After reading hundreds of books looking for motivation for TheSTRIVE.co readers, we decided to compile a list of the best motivational books based on the books that helped grow our audience the most.
So if you’re looking for something else to help you achieve that project, dream, or goal you’re pursuing, do yourself a favor and check out one of these motivational books (if you want to learn more about each one). Click on their picture). Because without a doubt, almost every one of them has the ability to help you rekindle your fire and get you back on track to achieve your goals.
These are the 25 best motivational books of all time:
- Play it safe
- Stay in your comfort zone
- Find an institution, a job, a set of rules to stick to
- Don’t fly too close to the sun
- Lush
- Evocative
- Deeply humane
- The importance of listening to our hearts
- Hill interviewed 504 people
- Including Ford
- Wrigley, Wanamaker, Eastman
- Rockefeller, Edison, Woolworth
The best motivational books of all time
Disclosure: Every book we feature has been selected and reviewed by our editors. If you make a purchase through the links provided, we may earn a commission.
1. The Magic of Thinking Big
It is at the top of the list because of the abundance of useful information. And each insight offers powerful tips to help you improve your life. In addition to all the insights, it also helps the reader to open his mind. This is important because it takes a broader mindset to rethink what is possible in your life.
This book is indeed a very useful and motivational book that everyone should read.
2. Think and Grow Rich
Everyone has heard of Think and Grow Rich and it is definitely one of the best self-development books ever written. But the reason it’s on the list of best motivational books is because it can help you believe that you can be rich, and not just rich in money, but rich in quality of life. This book does a great job of telling you what an abundant future is possible for you if you can control your thinking.
A classic book, highly motivating and worth every penny (and then some).
3. The Leader Who Had No Title
This book is a gem. It has the ability to help people believe that they can contribute more and rise above their current status, regardless of title. If you’ve ever used the lack of a title as an excuse for not being a leader or expressing your potential, you need this book.
Read this book and let its message motivate you to take inspired action wherever you are, whatever your name may be, now.
4. The Strangest Secret
The secret within the pages of this book will undoubtedly have a catalytic effect on people. How do we know? Because he has done it for countless people, all of whom have testified to the power of this book and its ability to change their lives.
Sometimes subtlety can affect your thinking and therefore the amount of action you take towards your dreams and goals. This book is a turning point.
Let this book be your catalyst in achieving your dreams.
5. The Alchemist
The Alchemist is a book that gives hope. But don’t expect me to motivate you to jump on chairs and wave flags. No, it doesn’t provide that kind of motivation. In fact, it doesn’t specifically motivate you; however, over time and in a subtle way, it gives you the courage to act on the ideas and dreams that you have convinced yourself not to realize.
So if you’ve never read this book and you’re looking for some subtle motivation, something to slowly nudge you towards your deepest goals, this is a must-read.
6. The betrayal of Icarus
This book by Seth Godin is motivating because it will help you overcome the difficulties you may have in trying your ideas in the market. Seth does a great job of addressing examples of the misplaced fear that if we aim high, we could burn ourselves out.
This book is a must read for any entrepreneur, artist or anyone with ambition. Yes, this book is for you!
7. YOU^2
If you’re looking for something spicy, something short, sweet, yet inspiring, we recommend reading this powerful book by Price Pritchett.
This book will help you see from a different perspective how you did things and can motivate you to try something new and take the big step normally required for the most important results. Without a doubt, this gem deserves to be on our list of the best motivational books, and after reading it, you think so too.
8. The Go Giver
If you have tried everything under the sun to achieve success, but have not yet achieved your goal, this book will come in handy. It can help you take a different approach to finding success, based on giving versus receiving (or taking).
Go Giver is listed as a great motivational book because it can inspire you to serve, give, and succeed through these thoughtful actions.
Read it and then be inspired to try a different approach to performance.
9. The Millionaire Messenger
Brendon Burchard has written a specific book on motivation, but it is this book that inspires action.
Brendon strongly argues that anyone who is an expert in something can use that expertise, become an advocate / messenger of that knowledge, and in turn become a millionaire.
If you’re the type who ever thought you could make more money with your knowledge, read this book. It gives you a blueprint to confidently launch your vessel as a messenger.
10. Reinvent Yourself
James Altucher is an interesting man who knows a thing or two about reinventing himself. He strongly advocates choosing yourself and why you can and should reinvent yourself if you want to live the life you really want.
In this book, James offers a number of unique insights that can help you rethink what’s possible for you and inspire you to try to create a whole new self.
And it’s considered one of the best motivational books because it can inspire change … which always requires healthy motivation.
11. Tools of Titans
This book by Tim Ferris covers a lot of different topics, but gives motivation because all the detailed examples (plus tips and tricks) refer to how many celebrities and top performers have been successful.
The book is big, VERY BIG … and it will take some time to get through, but it has so many insights and tips to improve yourself and your life.
This motivational book you will no doubt refer to for years to come.
12. Awaken the Giant Within
If you have never read this book, you will be amazed by the strategies it offers. Anthony Robbins is very good at what he does, and in this case he provides precise strategies that he at least can use to make the most of it.
It’s a great book with great ideas. Educate yourself with the spiritual strategies provided in this book, then go out there and unleash your greatness on the world.
13. The Power of Positive Thinking
It truly is one of the best motivational books ever. Much of Norman Vincent Peale’s material focuses on encouraging you to believe and adopt a positive attitude, which in turn can help you take positive action.
And believe it or not, a little tweak in your confidence and mindset can add surprising changes to what you’re passionate about achieving.
So, if you don’t trust your vision, believe in yourself, and have a good attitude about what’s possible for you, this motivational book will help you.
14. The Millionaire Fastlane
Everyone wants to get rich, but few want to learn how to get rich. This book not only provides a good starting point for the kind of mindset you need to acquire if you want to get rich, but it also sends a clear message about the value of execution and action to achieve financial / business goals.
If money motivates you, this book will get you started earning more and inspire you to do it fast.
15. The Dip
“The Dip” by Seth Godin is a great motivational book because it provides accurate information on times when you are not very motivated. In it, it bestows wisdom on the performer’s journey to a goal where it is likely to fail and about to sink.
This book is a must-read to keep you motivated as it can help you find you’re if and when you are “down” and give you an idea of what you can do to get out of it.
16. The Greatest Secret in the World
You must be thirsty for more in life to pick up a book like this; however, after reading this book, you will gain a new sense of success. And with this new awareness, you are almost automatically inclined to engage in every area of your life (at least the ones you want to succeed in).
If you are looking for more fulfillment and fulfillment in your life, this book will act as a catalyst to help you find it.
17. Message of a Master
Most people don’t embark on their dreams or big goals because deep down they don’t believe they will actually make them come true. If you have failed to think honestly about achieving that big dream or goal, read this book. It gives you the assurance that what you are looking for is also looking for you.
If you have any doubts about this motivational book, you can always check these quotes from the master’s message first.
Make sure to get this book if you really want to master your motivation and become the master of your life.
18. See You at The Top
The ideas and suggestions in this book help the reader change the way he thinks about himself and his work.
Zig Ziglar manages to argue all his suggestions very well and uses succinct anecdotes that can convince even the most stubborn and lazy person to do something positive with their time and life in general. This is indeed a book for anyone ready to embark on their own climb to higher achievements.
19. The 12 Week Year
Some great talents recommend this book as a turning point.
The premise of the books is to focus on achieving goals within 12 weeks. How is that possible? Because there just isn’t enough time to be content in this day and age; as such, the urgency in everything you do increases. So if you want to increase clarity, focus, and focus to achieve what matters most, this book is a must read.
20. The 10X Rule
The 10X Rule is a powerful book. Grant Cardone listed the exact steps and mindset he used to help him achieve the massive success he has achieved in life. And his insights culminate in what he calls the 10X rule.
You can definitely feel Cardone’s energy in this content and it will make you want to get out and peddle at the end of each chapter. For this reason, this book definitely belongs on this list of books that will make and keep you successful.
21. The Obstacle Is The Way
Obstacle is a Road belongs on this list because it provides its readers with the mindset they need to achieve. While most motivational books are good to start with, this is the one you want to read to get you through these tough times.
Ryan Holiday has been most eloquent in conveying the wisdom that anyone seeking success will eventually understand; that which hinders action is precisely what our action should promote. Therefore, we cannot recommend this book enough.
22. The Magic of Believing
The Magic of Faith is truly a classic book. And the reason it made it onto our list of the best motivational books of all time is its ability to keep you going. Regardless of the age of the book, Claude Bristol convincingly teaches the reader the power of belief in our ultimate success. And if there’s one thing that keeps most people from taking action on it, it’s their disbelief that they can succeed or achieve it.
So if you are someone who doubts what is possible for you and your life and you want to learn from a perspective that can give you the motivation to change your life, this book is for you.
23. The War of Art
Steve Pressfield is not your typical motivational or success champion. He is not a motivational speaker or a motivational guru. But he put together a timeless motivational piece of art in his book The War of Art. With the help of this book, he has managed to eradicate the resistance that faces every person, be it artist, entrepreneur or corporate climber. And it’s refreshingly motivating to know that the obstacles and resistance you encounter are normal. But above all, it is to be won.
By the end of the book, you will have a renewed sense of hope that you can overcome what is holding you back in life and achieve what you strive for.
24. Relentless
This book has the power to deliver. There aren’t many books that can prepare your mind for high performance like this one. You will leave this book with the mindset that has helped some of the greatest athletes become the greatest athletes.
Of course, this book is very motivational. And when you’ve read it, you’ve discovered the kind of ruthlessness that anyone can hone into great things. This is a motivational book for anyone who is ready to take their life to the next level.
25. How To Win Friends And Influence People
Our newest motivational book is not just a classic. How to Win Friends and Influence People is a masterclass in relationships and self-actualization. But the real reason this book is on the list is mainly because of its ability to motivate the reader to want to work on the social/transparent skills that lead to success.
There aren’t many books that inspire you to want to go out into the real world, so to speak, to put what you’ve learned to use right away. This book will give you strong encouragement and advice to find more success in life. As such, this is a motivational book you won’t want to put down.
Motivational book bonus
We have one last bonus book for you. Now, “The Strive Journal” is not your typical motivational book. It’s actually not a motivational book at all. However, it makes the list because it takes many, if not most, of the principles from the previous books just mentioned and brings them together to create an easy-to-use workbook that will keep you motivated for the long haul.
No doubt you need motivation to even consider buying such a tool, but its motivational power comes from helping you stay focused, zeroed in, and committed to acting on your goals long enough to achieve them. .
Final thoughts on this list of the best motivational books
There you have it, the 25 Best Motivational Books of All Time. Reading just a few of these highly motivational books (let alone all) will undoubtedly give you the push you need to get back out into the world and achieve your big goals and dreams.
But it all starts with action, even if you’re not motivated. And the smallest action you can probably take right now to regain your motivation is to invest in your mind.
So buy one of these motivational books, read it and start that important thing.
Until next time,
BUSINESS
PS – If you liked our list of the best motivational books, you’ll definitely like our list of the best motivational websites and this list of our favorite motivational quotes of all time.