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Whether you’re looking to advance in your career, build confidence in high-stakes situations, or simply create more balance in your everyday life, turning to a great mindset book can provide the perspective shift you need.
The books below have all made a meaningful impact on how successful women think, work, and navigate challenges. Consider this your curated reading list for building the mindset that supports your ambitions without sacrificing your well-being.
1. Happier Now by Nataly Kogan
How many times have you thought, “I’ll be happy when I get the promotion,” or “Once I hit this goal, everything will feel different”? The truth is, that burst of happiness you’re chasing doesn’t last as long as you’d expect.
Happier Now explores why we’re wired to constantly chase the next achievement and how that cycle keeps us from experiencing joy in the present. Kogan offers practical strategies for finding fulfillment now, not just when you’ve ticked every box on your to-do list.
This is especially relevant for women who are always striving for more. It’s a gentle reminder that happiness isn’t something you earn after reaching the finish line, instead it’s something you cultivate along the way.
Why it matters for your career: Learning to find satisfaction in your current role while still pursuing growth helps you show up more confidently and prevents burnout from constant striving.
Happier Now: How to Stop Chasing Perfection and Embrace Everyday Moments (Even the Difficult Ones)
By Nataly Kogan
2. The Comparison Cure by Lucy Sheridan
Scrolling through LinkedIn and seeing everyone else’s promotions, awards, and perfect lives? We all know comparison isn’t healthy, but stopping the habit is easier said than done.
The Comparison Cure offers a simple, three-step strategy for breaking the comparison cycle and focusing on your own path instead. Sheridan provides real-world tools for quieting the noise and building confidence that isn’t dependent on how you measure up to others.
For women navigating social media and workplace dynamics where comparison is constant, this book is an essential read. Instead of scrolling Instagram on the morning commute try picking up this book, or listening to the Audiobook.
Why it matters for your career: When you stop comparing yourself to others, you free up mental energy to focus on your own growth and the steps you need to take to get to where you desire to be.
The Comparison Cure: How to be less ‘them’ and more you
By Lucy Sheridan
3. The Fire Starter Sessions by Danielle LaPorte
If you’ve ever felt stuck in your career or unsure about your next move, The Fire Starter Sessions offers clarity through actionable exercises that help you identify your true strengths.
LaPorte challenges conventional wisdom with bold statements like “Life balance is a myth” and “Being well-rounded is overrated.” Instead of trying to do everything, this book pushes you to double down on what you’re actually good at and passionate about.
Why it matters for your career: Knowing your strengths and leaning into them (rather than trying to be good at everything) is how you stand out and advance faster.
The Fire Starter Sessions: A Soulful and Practical Guide to Creating Success on Your Own Terms
By Danielle LaPorte
4. The Confidence Kit by Caroline Foran
Confidence isn’t something you either have or don’t have – it’s a skill you can build. The Confidence Kit offers a practical, no-nonsense guide to developing genuine confidence in all areas of your life.
Foran breaks down the science behind confidence and provides actionable exercises to help you overcome self-doubt, manage anxiety, and show up more boldly. Rather than offering empty affirmations, she gives you tools to actually shift your mindset and behavior.
This book is particularly valuable for those who struggle with imposter syndrome or who find their confidence wanes in high-pressure situations like presentations, interviews, or difficult conversations.
Why it matters for your career: Confidence affects every aspect of your professional life – from how you negotiate salary to how you lead teams. Building your confidence is essential as you advance in your career.
The Confidence Kit – Your Bullsh*t-Free Guide to Owning Your Fear
By Caroline Foran
5. How to Own the Room by Viv Groskop
Public speaking and presenting are critical career skills, yet many professional women struggle with nerves, self-doubt, or feeling like they’re not being heard in meetings. How to Own the Room addresses these challenges head-on.
Groskop, a stand-up comedian and communication expert, combines practical techniques with inspiring stories from powerful female speakers throughout history. She covers everything from dealing with nerves and finding your authentic voice to commanding attention and handling difficult questions.
Public speaking isn’t only relevant for when you have to give a formal presentation, it is also important for you to master to have the confidence to speak up in meetings, pitch your ideas effectively, and make your voice heard in any professional setting.
Why it matters for your career: Your ability to communicate clearly and confidently is one of the most valuable skills you can develop. Whether you’re presenting to clients, leading team meetings, or delivering your elevator pitch, owning the room sets you apart.
How To Own The Room: Women and the Art of Brilliant Speaking
By Viv Groskop
6. F*ck Being Humble by Stefanie Sword-Williams
If you’ve ever downplayed your achievements, hesitated to share your wins, or felt uncomfortable talking about your successes, this book is for you. F*ck Being Humble tackles the self-promotion struggle that holds so many professional women back.
Sword-Williams makes a compelling case for why being visible and vocal about your work isn’t arrogant. She provides practical strategies for promoting yourself authentically, whether that’s on social media, in job applications, or during networking events.
For women who’ve been taught that “good work speaks for itself” (spoiler: it doesn’t), this book is a wake-up call. In a world where visibility matters, learning to advocate for yourself without apology is going to help you get what you want in your career and life.
Why it matters for your career: If you’re not talking about your accomplishments, someone else is taking credit for them. This book teaches you how to own your success and make sure the right people know about it.
F*ck Being Humble: Why Self-Promotion Isn’t a Dirty Word
By Stefanie Sword-Williams
7. The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel
Money isn’t just about the numbers you have in your bank account or the salary you are earning, it’s deeply emotional and behavioral. The Psychology of Money explores why we make the financial decisions we do and how our relationship with money shapes our lives.
Housel uses compelling stories and research to show that financial success has less to do with intelligence and more to do with behavior. He covers everything from why we take unnecessary risks to how to think about long-term wealth building in a way that suits you individually.
This book is essential reading for anyone who wants to make smarter financial decisions, whether that’s negotiating salary, investing for the future, or simply understanding why you make the money choices you do.
Why it matters for your career: Understanding your own money psychology helps you negotiate better, make smarter career moves, and build long-term financial security.
The Psychology of Money: Timeless lessons on wealth, greed, and happiness
By Morgan Housel
8. Manifest by Roxie Nafousi
If you’ve heard about manifestation but dismissed it as overly spiritual or unrealistic, this book might change your mind. Manifest takes a grounded, practical approach to the concept of creating the life you want.
Nafousi breaks manifestation down into seven actionable steps that focus on mindset, self-belief, and intentional action. Rather than just “thinking positive thoughts,” this book teaches you how to identify limiting beliefs, build confidence, and align your actions with your goals.
For women who feel stuck or uncertain about their next career move, this book offers a framework for getting clear on what you actually want and taking concrete steps to make it happen.
Why it matters for your career: Manifestation isn’t magic (unfortunately!) – it’s actually about gaining clarity on what you want, setting intentions, and then making consistent actions towards those goals. This book helps you stop waiting for opportunities and start creating them.
Manifest: 7 Steps to Living Your Best Life
By Roxie Nafousi
9. Daring Greatly by Brené Brown
Vulnerability might feel like the last thing you want to bring into the workplace, but Daring Greatly makes a compelling case for why it’s actually your secret weapon.
Brené Brown has become synonymous with vulnerability research, and this book (which preceded her viral TED Talk and Netflix special) explores how vulnerability sits at the center of all our emotions – both positive and negative. The most confident people aren’t the ones with all the answers; they’re the ones willing to put themselves out there anyway.
For women navigating careers in male-dominated industries or high-pressure environments, this book reframes vulnerability as strength. It’s about showing up authentically, taking risks, and being willing to fail – all of which are essential for career growth.
Why it matters for your career: The willingness to be vulnerable makes you a better leader, communicator, and collaborator.
Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead
By Brené Brown
10. Limitless by Laura Gassner Otting
Have you ever achieved something you thought you wanted, only to feel… underwhelmed? If so, you’re not alone. Limitless explores why so many intelligent, high-performing people eventually feel stuck despite their success.
The answer lies in the fact that most of us are chasing a version of success that someone else defined. This book helps you identify what success actually looks like for you, based on your values, not external expectations.
At under 150 pages, it’s a quick read packed with actionable strategies for defining success on your own terms. For women navigating societal expectations about what a “successful career” should look like, this book is a refreshing reset.
Why it matters for your career: You’ll stop comparing yourself to others and start building a career that actually aligns with what makes you fulfilled.
Limitless: How to Ignore Everybody, Carve Your Own Path, and Live Your Best Life
By Laura Gassner Otting
11. Grit by Angela Duckworth
Intelligence and talent are great, but they’re not the most important predictors of success. What matters more? Perseverance.
Grit dives deep into why some people achieve their goals while others give up too soon. Duckworth’s research shows that combining passion with persistence – especially through setbacks – is what separates high achievers from everyone else.
For women facing obstacles or skepticism in their work, developing grit is essential. This book offers a roadmap for building resilience and staying committed to your goals even when progress feels slow.
Why it matters for your career: The ability to push through challenges and keep going when things get hard is what ultimately gets you promoted, recognised, and respected.
Grit: Why passion and resilience are the secrets to success
By Angela Duckworth
12. Drive by Daniel Pink
What actually motivates you at work? Chances are, it’s not what you think.
Drive challenges the idea that bigger paychecks and external rewards are the best motivators. Instead, Pink argues that autonomy, mastery, and purpose are what truly drive us to do our best work.
If you’ve been grinding away in a job that pays well but leaves you feeling empty, this book will help you understand why – and what to look for in your next role.
Why it matters for your career: Understanding what actually motivates you helps you make smarter career decisions and avoid burnout.
Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us
By Daniel Pink
13. The Confidence Code by Katty Kay and Claire Shipman
Do you ever doubt your abilities or hold yourself back from taking risks? You’re not alone.
The Confidence Code combines research on genetics, gender, and behavior with real-life experiences from successful women in politics and business. It goes beyond telling women to “lean in” and offers practical ways to adopt a more self-assured attitude.
This book is especially powerful for women who struggle with imposter syndrome or who notice their male colleagues confidently stepping into opportunities they’d hesitate to pursue.
Why it matters for your career: Confidence isn’t something you’re born with – it’s something you build. This book gives you the tools to do exactly that.
The Confidence Code: The Science and Art of Self-Assurance – What Women Should Know
By Katty Kay and Claire Shipman
14. The Art of Happiness by the Dalai Lama
In a world that often feels chaotic and overwhelming, The Art of Happiness offers timeless wisdom on overcoming anxiety, fear, and dissatisfaction.
Through relatable stories and practical advice, the Dalai Lama shares how to cultivate happiness even in difficult circumstances. This isn’t just a fluffy feel-good book – it’s grounded in real-world application and helps you reframe how you respond to challenges.
For those juggling demanding careers, relationships, and personal goals, this book provides tools for staying centered when everything around you feels out of control.
Why it matters for your career: A calm, grounded mindset helps you make better decisions, manage stress, and show up as your best self!
The Art Of Happiness: A Handbook for Living
By Dalai Lama
15. The Happiness Advantage by Shawn Achor
Most people believe that success leads to happiness. This book flips that assumption on its head: happiness actually comes first, and when we’re happier, we perform better.
Based on 12 years of research at Harvard, The Happiness Advantage shows that cultivating positivity improves productivity, creativity, and resilience. In other words, working on your mindset isn’t a “nice-to-have”, it can become your a competitive advantage.
Why it matters for your career: When you prioritise your mental well-being, you show up sharper, more creative, and more capable of handling whatever your job throws at you.
The Happiness Advantage: The Seven Principles of Positive Psychology that Fuel Success and Performance at Work
By Shawn Achor
16. Keep Going by Austin Kleon
Whether you’re working on a big project, trying to solve a complex problem, or simply looking for fresh ideas, creativity is essential to career success. But what do you do when you feel stuck?
Keep Going offers 10 simple, actionable strategies for boosting creativity and staying motivated. One of the most effective? “Demons hate fresh air” – the idea that stepping away from your desk and going for a walk can reset your mind and spark new ideas. Remind yourself of that next time you are spiralling with a work problem and go for a quick walk to clear your mind.
Why it matters for your career: Creativity isn’t just for artists. It’s what helps you problem-solve, innovate, and stand out in your role.
Keep Going: 10 Ways to Stay Creative in Good Times and Bad
By Austin Kleon
17. The War of Art by Steven Pressfield
We all face internal resistance – that voice that tells us we’re not ready, not qualified, or not good enough. The War of Art names this force “The Resistance” and teaches you how to overcome it.
This short, powerful book is especially relevant for anyone who’s ever procrastinated on a big goal, hesitated to apply for a promotion, or talked themselves out of taking a risk.
Why it matters for your career: Overcoming internal resistance is often the only thing standing between you and your next big career move.
The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battle
By Steven Pressfield
18. Indistractable by Nir Eyal
In today’s notification-filled world, staying focused is harder than ever. You sit down to work, your phone pings, and suddenly three hours have disappeared into a social media black hole.
Indistractable explores the psychology behind what makes modern life so distracting and offers practical strategies for reclaiming your focus. If you want to be more productive and less reactive, this book is for you.
Why it matters for your career: The ability to focus deeply on important work is one of the most valuable skills you can develop. Successful women protect their time and attention – this book shows you how.
Indistractable: How to Control Your Attention and Choose Your Life
By Nir Eyal
19. Atomic Habits by James Clear
If there’s one book that belongs on everyone’s shelf, it’s this one. Atomic Habits breaks down the science of habit formation and shows you how tiny changes can lead to remarkable results.
Clear’s framework – make it obvious, make it easy, make it attractive, make it satisfying – can be applied to everything from morning routines to productivity systems to career development.
The beauty of this book is that it doesn’t require massive willpower or motivation. It shows you how to design your environment and routines so that good habits become automatic.
Why it matters for your career: Your daily habits shape your career trajectory more than any single big decision. This book teaches you how to build habits that support your long-term goals.
Atomic Habits: The life-changing million-copy #1 bestseller
By James Clear
20. The Compound Effect by Darren Hardy
We’ve all heard how important it is to save a little each month for retirement, but what if that same principle applied to every area of your career?
The Compound Effect breaks down how small, consistent improvements lead to exponential results over time. Imagine getting just 1% better at something every day. By the end of the year, you’d be over 37 times better at it.
While we don’t always have exact metrics for personal growth, this book will change how you think about incremental progress. Whether it’s improving how you communicate in meetings, building your professional network, or developing a new skill, the tiny actions you take today compound into major advantages tomorrow.
Why it matters for your career: Career advancement isn’t usually one big leap, it’s dozens of small, strategic moves that add up over time.
The Compound Effect: Jumpstart Your Income, Your Life, Your Success
By Darren Hardy
Final Thoughts
You don’t need to read all 20 of these books next month (though we’d love to hear about it if you do!). Instead, scan through the list and pick one or two that resonate with where you are in your career right now.
Maybe you need to build confidence before your year-end review. Maybe you’re struggling with comparison and need a reset. Or maybe you just want to start your mornings with more intention and need the motivation to make it stick.
Whatever you choose, remember: the most successful women aren’t the ones who know everything. They’re the ones who never stop learning, growing, and investing in themselves. Consider these books your next step forward.
Looking for more career support? Join the Peer Suite community for access to exclusive resources, workshops, and a network of professional women who are navigating the same challenges you are. Learn more about membership here.
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