Tired of feeling held back?

As a young woman who wants to reach her full potential, breaking down barriers can be a real challenge. You may even wonder why bothering with self-help books in the first place. We all face unique circumstances, but have the same devotion to achieving our goals and striving for personal growth.

Self-help books can provide insight and strategies to jumpstart your journey to success. Whether you’re tackling anxiety, perfectionism, grief, or even finding meaningful work, you’re sure to find effective guidance and encouragement in my go-to list of the best self-help books for young women.

This blog covers 10 of my favorite books that talk about mindset to productivity and everything in between. The best self-help books for young women to reach their potential are:

1. The Secret Thoughts of Successful Women by Valerie Young
2. Everything is Figureoutable by Marie Forleo
3. Mind Your Mindset by Michael Hyatt and Meghan Hyatt Miller
4. How to Get Sh*t Done by Erin Falconer
5. Atomic Habits by James Clear
6. The 12 Week Year by Brian P. Moran and Michael Lennington
7. Uncommon Accountability by Brian P. Moran and Michael Lennington
8. The 80/20 Principle by Richard Koch
9. Getting Things Done by David Allen
10. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey

Let me make it easy for you. I’ll email you all of the Amazon links for each of these 10 books! All you gotta do is click that button below, enter your email, then check your inbox!

 

This blog contains affiliate Amazon links. If you make a purchase using one of my links, then I may receive commission at no additional cost to you.

THE BEST SELF-HELP BOOKS FOR YOUNG WOMEN

There’s definitely no shortage of information available online, and it can be a pickle to navigate through all of the noise and find advice that is truly helpful.

However, there’s many compelling reasons why reading these 10 self-help books can be super beneficial as a young woman. I – a female life coach in her mid-twenties – have personally read and live by every one of these books, plus follow many of the authors on their respective platforms. So I’ve actually felt the power each one can have.

The 4 main reasons you should give these self-help books a read are for:

1. Inspiration and motivation
2. Personal growth
3. Community
4. Accessible and affordable resources

Self-help books are often written by experts or people who have achieved significant success in their field. Many of the authors share their own struggles and challenges, which can make you feel less alone and more understood. Reading their stories and learning from their experiences can be incredibly motivating and help you see your own potential.

Self-help books are also designed to help you grow and develop as an individual. So by reading these books, you can gain a deeper understanding of yourself, your strengths, and your weaknesses. You can also learn new skills and strategies for managing your time, building healthy habits, and overcoming obstacles.

The best part about self-help books is that they’re cheap, especially compared to other forms of education. This makes them a fabulous resource for us ladies who can’t afford all those overpriced self-development platforms and tools.

Plus, the authors typically offer some form of online community and free resources which I’ve always found to be priceless.

Now that you can see why reading these self-help books is worthwhile, let’s dive into the perks of each one!

Before we dive into my 10 fave self-help books, remember to get all of the books’ Amazon links emailed to you! Just click that button below, enter your info, then check your email inbox!

 

THE SECRET THOUGHTS OF SUCCESSFUL WOMEN

BY VALERIE YOUNG, ED.D.

The summer I graduated from college and into the pandemic, my older brother gave this book to me. Since then, I’ve given it to 3 other people and recommend it constantly. It really is that good.

Valerie Young’s book is an eye-opening and empowering read for young women looking to realize their potential. Young interviews dozens of women in various fields, from CEOs to artists, with the goal to reveal the truth behind their own successes.

Through their stories, Young uncovers common threads every successful women shares, such as overcoming self-doubt and embracing risk-taking. The most obvious common thread, though, is that everyone felt like an impostor who’s waiting to be found out.

Two of the most important takeaways from this book are:

1. You’re not an impostor, and you’re not alone in feeling like one.
2. Successful women aren’t born with some inherent talent or skill that sets them apart from others. Instead, they’re regular people who have worked hard and made intentional choices to achieve their goals.

Both of these ideas are incredibly empowering because they mean that anyone can achieve success if they’re willing to put in the effort and make the right choices. Young also gives some tips and tricks to help you overcome impostor syndrome and accomplish anything you want, many of which I use daily.

So, if you feel like a fraud or think that you’ll never make it, The Secret Lives of Successful Women is a must-read. It will inspire you, challenge you, and provide you with the knowledge and tools you need to overcome that impostor in your head, so click on the link above or image below to buy it on Amazon now!

EVERYTHING IS FIGUREOUTABLE

BY MARIE FORLEO

Marie Forleo is my idol!! Reading this book was a turning point for me because it helped me see that there’s always a solution, and sometimes I’m standing in my own way.

Forleo’s book is an excellent read for young women who struggle with self-doubt and procrastination. The book’s central message is that everything can be figured out (aka: figureoutable) / anything is possible if you just put in the work and believe in yourself.

Forleo provides practical advice and strategies for overcoming self-doubt, fear, and other mindset hurdles that stand in the way of your goals.

One of the key takeaways from this book is the importance of having a growth mindset. Forleo encourages her readers to embrace the idea that they can always learn and grow, and that failure is simply a stepping stone to success. She also emphasizes the importance of taking action, even if it’s imperfect, as a way to move forward and make progress.

If you’re a young women looking to boost confidence and move forward, Everything is Figureoutable is a fabulous starting point. It’s an inspiring and actually very fun book that will help you build the skills and mindset you need to succeed, so click above or below buy it on Amazon now!

MIND YOUR MINDSET

BY MICHAEL HYATT & MEGHAN HYATT MILLER

This father-daughter duo’s podcast is one of the first that sparked my productivity-improvement journey years ago, and I’ve read every one of Hyatt’s books since.

Mind Your Mindset is the first book they wrote together, and it only released recently in 2023. I pre-ordered it so was one of the first to get it in the mail, and probably one of the first to finish it since I simply couldn’t put it down once it arrived.

This is a powerful book that focuses on the importance of our mindset in achieving success. It unites mental health and productivity in a way I’ve never seen done before, and offers guidance on how to cultivate a growth mindset and overcome beliefs holding you back – life lessons that I aim to teach others.

One of the key takeaways from this book is the necessity of reframing negative self-talk and limiting beliefs. The authors provide specific strategies for identifying and replacing that critic and judge living in your head, like using affirmations and visualization techniques.

Another essential component of this book is the focus on goal setting and accountability. The authors stress the importance of setting clear goals and developing an action plan to hit them. They also give some tips and tricks for holding better personal accountability and measuring your progress to track your goals.

Any young women trying to improve their mindset and make some big changes should use Mind Your Mindset as a resource since it also has tons of exercises that help you apply what you learn. So click on the link above or the image below to get it on Amazon and to start expanding your mindset now!

HOW TO GET SH*T DONE

BY ERIN FALCONER

Ever heard of pickthebrain.com or LEAFtv? Well Falconer is behind both, so she knows what she’s talking about.

This book has a feminist twist to looking at how to achieve your goals and manage your time effectively. Falconer gives actionable advice on how to prioritize your tasks, overcome procrastination, and boost your daily productivity as a female in this modern era.

One of the key takeaways from this read is how to set defined goals then break them down into smaller, more manageable tasks. Falconer also emphasizes the importance of time blocking, a technique where you schedule specific blocks of time for different tasks and activities.

Another key element of this book is the focus on mindset. Falconer encourages her reader to adopt a growth mindset and embrace failure as a natural part of the learning process. By shifting your perspective and reframing your challenges as opportunities to grow, you can become more resilient and motivated to achieve your goals.

If you’re a young women who struggles with time management or just increasing your productivity in general, How to Get Sh*t Done is your new go-to book. It provides practical strategies and inspiration to help you overcome your obstacles and reach your potential, so get it on Amazon by click above or below now!

ATOMIC HABITS

BY JAMES CLEAR

Known as one of the most popular self-help books out there, Atomic Habits is a must-read for young women looking to make positive changes to their lives.

Clear outlines a science-backed approach to building good habits and breaking bad ones, and all of his tips are actually easy to do. One of the biggest takeaways is the necessity of focusing on small, incremental changes. Clear argues that small changes can add up to significant improvements over time, and that it’s essential to focus on systems and processes rather than just on the results.

Another key aspect of this book is the emphasis on understanding the psychology of habits. Clear explains how habits are formed and broken, plus advice for creating better ones.

As a young women, it’s crucial to develop healthy habits now and create a strong foundation for the rest of your life. So buy Atomic Habits on Amazon here or click the image below and use it as a resource to help you start implementing good habits right away.

Don’t forget that I can email you all of these Amazon links so it’s nice and easy! All you gotta do is click that button below, add your info, then check your email!

THE 12 WEEK YEAR

BY BRIAN P. MORAN & MICHAEL LENNINGTON

Why should you totally forget about yearly planning? This book tells you not only why, but also how.

This book outlines a powerful, unique approach to goal-setting and productivity. The authors argue that instead of setting annual goals, you should focus on achieving goals within a 12-week period (aka a quarter / 3-month period).

One of the key takeaways from this read is the importance of setting and hitting shorter-term goals. The authors explain how focusing on smaller time frames can help us stay motivated and accomplish more significant results in the long run.

Another highlight of this book is the emphasis on measuring progress and holding ourselves accountable. The authors provide advice on how to track progress towards our targets and feel personally responsible for our actions.

Of course you have goals as a young women, so click on the image below or here to get The 12 Week Year on Amazon now and start to achieve more of what matters in less time.

UNCOMMON ACCOUNTABILITY

BY BRIAN P. MORAN & MICHAEL LENNINGTON

Yes, another book book by the same authors!

After they released The 12 Week Year, Moran and Lennington saw the need for a better understanding of the relationship between accountability and productivity. So they wrote Uncommon Accountability which is an excellent book that highlights the importance of accountability in goal achievement.

The book offers practice guidance on how to develop a system of accountability that will help you as an individual and as a team member stay on track. One of the biggest takeaways is the need for an accountability buddy – or someone to hold you responsible. The authors explain how this can be a powerful motivator and trigger to keep you moving towards your goals.

Another key component of this book is the emphasis on taking ownership of your actions and the results of those actions. The authors stress the importance of accepting responsibility for your outcomes, and offer tips for taking steps to improve them.

Building a sense personal accountability and learning how to effectively and respectfully hold other accountable is an absolutely essential life skill that young women should develop. Uncommon Accountability provides a system for taking ownership and improving results, so visit Amazon by clicking on the link or the image below!

THE 80/20 PRINCIPLE

BY RICHARD KOCH

This is a classic book that has made waves in the productivity world because of its groundbreaking insights and contradictory yet effective advice.

Koch offers a powerful perspective on productivity and efficiency, saying that 80% of your results come from only 20% of your actions. This idea is also known as the Pareto Principle, which states that 80% of the effects come from only 20% of the causes.

One of the key takeaways of this book is the realization that you should only focus on the most critical 20% of activities that generate the most significant results. Koch argues that by focusing on these high-impact activities, you can achieve tons more with tons less effort.

Another key aspect of this book is the emphasis on simplification and streamlining. Koch gives some practical advice on how to simplify your life and eliminate non-essential activities that drain your time and energy.

Often times young women are expected to do a little bit of everything, and we often do because we don’t see the harm or don’t say no. So get The 80/20 Principle on Amazon here or below now and find out what you should be focusing on to hit your goals.

GETTING THINGS DONE

BY DAVID ALLEN

Ah, another classic! Often nicknamed GTD, this book provides easy-to-do advice on how to organize your entire life and get more done every day.

Allen outlines a step-by-step system for capturing, organizing, and executing all of the tasks and projects in your life. One of the best tricks in the book is how to capture all of your ideas and tasks in an external system. This allows you to free up mental space and focus on the task at hand without worrying about forgetting something important.

Another effective part is the emphasis on breaking projects down into smaller, actionable steps. By dividing tasks into steps, you can make them feel way more manageable and way less overwhelming.

If you need to boost your productivity, then first improve your organizational systems. Creating a practical process now, as a young women rather than when you’re older, is key to ensure you get more done with less stress throughout your entire life. So buy Getting Things Done on Amazon here or by clicking on the image below, and start implementing the GTD system (or just the parts that work for you) today!

THE 7 HABITS OF HIGHLY EFFECTIVE PEOPLE

BY STEPHEN COVEY

The final book on this self-help reading list is another classic that has paved the improved path for millions of people since the 80’s.

Covey presents a holistic approach to personal development that focuses on building character, relationships, and habits. One of the biggest takeaways from this book is the importance of your character and values. He argues that by developing strong value and principles, you can become more effective and fulfilled in all areas of your life because you’ll have that inner guidance.

Another key component from this book is the emphasis on building strong relationships. Covey provides practical advice on how to communicate effectively, build trust, and collaborate with others to achieve shared goals.

Given how relationship-centric young women’s lives are, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People is a must-read. This book outlines a comprehensive framework for personal development that will push you to become the person you’ve always wanted to be. Start developing your character and relationships by buying it on Amazon using the link above or in the image below today!

CONCLUSION

There really are an endless number of self-help books for young women that can help you reach your full potential and live a more fulfilling life.

Whether you’re struggling with procrastination, self-doubt, or just need a little guidance on how to live your best life, my favorite self-help books can give you the tools you need to overcome these obstacles and thrive.

To have all 10 of these affiliate Amazon links sent straight to your email, click that button below, enter your info, then check your inbox and start shopping!

Remember, personal development is a lifelong journey. And reading self-help books is just one piece of the puzzle! To truly improve your life, you must also take action and implement the lessons you learn.

So if you’re ready to take the first step towards a better future, pick up one of these books today and start reading. With the right mindset and tricks, you can achieve anything you set your mind to!