HopeFul Reflections

These books on self improvement are not in a particular order, I love all of them. I’d give them to any of my friends in search of good self-improvement and motivational content. Of course, the work is theirs to complete. I like these books for their utility, their insights, and how practical they are.

Ego is the Enemy

by Ryan Holiday

I read this book before I started medical residency. I knew I was going to be caring for sick and dying patients as a new doctor and I was unbelievably stressed about the experience. I read this book and it truly helped me reframe my struggles as learning experiences. I reinvented my mediocrity and nurtured it until it became success. Often times in our self-improvement and personal development journey’s our egos light flames for our glorious dreams but they also make us avoid even the scent of failure. In order to grow we must be humble and seek growth more than we seek pride.

Man’s Search for Meaning

by Viktor E. Frankl

This is an incredibly heavy book written by a psychologist and holocaust survivor. This incredible story covered the thoughts that helped the author overcome one of history’s greatest tragedies. The author provides great insights about how to endure hard times and what causes man to persevere. Things such as human connection, memories of loved ones, and our own human traits are highlighted and emphasized to define how we as people persist.

Be Useful: Seven Tools for Life

by Arnold Schwarzenegger

This book had a series of tools which felt almost cookie-cutter but in a good way. When things work they work and there is no need to try to reinvent the wheel. This book lays out basic principles for growth and is written by a man who climbed mountains in three different fields; bodybuilding, film, and government. If you wonder if the wisdom works, look at the author and decide.

Can’t Hurt Me

by David Goggins

The author is pretty famous, but if you don’t know here is a brief summary. Coming from an abusive home and facing all types of discrimination and demotivation, David Goggins transformed himself into a pillar of self-mastery and now inspires millions with his message and continued pursuit of self-discipline. The book covers his journey, which by itself is amazing, but it also has what the author decided are helpful practices as the end of each chapter.

The White Coat Investor

by James M. Dahle

This one is a little different. This is a book about managing your finances. When I started dating my girlfriend I realized that I knew I wanted to marry her and so that meant I needed to get my business in order. How can you live your life without getting your finances in order. Self-improvement and self development are things you think of when all else is fine in my opinion. I needed to learn how to save, to invest, and to be secure so I could feel free to focus on myself.

You all are in my thoughts and prayers.

Note: All pictures are screenshots of the audiobooks in my audible library except for the White Coat Investor which was a screenshot of the book in my kindle library. I do not own the content of the books and am not associated with the authors. I am using the images for commentary.

-JG