3 self-help books for those looking to 'level up' their mindfulness

Do we have the power to change our lives? Self-help books say we do and even outline ways for how to get there.

Covering topics like our interactions with others, self-acceptance and mindfulness, self-help books have offered a blueprint for many who want to improve their lives.

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The former Canada Reads panellist, model and influencer Mirian Njoh spoke to The Next Chapter's Antonio Michael Downing about three self-help books which left a lasting impact.

The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown

Perfectionism isn't the answer to our imperfections. Instead, we can choose to see what they can offer and teach us. The Gifts of Imperfection is a guide to accepting imperfections and living without shame.

It's about the art of practicing courage, connection and compassion, while letting go of the need to be perfect.

Mirian says: "I think that the word you just see recurring throughout this book is practice. Practice as an action, as a verb, as it's something that we do daily. We do it regularly. And the way that she expresses how we can do that is that a lot of those things start within us."

Atomic Habits by James Clear

Atomic Habits outlines how great success can come from small, consistent changes. Featuring stories of real-life professionals and drawing on ideas from psychology, biology and neuroscience, James Clear has created a guide to building good habits and getting rid of bad ones.

Mirian says: "It's not really an affirmation, but just something I'd keep in my mind, which was you are your habits, not your aspirations, just like you are what you do, not what you want to do."

Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell

Rather than crediting intelligence and ambition alone, Gladwell makes a different case for success in his book Outliers, especially in people outside of the ordinary. He argues that understanding how people thrive involves looking at the environment around them, including their family, their birthplace and even their birthdate. While uncovering the way these elements affect our lives, Gladwell presents a compelling guide for making the most of human potential.

Mirian says: "While innate talent is a factor, there are also other factors in play that determine people's success. And he [Gladwell] breaks it down into the opportunities that we encounter and also the legacy that is the context we exist in."

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.