or lamenting the past.
7. The Zen Commandments by Dean Sluyter
Sluyter draws inspiration from Dalai Lama and Bob Dylan to Monty Python and the Wizard of Oz to put together 10 Zen commandments for achieving inner peace. Some of his 10 Zen commandments includes letting go, practicing greater kindness and compassion, freeing yourself from labels and limitations, and laughing deeply.
8. The Dalai Lama’s Little Book Of Inner Peace: The Essential Life And Teachings by Dalai Lama
This book provides an insight into Dalai Lama’s early life and the personal and political struggles that shaped his understanding of the world. He explains how important things like praise and blame affect our lives. This is because we let them, and also how we can control our minds by asking ourselves important questions like “who am I?”
This book on finding your inner peace also explains how important peace is in changing the world. By the way, you should also check out these 50 questions to know yourself better.
9. The Subtle Art of Not Giving A F*ck by Mark Manson
In this book, Manson argues that we have a limited number of ‘fucks’ to give in our lives and what we concentrate on determines our happiness. Manson with the use of real-life examples, personal anecdotes, and his trademark humour provides a completely non-conventional way on how to achieve inner peace.
10. The Book of Secrets: Unlocking the Hidden Dimensions of Your Life by Deepak Chopra
Deepak Chopra in his book explains that the only way to fulfil your deepest hunger is by finding hidden dimensions in yourself. He shares in his book, 15 secrets to help you find inner peace and much more.
11. Tiny Beautiful Things by Cheryl Strayed
In this book, you will find several advices on dealing with professional jealousy, breaking up, coping with the death of a child, and many more varied subjects, which will all help you find inner peace.
12. The Book of Questions by Pablo Neruda
Pablo Neruda is a poet who has an entire book of questions to help you find inner peace through deep thinking and self-exploration. This book challenges you to ask questions you might not have answers to and forces you to exist and eventually find comfort when answers are not provided for you.
13. Jonathan Livingston Seagull: The Complete Edition by Richard Bach
In order to find inner peace, you need to know where you belong in the world, and this book will help you know where you belong, which will lead to achieving inner peace. This book on finding your inner peace by Richard Bach is a tale about a seagull who decided to break the rules and fly higher than ever before.
It is a book that will inspire you to reach new and seemingly impossible heights.
14. The Pearl by John Steinbeck
This is a classic novella that might cause one to shed few tears, but it’s a worthwhile price to pay for some tranquillity of mind. The Pearl puts your fears and desires for material things to rest and proves that love and family count for so much more, and as long as you have love and family, you have it all.
15. Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman’s Search for Everything Across Italy, India, and Indonesia by Elizabeth Gilbert
I believe that when finding your own sense of inner peace seems hard, reading another person’s story about how they found their own, might help a lot. And if you fall under this category, Elizabeth Gilbert’s memoir is the best guide for you.
Her memoir talks about love, loss, identity, acceptance, and basically everything that defines a person’s inner peace.
16. The Tao of Inner Peace by Diane Dreher
In this book, Diane Dreher makes use of the classic Chinese spiritual guide to help people establish inner peace and thereby transform their surroundings.
Although the Tao principles are decades and even centuries old, it still serves the modern world to achieve the same result, which is the search for inner peace, thereby bringing about positive change.
17. Little Book of Inner Peace by Ashley Davis Bush
This book on finding your inner peace helps you develop the art of letting go of everyday stresses, which leads to finding inner peace.
The book highlights the benefits of mindfulness and meditation in order to express gratitude, compassion, creativity, and relaxation in our everyday life.
18. The Practice by Barb Schmidt
This book was written for those who have a busy schedule and feel they do not have adequate time to embark on the search for inner peace.
Barb Schmidt provides simple techniques that require only a few minutes a day, which will help people achieve inner peace, irrespective of their busy lives.
19. Steps to Finding Inner Peace and Happiness: How to Find Peace and Happiness within Yourself and Live Freely by Mike McCallister
In this book, you will find how to decongest your space, relationships, and mind to leave room for brighter days ahead.
20. 10 Secrets for Success and Inner Peace by Dr. Wayne W. Dyer
This book was written to help us reconsider what truly defines success. Dr Wayne Dyer makes use of 10 principles to help us identify our inner flame or rather our true desires, which will help us live a deeper and richer life.
Conclusion
These books on finding inner peace will serve as a guide for you in your quest to achieve inner peace. Leave a comment below if you find them worthwhile, or would like to share a journey about how you found your inner peace.
