Awaken Your Inner Goddess (5 best personal development books)

by Miriam Schulman
5 best books on personal self-development http://schulmanart.blogspot.com/2015/12/awaken-your-inner-goddess-5-best.html
Now I have a little confession... so far I have shared all the books I have read-- with my eyes. But the following 5 books I did not read. I listened to them on audio. In fact, I drove my children absolutely bananas since I decided that they needed to listen to them too as we drove around from place to place. I figured maybe Tony Robbins or Jack Canfield could get my son to do his homework or my daughter to believe in her dreams.

Positive vibes allows creativity to flourish


I listened to these books in my car, on my walks and in my studio as I created art. My studio time is the ideal time for me to listen to books since the audio allows me to turn off the inner critic as I work. It keeps the dialogue in my mind positive and the good energetic vibes allows my creativity to flourish.

Here is a round up of the five best books I listened to this year on personal self-development.


The Power Rhonda Byrne


“Turn away from the things you don't love and don't give them any feeling, because they are fine as they are but they have no place in your life.” ― Rhonda Byrne
takeaway: Use love and forgiveness to banish negativity. (note, I didn;t like all the sound effects in the audio, and perhaps reading this one would have been the better move)

Big Magic Elizabeth Gilbert

“The universe buries strange jewels deep within us all, and then stands back to see if we can find them.” ― Elizabeth Gilbert
"Create whatever causes a revolution in your heart.”― Elizabeth Gilbert (tweet this)
“Because the truth is, I believe that creativity is a force of enchantment—not entirely human in its origins.” ― Elizabeth Gilbert
Takeaway: I loved this book. She has a wonderful speaking voice and I would just let her encouraging words wash over me as I painted. You can learn more about this book in How to Live YOUR most Creative Life

Rising Strong Brené Brown

 “Compassionate people ask for what they need. They say no when they need to, and when they say yes, they mean it. They're compassionate because their boundaries keep them out of resentment.” ― Brené Brown
“People who wade into discomfort and vulnerability and tell the truth about their stories are the real badasses.” ― Brené Brown
“It’s always helpful to remember that when perfectionism is driving, shame is riding shotgun.” ― Brené Brown (tweet this)
Takeaway: There is a lot of overlap in this book as Big Magic which shouldn't be a surprise since the two authors are friends and Gilbert "helped" Brown with the writing of her book. However, where Gilbert's book is grounded in opinion, Brown's is firmly grounded in research. At first I enjoyed listening to Brown's audio with her passionate Texan accent and her voice cracking with emotion... but by the end that grew tiresome and I wish I could just read her words in my own inner voice. Still- great life lessons are found in this book.

personal note: I gave this book and Big Magic to my brother and sister-in-law who are writers living out in Los Angeles and my brother said he couldn't wait to dive into Brown's book. That pleased me since I thought the book might be a bit "girly" for him and thought my sister-in-law would be the one to enjoy it more.

Awaken the Giant Within Anthony Robbins

“When you are grateful, fear disappears and abundance appears.” ― Anthony Robbins (tweet this)
“The path to success is to take massive, determined action.” ― Anthony Robbins (tweet this)

“It's not what we do once in a while that shapes our lives. It's what we do consistently.”― Anthony Robbins (tweet this)

“Focus on where you want to go, not on what you fear.”― Anthony Robbins (tweet this)
Takeaway: Write down you goals and visualize them to gain confidence that they will happen. And yes, this is a good audio to force your teenage son to listen to...

The Success Principles Jack Canfield


“What others think about you is none of your business.” ― Jack Canfield (tweet this)

“If you get clear on the what, the how will be taken care of.”― Jack Canfield (tweet this)

“Success consists of going from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm.” ― Jack Canfield (tweet this)
Takeaway: Lots of similarities between this book and Robbins, but this book has lots of action steps which is helpful as well as lots of anecdotes and stories whereas Robbins focuses mostly on his own experience.

Other blog posts you might like


 

In Case We Haven't Met Yet...

artist Miriam Schulman in her art studio www.schulmanart.comHello! I'm Miriam Schulman and I create mixed media art to tell stories. I also teach other people how to craft their stories with art. I give them the techniques they need to get the results they desire which brings more joy to their lives. 




My art has been published by Somerset Studio, Art of Man and the New York Times among others and collected by an international audience. When I'm not working on art in my studio, you'll find me in a museum spending time with friends or family. Explore my art at SchulmanArt.com or join the fun at TheInspirationPlace.net


Now I want to hear from you... have you read any of these books? Which would you love to read next?

Back to Art Blog for The Inspiration Place