8 Books That Changed My Life (And Might Change Yours Too)

I’ll be honest. When I first heard about personal development books, I rolled my eyes. Self-help? No thanks. I thought I didn’t need them, that I could figure life out on my own. But then I picked up You Are A Badass by Jen Sincero, and everything changed.

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That book cracked me open. It made me see that the way I was thinking, acting, and showing up in the world wasn’t serving me. And once I got a taste of what was possible when I shifted my mindset? There was no going back..

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Personal development is like your first pair of readers after 40. You didn’t realize how blurry things had gotten until you put them on, and suddenly, the fine print of life comes into focus. You’re not just seeing better, you’re thinking clearer and moving through life with more intention.

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So, if you're looking for books that can challenge, inspire, and push you to grow, here are:

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8 books that changed my life, and might just change yours too.

1. The Happiness Advantage by Shawn Achor (One of my all-time favorites!)

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Discover why feeling good first is the real secret to achieving big goals.

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We’ve all been conditioned to think that success leads to happiness, but this book flips that idea on its head. Achor explains how happiness actually fuels success, not the other way around. It’s packed with research, but don’t worry, it’s not a dry read.,

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What I love most about this book is how practical it is. Achor doesn’t just tell you happiness is important, he gives you actual tools to bring more of it into your daily life. It helped me reframe the way I approach challenges, stress, and even my workouts.

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Big Takeaway:
Happiness isn’t something you find after achieving success. It’s what helps you get there in the first place.

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2. You Are A Badass by Jen Sincero (The book that started it all for me!)

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Break free from self-doubt and start building a life you’re obsessed with.
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This is the book that introduced me to personal development. At first, I resisted it, thinking, What could a self-help book possibly teach me? But within a few pages, I was hooked.

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Sincero’s no-BS, funny, and relatable approach made me realize that my own self-doubt was holding me back. She breaks down how our thoughts shape our reality and how we can shift our mindset to create the life we want. It wasn’t just inspiring, it was a wake-up call.

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Big Takeaway:
You can create the life you want, but you have to believe in yourself first.

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3. Atomic Habits by James Clear (A must-read for building better habits!)

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Tiny changes done daily can snowball into unstoppable success.

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This book is a game-changer when it comes to making lasting changes in your life. Clear breaks down the science of habit formation in a way that makes sense and, more importantly, is doable.

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Instead of focusing on big, overwhelming goals, he teaches you how to make small, daily improvements that add up over time. Whether it’s fitness, nutrition, productivity, or mindset, this book will help you build habits that stick.

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Big Takeaway:
Success isn’t about motivation. It’s about systems. The smallest actions, repeated consistently, create massive results.

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Sound familiar? Ever picked up a book that cracked something wide open for you too?

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4. The Energy Bus by Jon Gordon

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Protect your energy like your life depends on it, because it kinda does.

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Ever feel like you’re just drained all the time? Like, no matter what you do, you’re exhausted? This book is all about taking control of your energy, who you let into your life, how you handle negativity, and how to show up with enthusiasm. It’s told in a story format, which makes it an easy read but super impactful.

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Big Takeaway:
Energy is contagious, so protect yours fiercely and surround yourself with people who lift you up.

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5. What Happened to You? by Oprah Winfrey & Dr. Bruce Perry

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Understanding your past is the first step to healing your future.

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This book is deep. It explores how our early experiences shape the way we move through the world; our relationships, our self-worth, our ability to handle stress. Instead of asking, What’s wrong with me? it challenges us to ask, What happened to me? It’s powerful, eye-opening, and incredibly healing.

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Big Takeaway:
Your past doesn’t define you, but understanding it can help you move forward with more self-compassion.

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6. Can’t Hurt Me by David Goggins

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You’re capable of way more than you think, you’re just getting started.

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If you ever need a serious dose of motivation, this is the book. David Goggins’ story is unreal; he overcame childhood trauma, poverty, and failure to become one of the toughest endurance athletes and Navy SEALs. He doesn’t sugarcoat anything, and this book will make you want to push yourself harder than you ever thought possible.

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Big Takeaway:
Your mind is way stronger than you think. Most people quit at 40% of their potential, what if you pushed past that?

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7. The Compound Effect by Darren Hardy

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Small daily choices = massive life changes (even if they don’t feel dramatic at first).

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Want to change your life? It starts with the smallest habits. This book shows how little daily actions, things that seem insignificant in the moment, add up over time to create massive results. It applies to everything: fitness, finances, mindset, relationships. If you’re feeling stuck, this book will show you how to shift, one tiny step at a time.

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Big Takeaway:
Big success isn’t about giant leaps, it’s about small, consistent actions over time.

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8. The Go-Giver by Bob Burg & John David Mann (Another all-time favorite!)

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Success flows to those who lead with service, kindness, and value.

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This book is a must-read, especially if you’re building a business, growing a brand, or just trying to be a better person. It flips the traditional "get ahead" mindset and teaches that the secret to success is giving: helping, serving, and bringing value to others.

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What I love most about this book is how simple yet powerful the message is: the more you give, the more you receive in return. It completely changed the way I look at success, business, and relationships.

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Big Takeaway:
The key to success isn’t taking, it’s giving. The more you help others, the more opportunities come your way.

5 Big Takeaways to Remember:

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Before you dive into your next book, here are five truths that I learned as a woman over 40 that helped me stay consistent with my motivation and build a foundation in midlife that actually lasts.

• Growth gets easier (and way more powerful) when you have the right mindset tools.
  
• Small daily shifts create massive, life-changing results over time.
  
• Healing your past can open the door to a stronger, more confident future.
  
• Protecting your energy and mindset is non-negotiable after 40.
  
• Helping others and leading with kindness can actually accelerate your own success.

Ready to Change Your Life?

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These books have completely reshaped the way I think, act, and move through life. If you’re looking for a spark, pick one (or all) of them up, you never know which one will be the exact thing you need to hear.

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Feeling inspired to not just grow your mind but also your strength? Check out Fitness After 40: How I Rebuilt My Strength During Perimenopause because confidence isn't just a mindset, it's a muscle too.

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Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and make a purchase.

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