1. Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman
Kahneman wrote this book with the aim to change the way people think about thinking. He explains how two main systems determine the way we think and make choices – everyday ones and life-changing ones. He explains how we make choices with both of these systems working together. The first acts fast on intuition and emotional response and the second act on a slower logical and deliberate response. He explains how each system works in-depth and when to trust and act on each one. It helps identifies where there might be flaws in our ways of thinking and how to improve them.
2. Predictably Irrational by Dan Ariely
Ariely was an incredibly intelligent and talented American professor of psychology. In this book, he shares his theories and thoughts on our ways of thinking. He explains how our minds can play tricks on us and a lot of things are not as they seem but in fact physiological. It will make you question if you’re really as in control of your thoughts as you think you are. And if we have full control over the decisions in our lives. Many of his theories about thinking are backed up with evidence obtained from a series of many different experiments. He presents groundbreaking research on the human brain and our ways of thinking focusing on expectations, emotions, social norms, and reasoning abilities.
3. The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg
This book explains the power of habit and how we can shape our lives by the habits we adopt. According to Duhigg, creating healthy habits is an important force that each successful human being has managed to master. He wants to help other people regain control over their lives and gives many helpful pieces of advice as a guide to perfecting habits. The book is split into two sections. The first part explains what habits are, what use they are and how powerful they can be. The second helps readers analyse their habits and understand how they affect their everyday life and overall successes. He helps readers envision the habits they need to become the person they want to be and how to get there.
4. Stumbling on Happiness by Daniel Gilbert
Gilbert is a Harvard psychologist who has made groundbreaking research into the study of what makes us truly happy. He gives interesting insights into how people are always making decisions based on what they expect the future to be like. And when it doesn’t go as we expect, we are left disappointed. He steers towards a more healthy approach to making the right choices for yourself. It has many different hilarious anecdotes throughout to show us why/how we are so bad are predicting what will make us happy. Most people will be able to resonate with these stories and have a good laugh!
5. Switch: How to Change Things When Change Is Hard by Chip Heath and Dan Heath
This book predominately focuses on change and how to make it happen. They talk about how hard change can be and how to embrace it. The book doesn’t just give you theories but real-life examples of how these theories have worked for various different people. And how they can help you grow in your personal and business life. Dan Heath shares his findings through research and also teaches you how to implement them. If you’re looking to change your personal habits but can’t seem to stick to them, this book is for you. There are many great takeaways in this book that will help you make the changes you want step by step. His writing is thought-provoking, humorous but most of inspirational.