Best Self-Help Books for Men
It’d be foolish to pretend that a self-help manual can fix your life and solve all your problems.
As with most things, sometimes they’re useful, and sometimes they’re not. I’ve read a few in my time that were lazily written, patronizing, and even downright insulting.
But I’ve also read some that have genuinely changed my life.
Seriously.
No two people are the same. Different books will affect different people in different ways.
But a quality book cannot be ignored.
I know for sure that some of these inspirational books helped me to improve as a person (even if only by a little).
Maybe they’ll do the same for you.
1.You Are a Badass
We start with the book that has the coolest name.
This book is useful, no doubt. But, above all, it’s hilarious.
It doesn’t take itself too seriously and it’s fully aware of how embarrassing some dudes find this whole self-help thing.
The exercises, suggestions, and stories are all as interesting and thought-provoking as they are funny.
2. Eat That Frog!
Another book with a title that really stands out.
It comes from the old Mark Twain quote, “Eat a live frog first thing in the morning and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day.” That kind of makes sense when you think about it.
The core message is one that’s worth remembering. Do the things you normally put off first. Get them out of the way and enjoy the rest of your schedule.
It’s not revolutionary, but it’s a quick and concise read. Perfect if you’re in need of a productivity boost.
3. The Antidote
If you’re still pretty skeptical about the whole self-help thing, this is the guide for you.
The author argues that trying to make yourself happy often has the reverse effect. And if you’re not the most positive person, actually embracing negativity can be good for you.
This is required reading for all you cynics out there (but probably one to skip if you’re naturally quite positive).
4. The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up
Now it may seem strange to see a book on this list that’s about cleaning up at home but bear with us.
Kondo explains if you de-clutter your home, you can so much easier de-clutter your brain. Once you do that, your path to self-improvement will be free from obstacles as well.
Added energy, confidence, and motivation will be yours. And if it isn’t, at least your apartment will be nice and tidy.
5. Man’s Search For Meaning
“Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms – to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way…”
Said to you by a friend or therapist, you may nod your head a little. But when it’s written by a Holocaust survivor who oozes amazing advice with every word, you can’t help but sit up and take notice.
Viktor Frankl knows to suffer. And he says it’s an inescapable fact of life.
We just need to get on with it.
6. The Game
Dismissed by some as a creepy book about harassing women, former Rolling Stone journo Neil Strauss’s guide to the ‘Pick-Up Artist’ scene of LA is actually a fascinating insight and expose of the world of male insecurity.
Its ultimate message? Confidence breeds confidence. You’ve gotta fake it ’til you make it.
Oh, and don’t be a creep.
7. Feel The Fear And Do It Anyway
Heights, planes, public speaking, spiders.
We’re all scared of something. And that fear can be debilitating.
In this book, Susan Jeffers—a Ph.D. in Philosophy—argues that accepting and normalizing fear is the only way to overcome it and stop it from holding you back in life.
While some parts are a little simplistic, we found it to be an excellent read overall. It goes beyond just fear and touches on a whole range of ‘ineffectual behaviors’ and how best to overcome them.
It’s a great book to pick up again if you ever get that feeling that something internal is holding you back.
8. The Six Pillars of Self-Esteem
So many male issues are borne of problems with self-esteem.
If you don’t believe that you’re a worthy and capable man, it’s almost impossible to convince others of it.
It may be over two decades old now, but if you suffer from self-confidence issues, this self-help guide from practicing psychotherapist Nathaniel Branden is a must-read.
9. The Four Agreements
Based on the teachings of the ‘Toltec’ tribe from the Aztec-era central Mexico, this philosophical tome might not be the most straightforward book you’ll read this year.
Ruiz’s book is an insight into some of the self-limiting beliefs that hold us back.
Those four agreements of the title?
- Don’t make assumptions.
- Be impeccable with your word.
- Don’t take anything personally.
- And always do your best.
10. 59 Seconds: Change Your Life in Under a Minute
In 59 Seconds, Richard Wiseman argues that self-help books often don’t work. They’re attractive to us because they offer quick fixes to deep-rooted problems.
What’s needed to really fix us is a true examination of one’s self and lots of time and effort spent working at things.
But who has time for all that, right? So Wiseman just peppers the reader with a series of fast but proven ways to help improve themselves just a tiny bit.
And, hey, it all helps.