To ask what is the best self-help book you've ever read and how it changed your life?

[Flamingo1980]

I'm needing a big kick up the bum and to make big, permanent and positive changes in my life and so looking to you gorgeous people for your experiences and recommendations.
I'm currently reading 'The chimp paradox' which is brilliant but when I finish it I would like more books to get me on the right path.
What do you recommend?

How to do everything and be happy by Peter Jones. Was recommended on mn and now I recommend it all over MN. It's really good for helping you work out what you want out of your life, and how you want your life to be. I reread it every summer and make new goals.

Mindfulness
Mark Williams
Has exercises to keep things on track and a cd

The Ribbons are for Fearlessness. Not a self help book but has meant me achieving lots of things I otherwise wouldn't have In the spirit of the book, I will send it to you if you pm me.

Your Best Year Yet is very good and helps you uncover your own strengths and limitations by evaluating your own life. The exercises in it are a revelation!

"He's Just Not That Into You"

What the is normal by Francesca Martinez is brilliant. It really changed the way I see things.

These are brilliant suggestions thank you! I'm on Amazon as we speak!

Does the kon mari book count?
That really has changed my life.

Came on to say the Chimp paradox or Marie Kondo's Life changing magic of tidying - might not seem like self-help but it is life changing!

Shut up, stop whining and get a life by Larry Winget. Sounds harsh and it can be, but made me realise how much stuff I could change for myself. Turned my life around

The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin is mine. Brilliant book and not preachy as it's more of a biography kind of thing of how the author improved her life which serves more as inspiration.

Oh yes and Konmari gets an honourable mention because I haven't finished doing it yet

Definitely the Seven Habits. I still try to 'begin with the end in mind' & 'sharpen my saw' when I can.

The Now Habit: A Strategic Program for Overcoming Procrastination and Enjoying Guilt-Free Play by Neil Fiore
I don't do everything he suggests but I've massively reduced the amount of time I spend getting ready to do things instead of actually doing them, and have more time to do the things I love instead.

Feel the Fear and Do it Anyway. I am an anxious person and typically prone to overthinking.

It really helped with anxiety and panic attacks and I think stopping hiding from what scared me and just getting on with life turned my depression around too.

Feel The Fear changed my life in my twenties. The chapter about having a whole life, with nine sections of equal value, so that when something goes wrong you have eight areas still functioning well is something I'm aware of and teach my DC. They're encouraged to have something they love which they can do alone, something they love which is social, something physical which promotes their good health, something that helps the world, some way to earn money etc.
I have depression and use that to get life back on track when I've been ill. I just sign up to volunteer somewhere, take up some form of sport or exercise, do something sociable every week and something fun alone. It really helps you create a healthy structure if your life has gone off track.

The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren. It stopped me wasting time on things that don't achieve anything. Although it does have a Christian slant to it so don't read if you don't like faith talk

Another vote for He's Just Not That Into You. Essential reading for anyone on the casual dating scene. It's a bit basic in most parts, but that's the beautiful truth of it. Sometimes you just need it spelling out.

However OP, if you've been happily coupled up (or celibate!) for twenty years then it's not for you.

Another vote for the life changing Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway. Read it at a pivotal point in my life 15 years sgo, and it is still valid.

Some of theses sound great, I'll be adding them to my wish list on Amazon, at a bit of a crossroads career wise.

Sorry as I know it gets put up a lot on here but for some months after reading A Fine Balance I didn't even feel like whinging about anything that did change though

"Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus" was good, helped my understanding of other people

"At Last A Life" by Paul David.

For anyone who suffers with anxiety. It changed my brother's life and as someone who also suffers with it, I am reading it now.
It's amazing.

These are all great! I LOVE self-help.

Friendship: My life-changing book was, "How to Win Friends & Influence People". The first section (friendship) has tips that transform how people react to you, instantly.

Dating: The Rules stopped me being a total doormat (my default position).

Dieting: The Scarsdale Diet lopped 3.5 stone off me when I first followed it.

Housework: The Flylady book (Sink Reflections) got my house under control for the first time ever.

Probably not what you're after, but I've been off with depression for a while and two friends independently sent me 'Reasons to stay alive'. I've found it very helpful and funny. I can send you a copy if you want.

Your Money or Your Life is brilliant, as is The Millionaire Next Door. Totally transformed my spending and attitude to money.