Science has officially weighed in: Self-confidence is integral to a happy and fulfilling life.
Confidence will help you stay resilient in times of hardship, determined when motivation wanes, experience less fear and anxiety in your day to day and give you a stronger sense of self. Feeling like you need a little boost in this department?
Here are five books to help raise (self) morale:
Psychotherapist Amy Morin had always been a huge advocate for identifying a person’s strengths and leaning on them to overcome weaknesses. Then, after experiencing a series of tragedies, Morin realized that ignoring her weaknesses had significant drawbacks. 13 Things Mentally Strong People Don’t Do breaks down the bad habits that are holding you back from reaching your greatest potential. Confidence builds the resilience necessary to pick yourself back up when you fall, and this book gives you all the tips you need on getting your (mental) weight up.
Being able to sell your ideas is the greatest asset a person can possess. Whether it’s persuading a potential client to sign on with your firm or getting a company to hire you for a position, everyone can benefit from being a more captivating public speaker. Articulating your ideas passionately can get you far in life, and Gallo interviews popular TED talkers as well as top researchers to compile what makes a successful presentation and win over hearts and minds.
While it’s easy for one’s confidence to be shaken during a difficult situation, Holiday’s book centers on just that: stoicism, or the Greek school of thought that one must meet pain and misfortune with grit and resilience. Holiday incorporates many real-life examples of successful and famous people facing adversity head on and outlines how a person’s greatest disadvantages can lead to their best breakthroughs.
Michell C. Clark has a clean shape-up, sends blue text bubbles and loves an Old Fashioned (according to his self-written biography.) As a writer for MTV News and social media influencer, Clark doles out good advice like a wise and cooler, older brother: “Unless your crossover, cornrows and interview quotes are as tight as Allen Iverson’s, you can’t skip practice. Hint: You can’t skip practice.” This book overflows with funny affirmations and is a reminder that you aren’t going through it alone.
There’s a reason why Brené Brown’s TED Talk has almost 45 million views and remains in the top five nearly 10 years after she first walked on stage. As an avid champion of vulnerability, Brown believes that presenting your authentic and imperfect self to the world leads to a life of connection, love, meaning and purpose. This book will not only help build your self-esteem, but it comes backed up with 13 years of Brown’s scientific research.
