Can you recommend any good books?

This is a difficult question to answer because there are so many motivational and self-help books in the shops that I haven't read even a small proportion of them.  As such, there may well be some very good books that I'm not aware of and that won't, therefore, appear on this list.  Nevertheless, here are some good ones I can vouch for and if you know of any others that you've found helpful, please feel free to send in a suggestion. 

Important note: before listing the books I think might be helpful it is important to emphasise that reading a book will not, in itself, help you to make positive changes.  Even the best books can only give you ideas and direction.  To really benefit from any book you will need to put what you read into practice.  So don't just read, do what the books say to do!

General

How to Get Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity (David Allen) - This is an excellent book describing a very practical, but also very sophisticated, modern version of time-management.  More than just describing how to write "to do" lists, How To Get Things Done will help you improve your personal productivity by showing you how to create a personalised, flexible and evolutionary (i.e., non-static) system of working and living. 

The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People (Stephen Covey) - This is "a classic" and with good reason.  The Seven Habits describes how to determine what's important in life, helps you to turn that "vision" into goals, and then gives clear directions for developing a plan to achieve these goals.  Notably, the Seven Habits also encourages readers to balance individual and personal issues with interpersonal and independent ones.  Overall, a good read with good examples - highly recommended. 

You Can Do It! and Believe and Achieve (Paul Hanna) - These two books are also worth a look at least partly becase they are written by an Australian.  In very simple terms, Paul Hanna focuses on what is commonly referred to as the power of positive thinking.  His message, essentially, is if you think you can do something you will.  In reality, I think there is more to it than that but he provides some great examples of how thinking affects performance and of how you can start to develop more positive thoughts. 

Coach Yourself (Anthony Grant and Jane Greene)  - Once again, this is a good "Aussie" book.  Well written, clear and with a range of valuable exercises for you to do.  In summary, Coach Yourself aims to help you clarify your goals, plan to achieve those goals and overcome hurdles that might impede your progress towards those goals. 

Depression and Anxiety

Beating the Blues (Sue Tanner and Jill Ball) - Beating the Blues is an excellent and very accessible book.  In easy to read language, with fantastic caroons, Beating the Blues presents the most effective approach for overcoming depression: Cognitive Therapy.  Although this is a bit like "positive thinking" it is, in fact, more subtle and more complex.  Rather than just thinking positively about things it is more focused on correcting some of the negative thoughts that plague sufferers of depression (and anxiety).  Very highly recommended. 

Feeling Good (Dr. David Burns) - Feeling Good is also an excellent book along very similar lines to Beating the Blues.  In some ways, I prefer Beating the Blues because it is shorter and simpler. On the other hand, the advantage of Feeling Good is that it addresses a broader range of problems including anger and guilt.  Very good, but a bit more wordy than Beating the Blues. 

An End To Panic (Elke Zuercher-White) - This one might be a bit more difficult to get your hands on but if you are suffering panic, or a similar form of anxiety, it is a superb book.  Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) is the most effective intervention for panic and anxiety and this book describes the various components of CBT extremely well.  Once again, you need to do more than read, but if you actively apply the strategies outlined in An End To Panic you will undoubtedly reap the rewards. 

Instant Calm (Paul Wilson) - This is just one of many "Calm" books written by the prolific Paul Wilson.  Basically, it is a collection of relaxation and meditation techniques.  Simple, easy to read, but remember, it will only help you if you practice the strategies described. 

Insomnia

The Good Sleep Guide (Dr. Timothy J Sharp) - as the author, I am obviously biased, but my book has been well reviewed and well received by many.  In brief, The Good Sleep Guide covers a range of tried and tested, proven strategies for improving sleep.  In particular, it focuses on strategies for beating the worry cycle. 

Before concluding, I would like to note that achieving your goals and/or overcoming problems such as depression, anxiety, stress and insomnia is not easy.  If you think you could benefit from some personalised assistance, call (02) 9231 2522 and speak to one of the making changes team. 

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