Last updated on March 10th, 2023 at 08:43 pm
Our selection of the top self-improvement motivational books!
Reading inspirational literature can have a profound impact on how you view the world and yourself.
In the comments box below, let us know which motivating book is your favorite.
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What are the benefits of reading these motivational books?
You’ll stay in top shape and have a more positive outlook on life if you read an inspirational book every day.
Reading a book on inspiration can encourage you to
- smash through your limitations
- make better choices
- take positive actions more often
Try to read a motivating book every morning or at whatever time suits you best, even though you might find it difficult at first.
“The book you don’t read won’t help.”
Jim Rohn
We have thought long and hard about developing a list of the best motivational books that:
- urge you to take action
- change the way you think
- inspire creativity
- take control of your life
- provide practical guidance to achieving
- personal and professional success
The writers of these books have the theoretical or practical expertise (or both) to which you may apply to your own situation.
The following are our top ten picks for books that will inspire and motivate you.
Life-altering insights can be found in these books.
We also have a library of books on how to amass a fortune, along with the top motivational quotes from those books.
Best Personal Development Books For Creating a Better Life
1. The Art of War, by Sun Tzu
Everyone from soldiers to CEOs to politicians reads Sun Tzu’s The Art of War because it is one of the best books out there on conflict resolution and strategy.
This book argues that the best way to achieve success is to face and then triumph over adversity head-on, using a combination of careful planning, a willingness to adapt, and a willingness
Awesome Quotes:
“The wise warrior avoids the battle.”
“Thus those skilled in war subdue the enemy’s army without battle …
They conquer by strategy.”
“To … not prepare is the greatest of crimes; to be prepared beforehand for any contingency is the greatest of virtues.”
“What is of the greatest importance in war is extraordinary speed: One cannot afford to neglect the opportunity.”
2. The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide To Personal Freedom, by Miguel Ruiz
The author Miguel Ruiz posits that there are four agreements in life that, if followed, will lead to independence:
- Never lie or feign honesty.
- Try not to take anything to heart.
- Do not jump to conclusions.
- Never stop trying to improve.
The underlying idea of these self-help books is that if you follow these rules to the letter, you will eventually find the independence you’ve been seeking.
Awesome Quotes:
“Every human is an artist. The dream of your life is to make beautiful art.”
“Maybe we cannot escape from the destiny of the human, but we have a choice: to suffer our destiny or to enjoy our destiny.”
“You will find that you don’t need to trust others as much as you need to trust yourself to make the right choices.”
Best Motivational Books for Personal Development
3. 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change, by Stephen R. Covey
First released in 1989, this inspirational and instructional book has now sold over 25 million copies in more than 40 languages.
The book advocates the following seven habits:
Don’t Wait Around; Take Action
Put the end result first
Concentrate on What’s Most Important First
Play the long game
Focus on gaining comprehension before hoping to be accepted.
Synergize
Bring the Saw to a Point
Awesome Quotes:
“Treat a man as he is and he will remain as he is.
Treat a man as he can and should be and
he will become as he can and should be.”
“If I really want to improve my situation, I can work on the one thing over which I have control – myself.”
4. How to Win Friends & Influence People, by Dale Carnegie
This inspiring book is packed with helpful guidelines, such as the seven principles for a healthier home life, the twelve ways to win people to your way of thinking, the six ways to make people like you, the ways to be a leader and influence others without giving offense or breeding resentment.
Awesome Quotes:
“It isn’t what you have or who you are or where you are or what you are doing that makes you happy or unhappy.
It is what you think about it.”
“The world is full of people who are grabbing and self-seeking. So the rare individual who unselfishly tries to serve others has an enormous advantage.”
Best motivational books about life and success
5. Think and Grow Rich, by Napoleon Hill
The title of this inspirational read would have you thinking it’s all about making more money, but the ideas outlined within can help you flourish in every area of your life, both professionally and emotionally.
The author interviewed some of the world’s wealthiest and most successful people to distill their wisdom down to a set of core beliefs that can be used by everyone.
Best Quotes:
“There is no substitute for persistence.
The person who makes persistence his watch-word discovers that “Old Man Failure” finally becomes tired, and makes his departure.
Failure cannot cope with persistence.”
“The majority of people are ready to throw their aims and purposes overboard and give up at the first sign of opposition or misfortune.
A few carry on despite all opposition until they attain their goal.
These few are the Fords, Carnegies, Rockefellers, and Edisons.”
6. Awaken the Giant Within How to Take Immediate Control of Your Mental, Emotional, Physical and Financial Destiny, by Anthony Robbins
Author Tony Robbins, widely regarded as one of the world’s top motivational speakers, penned this insightful and inspiring tome.
Tony gives advice on how to master your mind, body, relationships, money, and life in this book.
Best Quotes:
“If you do what you’ve always done, you’ll get what you’ve always gotten. “
“You can’t have a plan for your day, ’til you have a plan for your life.”
“Success is doing what you want to do, when you want, where you want, with whom you want, as much as you want.”
7. Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff and Its All Small Stuff, by Richard Carlson
See the broad picture and learn to let go of the little stuff with the help of this soothing and inspiring book.
Hold your loved ones close and appreciate the little pleasures of life.
Best Quotes:
“Even though we often mess up, most of us are doing the best that we know how with the circumstances that surround us.”
“True happiness comes not when we get rid of all of our problems, but when we change our relationship to them, when we see our problems as a potential source of awakening, opportunities to practice, and to learn.”
8. Switch: How to Change Things When Change Is Hard, by Chip Heath and Dan Heath
In this entertaining and inspiring read, the writers consider the topic of transformation.
They propose that in addition to the logical, thinking part of the brain, there is also an emotional, feeling part.
When all of these components are integrated, making alterations is easy.
When these systems operate against one other, the converse is true – making changes becomes exceedingly difficult.
Inspiring stories are used to show how to implement change in this book.
Best Quotes:
“So when you hear people say that change is hard because people are lazy or resistant, that’s just flat wrong.
In fact, the opposite is true: Change is hard because people wear themselves out.
And that’s the second surprise about change: What looks like laziness is often exhaustion.”
“It’s a theme we’ve seen again and again — big changes come from a succession of small changes.
It’s OK if the first changes seem almost trivial.”
9. The Magic of Thinking Big, by David J. Schwartz
Keep a low profile and you will get modest results.
Consider the impossible, and you will make it possible.
These ideas form the backbone of the inspirational guide.
The author offers concrete suggestions for beating anxiety, building self-assurance, and setting lofty goals.
Best Quotes:
“Think you are weak, think you lack what it takes, think you will lose, think you are second class – think this way and you are doomed to mediocrity.”
“Those who believe they can move mountains, do.
Those who believe they can’t, cannot.
Belief triggers the power to do.”
10. Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson
Through extensive interviews with Jobs, his family, friends, competitors, and coworkers, Walter Isaacson presents a detailed overview of Jobs’s business and personal life.
The story of a perfectionist who was also his generation’s greatest inventor is told in this book, which is full of wisdom and encouragement despite its protagonist’s sometimes-difficult personality.
Best Quotes:
“Steve Jobs: “The best way to predict the future is to invent it.”
“Jobs insisted that Apple focus on just two or three priorities at a time.
“There is no one better at turning off the noise that is going on around him,” Cook said.
“That allows him to focus on a few things and say no to many things.
Few people are really good at that.”
More motivational books about life and success
11. Relentless: From Good to Great to Unstoppable, by Tim S. Grover
The secrets of success, as revealed by legendary trainer Tim Grover, include being tenacious in the pursuit of your goals.
Grover lays forth the requirements for unstoppability: perseverance when others have given up, success in the face of adversity, and the ability to preserve one’s composure in stressful situations.
Best Quotes:
“Being relentless means demanding more of yourself than anyone else could ever demand of you, knowing that every time you stop, you can still do more.
You must do more.”
“Fuck “try.”
Trying is an open invitation to failure, just another way of saying, “If I fail, it’s not my fault, I tried.”
12. How Successful People Think: Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life, by John C. Maxwell
John C. Maxwell, a noted authority on leadership, teaches how to think outside the box and when it’s appropriate to do so.
It’s important to be able to narrow your attention and yet see the larger picture.
The author instructs readers on how to unleash their imagination, build consensus, and learn from the past in order to shape their future.
Notable quotes:
“Maya Angelou observed you can’t use up creativity.
The more you use, the more you have.
Sadly, too often creativity is smothered rather than nurtured.
There has to be a climate in which new ways of thinking, perceiving, questioning are encouraged.”
“A person who knows how may always have a job, but the person who knows why will always be his boss.”
13. The Energy Bus: 10 Rules to Fuel Your Life, Work, and Team with Positive Energy, by Jon Gordon and Ken Blanchard
In this book, Jon Gordon outlines ten strategies for maintaining an optimistic and proactive outlook on life that can help you succeed in all areas of your life, including your professional and personal endeavors.
The author provides advice on how to push through difficulties and achieve greater success individually and collectively.
Notable quotes:
“You haven’t failed until you stop trying.”
“the goal in life is to live young, have fun, and arrive at your final destination—as late as possible—with a smile on your face, because this would mean that you truly enjoyed the ride.”
14. You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life, by Jen Sincero
Bestselling author and international success coach Jen Sincero guides you through the process of recognizing and altering the thoughts and actions that are holding you back from achieving your goals.
Ultimately, this book is meant to help you accept yourself for who you are, enjoy the parts of yourself that you can’t alter, and work to improve the parts that you now dislike.
Notable quotes:
“If you’re serious about changing your life, you’ll find a way.
If you’re not, you’ll find an excuse.”
“You are responsible for what you say and do.
You are not responsible for whether or not people freak out about it.”
15. Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life…And Maybe the World, by William H. McRaven
Even in your lowest points, this classic’s words of wisdom and guidance will serve as a source of inspiration and motivation to keep moving forward.
Notable quotes:
“None of us are immune from life’s tragic moments.
Like the small rubber boat we had in basic SEAL training, it takes a team of good people to get you to your destination in life.
You cannot paddle the boat alone.
Find someone to share your life with.
Make as many friends as possible, and never forget that your success depends on others.”
“You cannot paddle the boat alone.
Find someone to share your life with.
Make as many friends as possible, and never forget that your success depends on others.”
16. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change, by Stephen R. Covey
According to a recent poll, this book is the most influential business book of the twentieth century.
It’s possible you may benefit from reading this if you’ve ever had trouble figuring out how to better yourself.
Notable quotes:
“But until a person can say deeply and honestly, “I am what I am today because of the choices I made yesterday,” that person cannot say, “I choose otherwise.”
“Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply.”
17. The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing, by Marie Kondō
Marie Kondo, a Japanese organizing expert, walks readers through her groundbreaking KonMari Method of decluttering, sorting, and storing.
The book’s goal is to assist the reader in achieving the unique charm of a clean and organized house, as well as the serenity and inspiration that may result from such a space..
Notable quotes:
“The question of what you want to own is actually the question of how you want to live your life.”
“But when we really delve into the reasons for why we can’t let something go, there are only two: an attachment to the past or a fear for the future.”
Other motivational books for personal development
18. Imperfect Courage: Live a Life of Purpose by Leaving Comfort and Going Scared, by Jessica Honegger
In her book Imperfect Courage, Jessica Honegger encourages readers to leave their comfort zones behind in favor of a more impactful and exciting existence.
The book’s author hopes it will help readers overcome feelings of guilt, make a steadfast commitment to fostering a cooperative society, and extend their spheres of sympathy to cover the entire planet.
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19. The 5 Second Rule: Transform your Life, Work, and Confidence with Everyday Courage, by Mel Robbins
Mel Robbins shares her secrets for reaching your full potential in this insightful book.
Conquer your insecurities, overcome your worries, and speak your mind with assurance and assurance in yourself by reading this book.
Tonight I applied these rules, and that allowed me to publish the content.
Notable quotes:
“You can’t control how you feel.
But you can always choose how you act.”
“You Are One Decision Away from a Completely Different Life”
20. I’ve Been Thinking . . .: Reflections, Prayers, and Meditations for a Meaningful Life, by Maria Shriver
A collection of musings for individuals on the path to finding happiness and fulfillment in their lives.
This book is filled with inspirational sayings, prayers, readings, and meditations for women of all ages to help them feel more confident, capable, and capable of moving forward in their lives.
Notable quotes:
“Let’s not look back in anger, or forward in fear, but around in awareness.” —James Thurber
“Prayer is talking to God.
Meditation is letting God talk to you.”
—Yogi Bhajan
21. Good Days Start With Gratitude: A 52 Week Guide To Cultivate An Attitude Of Gratitude, by Pretty Simple Press
Gratitude is a powerful emotion that can change your life for the better, and Good Days Start With Gratitude is a 52-week program to help you get there.
This gratitude diary encourages the reader to reflect on the great and little things for which they are grateful.
22. Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion, by Gregory Boyle
Tattoos on the Heart is Gregory Boyle’s beautiful collection of faith-based stories drawn from his time spent working in the ghetto.
The book paints a moving picture of what life may be like if we could all learn to love and be loved without conditions.
Notable quotes:
“Here is what we seek: a compassion that can stand in awe at what the poor have to carry rather than stand in judgment at how they carry it.”
“If there is a fundamental challenge within these stories, it is simply to change our lurking suspicion that some lives matter less than other lives.”
23. Strong: A Runner’s Guide to Boosting Confidence and Becoming the Best Version of You, by Kara Goucher
Kara Goucher uses tried and true methods from the world of sports psychology to reveal her strategies for overcoming self-doubt and maximizing running performance in this book.
24. Fail Until You Don’t: Fight Grind Repeat, by Bobby Bones
In this book, Bobby Bones shares the hilarious and instructive tales of his life’s greatest failures and how he overcame them to achieve success.
Notable quotes:
“Get out of your head and into your life. Fight, Grind, Repeat.”
25. Care Package: A Path to Deep Healing, by Sylvester McNutt III
Through moving anecdotes, Sylvester in Care Package identifies with the reader’s plight and understands his or her own experiences of anguish and terror.
Author’s goal is to encourage daily healing, letting go, raising vibration, and self-care.
What other motivational books would you add to the list?
Inspiring yourself with a good book every day is a great way to improve your life.
You can grow what you have and have faith that you can achieve more by reading self-help books.
What you’re capable of discovering is expanded upon when you engage in additional adventures.
If you’re having trouble getting started, make it a practice to read something inspirational every day.
To help you started, we’ve included a list of some potential titles.
How many of these inspirational novels have you read?
To this list, would you add any of your own personal favorites?
Leave a comment and let us know what you think.
