Veeky Forums approved self improvement books?

Richest Man in Babylon

How is this book? I literally just bought it.
Do books really help you at all?

>How is this book? I literally just bought it.
Mostly common sense. I'm surprised by how famous it is.

>Do books really help you at all?
If you're willing to take action on the information you learn from them: yes. But you have to exercise judgement, I tend towards books full of concrete examples, filled with details.

But a lot of self-help books are just filled with airy and unsubstantiated crap

The Carnegie book isn't as great as they sell it to you. It is packed with common sense. Mostly provides examples of tacky sales men, becoming more sympathetic with the buyer. Showing how "respect to the customer" can win sales, and shit like that.

>do books really help
No. In fact they can hurt because research shows they give you the 'feel good about making a change' brain effect without actually changing.
As to why they don't help, it's compacted to explain, but there is

I am now reading Rich dad Poor dad, very good book so far.

I reccommend you guys reading The secrets of the millionaire mind, great book.

I downloaded this book about 5 years ago.
Still haven't opened the damn thing, fuck people.

>Meditations, Marcus Aurelius
I found this really hard to digest, is it really that good?
Same with The Prince, I'll probably read it a few times to absorb it better.
I can't help but feel these two books are the sociopath version of snobbery.

rich dad poor dad is best dad

how can you even compete

Always heard it was a retarded book by a retarded author. Ain't it true ?

Best self improvement book is getting kicked in the ass and start a business. Leave your job and survive.

>I can't help but feel these two books are the sociopath version of snobbery.
I didn't get that from Meditations at all, I remember it being very chill basically saying "don't worry about death, there's nothing you can do about it" and "look at the enticing beauty in imperfection like a bursting fig, or the cracks in a loaf of bread" "if someone is a dick to you, they probably have their own shit going on, don't be a dick back"

The Prince however is entirely different, that's just a history book with focus on usurping power, kinda like a series of case-studies. And from the little bit I've read, I don't know how useful it is.

Much like my displeasure with the Art of War, military metaphors can only take you so far.

People skills is what counts

He's Tony Robbins tier

I agree with that except for the leave your job bit.

>I didn't get that from Meditations at all, I remember it being very chill basically saying "don't worry about death, there's nothing you can do about it" and "look at the enticing beauty in imperfection like a bursting fig, or the cracks in a loaf of bread" "if someone is a dick to you, they probably have their own shit going on, don't be a dick back"

I'll check it out then. I do like that stuff. I've tried to cultivate a go with the flow type attitude, it helps at least when I feel shitty about life situations. I don't think it motivates me terribly much.

>He's Tony Robbins tier
Hey I actually enjoyed his videos. One of them had a really good piece of advice and it was to mirror the persons breathing

>The Carnegie book isn't as great
its really one of the best practical books there is on how to deal with people, its not strictly focused on sales

I found a book even better than Rich Dad Poor Dad

this!!!

not too fast, check this baby out

Good book.

Also The Game by Neil Strauss taught me a lot. People diss it but there is a ton of good information on social dynamics and leadership.

No shit that book changed my life. After reading it I see how some men act, and just shake my head.

I agree, but if a person has not done sales before I'm not sure how they would have the social skills and direction to start a company.

>The Success Principles

It is a good read user, also, if you are interested you can get certified as a "Success Principles Trainer" and start doing workshops without paying anything back to Jack Canfield.
Haven´t done it but am seriously considering it, his name carries weight for "normies" by associating it with Chicken Soup for the Soul and The Secret.

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Can any one recommend a book/website/YouTube/whatever that teaches and explains stock analysis? I'm looking for a basic or entry level way to analyse a company's reports to know wether it's a good idea to buy shares or not.

I've started reading this it's actually pretty good desu

TL,DR please, whatever you remmember
>"if someone is a dick to you, they probably have their own shit going on, don't be a dick back"
Can you expand on this please?

Overrated to be honest
Pretty much the entirety of what it says is quite obvious, although sometimes forgotten

>TL,DR please, whatever you remmember
It's pretty short already and similar to Win Friends and Influence, maybe more practical
>blend in
>work hard, but appear effortless to meet goals
>always have an angle/watch out for others ulterior motives

>"if someone is a dick to you, they probably have their own shit going on, don't be a dick back"
You quoted the wrong person. Because I'm a miserable person I'm going to call you a stupid faggot and laugh at you. HAHA moron!
See?

>>"if someone is a dick to you, they probably have their own shit going on, don't be a dick back"

Not him, but essentially, when people are dicks, it might be because of an external stimulus (bad day/week, whatever) and they have little patience for your shennanigans, or just need to expell their stress.
They are not dicks to you, they are just having a hard time at the moment. Instead of accepting their anger and internalising it for no reason (and then expelling it yourself on someone else); just realise that what they did was not aimed at you.
Be patient, polite and understanding, do not accept the anger, break the cycle, and give the person in question a break.

cont'd

>Be 25
>Long day at work, shitty boss dropped a bomb on my desk 15 min before day is over
>user, make sure this shit is done before you leave, OK?
>2 hours of overtime, finally get out
>subway breaks down midway home wait 30 min. on tracks.
>finally arrive home, 2.5 hours later than usual, decide to stop by grocerie store and treat myself to a nice steak and beer.
>out of T-bones, out of my fav brew
>Settle on frozen pizza and a bud
>really tired by this point get to cash register.
>This old lady is counting her pennies to buy lottery tickets, taking her time
>twf that’s enough for one day, I lose it
>Yell at her for slowing everyone down, tell her that buying lottery tickets is not a retirement plan, especially at her age

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

>Be 95
>Long life, not always easy, but I managed.
>husband and brothers and sisters are all dead, only have my kids left.
>Wished they’d call more often, and even come visit
>I guess they have their own family now.
>tfw so alone
>At least the young lady at the cash register is nice, I talk to her every week when I buy lottery tickets.
>mfw I only buy those because it’s one of the few interactions I ever get with a human being nowadays.
>tfw waiting for the sweet embrace of death
>What? Why is that guy so mad and yelling t me for?

In both cases, they have “justified” reasons to tell the other to fuck off; but they both don’t know what the other is going through. A little compassion can go a long way for the world.

there was a self help book called depression self help by some family doctor. he teaches you how to conduct your own cognitive thinking skills. helps over the years, still think about it sometimes.

That was a good read, thanks.

this is good shit. Googled and found a pdf. Thanks

>TL,DR please, whatever you remmember
just check out table of contents. i'm reading it right now. the book is quite small, you can finish in a day

This is not true at all, but people and movies do tend to overuse the context.

Martin Shkreli's is the only one with legit advice, his 4 or 5 first video's are with random people in it who are annoying and slow it down but beyond that it's really great

he also is worth between 50-100 million and managed his own hedge fund so he is legit.

Cool, thanks, I'll check it out!

MJ DEMARCO The millionaire fastlane. it's a no nonsense loose guide to making money and has a good story about how the author did it

>how to be a grovelling cuck

Meditations is a given. I also find that the best self-help comes from reading about people I admire.

Nothing makes me cringe more than people going after books that are shallow or build on arbitrary principles, promise instant greatness or are famous because of marketing (not quality).

>Tim Ferriss, Robert Kiyosaki, Tony Robbins, even Malcolm Gladwell pls go

Recently listened to Be Obsessed or Be Average.
For most of the book he makes good points about how people fuck themselves over with doubt and try to go beyond, how if you're not going all in you're wasting your time, and some other bits about about setting your goals high as you possibly can. He lost me when we went into shit about sales and how he manages which but it's a good read if you're able to walk away with the good shit.
He is long winded though.
Listened to Rich Dad Poor Dad too which has good shit in it but also by the end he starts to repeat himself and go on about shit that can't be applied by anyone who isn't already sucessful/wealthy.
Listened to Power Of Broke and it was a bunch of bullshit and stories about other people who literally lucked into "success".

Yes!

>the best self-help comes from reading about people I admire.
Care to give any examples of particular books that fit the bill? (ya know, sometimes a subject can be interesting, but the writing/treatment of it can be crap. Or perhaps you can't glean as much inspiration or insight into what precipitates success as another book on the same person)

This goes for anyone in this thread: currently looking for Bios.

I shecond the Shkreli. I learned so much from watching his three videos on stocks, more than I have learned anywhere else. Surprisingly well presented and clear. And the first video is chock full of his personal theories on the subject, and the rest is all practice.

>Buy the most expensive, luxury items you can because they make you feel good and feeling good leads to riches

Is it any wonder why people go broke after reading this book? It's fucking cursed.

Always loved pic related. If only for the inspirational stories.

can you link pdf?

shameless self kek

>Care to give any examples of particular books that fit the bill?

From thumbnail thought that was Putin.

Actually not American so all I know about Rockefeller is
>Richer than Hearst?
>Philanthropist
>Scion went into politics with mixed success

Will look up reviews now though

The latest one I read was Hard Drive by James Wallace (about Bill Gates).

tl;dr gates works hard for the money

This book is really great. just saying

you can torrent the audiobook

Interesting

anyone got a PDF of The 16% Solution: How to Get High Interest Rates in a Low-Interest World.

Yes
Like drumf books

Tools of Titans is pretty cool

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Veeky Forums here. You're getting conned. Read actual philosophy or kill yourself.

hey faggot, no one cares about your esoteric indecipherable garbage. this shit is utilized to help make money. not that liberal arts faggots like you would know. get the fuck out of here.

>implying any of these books will help you make money
if you need these books, youre never gonna make it

Eat my shit. I am trying to help you. Self help books are nothing but pseudo-philosophy and repeating the same shit. You can do it. It can be done by you. Done by you? It can be. Here's how to change you, and only you can do it.

You can read this kind of stupid shit right at the source if you read books on philosophy proper or psychology.

what do you recommend friendo

Philosophy is about obscure and exoteric feels and thoughts. It makes it harder for a person to relate to other people who don't think about philosophy.

Instead of just flaming you could contribute with some titles...

Most of these books are a lot of filler with some decent core principles. Tim Ferris did good with Tools of Titans, but solely because it's a diverse collection of success tips from successful people. His own personal stuff (4 hour work week) seems a little hokey

>Waste your time pondering a bunch of psycho-babble no one but other basement dwelling hippies give a fuck about

No thanks I'll learn stuff that matters instead

Niiiice, I listen to this one at work quite a bit, a bit of Grants stuff is available to torrent, we have no excuse not to try it

Bruh, the questions like "What is the end goal for humanity?" "What will the Western Civ legacy be?" and "does a soul exist or are we animated meat?" are the ones that matter, wondering "How do I get $$$?" "Why do I have no $$$" and "will this girl date me if I'm rich" are all superfluous bullshit you cockgurgler

Yes. The most poorly written, fake, feel-good story ever. Just plain useless. No concrete examples provided for anything. I regret the £10 I spent on it every day of my life.

>The Game by Neil Strauss

My nigga.

>After reading it I see how some men act, and just shake my head.

Know exactly the feeling!

If anyone want to dl these books
Go on libgen.io/

Simulacra and Simulation. The Ego and its Own.

Duh. Anything on psychology?

guys can you post free audiobooks or something? internet and Veeky Forums have fucked my attention span for reading but i can still absorb info through audio.

but isolation is patrician

>How to win friends and influence people

The main problem with this book's advice is that some people seem to respect you a lot less.

It's like to some people, if you disagree on something and you try to be the bigger person and consider their point of view, they just think of it as lack of confidence and take advantage of it. And you can't really tell in advance who is going to be that kind of person.

really? that is the main problem with the book? really?

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Don't disagree with me. Don't disagREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

Should I watch his first live streams? Didn't seem to have much content... Should I just watch the finance lessons?

The finance/investments lesson are pretty based.

i would disagree with sir
if you need special handholding reading financial statements, by all means watch. if you believe the market isn't random roulette and you can forecast the future of it for a period longer than hft-time and without inside, you should also watch.

meanwhile don't forget that shkreli uses youtube to project an image of a likeable character on normies. that trial and possible jail time is getting closer, gotta campaign for public opinion. so take it with a grain of salt.

the gist of how shkreli really made money though is by fraud-ish acts:
sec.gov/litigation/complaints/2015/comp-pr2015-282.pdf

im not saying its good or bad, but trading/analysis has little to do with it.

Sure, it can be interesting to know what the fuck venture capitalists and b celebrities do or like. But realize it's fucking pointless information.

Nope. Littereally started my path to riches.

If i die this second i will die happy upper middly class and requesr my copy be placed in my coffin with a few other sentimental items

Kek. U can. But id rather shitpost from a comfy iffice and learn to do it on the side until i can wuit

Shit m8. Burdy gid advice

>
>i would disagree with (You) sir
>if you need special handholding reading financial statements, by all means watch. if you believe the market isn't random roulette and you can forecast the future of it for a period longer than hft-time and without inside, you should also watch.

You are correct, nothing that you can't find in a book. But I was talking about the small nuggets of wisdom he drops while analysing companies, comparing them with each other, how he approaches forecasts of markets/companies.

I remember watching him playing around with the numbers of Facebook and calculating how much money they make of a user. And then he compared this with the subscription fees of Netflix for example. Something I would have never considered. Facebook has the potential for a subscription model besides their ad revenue.

[1/4]
This is for everyone who may be somewhat new here, or is too naive to understand the climate on this board. Many of the books that people share here are just memes promoted by people who were fooled by other anons into reading it, and are now attempting to pass the memes onto you. Don't fall for it.

If you are having trouble managing your personal finances, then you don't need a self-help book.

My simple outline for financial success:

Pre-Req: If you do not have a steady income source that will pay your bills and, at least, supply you with a minimal amount of food, then you should work on finding a (better) job.

Tip: If you've ever been diagnosed with a psychological condition or disability, then you can use a service called vocational rehabilitation. They'll get you set up with a job, come up with a long-term financial and vocational plan for you, and help you finish up a 2-year or 4-year education (sometimes even paying for part/all of it). It's not just for retarded people. If you've ever been diagnosed with ADD, OCD, or anxiety, then you can use it too. If you think you need help, then utilize it before it's too late.

1. Figure out your monthly expenditures, and ask yourself if there's any way to cut a bill down. (ex: a cheaper cell phone plan / cancel your vidya game subscriptions).

2. Chart your wants and needs for the month.
Example: You want to eat fast food for lunch, but you don't need fast food to survive, so you should shop at a market instead for the items you need to eat for the week. You should only buy the items which are cheap, healthy, and can satisfy your appetite. Super markets make this easy; limit your shopping to the outer perimeter of the store. Only drink water, as almost everything else will waste money, make you fatter, and put you at risk for costly diseases like diabetes, heart disease, GERD, cancer, etc. If you drink/smoke, then make strides to stop as quickly as possible (this includes vaping).

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3. If you belong to a friend group that's toxic (likes spending every dime they have on concerts, movies, eating out, partying, etc., then either convince them to do something that's free with you, or drop them and focus on yourself (library).

4. Take the money you've saved from cutting your monthly costs, and throw it into a savings account. You need to save up, at least, enough funds to account for three months worth of monthly expenditures. Don't listen to any faggot tell you about how you're losing money by keeping it in the bank, and that you should invest it in something like crypto, robinhood, forex, mutual funds, etc. This amount is meager, and the vast majority of these people are gamblers who have zero will-power. You're neither, so keep diligently investing into your savings account and find new ways to cut your costs.

5. During this time, you should be actively researching the most tride & true ways to advance yourself and income. If you already have a high-paying job that has room for promotions/raises, then think of ways to utilize your extra money to help give you more bargaining power when telling your boss you deserve a raise/promotion; this could be something as costly as obtaining a higher degree, or something as cheap as buying your work colleagues/boss lunch.

For people who desire a high-paying job that needs a higher degree-level:
Someone talked about learning how to analyze stock. Unless this person is already in a position to work for a company dealing with this, or has $500,000+ on hand, has many hours to spare in learning how to manage their investment, and the desire to spend countless hours managing it, then the chances of this person receiving a higher return on their time investment compared to just jumping into the deep end by focusing their efforts on bettering their core-skills for college are very slim. If you're bad at entry-level college maths, sciences, and/or English, then go to the library and fix your weaknesses.

[3/4]
If you struggle with any of these basics while studying, then use your extra money to find a tutor, or better yet, a mentor on the subject. They're not hard to find; just leave your house and ask counselors at a community college for help. When you've built up a good studying routine, are confident in your basic abilities, and have researched the best ways to fund your college education and your degree path you desire to take (a counselor will help you out), then you should apply for a local community college.

>But that's not Penn. How will I ever break into the field of finance?
No, it isn't. However, if you're currently lurking on a self-improvement book thread, then I can safely bet your chances of getting into a prestigious 4-year institution right away with(out) a scholarship are zero. Most of the time, it isn't even worth you attending an in-state 4-year school right away. A community college will be more flexible, much cheaper, and, will often times, be far easier than any 4-yr. Most of the time, all of your credits will transfer from a two year to a four year (if the school is in-state). You should strive for nothing less than a 4.0 in community college, visit all of your professors after hours, and always be inquisitive about what it takes to make it into their respective honor society. Make it a goal to graduate with a 4.0, be active in school club(s), and be in as many honor societies as you can manage. Now you have a good shot at transferring to top schools, and you can always fall back on the hefty scholarship you'll receive from an in-state institution. Strive harder to make a 4.0 there, and you will be in prime position to become a graduate student at a target-school. Many people say that you should find internships your junior year, but the process of engaging relevant employers offering internships in your field should begin your freshman year.

does anyone know where we can get these books online for free? :>( i have been looking for days.

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>I fucked up and flunked out though. How will I ever make it?
It really depends on how bad you fucked up, but either way, you should speak to an academic advisor at a community college. You might be very limited in what fields you can be competitive in, but there will always be jobs requiring a bachelor's degree available which place very little interest on your GPA.
>I only want to study subjects like Corporate Finance now, so I'll have a leg up whenever I study it in college.
Most people coming out of college find out they don't know jack shit about what their profession truly entails after starting the job. An entry-level analyst who never studied corporate finance before college vs someone in the same position who did, will more than likely be on the same plane of job performance after being trained by their superior.

tl;dr: You're not Martin Shkreli; you're a brainlet. Rational people think at the margin. Don't read a textbook like corporate finance if you're not currently using it for a relevant course. Focus on saving your money, stop eating shit, go to sleep on time, improve your basic core college skills--starting with the one you despise the most (math, science, English, etc.), get a tutor if you don't know something, apply to an inexpensive community college asap, don't make anything less than a 4.0 (don't be autistic; talk to your professors), apply to the school of your choice, do good, intern, ???, profit.

If you fucked up and flunked out, then go to a community college academic advisor and ask what it would take to make it in the field of your choice. Take their advice, don't go below a 4.0, and you may have a chance again.

If not, then there's always trade school.

nice advice, saved