Our Recommendation: Books for Personal Growth

“Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body” —Richard Steele

Reading is life altering. Not only does it expand your knowledge and open your mind to new possibilities, it changes your perspective, reduces stress, improves your memory, helps you make more informed choices and push through your perceived limitations to take action and control the direction of your life.

We asked our Academy Director Sherelle French,  expert Educators and staff to give you their books for personal growth recommendations …

Sherelle French (Director) – 
The Power of Now – Eckhart Tolle
“I was inspired to stop living in the past and placing such a high priority on the future, waiting for special things to happen.  I learnt that the true joy of living is to appreciate the now and what is happening in the present day.  Life is what is happening now.”

Who stole my cheese – Spencer Johnson
“This simple little book has a powerful message about not dwelling on past failures and to embrace change and difficult situations as this is where the most rewarding growth can come from.”

Feel the fear and do it anyway – Susan Jeffers
“This is a small book that really challenges you to push through fears that you have and naturally can restrict us in life.  It shows how all people feel fear and it helped me realise that it was natural and a part of the creative process of dreaming big and making it happen”

Women, Work and the Art of Savoir Faire – Mireille Guiliano
“This is a great book that gives practical advice on how to be a woman in today’s world.  I love the French philosophy of living a well balanced life and in this book. Mireille  draws on her experiences to give practical advice useful for both your work and private life.”

Angie Gaffney (Director, Luxury Brand) –
Loveability by Rober Holden PH.D.
“I discovered a whole new meaning of self-love and understood even better those around me. I have found investing in learning and growing in the knowledge about yourself and others is so rewarding and makes for a more joyful and love filled life.”

Amelda Webster (Makeup Educator) –
Light is the New Black by Rebecca Campbell
“Campbell quotes 13th century Sufi poet and mystic Rumi…”You wander from room to room. Hunting for the diamond necklace. That is already around your neck” It reminds me of Glinda the Good Witch in The Wizard of Oz telling Dorothy that “the magic was in you the whole time”. We doubt ourselves, we think we aren’t enough….but we have more inner strength than we realise, we are precious. We are more than enough!”

Taegan Reid (Brand Manager) –
Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom
“Beautiful, soulful, thought provoking and filled with the big lessons on how to live shared to a young man by his dying mentor, this book changed my life. A reminder to chase purpose and meaning and that love always wins.”

We’ve also compiled a list of books for you to read, refer to and return to, over and over again….

Books for Personal Growth

• The Power of Now – Eckhart Tolle
• The Secret – Rhonda Dyrne
• Women Who Run with the Wolves – Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estes
• A Course in Miracles – Marianne Williamson
• The Four Agreements – Miguel Ruiz
• The Alchemist – Paulo Coelho
• The Power of Positive Thinking – Norman Vincent Peale
• The Five People You Meet in Heaven – Mitch Albom
• The Artists Way – Julia Cameron
• Not That Kind of Girl – Lena Dunham
• The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourself – Michael A. Singer
• Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You’re Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are – Brene Brown
• Mindset – Carol Dweck
• The Happiness Project – Gretchen Rubin
• Who Moved My Cheese? – Spencer Johnson

Books for Business Growth

• Rich Dad, Poor Dad – Robert T. Kiyosaki
• The Four-Hour Work Week  – Timothy Ferris
• The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People – Stephen Covey
• Big Magic – Elizabeth Gilbert
• The Dynamic Laws of Prosperity – Catherine Ponder

If you’re not an avid reader, we suggest looking at audio-books, perfect for your commute to work, plane trip, walk on the beach or whilst having your morning coffee.