11 Best Books to Improve Willpower and Self Discipline
Self discipline isn’t a natural characteristic we are born with. It’s something that most people try to develop over many years.
In order to cultivate self-discipline, you definitely need internal and external factors and specific steps to come to play. One of the essential steps is the studying process which can be most effectively done with the help of professional literature. What is the best book on self-discipline? What are the best authors you should pay attention to? In this post, we suggest some great books worth reading to develop self discipline and increase your productivity. Let’s dive into the brief reviews!
11 Books on Self Discipline
1. Eat that Frog! by Brian Tracy
This best-selling self-development book that was translated into more than 23 languages provides the 21 most effective methods for conquering procrastination and accomplishing more.
The methods proposed by the author teaches us how to keep technology from dominating our time. Brian Tracy shares simple and clear suggestions for streamlining effectiveness and maximizing our productivity.
Why did he title the book in such a way? Eat That Frog! means completing the biggest and ugliest task we may have on a plate any day. In fact, this book is a good helper if you want to structure your day. Cross off the most important to-dos and to feel accomplished even when you can’t get to less-important tasks.
2. No Excuses: The Power of Self-Discipline by Brian Tracy
No Excuses is a great starting point in case you are ambitious, just finishing up your studying, or about to get started in the working world.
The main idea of the book is that talent and luck are wonderful, but they will not get you as far as self-discipline will. No Excuses covers different areas of life diving into a different component and explaining how you can be more disciplined. You will also get some exercises at the end of each chapter so you can act instead of just read.
The author tried his best to create a masterpiece that is able to help you realize the value self-discipline plays in just about every area of our life.
3. The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg
Another enjoyable book on self-discipline is The Power of Habit written by the Pulitzer Prize-winning business reporter Charles Duhigg. He shares the thrilling scientific discoveries that explain why habits exist and how they can be changed.
All readers will find useful advice about how to change at least some of their bad habits. The author describes that the key to exercising regularly, losing weight, being more productive, and achieving success is understanding how habits work. According to Duhigg, the science of habits can really help to transform our businesses, our communities, and our lives.
4. Essential Zen Habits: Mastering the Art of Change by Leo Babauta
Essential Zen Habits helps readers to change their habits at a time and deal with life’s frustrations, resistance, unhappiness, and uncertainty. Many readers mark it as the most gentle guide to forming good habits.
Leo Babauta proposes simple but powerful instructions, without long explanations or stories. He shares a special method and a six-week program aimed to change habits that outlines specific steps to quit bad habits and find mindfulness. You will find only what you need to implement changes.
5. Mastery by Robert Greene
Mastery can be thought of as the unique way every person can fully actualize his/her potential for greatness and enjoy a fulfilling life. The book covers a wide range of ideas that are gathered around what it takes to become a master. It’s about becoming a master of your craft, your job, a master of your life.
Achieving mastery is a lot of work but it is also the way to a flourishing life. The author share brilliant ideas and strategies that can improve the process for those willing to expend the effort.
If you feel that your job is just “so-so,” and you’re lacking a sense of purpose in your life, this book will help you seriously and will make you better use the time you have to live.
6. The Practicing Mind by Thomas M. Sterner
If you are going to make new resolutions or set global goals for yourself you should read this book. It is full of fresh and creative ways of thinking about goals achievement and may serve to provide you with fresh motivation.
Thomas Sterner has presented to us his masterpiece – a much-needed book on the often-overlooked science and art of practice. The author makes a strong case for the importance mindset plays on how self-disciplined we are. He refers to his personal experiences with piano lessons, mastering golf, and book writing, using the practicing mind process. This book will show you that with the right awareness and mindset, you can better master just about anything.
7. The Compound Effect by Darren Hardy
People all over the world often name The Compound Effect the manifesto for self-discipline. Darren Hardy really knows about success and self-discipline as he is a serial entrepreneur, multi-millionaire, former publisher, and the author of best selling- books.
The book is basically based on the principle that small everyday decisions will either take you to the life you desire or to disaster by default. Reading this book, you will not find special gimmicks or a magic bullet, but you will learn some fundamental principles that have guided the most phenomenal achievements in business, relationships, and beyond. Multiply your success, chart progress, and reach your desires together with this wonderful book.
8. The Willpower Instinct by Kelly McGonigal
This book written by Kelly McGonigal explains the science of self-control and the ways how it can be utilized to improve our happiness, health, and productivity.
The Willpower Instinct will be helpful for anyone who is interested in learning how to achieve their goals more effectively. The author breaks down a large body of scientific researches and shows that awareness of the limits of willpower is crucial to our ability to exercise true self-control.
Reading the book, you will also get the cutting-edge insights from economics, psychology, neuroscience, and medicine. The Willpower Instinct will lead you to better decisions and better results.
9. The Master Key to Riches
This motivational book deserves concentration and thought, and if you read it carefully, you will be rewarded.
The Master Key to Riches is based on the Andrew Carnegie formula for money-making. Every chapter of the book provides insight on insight into the habits and types of efforts that are required for you to achieve more in life.
The book describes the step-by-step details of today’s greatest practical philosophy of success. This philosophy helps readers to understand how to succeed in any walk of life.
10. The War of Art by Steve Pressfield
This short book on self discipline includes capacious chapters that motivate people who are or aspire to be writers or painters or another kind of artist. It can inspire anyone who wants to start exercising or lose weight or quit some addiction.
The book is divided into three sections: Resistance, Combating Resistance, and Beyond Resistance. The War of Art is a lightweight guide for creative people. However, even if you are not an artist, author, or entrepreneur, it will help you to realize the struggle to create is real, but that it can be conquered.
11. The Marshmallow Test: Mastering Self-Control by Walter Mischel
Walter Mischel produced his first book at the age of 84. The Marshmallow Test became an instant media sensation in 2014.
The Marshmallow Test was first carried out at Stanford University. The author reminds readers of the wide variation in human behavior and acknowledges that the occasional lapse in self-control could be good.
You will clearly understand how to master self-control in everyday life, from weight control to quitting smoking.
