10 books to change behavior

I always found it fascinating to walk into libraries and bookshops. Those who like to read certainly have the impression that they will not be able to read everything, and perhaps they have noticed that they buy more books than they can read. I confess that it is a difficulty that I have. Today I have to have a clear reason to buy (learn more about it, create a course, write a text for you) so as not to overextend myself.

But there are books and books. Today I would like to share with you the books I recommend for behavior change. They are not theoretical books, that is, they do not deal directly with theories and thoughts from the lines or approaches of psychology. But they are quality books that have what I call here on the Practical Tips site. As far as possible, I will try to contemplate different approaches within psychology.

10 books to change behavior

1) Behavior Modification What it is and how to do it

This is a book designed for psychology students. More specifically, for behavioral psychology students who want to get into Behavior Analysis. However, due to its accessible language, it also works as a tool to understand how we behave and, consequently, change our behaviors.

2) Basic Principles of Behavior Analysis

I recently bought this one and I think it fulfills the same role as the previous one (with the advantage of being cheaper). In a sense, there is a description of the main concepts of behavioral psychology, but, due to the profusion of examples and the ease of understanding the explanations – it is really a very didactic book – I think that it can be an excellent introduction to use in the analysis and modification of the our behaviors.

3) Overcoming Anxiety and Worry – with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (Patient Manual)

There is book, written by Aaron T. Beck, creator of Cognitive Psychology, and David A. Clark is fantastic for those who want to reduce their anxiety and worries. We found the publication by Artmed in the version for patients and for therapists.

In the patient version, anyone can start reading the book and use the knowledge, techniques and assessments to improve this part of their lives.

4) Think Slim – For Life. The Ultimate Diet by Judith S. Beck

In the same approach as the previous one, in this book by Aaron Beck’s daughter, Judith Beck, we find a powerful manual, super detailed, for those who want to lose weight or maintain weight. It is a bestseller in this area that brings together behavioral psychology (eating this or that), cognitive psychology (the thoughts that precede eating, sabotage thoughts, anxiety, etc.) and nutrition.

5) Stop sabotaging yourself and turn around

This is a book that I had seen on several recommendations and it took me a while to buy. The book is subtitled – How to get rid of the behaviors that get in the way of your life. With extensive clinical experience, helping from at-risk populations to Olympic athletes, the author Flip Flippen has developed a very innovative technique.

He lists 10 personal limitations (overconfidence, lack of confidence, overprotection, too demanding, not affable, little vitality, excessive dominance, resistance to change, aggressiveness and impulsiveness) that prevent people from reaching their full potential. After explaining each of these limitations – we can have one or more as the main ones – the author explains how to overcome them.

According to him, reaching full potential is not about talent, but about the ability to deal with and overcome such limitations.

6) The power of habit

Despite not being a psychotherapist or trained in any field related to psychology, Charles Duhigg has done an excellent job of studying in depth how a habit is formed. A journalist, he interviewed and researched the stories of hundreds of people, from many different areas of activity, and achieved the feat of writing the acquired knowledge in a fully accessible language. The subtitle of the book is Why we do what we do in life and business.

7) The art of getting things done (Getting Things Done)

This is THE productivity book. Productivity is the area within psychology and management that aims to study behavior that is efficient and effective. Efficient because we can do more with less (time or resources), effective because it achieves the desired goals.

David Allen is the ultimate productivity expert and this is the book that made him world famous. The caption reads: “an anti-stress formula for setting priorities and delivering solutions on time”.

8) In search of meaning: A psychologist in the concentration camp

This is a book, shall we say, more philosophical. But I insert it here because the question of the meaning of our behaviors is fundamental. In other words, when we understand the reason why we want to stay alive, the purpose of our existence, the mishaps and difficulties (even being in a concentration camp) acquire another perspective and we have more chances of overcoming whatever.

Viktor Frankl is known around the world as the creator of logotherapy. In addition to the account of the time in the concentration camp, we find two appendices in this edition: “Fundamental Concepts of Logotherapy” and the “Thesis of Tragic Optimism”.

9) Break Free – Avoiding Happiness Pursuit Pitfalls

This book, written by one of the most important authors of ACT, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, has become for me the most important book I have read this year. He not only explains the fundamentals of therapy, but also demonstrates, through everyday examples, the fundamentals of this new approach that brings together knowledge from cognitive-behavioral psychology, Mindfulness and the Theory of Relational Frames.

It’s a brilliant book with lots and lots of practical exercises!

10) The only thing

And, finally, a book that I cannot fail to list here is this one, which has the subtitle: the surprising truth behind extraordinary results. This work brings together what is most fundamental in the concept of productivity. Do one thing at a time. Avoid multi-tasking and pay full attention to what really needs to be done.

As the subtitle says, it’s a surprising truth. As the authors begin: “If you chase two birds at the same time…you won’t catch either one” (Russian Proverb).

And to you? What was the book or books that helped you change? Which one do you recommend?

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