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10 Best Self Development Books in the Philippines 2024

Ready to face 2021 with the best version of yourself? Beyond your New Year's resolutions, which often get buried in a sea of to-do lists after a month or two, why not build good habits instead? To avoid being overwhelmed with the process, you can try improving one domain in your life such as your career or finances to keep you focused before you move to the next. 


Enter self-development books. There are a plethora of genres and topics in the market, and picking one may feel like a guessing game. Fortunately, you don't have to, as we curated this list of best buys, including a buying guide and tips on how to take care of your mental health. So, let's get started!

Last updated 07/14/2023
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Our recommendation articles are carefully researched and crafted by the mybest Philippines team of writers and editors. To stay true to our company’s mission and vision to help users’ selection process easier, we also collaborate with experts from various fields to ensure that our content stays factual and useful.

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Table of Contents

How to Choose a Self Development Book — Buying Guide

There is a wide range of self-development books to choose from that cover different domains of your life. Your choice depends on your goals this year, so here are some pointers to remember before clicking the Add to Cart button.

1

Choose the Type of Format You Want

There are three types of books that come at different prices which include physical copies, eBooks, and audiobooks. Find out the perks you get of having each one below. 

Physical Copies Can Be Personally Annotated

Physical Copies Can Be Personally Annotated

To all the bookworms, nothing beats the smell of good ol' printed books. Reading self-help and development books fuels fresh insights and passion. That being said, having a physical copy of the book gives you the luxury to write down anecdotes and highlight noteworthy phrases and sentences that resonate with you. 


Physical copies come in paperback and hardcover versions. The latter is often released first. If you're lucky, you'll even bump into some bonus content on the side. However, the former is more lightweight and easy to carry around. But the caveat of having a physical copy is that it takes a bit of space, so remember to allot some on your shelves.

eBook Formats Save Storage Space and Are Accessible on Your Device

eBook Formats Save Storage Space and Are Accessible on Your Device

One downside of eBooks is that you have to make sure you have enough battery for the device to work. You might also need to buy a reader if you wish to collect all your eBooks in one place. But in case you go for a hike, camping, and other outdoor activities, arm yourself with a power bank for an extra supply of battery.


If you don't mind reading on small 6-inch devices, you don't have to buy one. Fortunately, there are some reader apps that can support the desktop version which allows you to read and access your eBooks on your computer

Audiobooks Help You Stay Productive Throughout the Day

Audiobooks Help You Stay Productive Throughout the Day

Whether it's your break time or you're simply finishing a chore that doesn't require much concentration, audiobooks are great companions to stay productive throughout the day. Instead of listening to negative news or browsing your social media feed, you can pop out your headphones and listen to your audiobook as you wish. 


Some authors even narrate their own books, and it's as if you're conversing with him or her while listening. But since you're going to use a mobile device for this, you need extra power, storage, and sometimes an internet connection to listen without any interruption.

2

Select the Sub-Genre That Will Help You Achieve Your Goal

To avoid being overwhelmed with titles and topics, familiarize yourself with some of the genres in self-development books. For the sake of clarity and practicality, you may choose the most common genres that tap major life domains. 

Business and Career Development Spurs Creativity and Useful for Upskilling

Business and Career Development Spurs Creativity and Useful for Upskilling

Some books cover management skills, specifically in the workplace, and provide insights on leadership, empathy, and communication. Moreover, books about business and creativity feature practical insights on starting a business and working efficiently, such as Tim Ferris' best-selling book, The 4-Hour Workweek. 


Authors who write books in these domains also use data, science, case studies, and reports to justify their concepts, like grit and its relation to success. Some books even talk about how introverts can actually change the world, which is backed by studies. 

Relationships, Mental Health, and Faith-Based Books Offer Encouragement and Enlightenment

Relationships, Mental Health, and Faith-Based Books Offer Encouragement and Enlightenment

On the other hand, faith-based books pertain to spirituality, and the authors are mostly pastors, priests, and Christian life coaches and ministers. However, some authors are also accomplished bloggers and influencers in their field as they share real-life experiences and Bible-based teachings to validate the concepts for personal development. 


For example, books contain the concept of marriage from a Biblical standpoint and present practical solutions on how to improve communication with your spouse and build stronger relationships with your family.

Personal Finance Books Help You Become Smarter About Your Money

Personal Finance Books Help You Become Smarter About Your Money

If you want to be money smart this year, these books are excellent choices. Authors of these books are self-made millionaires, investors, or even average Joes that have credibility in their expertise, sharing practical tips on a budget, the basics of stocks, savings, and retirement plans. 


Keep in mind that just because they have made it to the top or have proven results doesn't mean that the exact same concepts will apply to everyone. The results may vary from one person to another, so remember to apply the principles that match your financial goals

How-To Guides and Concept-Based Books Present Ideas That Are Replicable in All Life’s Domains

How-To Guides and Concept-Based Books Present Ideas That Are Replicable in All Life’s Domains

These books present guides on how to do a particular task or teach you to achieve a personal goal. The principles are general but applicable to all areas where most people can relate to and want to improve, such as habit-forming concepts for fitness, health, and business, making new friends, and waking up early. 

3

Look for Other Perks To Keep You on Track on Your Self-Improvement Journey

Look for Other Perks To Keep You on Track on Your Self-Improvement Journey

If you're determined in developing yourself and your well-being, why not look for other perks that authors offer? Most self-development books offer bonus content when you subscribe to their emails, giving you ideas on how to live out your best life. Other authors offer free courses based on the book to maximize your learnings.


Moreover, other authors have a community that's just more than a book club. As a reader, you'll also get a chance to share your thoughts with other people in the group. This helps you stay accountable and monitor your progress. That being said, you also gain new friends as you learn to improve yourself.

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10 Self-Development Books to Buy Online

Here are the best 10 self-development books you can buy online. Whether it's building habits, improving relationships, or mastering the power of choices, you'll surely find a gem worth keeping. 
Popularity
Products
Image
Click to purchase
Price
Key features
1

James Clear

Atomic Habits An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones

James Clear Atomic Habits  1

₱845

High Mid

See the Compounding Effects of Good Habits

2

Robin Sharma

The 5 AM ClubOwn Your Morning. Elevate Your Life

Robin Sharma The 5 AM Club 1

₱759

Mid

Discover Why Waking Up Early Improves Your Well-Being

3

Dale Carnegie

How to Stop Worrying and Start LivingTime-Tested Methods for Conquering Worry

Dale Carnegie How to Stop Worrying and Start Living 1

₱558

Low Mid

Provides Thought-Provoking Insights to Overcome Worries

4

Kate Swoboda

The Courage HabitHow to Accept Your Fears, Release The Past, and Live Your Courageous Life

Kate Swoboda The Courage Habit 1

₱528.39

Low Mid

Learn How to Process Your Emotions and Fears

5

Charles Duhigg

Smarter Faster BetterThe Secrets of Being Productive in Life and Business

Charles Duhigg Smarter Faster Better 1

₱799

Mid

Teaches You How to Get Things Done Faster in Life

6

Susan Cain

QuietThe Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking

Susan Cain Quiet 1

₱650

Mid

Debunks Myths About Introverts and How They Make an Impact

7

Tom Rath

StrengthsFinder 2.0

Tom Rath StrengthsFinder 2.0 1

₱1,379

High

Understand Your Unique Strengths and Unlock Your Talents

8

Emerson Eggerichs, PhD

Love and RespectThe Love She Most Desires; The Respect He Desperately Needs

Emerson Eggerichs, PhD  Love and Respect 1

₱680

Mid

Learn How to Decode Your Spouse's Needs

9

Robert Kiyosaki

Rich Dad Poor DadWhat the Rich Teach Their Kids About Money That the Poor and Middle Class Do Not!

Robert Kiyosaki Rich Dad Poor Dad 1

₱428

Low

Provides Mind-Blowing Personal Finance Tips and Solutions

10

Chris Guillebeau

The $100 StartupReinvent the Way You Make a Living, Do What You Love, and Create a New Future

Chris Guillebeau The $100 Startup 1

₱1,002

High Mid

Offers a Kick In The Pants to Do What You Love to Do

If you don't see the product you're looking for, you can request that it be listed.
No.1

James ClearAtomic Habits An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones

Atomic Habits  1
Source:fullybookedonline.com
Reference price
₱845
High Mid
Reference price
₱845
High Mid

See the Compounding Effects of Good Habits

If you would like to improve yourself today and break those bad habits, this book is truly a treasure worth keeping on your shelf. It's easy to read without the fluff and psychology jargon. Atomic Habits is more than just a motivational book. You'll find practical and concrete steps, as well as inspiring, true-to-life stories, to build good habits and break the bad ones.

To achieve your goals, you need to build a system or habits. The compounding effect of 1%—improving yourself each day as you take small but significant steps— will incredibly produce great results. It's a toolkit for anyone who wants to change his or her lifestyle from the ground up. This book offers a strong argument that the accumulative effect of a habit, whether it's a good or bad one, will greatly impact your future.

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No.2

Robin SharmaThe 5 AM ClubOwn Your Morning. Elevate Your Life

Reference price
₱759
Mid

Discover Why Waking Up Early Improves Your Well-Being

Wondering what the secret of successful people is? Say hello to The 5 AM Club. This book teaches you the power of the morning routine, so you'll be supercharged the rest of the day and get things done. 


Through the mystical and amusing stories and conversations of three strangers, you'll learn why geniuses and successful people wake up before dawn and end up producing remarkable results. 


Learn more about the 20/20/20 method, where you enjoy the quietest hours the moment you wake up. Do 20 minutes of exercise, 20 minutes of self-renewal, and 20 minutes of personal growth. If waking up at 5 AM is a struggle, you can join their community for accountability. spit-balling ideas, and sharing your struggles. 

No.3

Dale CarnegieHow to Stop Worrying and Start LivingTime-Tested Methods for Conquering Worry

Reference price
₱558
Low Mid

Provides Thought-Provoking Insights to Overcome Worries

There's an adage that says worrying is like a rocking chair. It gets you nowhere. So, if you can't stop worrying, this book is a must-read. The first publication was in 1948, but the insights are timeless and practical without the jibber-jabber and applicable throughout your lifetime. 


This classic book equips you about the nature of stress and how it creeps into all domains of your life, affecting your physical, emotional, relational, spiritual, and cognitive aspects. Learn the techniques to combat worry by living in the 'day-tight compartments' where you only think of today rather than the future. 


As Dale writes, "As the years went by, I gradually discovered that ninety-nine percent of the things I worried about never happened." Here's a no BS book that will enlighten you about the things you worry about today. 

No.4

Kate SwobodaThe Courage HabitHow to Accept Your Fears, Release The Past, and Live Your Courageous Life

The Courage Habit 1
Source:goodreads.com
Reference price
₱528.39
Low Mid
Reference price
₱528.39
Low Mid

Learn How to Process Your Emotions and Fears

Can you imagine the best version of yourself if you didn't think about your fears? This poignant book will shed light on your fears and help you understand your inner critic and behavioral patterns that often cause you to hold back in achieving your goals and dreams. 


Certified life coach Kate applies cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) in the book to help take the next step regardless of your fears. 


You'll also learn practical ways to identify your triggers, emotional memories from past experiences. At the same time, this book helps you build that 'courage habit' to get the things and projects that you really want. 

No.5

Charles DuhiggSmarter Faster BetterThe Secrets of Being Productive in Life and Business

Reference price
₱799
Mid

Teaches You How to Get Things Done Faster in Life

Want to be more productive this year? Charles Duhigg's Smarter Faster Better is your go-to source as you understand the principles of the most productive people and companies in the world through the stories, case studies, and scientific reports featured in the book.  


If you're a procrastinator, you'd appreciate the author's arguments about the power of choices and how you view the world. Choices, whether good or bad, make a difference in the outcome. 


Here's a good read that offers deep reporting and storytelling, convincing you to focus on daily decisions to be more productive. This is to be expected from an award-winning journalist who writes for the New York Times.

No.6

Susan CainQuietThe Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking

Reference price
₱650
Mid

Debunks Myths About Introverts and How They Make an Impact

People have different views about introverts that some are curious about their quietness and the timidity they project. But take note, they can make a difference in this noisy world as you read this thought-provoking gem, Quiet by Susan Cain. 


By combing research and real-life stories, she presents a motivational book that introverts can use as a guide. She spearheads the growing movement of introverts, the Quiet Revolution, and has a TED Talk that has gone viral with 11 million views. 


Whether you're an introvert or you want to understand the introverts in your circle, Quiet is filled with rich stories of real introverts who made a lasting impact in society. If you want to discover more about your power as an introvert, this book is worth keeping. 

No.7

Tom RathStrengthsFinder 2.0

Reference price
₱1,379
High

Understand Your Unique Strengths and Unlock Your Talents

Do you want to master your strengths this year? This book comes with a code so you can discover your unique 34 talents and top 5 strengths such as Learner, Achiever, Individualization, Connectedness, and Positivity as you take the assessment from Gallup's website. Make sure you take the assessment first to enjoy the book.


Once you discover your strengths, you'd be able to understand why you think, act, and work the way you do, including the things you need to improve on. Thus, giving you an edge to capitalize on what you're really good at. This book provides actionable tips to work effectively and improve your relationships on a professional and personal level. 

No.8

Emerson Eggerichs, PhD Love and RespectThe Love She Most Desires; The Respect He Desperately Needs

Reference price
₱680
Mid

Learn How to Decode Your Spouse's Needs

The author uses counseling, biblical, and scientific research in this book as he presents his case on the husband and wife's primary needs. This book will change how you view your spouse and learn to fulfill his or her greatest need: the husband needs respect, and the wife needs love.


This relationship and counseling book presents the premise that when the spouse doesn't meet the other's needs, the relationship will experience the 'Crazy Cycle.' When the wife doesn't feel loved, she reacts without respect. When the husband feels disrespected, he reacts and treats her without love. And the cycle goes on. 


The book presents solutions that will help couples decode the crazy cycle and transition to the Rewarding Cycle, that is, 'His love blesses regardless of her respect. Her respect blesses regardless of his love.' With a doctorate degree in child and family ecology under his belt, we're sure Dr. Eggerichs knows his stuff.

No.9

Robert KiyosakiRich Dad Poor DadWhat the Rich Teach Their Kids About Money That the Poor and Middle Class Do Not!

Reference price
₱428
Low

Provides Mind-Blowing Personal Finance Tips and Solutions

Ready to have a breakthrough with your finances? Better start this best-selling book that will transform your mind with thought-provoking principles about money. This book will debunk misconceptions about assets and liabilities and why you'd probably have to think twice before buying a home. 


This book teaches you about financial literacy and why you don't need to work harder to be rich, but instead make money work for you, such as stocks, investments, and more. Basically, anything to do about personal finance, managing your cash flow, taxes, and other passive income sources to explore is covered in this book. 

No.10

Chris GuillebeauThe $100 StartupReinvent the Way You Make a Living, Do What You Love, and Create a New Future

Reference price
₱1,002
High Mid

Offers a Kick In The Pants to Do What You Love to Do

If you want to earn more, you may want to read this easy guide with useful lessons based on the author's expertise, experience, and other entrepreneurs' success stories. Be inspired as the author challenges your beliefs that you don't need an MBA, business plan, and even employees to live a fulfilling life while getting paid. 


Whether it's a product or service, you can start a business at low capital. This book is filled with success stories that will motivate you to work with passion. This is recommended for newbies in business and employees looking for side hustles while still working full-time. 

Set Up a Comfortable Reading Nook at Home

Self-development isn't confined to the cognitive aspect. You can enhance your life as you improve your space. So, why not set up a comfortable reading nook at home? Below are awesome products worth checking out.

Summary

At the end of the day, change starts with you. Although these books are incredibly constructive and rich in insights, success stories, and replicable steps to follow, everything else starts in the mind. Look within yourself and transform how you think. Make today your Day 1 instead of tomorrow. 


By taking baby steps, by improving 1% each day, as James Clear writes, you'll be amazed at the cumulative results. We hope this guide will have a positive impact on the choices you make today and help you live your best life regardless of the circumstances you face. Happy reading!


Author: Maria Krisette Capati

Top 5 Self Development Books

No. 1: James ClearAtomic Habits An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones

No. 2: Robin SharmaThe 5 AM ClubOwn Your Morning. Elevate Your Life

No. 3: Dale CarnegieHow to Stop Worrying and Start LivingTime-Tested Methods for Conquering Worry

No. 4: Kate SwobodaThe Courage HabitHow to Accept Your Fears, Release The Past, and Live Your Courageous Life

No. 5: Charles DuhiggSmarter Faster BetterThe Secrets of Being Productive in Life and Business

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