8 Life-Changing Books to Read to Build Your Dream Life
Books one by far one of the most helpful tools that I came across when I started building my dream life (which I why they are a key part of my Dream Life toolkit!). The best self help books contain tons of helpful tips and tricks that can help you to develop the habits, routines and mindset that you will need to achieve the life of your dreams.
I’ve read over 50 self help and psychology books in my time - and there are still plenty more to read! In this post, I wanted to share my 8 favourite books to read that could help you to build your dream life.
If you’re after a more comprehensive list, check out my complete list of 100 self improvement books.
1. The Dream Life Journal
Imagine having a personal coach guiding you to articulate and pursue your dreams. The Dream Life journal is an interactive book that guides you through a 27-step plan to become the best version of yourself and turn your dreams into reality.
This book is the best option for people who get a little bored (because we all do sometimes!) reading self-help books and would prefer a hands-on approach.
The Dream Life journal comes packed with over 200 journal prompts and daily activities to help you to achieve personal growth and get closer to unlocking your dream life.
How it could help you to build your dream life:
Self-Discovery: Through thought-provoking prompts, this journal encourages deep reflection, helping you uncover your true passions and desires.
Actionable Steps: Each chapter offers exercises that transform abstract dreams into concrete plans, making your aspirations attainable.
Consistency: Regular journaling fosters commitment, keeping you aligned with your goals and motivated to pursue them.
Actionable takeaway: Dedicate 10 minutes each morning to journaling. Reflect on your goals, visualize your dream life, and outline small steps to get closer to it. Consistent reflection can lead to significant transformations.
2. Atomic Habits by James Clear
Ever wondered why some habits stick while others don’t? James Clear’s Atomic Habits delves into the science of habit formation, offering a framework to build good habits and break bad ones.
This is a great book to read if you often find yourself being held back by unhelpful habits.
How you can use the teaching in Atomic Habits to build your dream life :
Small Changes, Big Results: The book emphasizes that tiny, consistent changes can lead to remarkable results over time.
The Four Laws of Behavior Change: Clear introduces a simple set of rules for creating good habits and breaking bad ones.
Make it Obvious: Identify and clearly define the habits you want to develop.
Make it Attractive: Associate positive feelings with the habit to increase its appeal.
Make it Easy: Simplify the habit to reduce friction in performing it.
Make it Satisfying: Ensure there’s a rewarding feeling associated with completing the habit.
Actionable Tip: Start with a habit so small it’s hard to say no. For example, if you want to start reading more, begin with just one page a day. Gradually increase as the habit becomes ingrained.
3. Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
A timeless classic, Think and Grow Rich explores the mindset and principles that lead to personal and financial success.
Although its doesn’t make the world go round, money is a key part of unlock opportunities and experience that may form part of your dream life.
How this book can help you to build your dream life.
Definiteness of Purpose: Hill emphasizes the importance of having a clear, specific goal as the starting point for success.
Mastermind Principle: Surrounding yourself with like-minded individuals can provide support, ideas, and motivation.
Persistence: The book teaches that unwavering persistence in pursuing your goals is crucial, even in the face of obstacles.
Actionable Tip: Write down your primary goal and read it aloud every morning and night. This practice reinforces your commitment and keeps your objective at the forefront of your mind.
4. The Secret by Rhonda Byrne
The Secret introduces the concept of the Law of Attraction, suggesting that positive thinking can manifest positive outcomes in your life.
This was one of the first self-help books that I read and still stands as one of my all-time favourites! You either walk away mind-blown or decide that it isn’t your thing at the start - there’s no harm in giving it a try!
Here are some of the ways that it can help you to achieve your dreams:
Mindset Shift: Encourages focusing on what you want rather than what you don’t, promoting a positive outlook.
Visualization: Teaches the power of visualizing your goals as already achieved to attract them into your reality.
Gratitude: Highlights the importance of being grateful for what you have, which can attract more abundance.
Actionable Tip: Create a vision board with images and words representing your goals. Place it somewhere you’ll see daily to keep your aspirations vivid in your mind.
5. Make Your Bed by Admiral William H. McRaven
Based on a commencement speech that went viral, Make Your Bed shares life lessons learned from Navy SEAL training.
The lessons shared in this book are a bit different from the usual (if not cringey!) self-help gurus. This makes it a great option for people who don’t get on with traditional self-help books.
How the teachings can help you to achieve your dream life:
Start Small: Emphasizes that accomplishing simple tasks, like making your bed, can build momentum for tackling larger challenges.
Resilience: Offers insights into overcoming adversity and staying persistent in the face of difficulties.
Discipline: Highlights the importance of discipline in achieving success and maintaining order in life.
Actionable Tip: Begin each day by making your bed. This simple act can instill a sense of accomplishment and set a positive tone for the rest of the day.
6. Manifest by Roxie Nafousi
Manifest serves as a guide to attracting the life you desire through self-development and the law of attraction.
I like this book because it is actionable - you walk away with simple tips that you can implement into your daily life.
How the teachings can help you:
Self-Belief: Encourages cultivating unwavering belief in yourself as a foundation for manifesting your desires.
Clarity: Assists in clearly defining what you want to attract into your life.
Alignment: Teaches aligning your thoughts, feelings, and actions with your desired outcomes.
Actionable Tip: Practice daily affirmations that resonate with your goals. For instance, say, “I am worthy of achieving my dreams,” to reinforce self-belief.
7. Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life by Héctor García and Francesc Miralles
Ikigai explores the Japanese concept of finding purpose and joy in life, which can lead to fulfillment and longevity.
This is one of the most wholesome books on the list and is a must-read for anyone who feels a bit unfulfilled.
What the book teaches:
Purpose Discovery: Guides you in identifying the intersection of what you love, what you’re good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for.
Balance: Emphasizes the importance of balancing various aspects of life to achieve harmony and satisfaction.
Actionable Tip: Create a personal “Ikigai Venn Diagram” by listing your passions, talents, and values, and see where they overlap. This can help you pinpoint your purpose and align your daily actions with it.
8. Good Vibes, Good Life by Vex King
Vex King’s Good Vibes, Good Life is all about prioritizing self-love and positive energy to create a fulfilling life. It’s a feel-good read that you can pick up whenever you have an extra 5 minutes to spare - making it a great option for busy moms and business owners!
The book covers several useful areas that will help you to build you dream life:
Self-Love: The book teaches you to embrace self-care, set boundaries, and let go of toxic relationships.
Energy Awareness: It explains how the energy you radiate influences the opportunities and people you attract.
Manifestation: Offers practical tips for harnessing the power of positive energy to bring your dreams to life.
Actionable Tip: Identify one habit that drains your energy (e.g., overthinking or social media scrolling). Replace it with a positive habit, such as journaling or taking a daily walk in nature, to protect your vibe.
My Favourite Audiobook Platforms (Get Unlimited Books in One Place)
Sometimes, you don’t have the time to sit and read. That’s where audiobooks come in.
Here are my top picks for accessing great reads on the go.
1. Audible
With a massive library and monthly credits, Audible is a must-have for audiobook lovers. Whether you’re commuting or working out, you can listen to your favorite books anytime, anywhere.
Bonus: They offer free trials, so you can explore a few books before committing.
2. Blinkist
Blinkist condenses non-fiction books into 15-minute summaries. It’s perfect for getting the key insights from books like Atomic Habits or Think and Grow Rich in a fraction of the time.
Pro Tip: Use Blinkist to preview books and decide if you want to dive into the full version.
How to Use a Reading Journal to Make the Most of Your Reading Practice
Reading is great, but how much do you actually retain?
A reading journal can help you absorb lessons and turn inspiration into action. This was a gamechanger in my own self improvement journey and is a brilliant life hack for anyone who struggles to put what they learn int practice.
Steps to Start a Reading Journal:
Summarize Key Takeaways: After finishing a book, jot down the main lessons you learned.
Reflect: Write about how the book’s ideas apply to your life.
Set Goals: Turn insights into actionable steps. For example, after reading Atomic Habits, you might create a new morning routine.
Track Progress: Revisit your journal to see how the books you’ve read have shaped your life over time.
Next Steps
So, there you have it—eight incredible books to help you design the life of your dreams. Whether you’re working on habits, mindset, or purpose, there’s something on this list for everyone.
Start with one book that resonates most with where you are right now. Maybe it’s Atomic Habits if you want to create lasting changes or Ikigai if you’re searching for purpose.
Remember, transformation doesn’t happen overnight. But with the right tools, consistency, and a little faith in yourself, you’ll be amazed at how far you can go.
