our collection of the best motivational books for self-improvement!
Reading motivational books can make a big difference in how you see yourself and the world around you. Reading an inspiring book every day will help keep you in peak condition and help you see yourself and the world in a more positive light.
You are reading: Best motivational books 2020
When you read a motivational book, you are inspired to overcome your limitations and can make better decisions and take positive actions more often.
Although it may be difficult at first, you should make an effort to read an inspiring book every morning or at a time that suits you best.
jim rohn said it best: “the book you don’t read won’t help.”
We’ve put a lot of thought into developing a list of the best motivational books that:
– urge you to take action
– change your way of thinking
– inspire creativity
– take control of your life
– provide practical guidance to achieve personal and professional success
Our results are below: our top ten motivational and inspirational books.
Reading these books and tapping into their wisdom could change your life.
We also have a collection of titles that focus on how to become a millionaire, along with the best book quotes for further inspiration.
best personal development books to create a better life
1. the art of war, by sun tzu
The Art of War may be the most widely read book examining strategy and dispute resolution, studied by men and women alike, military men, business executives, and politicians alike. According to this book, strategy, preparation, and taking advantage of opportunities are the keys to success in overcoming conflicts.
awesome quotes:
“the wise warrior avoids battle.”
“Thus, those skilled in war subdue the enemy army without battle… they conquer through strategy.”
“…not preparing is the greatest of crimes; being prepared in advance for any contingency is the greatest of virtues.”
“what is of the greatest importance in war is extraordinary speed: one cannot afford to neglect opportunity.”
2. the four agreements: a practical guide to personal freedom, by miguel ruiz
according to the author miguel ruiz, four agreements in life are fundamental steps on the road to freedom:
Be impeccable with your word.
don’t take anything personally.
don’t make assumptions.
always do your best.
The basic premise of motivational books is that diligent application of these agreements will lead to personal freedom.
awesome quotes:
“every human being is an artist. the dream of your life is to make fine arts.”
“We may not be able to escape the fate of humans, but we have a choice: suffer our fate or enjoy our fate.”
“you’ll discover that you don’t need to trust others as much as yourself to make the right decisions.”
best motivational books for personal development
3. 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change, by stephen r. flock
This educational and motivational book was first published in 1989 and has sold over 25 million copies worldwide in over 40 languages. the 7 habits promoted by the book are:
be proactive
begin with the end in mind
put first things first
think win-win
seek first to understand, then to be understood
synergize
sharpen the saw
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 what he can and should be.”
“If I really want to improve my situation, I can work on the only thing I have control over: myself.”
4. how to win friends & influencing people, by dale carnegie
Bursting with practical advice, this motivational book includes fundamental techniques in managing people, six ways to please people, twelve ways to attract people to your way of thinking, how to be a leader and change people without offending or disturbing them. resentment, and seven rules to make your home life happier.
awesome quotes:
“It’s not what you have or who you are or where you are or what you’re doing that makes you happy or unhappy. is what you think about it.”
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“the world is full of hoarding and selfish people. therefore, the rare person who selflessly tries to serve others has an enormous advantage.”
best motivational books on life and success
5. think and grow rich, by napoleon hill
The title of this motivational book suggests that this book tells you how to accumulate monetary wealth, but it is much more than that: the principles laid out in this book cover enrichment in all aspects, personally and professionally.
The author conducted a series of interviews with the most successful and wealthy people to determine the universal doctrines that anyone can apply to succeed.
best phrases:
“There is no substitute for persistence. he who makes persistence his watchword finds that the “old failure” eventually gets tired and walks away. failure cannot cope with persistence.”
“Most people are willing to throw their goals and purposes overboard and give up at the first sign of opposition or disgrace. a few continue despite all opposition until they reach their goal. these few are the ford, carnegie, rockefeller and edison.”
6. Awaken the Giant Within You: How to Take Immediate Control of Your Mental, Emotional, Physical, and Financial Destiny by Anthony Robbins
This informative and motivational book is written by Tony Robbins, who is probably one of the best motivational speakers working today. In this book, Tony shares tips and strategies for gaining control of your emotions, body, relationships, finances, and life.
best phrases:
“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, until 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 worry about the little things and it’s all the little things, by richard carlson
This therapeutic and motivational book is about seeing the big picture and learning to let go of the things that don’t really matter. Appreciate your loved ones and take some time to stop and smell the roses.
best phrases:
“Although we often make mistakes, most of us do the best we know how with the circumstances around us.”
“true happiness does not come when we get rid of all our problems, but when we change our relationship with them, when we see our problems as a potential source of awakening, opportunities to practice and learn.”
8. change: how to change things when change is difficult, by chip heath and dan heath
The authors of this fun and inspiring book examine change. his theory is that there are two brain systems: a rational system and an emotional system.
When these systems work together, making changes is simple. the opposite is true when these systems work against each other: making changes becomes very difficult. Using inspiring anecdotes, this book illustrates how to make change happen.
best phrases:
“so when you hear people say that change is hard because people are lazy or resistant, that’s totally wrong. in fact, it’s the opposite: change is difficult because people burn out. And that’s the second surprise of change: What looks like laziness is often exhaustion.”
“It’s a theme we’ve seen time and time again: big changes come from a succession of small changes. it’s okay if the first few changes seem almost trivial.”
9. the magic of thinking big, by david j. schwartz
Think small and you will have a small success. think big and you will have great success. These are the basics espoused by this motivational book.
The author provides practical advice on overcoming fear, having confidence, and above all, aiming high.
best phrases:
“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. he who thinks he can’t, can’t. belief unleashes the power to do.”
10. steve jobs by walter isaacson
walter isaacson provides a detailed account of steve jobs’ professional and personal life, based on interviews with himself, as well as with family, friends, competitors, and colleagues.
This book is incredibly inspiring as it shares the story of a driven, admittedly difficult perfectionist who was the greatest innovator of his generation.
best phrases:
“steve jobs: “the best way to predict the future is to invent it.”
“jobs insisted that apple focus on only two or three priorities at a time. “There’s no one better at shutting down the noise that’s going on around you,” Cook said. “That allows you to focus on a few things and say no to a lot of things. few people are really good at it.”
more motivational books about life and success
11. relentless: from good to great to unstoppable, by tim s. grove
Legendary trainer Tim Grover reveals what it takes to get those results, showing you how to be ruthless and get what you want.
grover breaks down what it takes to be unstoppable: keep going when everyone else gives up, thrive under pressure, never let your emotions get you down.
best phrases:
“being ruthless means demanding more of yourself than anyone could ever demand of you, knowing that every time you stop, you can still do more. you should do more.”
“fuck” try it. trying is an open invitation to fail, 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
leadership expert john c. Maxwell explains how to be more creative and when to question popular thinking. he learns how to focus his thinking and capture the big picture.
the author teaches how to tap into your creative potential, develop shared ideas, and draw lessons from the past to better understand the future.
notable quotes:
“maya angelou observed that creativity cannot be exhausted. the more you use, the more you have. sadly, too often creativity is stifled rather than encouraged. there has to be a climate in which new ways of thinking, perceiving, questioning are encouraged.”
“A person who knows how can always have a job, but the person who knows why will always be your boss.”
13. the energy bus: 10 rules to fuel your life, your work and your team with positive energy, by jon gordon and ken blanchard
In this book, Jon Gordon reveals 10 secrets for approaching life and work with the kind of forward-thinking, positive thinking that leads to true fulfillment, at work and at home.
The author offers a guide on how to overcome adversity and bring out the best in yourself and your team.
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 means that you really enjoyed the trip.”
14. you’re a badass: how to stop doubting your greatness and start living an amazing life, by jen sincere
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In this book, bestselling author and world-traveling success coach Jen Sincero helps you identify and change the self-sabotaging beliefs and behaviors that keep you from getting what you want.
The book aims to help you understand why you are the way you are, how to love what you cannot change, and how to change what you do not love.
notable quotes:
“If you are serious about changing your life, you will 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 people being scared or not.”
15. make your bed: little things that can change your life…and maybe the world, by william h. mcraven
This timeless book provides simple wisdom, practical advice, and words of encouragement that will inspire you to achieve more, even in life’s darkest moments.
notable quotes:
“None of us is immune to life’s tragic moments. Just like the little rubber boat we had in basic seal training, it takes a team of good people to get you to your destination in life. you can’t row the boat alone. find someone to share your life with. make as many friends as you can, and never forget that your success depends on others.”
“You can’t row alone. find someone to share your life with. make as many friends as you can, 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. flock
This book was named the most influential business book of the 20th century. If you are having difficulty improving certain aspects of your life, you may want to read this.
notable quotes:
“but until a person can say in a deep and honest way: “I am who I am today because of the decisions I made yesterday”, that person cannot say: “I choose something else”.
“Most people don’t listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intention of responding.”
17. the life-changing magic of decluttering: the japanese art of decluttering and organizing, by marie kondō
Japanese cleaning consultant Marie Kondo takes readers step-by-step through her revolutionary Konmari method of simplifying, organizing and storing.
The book aims to help you declutter and enjoy the unique magic of a tidy home, and the calm, driven mindset it can inspire.
notable quotes:
“The question of what you want to own is really the question of how you want to live your life.”
“but when we really dig into the reasons we can’t let go, there are only two: attachment to the past or fear of the future.”
other motivational books for personal development
18. imperfect courage: live a purposeful life by leaving comfort and going scared, by jessica honegger
With imperfect courage, Jessica Honegger invites readers on a journey of transformation, challenging them to trade their comfort zones for a life of shock and adventure.
The author aims to help you break free from shame, commit to building a culture of collaboration, and expand your circles of compassion to encompass the entire world.
19. the 5 second rule: transform your life, work, and confidence with courage every day, by mel robbins
In this book, Mel Robbins teaches you how to become your best self. learn to be confident, to break the habit of procrastination and self-doubt, to overcome fear and uncertainty, to stop worrying and feel happier, and to share your ideas with courage.
notable quotes:
“You can’t control how you feel. but you can always choose how to 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 book of reflections for those seeking wisdom, guidance, encouragement and inspiration on the path to a meaningful life.
The book features quotes, scriptures, prayers, and reflections intended to foster empowerment, achievement, and forward mobility in women of all ages.
notable quotes:
“Let us not look back in anger, nor forward in fear, but around us with awareness”. —james thurber
“Prayer is talking to God. meditation is letting god speak to you.” —yogi bhajan
21. good mornings start with gratitude: a 52-week guide to cultivating an attitude of gratitude, with a simple tap
Good Mornings Begin With Gratitude is a 52-week guide to cultivating an attitude of gratitude!
is a self-exploration journal designed to focus on being grateful for what we have, the great things in life, as well as the simple joys.
22. tattoos on the heart: the power of limitless compassion, by gregory boyle
In Heart Tattoos, Gregory Boyle distills his experience of working in the ghetto into a stunning series of faith-inspired parables.
The book offers a moving look at how full our lives could be if we could find the joy in loving others and being loved unconditionally.
notable quotes:
“This is what we seek: a compassion that can admire what the poor have to carry instead of judging how they carry it.”
“If there is a fundamental challenge within these stories, it is simply to change our latent suspicion that some lives matter less than others.”
23. strong: a runner’s guide to building confidence and becoming the best version of yourself, by kara goucher
In this book, Kara Goucher shares her secrets to overcoming self-doubt and improving running performance using proven tools in the field of sports psychology.
24. fail until you don’t: fight, grind, repeat, by bobby bone
In this book, Bobby Bones offers an inspiring and humorous collection of stories about the biggest mistakes of his life and how he turned them into lessons and victories.
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
In Care Package, Sylvester digs deep to uncover the pain, the scary moments, and engages the reader’s struggles through compelling stories. The author’s mission is to inspire the reader to heal, release, vibrate higher, and practice self-care every day.
what other motivational books would you add to the list?
reading an inspiring book a day is improving your life. self-help books can help you expand what you have, make you start to believe that you can be more. you start to explore what you are capable of and experience more.
Even if you struggle at first, you should develop the habit of reading motivational books. we hope you found some titles in the list above to get you started.
Which of these motivational books have you read? Do you have any other favorite books to add to the list? let us know in the comments section below.
Read more inspiring self-help books here!