Books are one of the best and most affordable resources available for personal development. Whether you’re looking to improve your communication skills or navigating a difficult time in your life, there’s a personal development book for every guy out there.

We all know the classic personal development books like How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie and Who Moved my Cheese by Spencer Johnson. So, if you’ve read those books and you’re looking for a mix of spiritual development coupled with personal development, here are eight books every guy needs to read for their personal development.

1. The Values Factor by Dr. John Demartini

The Values Factor is all about creating an inspired life. In this book, Dr. John Demartini teaches that, before everything else, you need to identify and understand your highest values. This book will help you do just that with a thirteen-part questionnaire to reveal what’s most important to you. After the questionnaire, each chapter is focused on how to live your life around your highest values every day. Going further than identifying your values, Demartini also highlights the importance of communicating with people in terms of their values which can work as an excellent tool to influence and communicate effectively with people. 

2. The Mask of Masculinity by Lewis Howes

Howes’ best-selling book is an insightful look into the masculine stereotypes that men often feel pressured to live by. As a professional athlete, Howes looked successful at 30 from the outside but he was feeling unfilled on the inside. In this book, Howes discusses the challenges he has faced and why having a mask of masculinity can hold you back from living a fulfilled life. Think of things like chasing wealth for the sake of it, covering up your vulnerabilities, and making sure you don’t show emotion. By uncovering these things and lifting the mask of masculinity, Howes tells men how to break down the typical male stereotypes. This is also a good book for the ladies to read to help them better understand how men think and operate.

3. Eat that Frog by Brian Tracy

Do you ever find yourself procrastinating on those tasks and projects that you know are challenging but important? In this book, Tracy talks about the psychology of getting through the things you put off, so you can actually enjoy your day. Based on the old saying that if you eat a frog first thing in the morning that’s probably the worst thing you’ll have to do that day, Eat that Frog will teach you how to tackle what’s most important. This book is a quick read so it’s great if you want to take some time out for a quick productivity boost.

4. 10% Happier by Dan Pink

Pink suffered a panic attack on-air when he was an anchor on Nightline. After being a nonbeliever in all things spirituality and meditation, Pink decided to try meditating after his panic attack. When he started meditating, people used to ask Pink, ‘why?’ Struggling for a while to articulate exactly why, Pink started saying, “because it makes me 10% happier.” With those definitive words, Pink wrote this book to help other people find their calm. This book takes readers on Pink’s meditation journey showing you how you can transform your mind with just a few minutes of meditation each day.

5. Blink by Malcolm Gladwell

Have you ever wondered how things just seem to work out for some people? In Blink, Malcolm Gladwell dives into intuition and how being in tune with it can help you live a more meaningful and fulfilled life. This book will help you to hone your intuition, so you can make better decisions quickly. Not just for getting ahead in your career, this book will help you to live more intuitively in your relationships and in the way you consume things.

6. The Untethered Soul by Michael Singer

There are hundreds of thousands of mindfulness books available that teach readers how to be more present. One of the best books to help you practice mindfulness is The Untethered Soul by Michael Singer. In The Untethered Soul, Singer discusses that voice we all hear in our heads every day. This voice can create a constant stream of thoughts leaving you feeling stressed and anxious. One of the best quotes from the book is, “there is nothing more important to true growth than realizing that you are not the voice of the mind – you are the one who hears it.” An excellent book if you’re looking for more peace in your life.

7. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

The Alchemist is a best-selling fable. With more than two million copies sold, once you read this story it will be easy to see why the timeless messages in the book have helped so many people. The story follows Santiago, an Andalusian shepherd who is searching for extravagant treasures. Along the way, Santiago learns that it’s not always about the destination but more about the lessons you learn along the way that impact your life.

8. The Four Agreements by Miguel Ruiz

Known as the practical guide to personal freedom, The Four Agreements dissects why we have self-limiting beliefs and how this can negatively impact your life. The Four Agreements are based on ancient Toltec wisdom. These agreements are four principles to help rid yourself of self-limiting beliefs and create an unbelievable life. The Four Agreements are to be impeccable with your words, don’t take anything personally, don’t make assumptions, and always do your best. This is another book where the principles and advice are timeless.

Obviously, there are millions of other books out there that you could read but this list provides a great starting point for your personal development journey. Remember, some of these books aren’t just for the guys, so don’t forget to share them with the ladies in your life too. And while books are a great tool for helping yourself to move forward in life, if you feel like you’re struggling, there’s no substitute for talking to a trained health professional, specialist, or trusted friend or family member.