Photo credit: Rosario Taracena

I confess: I love self-help books. I would like to say that I read them for “work” since I am in the business of helping others. And yes, I do find nuggets and novels that I pass along to my clients and followers who have shared that it’s very helpful.

But I also read them for myself. I began my journey in the self-improvement world over 15 years ago, and was immediately taken by connecting the dots to my past, my present, and sometimes my future. I am still seduced by just the right words, thoughts and ideas that I discover on the paper.

In honor of my 54 years on October 26th, I share this list of my favorite 54 books…

Photo credit: Stefano Montagner

Do you know who you really are, or do you hide behind a façade of selected masks and prescribed roles that have been handed to you by others? Do you reveal what is really important to you in the world, or simply shrink low when it is your turn to speak? Society regularly asks us to fit in and to follow the norms, but does it void your vibrancy and suppress your spirit? If so, you are not alone.

Ever wish you could go back in time and change a decision? Live in another home, city or country? Drive a different car or make an out-of-the-ordinary purchase? Study something else or pursue an alternative career? Do you wish you married your first love, or put more effort into a friendship that ended?

Regrets in your life can keep you stuck. The more weighed down you are, the more difficult it becomes to move forward. So what qualms still plague your mind? What decisions or lack thereof still haunt you?

Learn how to be authentically successful. Personal success is created by making choices that continually honor yourself, moving forward to reach your dreams and goals, and in the process, not betraying yourself along the way.

Photo credit: Betty Nudler

What does it mean to master your life? Does wisdom come from age? Experiences? Degrees and credentials? Being a student of lessons learned? I am well into mid-life and for some people at this same juncture, the 50’s brings on a melancholy mood after taking inventory of a life half complete. Yet for me, I remain excited about my golden years of stepping into a truer, stronger, fearless and wiser me. I have always loved the earlier part of decades because I see it as an opportunity to create not only a vision of what I would like to accomplish in the next 10 years but also determine how I want to step into my own deeper, richer evolvement.

Photo Credit: Seranya Photography

What is it to be your true self at work— not just the person filling a role, acting professional or achieving big project? Are you able to truly be your best and authentic self while maintaining professional credibility and influence? For some people, they believe they must project a certain persona or even “fake it until they make it” in order to get ahead.

Photo Credit: Benjamin J. DeLong

“It’s a funny thing about life. If you refuse to settle for anything less than the best, that’s what it will give you.” – Somerset Maugham

I started to think about how many times people settle for being second, as opposed to truly embracing being first. Two is a great number for partnerships, but when it comes to having authentic, fulfilling relationships, how often do you or others you know settle for being the consolation prize?

Photo credit: Andreas Øverland

“We define ourselves by the best that is in us, not the worst that has been done to us.” – Edward Lewis

In thinking about women of today, I am amazed at how incredible women are. Women have businesses or careers, manage households, raise children, connect with romantic partners…

Photo credit: Nickolai Kashirin

“If you risk nothing, then you risk everything.” – Geena Davis

Taking chances in life is often equated with taking risks, being reckless or rolling the dice, like it is a game to be played. Being successful by taking a chance is often considered a 50/50 probability of something working out the right way…