If you’re trying to make a good start to your year (and looking for books to read this winter) these 11 motivational books are perfect to kickstart your New Year.
Happy New Year!
When it comes down to kicking ourselves into high gear it can honestly be a struggle.
And with the winter months, it can be a trying time for everyone that’s it’s important to stop and smell the roses so to speak. From the cold weather to the holiday stress, to navigating the newness of a new year, winter provides a lot of colder moments than we realize.
Around this time of the year, people have this strong urge to write down their New Year resolutions, but once the going gets tough those resolutions turn into empty vessels. Of course, I believe strongly that we should have goals fueling us, but sometimes we need to read resources that will kickstart our journeys and keep them going.
I think that motivational books should strive to touch on a few points, if not all, but definitely a good number of these:
- sparks creativity
- pushes you toward change
- empowers you to change how you think
- inspires you to take charge of your life (again)
There are a couple of must reads here, but if you think I missed something let me know as I’d love to check it out myself, too.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you.
Table of Adventures
1 // Atomic Habits
If you’re like me, you’re constantly looking for ways to better yourself and I’m sure you’ve heard praises for this first book and for good reason.
The fact of the matter is that we all need help when it comes to cementing the habits in our lives. Maybe we still struggle to wash our face in the evening or we’re really pushing ourselves to go to the gym multiple times a week but it feels daunting.
Well, just like anything else, habits can take some time to build, but with James Clear’s book Atomic Habits by creating tiny changes you can create remarkable results in the habits you currently have and the ones you want to have.
2 // Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life … And Maybe The World
“If you want to change the world, start off by making your bed.”
One of my favorite books is Make Your Bed by retired Admiral William H. McRaven.
A simple and effective book, Admiral McRaven’s book is based on his graduation speech at the University of Texas in 2014 (which you can check out here). It’s the perfect book for someone who is looking for leadership or trying to become a better leader. It’s a book that praises curiosity in the world around us.
If you’re trying to learn how to act/react better to life’s challenges and to accept life’s failures and successes, this book can be the perfect start for you.
Related: 25 Unique New Years Resolutions
3 // How to Sleep
After the last couple of years we have had, it’s important that we all get the rest that we need. Our body repairs itself when we are asleep and it’s integral to brain repair as well.
However, some of us simply struggle to get the proper sleep that we need (or any at all).
One of the best books for winter (because of the long nighttime hours), Dr. Rafael Pelayo’s book How to Sleep is right up your alley if that’s the course of action that you need.
My favorite thing about this book is the straightforward answers to simple questions like “Can I Get By with Less Sleep?” If you’re looking for little frill and more matter-of-fact, this is perfect for you.
4 // The Subtle Art of Not Giving A F*ck
A complete 180 from other happy-go-lucky books, The Subtle Art of Not Giving A F*ck is all about figuring out which things in our lives really matter enough for us to care about. As we round ourselves into a new year it’s a great book for someone who has a lot on their plate (or wants that) and has to figure out what is and isn’t important in their life.
This book is actually on my reading list with titles such as Don’t Try, You Are Not Special, and You’re Wrong About Everything. It’s one of those better books to read when you’re feeling high and mighty and need to be brought down a notch and back to reality.
In Chapter 2 (Happiness is a Problem) there’s a heading called Choose Your Struggle and it reminded of me a principle I take into work every day: choose your own battles – not everything is worth the energy to argue over nor is happiness guaranteed.
5 // Good Vibes, Good Life: How Self-Love Is the Key to Unlocking Your Greatness
lemonade + adventure is all about the personal development of women not only in their day-to-day but in every season. So when we saw Good Vibes, Good Life, I knew I had to recommend it.
Self-care is big, but that also includes self-love. I know that as a woman in her 30s, I have gone through the highs and lows of needing to understand what I need from myself.
“Improving yourself and your life is also self-love because it means you recognize that you deserve more than settling for mediocrity.”
If you’re looking to inundate yourself in everything positivity, Vex King’s book is all about good vibes only, after all, Vex started the Good Vibes Only movement #gvo “to use the power of positivity to transform themselves and their lives into something greater.”
Related: 8 Great Personal Growth Podcasts You’re Sure to Enjoy
6 // More Than Enough: Claiming Space for Who You Are (No Matter What They Say)
Whether you’re starting this new year looking to lose weight, trying to bring more positivity into your life, or trying to up your leadership game, More Than Enough is the book for those who want to take up space in their lives for themselves.
As women we are taught to make ourselves as small as possible but Elaine Welteroth says heck no to that (and I wholeheartedly agree). As a Goodreads Choice Awards nominee, More Than Enough, this book is great if you’re looking for encouragement, words of wisdom, and looking for lessons on perseverance and courage.
7 // Lead from the Outside: How to Build Your Future and Make Real Change
Politics aside, Stacey Abrams’ book Lead from the Outside is all about facing challenges head-on as an outsider.
Personally, I have struggled being the outsider in a lot of settings. For example, I started a new job working at a boarding school where I don’t understand the culture and politics of being a “boardie.” Because I am in a position of leadership, it’s important that I understand how to lead my team with grace, poise, and grit when the days get tough.
Stacey brings that to the pages of her book in such a relatable sense that it’s hard not to feel like you’re in her shoes and she in yours. So, if you’re trying to become a better leader in any capacity, give this book a try.
8 // Drop the Ball: Achieving More by Doing Less
As women, we are taught to take care of everything in the home and the children rearing. Eye roll.
This book by Tiffany Dufu is an exemplary example of “dropping the ball” on the things that no longer bring you joy and don’t lend themselves to a greater purpose in your future. It’s all about my own philosophy here at lemonade + adventure – women can have it all through every season.
If you’re someone who is burned out and is trying to find how to do everything that you currently do and more, Drop the Ball may be the medicine you need.
Related: How to Make the Best New Year’s Resolutions
9 // The Compound Effect: Jumpstart Your Income, Your Life, Your Success
Sometimes the best books to read in winter are the ones that you hunker down and read with such fervor that once the cold has thawed out and the flowers begin to bloom you can hit the ground running.
The Compound Effect is simply one of those books. While you don’t have to wait until spring (please don’t!), this book is a must read if you’re trying to transform your life not only health-wise, but through your job, your social life, and every other space in between.
10 // The Daily Stoic: 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living
Control your perceptions. Direct your actions properly. Willingly accept what’s outside your control.
Over the year you’ll find that you may need a quick pick-me-up. With The Daily Stoic by Ryan Holiday, one of the world’s most foremost thinkers, you’ll be able to do just that. This book is filled with a treasure trove of knowledge to help you weather any storm and after the last couple of years we have had – it may be just what we all need.
11 // Unfollow Your Passion: Create A Life That Matters To You
A brand new book about unsubscribing, uncovering, and unleashing who you are, Unfollow Your Passion by Terri Trespicio is a thoughtfully well-written book about living life on your terms.
As we come into a new year, a new season, and into new opportunities, this book is perfect for the woman who is looking to unsubscribe from the things that don’t serve her, uncover the secrets to what makes her great, and to unleash the life she deserves.
The thing I love about Terri’s book is that it’s not just some rundown of pretty words, there are practical ways she tries to show us how we have settled with Gut Checks and writing prompts. It’s really well worth the effort.
Conclusion
You may be struggling with your mental health, your resolutions, your self-esteem, or any number of things. I’m just an internet stranger proud of you for taking the steps necessary to bring in this year with wide-open arms.
Good luck and a happy new year!