14 best new self-improvement books of 2023

Hidden Potential: The Science of Achieving Greater Things by Adam Grant

Read Hidden Potential for… the thought-provoking new self-improvement book by Adam Grant, the bestselling author of Think Again.

In a world that’s obsessed with talent and natural “gifts”, what about the skills we can learn and nurture over time? And what if anyone can rise to achieve incredible things?

Hidden Potential is a reminder of the skills and opportunities we have access to if we commit to improving. Tennis champion Serena Williams has shared about the book: “I wish I could go back in time and gift it to my younger self. It would’ve helped me find a more joyful path to progress.”

Be Useful: Seven Tools for Life by Arnold Schwarzenegger

Read Be Useful for… a motivational must-read inspired by the extraordinary journey of the world’s greatest bodybuilder, highest-paid movie star, and Former Governor of California.

A personal development book by Arnold Schwarzenegger should be incredible. Be Useful: Seven Tools for Life absolutely is. This inspiring book brings together seven rules to bring you to your true purpose in life, starting with 1. Have a clear vision and closing with 7. Break your mirrors.

Although the book is concise at 257 pages, it’s brimming with insights. If you prefer to listen to self-help books, the audiobook is excellent (and narrated by Arnold).

Build the Life You Want: The Art and Science of Getting Happier by Arthur C. Brooks and Oprah Winfrey

Read Build the Life You Want for… one of the best new self-help books of 2023, penned by two powerhouses of self-transformation.

If you’re at a turning point in life – or ready to make big changes in the months ahead – Build the Life You Want is a wise and inspiring guide to your next steps. With insights from Harvard’s Arthur C. Brooks and Oprah Winfrey, this new self-help book invites you to set out on your journey toward greater happiness, peace, and purpose.

You can also complement this with Arthur Brooks’s 2022 book, From Strength to Strength: Finding Success, Happiness, and Deep Purpose in the Second Half of Life.

The Greatness Mindset: Unlock the Power of Your Mind and Live Your Best Life Today by Lewis Howes

Read The Greatness Mindset for… encouragement and tools to transform your mindset and your life.

You might’ve heard of Lewis Howes and his podcast, The School of Greatness, especially if you’re interested in optimizing your mindset and focus. His new self-help book for 2023, The Greatness Mindset, is a fantastic starting point to wake up the ideas, dreams, and potential inside you and step closer to the life you dream of living.

Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity by Peter Attia MD with Bill Gifford

Read Outlive for… a refreshingly accessible overview of the latest science-backed ways to get your body and mind in the best shape for longevity.

If you want to live better – and longer – I’d wholeheartedly recommend Outlive, Peter Attia’s groundbreaking new manifesto on the science and art of longevity. It’s one of the best new self-improvement books of 2023 to transform your health (and I can especially vouch for the audiobook narrated by Peter Attia).

Like Peter’s popular podcast, this book will challenge conventional medical thinking and reveal a new approach to health. Learn how to prevent chronic disease and extend healthspan, not just lifespan.

Excellent Advice for Living: Wisdom I Wish I’d Known Earlier by Kevin Kelly

Read Excellent Advice for Living for.. easy-to-read and inspiring snippets of wisdom in one of the best personal development books of 2023.

If you hang around in tech circles, you’ve probably heard of Kevin Kelly, co-founder of Wired, author, and technology thinker. But that said, his new bestseller about living well, Excellent Advice for Living, is fantastic for all readers.

Pick up the motivational book for a collection of ideas and proverbs that started on Kevin’s 68th birthday, when he began to write down for his young adult children what he wish he knew earlier about life. If you’re anything like me, your copy will soon be covered in highlights, annotations, and Post-it notes.

The Good Enough Job: Reclaiming Life from Work by Simone Stolzoff

Read The Good Enough Job for… a refreshing look at the alternatives to being chained to our jobs, working long hours, and putting work ahead of life.

What would it take to reframe work as a part of life, rather than the centre of existence? What could we gain by striving for a “good enough” job? Is it even possible?

That’s what Simone Stolzoff asks in this new non-fiction book for 2023, looking closely at Wall Street bankers, overwhelmed teachers, and others to expose what we lose when we expect work to be more than a job – and to show how things can be different.

The Half-Known Life: Finding Paradise in a Divided World by Pico Iyer

Read The Half-Known Life for…. a mesmerizing investigation of the different ideas of paradise and what they can teach about living well.

Sitting at the boundaries between philosophy, travel, and personal development, this book of journeys by Pico Iyer – many of them inwards – upends conventional ideas of genre.

As you read The Half-Known Life, you’ll follow the author’s exploration of the paradoxes of paradise and get a chance to reflect on what utopian living means to you.

Never Finished: Unshackle Your Mind and Win the War Within by David Goggins

Read Never Finished for… the motivation to stop making excuses and get in the right state of mind to achieve big things.

David Goggins’s first book, Can’t Hurt Me, is one of the most popular self-improvement books of the last few years, offering unbeatable motivation to push harder and find more resilience.

For more tough love and harsh truths about why you’re not where you want to be (and how to change that in record speed), read Goggins’s new book from December 2022, Never Finished.

The Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin

Read The Creative Act for… the best new book about creativity, written by legendary music producer Rick Rubin.

If, like me, you adore books about creativity, add The Creative Act to your reading list. As with Elizabeth Gilbert’s Big Magic, you’ll discover ponderings on the more spiritual nature of creativity, but there’s also plenty of actionable advice on building a more creative life.

As Rick Rubin shares in the book, “I set out to write a book about what to do to make a great work of art. Instead, it revealed itself to be a book on how to be.”

Finding Your Way: Meditations, Thoughts, and Wisdom for Living an Authentic Life by Sharon Salzberg

Read Finding Your Way for… a gently inspiring illustrated book (and perfect gift for the holiday season) that’s packed with wisdom by the world-renowned meditation teacher.

If you love Sharon Salzberg’s quietly transformative writing, her new book for October 2023 should absolutely be on your reading list. Finding Your Way is a wonderful collection of bite-sized tidbits of wisdom and life advice from the beloved meditation teacher to read in small moments and share with loved ones.

The Well-Lived Life: A 102-Year-Old Doctor’s Six Secrets to Health and Happiness at Every Age by Gladys McGarey M.D

Read The Well-Lived Life for… an excellent overview of how to honour your body, health, and time on earth from a woman who knows this better than anyone.

Here in one of the best new self-help books of 2023, 102-year-old Dr Gladys McGarey shares what she’s learned about transforming the health and life of her patients.

The Well-Lived Life a book that will not only change the way you think about health and longevity, but also what it means to live a life full of joy and satisfaction.

Discipline Is Destiny: The Power of Self-Control by Ryan Holiday

Read Discipline is Destiny for… philosophical wisdom to inspire your next step on the path to self-mastery, upon which all the other virtues depend. 

Discipline is Destiny is Ryan Holiday’s September 2022 addition to his bestselling Stoic Virtues Series, inspired by the stories of historical figures we can emulate to live our best lives.

With this new book from one of the best personal growth authors, make 2023 the year you become laser-focused on your goals and the deep work you need to reach them, inspired by those who mastered the power of self-control to live incredible lives.

The Productivity Planner by Intelligent Change

Get your copy of The Productivity Planner for… the best productivity journal I’ve come across to guide your focus and prioritise what’s most impactful each day. It’s so wonderfully simple.

After reading stacks of productivity books, what really matters is taking action. This bestselling planner from Intelligent Change is an indispensable tool for keeping your time, focus, and priorities on track.

You might have also heard of their bestselling Five Minute Journal, which I was given years ago and still use every morning and evening. With the coupon code TOLSTOYTHERAPY, you can enjoy 10% off any purchases on Intelligent Change.

Looking for more of the best self-improvement books about personal growth and transformation? Complement these books with:

• 28 best self-improvement books of all time
• 15 best productivity books for 2023 (& all time)
• The most inspiring books that will change your life
• The best books about living well and being a good human