Best Motivational Books

Book rating updated 9.05.2024

Achieve extraordinary results! Best motivational books of all time sorted by rating. Popular self motivation books recommended by Matt Ogus, David Goggins, Hamza Ahmed, Chris Williamson, Julie Zhuo and other famous people.

  1. Can't Hurt Me

    4.8
    94 155 ratings
    David Goggins
    An amazing story of a man who made himself from nothing by pure strength of will, and in the process, managed to develop a new skill that propelled him to become one of the top endurance people on the planet. Starting his life as a poor and despised person, he transformed himself through sheer determination. Most limitations, as this story could most succinctly and most forcefully articulate, are self-imposed. This impresses the reader with the need to break past those personal barriers into everything that they possibly can become.
  2. The Miracle Morning

    4.6
    32 913 ratings
    Hal Elrod
    This transformative guide offers a start-to-finish routine to revolutionize mornings, tapping into the power of early hours to create extraordinary results in all areas of life. It introduced the six life S.A.V.E.R.S.: Silence, Affirmations, Visualization, Exercise, Reading, and Scribing, which were designed to help anyone bust through challenges and reach their full potential. It encourages readers to create the habits that would bring the highest levels of success, happiness, and fulfillment. It is a call to redesign your morning and, hence, your life.
  3. You Are a Badass

    4.7
    46 217 ratings
    Jen Sincero
    Recommended by: Matt Ogus, Jay Shetty
    Investigating the deep effects that trauma has on our minds and bodies, this work lays bare how stress and violence really do imbricate in indelible marks on our brains, often leading to anxiety, depression, and addiction. It delves into the various treatment approaches that are working towards the intervention of trauma by the brain's very own neuroplasticity. Techniques like mindfulness, yoga, and body-oriented psychotherapy are reviewed for their implications in treatment that goes beyond trauma. This work stands, then, as a beacon of hope and understanding for anyone who might reach out to reclaim their lives from the hands of what they knew in the past and substantiates, with powerful evidence, the case for an embodied approach to therapy. A bestseller in recent years.
  4. Tuesdays with Morrie

    4.8
    34 961 ratings
    Mitch Albom
    Recommended by: Julie Zhuo
    Mitch Albom reports the lessons he has been learning from Morrie Schwartz, an old professor who is in the process of dying and who with great sagacity passes on to Mitch the most basic life lessons that ought to be common knowledge. This poignantly summarized lesson orbits around love, work, and interdependence relative to insight into living a fulfilling life without fearing to die.
  5. Make Your Bed

    4.4
    44 827 ratings
    Admiral William H. McRaven
    Admiral William H. McRaven's book is an inspiration to share of life lessons from Navy SEAL training and career. The author points out to the readers on his book not to underestimate the power of small things one does on daily basis starting from making a bed every morning. He explains how this little task can set the tone for the rest of your day---and; more importantly, the rest of your life. Through stories personal and stirring advice, McRaven describes how discipline, determination, and teamwork can help anybody overcome the most daunting of challenges. This book encourages readers to find the courage within themselves to change the world, beginning with their own lives.
  6. Big Magic

    4.5
    22 021 ratings
    Elizabeth Gilbert
    Recommended by: Anna Akana
    In her book "Big Magic," Elizabeth Gilbert sets off to explore the nature of creativity and exhorts people to live a life empowered by creative passion manifested through curiosity. She talks about the attitudes, approaches, and habits without which we can't have creativity, exhorting a life filled with artistic expression, joy, and no fear.
  7. Unfu*k Yourself

    4.6
    25 686 ratings
    Gary John Bishop
    A no-fuss way to overcome self-doubt, negative self-talk, and any limiting beliefs, personal transformation is premised on the notion that one would simply have to take full responsibility for his or her thoughts, feelings, and actions. There's self-awareness-raising and goal-setting, coupled with taking action in practical terms when one is experiencing fear and uncertainty. Real-life examples are given, and hands-on exercises are provided to solidify the principles.
  8. The Mountain Is You

    4.7
    17 707 ratings
    Brianna Wiest
    This book provides a comprehensive and introspective guidance on the theme of self-sabotage and how to crush mental blocks on the road of personal development. It offers valuable insights into identifying self-destructive behavior and common thought patterns, empowering readers to overcome internal obstacles and transform them into opportunities for growth. By presenting principles from psychology, mindfulness, and personal development, the author supports readers in reframing their relationship with themselves, ultimately helping them reach their full potential in life and achieving their goals. The book equips readers with strategies for cultivating self-awareness, resilience, and a growth mindset.
  9. The Last Lecture

    4.6
    11 591 ratings
    Randy Pausch
    Recommended by: Jay Shetty
    Pausch's memoir of his "Last Lecture" further extends the message. He had delivered the same after the verdict of terminal cancer. He reflects how living in a discourse that blends lessons of life, personal anecdotes, and practical advice presents in his experience as a computer science professor, mentor, husband, and family man. This book is a heartfelt guide of how to reach out for your dreams and these exactly at every moment.
  10. The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari

    4.6
    14 344 ratings
    Robin Sharma
    This inspirational fable follows a high-powered lawyer who experiences a spiritual crisis and travels to the Himalayas in search of wisdom. Through the protagonist's journey, Sharma imparts seven key principles for a life of purpose and fulfillment. The book covers topics such as time management, self-discipline, embracing change, and living with mindfulness. Sharma uses vivid symbolism to illustrate complex life lessons, making the spiritual and philosophical concepts accessible.
  11. Eat That Frog!

    4.7
    7 439 ratings
    Brian Tracy
    Master time management and boost productivity by tackling your most challenging tasks first. This book is based on the advice of Mark Twain that if the first thing in the morning you do is to eat a live frog, then nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day. The book deals with a practical methodology for the prioritization of tasks, avoidance of procrastination, and for getting more in less time. This takes you through the disciplines to organize your day, the rule of "touch it once," and 21 effective strategies of defining your biggest and most important tasks ("frogs") and then taking immediate action on them. Learn to embrace the discipline of doing your toughest jobs first, hence transforming your life and work habits for good.
  12. The Motivation Manifesto

    4.6
    4 193 ratings
    Brendon Burchard
    Recommended by: Jim Kwik
    Burchard has a passionate call to people in his work, to claim and develop one's personal power that one might be living life on their own terms, out of intention and not out of desire or freedom. That encourages every reader to jump totally past the fear and inertia to express the real self, success, and happiness. "The book sets the principles and practices required for the purpose of finding motivation and keeping them as driving energy in one's life.
  13. Your Best Year Ever

    4.6
    2 281 ratings
    Michael Hyatt
    A proven framework in setting and achieving meaningful goals in all the departments of life. It says success begins with clarity, commitment, and then consistency. It gives practical application, enabling one to overcome common obstacles that may often get in the way, such as a lack of motivation, distractions, and setbacks. Finally, there are worksheets, templates, and real-life examples set out to help the reader in coming up with a plan that best suits them for living their best year.
  14. Worthy

    4.9
    857 ratings
    Jamie Kern Lima
    Share an amazing story of going from a beleaguered waitress to a highly successful entrepreneur and CEO. Offer experiences and lessons in overcoming self-doubt, embracing vulnerability, and passion with a sense of purpose. The practical guide is directed at building a mission-driven business: leading with empathy and inclusivity, and using success as a platform to drive positive change.
  15. The Motivation Myth

    4.4
    939 ratings
    Jeff Haden
    Challenges the dominant belief about motivation and furnishes a more pragmatic guideline on how to actually achieve goals and succeed in peak performance. He insists that motivation does not come from success but from taking action, building momentum, not putting things off, getting it done, and giving yourself no excuses to follow through and no reasons not to follow through. Practical tips on the things you can do to beat procrastination, build habits, and actually create progress in the long run.

FAQ

  • What are the best motivational books ever written?

    These are the top 10 best books for motivation and inspiration of all time and for this year (2024) sorted by rating:

    1. "The Power of Positive Thinking" by Norman Vincent Peale
    2. "The Compound Effect" by Darren Hardy
    3. "The Magic of Thinking Big" by David Schwartz
    4. "Awaken the Giant Within" by Tony Robbins
    5. "The Miracle Morning" by Hal Elrod
    6. "The Success Principles" by Jack Canfield
    7. "The 5 Second Rule" by Mel Robbins
    8. "Think and Grow Rich" by Napoleon Hill
    9. "The Four Agreements" by Don Miguel Ruiz
    10. "The Slight Edge" by Jeff Olson.
  • What are the most popular authors of self help books for motivation?

    Here are the best authors for motivational books:

    • Tony Robbins ("Awaken the Giant Within," "Unlimited Power")
    • Brené Brown ("Daring Greatly," "The Gifts of Imperfection")
    • Eckhart Tolle ("The Power of Now," "A New Earth")
    • Napoleon Hill ("Think and Grow Rich," "The Law of Success")
    • Mel Robbins ("The 5 Second Rule," "The High 5 Habit")
    • Gary John Bishop ("Unfuk Yourself," "Stop Doing That Sht")
    • Jen Sincero ("You Are a Badass," "You Are a Badass at Making Money")
    • Robin Sharma ("The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari," "The 5 AM Club")
    • Tim Ferriss ("The 4-Hour Work Week," "Tools of Titans").
  • What are the best books for success and motivation for beginners?

    List of must read motivational books for success you should study to get started:

    1. "Think and Grow Rich" by Napoleon Hill
    2. "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People" by Stephen Covey
    3. "Awaken the Giant Within" by Tony Robbins.
  • What self motivation books do famous people recommend?

    These are the top 10 most recommended books to get motivated from famous people:

    1. "Think and Grow Rich" by Napoleon Hill - recommended by Tony Robbins (life coach)
    2. "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People" by Stephen Covey - recommended by Bill Clinton (former U.S. President)
    3. "Awaken the Giant Within" by Tony Robbins - recommended by Oprah Winfrey (media executive)
    4. "The Power of Positive Thinking" by Norman Vincent Peale - recommended by Donald Trump (former U.S. President)
    5. "Drive" by Daniel Pink - recommended by Sheryl Sandberg (Facebook COO)
    6. "The Magic of Thinking Big" by David Schwartz - recommended by Warren Buffett (investor)
    7. "Mindset" by Carol Dweck - recommended by Bill Gates (Microsoft co-founder)
    8. "The Success Principles" by Jack Canfield - recommended by Steve Harvey (TV host)
    9. "The 5 Second Rule" by Mel Robbins - recommended by Shark Tank's Barbara Corcoran (real estate mogul)
    10. "The Slight Edge" by Jeff Olson - recommended by Robert Kiyosaki (author of "Rich Dad Poor Dad").
  • What are the best motivational nonfiction books?

    List of popular books to motivate yourself:

    • "Think and Grow Rich" by Napoleon Hill
    • "The Power of Positive Thinking" by Norman Vincent Peale
    • "Grit" by Angela Duckworth
    • "The 5 Second Rule" by Mel Robbins
    • "The Happiness Advantage" by Shawn Achor
    • "The Compound Effect" by Darren Hardy
    • "The Miracle Morning" by Hal Elrod
    • "Drive" by Daniel Pink.