Reading motivational books can make a huge difference in how you see yourself and the world around you.
Reading an inspiring book every day will help keep you in optimal condition and help you interpret
yourself and the world more positively.
When you read a motivational book, you get inspired to smash through your limitations and are able to
make better choices and take positive actions more often.
Although you might struggle at first, you should make an effort to read a motivational book every
morning or at whatever time works best for you.
Jim Rohn, said it best: “The book you don’t read won’t help.”
We have thought long and hard on 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.
Our results are below – our top ten motivational and inspirational books.
Reading these books and drawing upon their wisdom could change your life.
1
The Art of War
About
The Art of War may be the most widely read book that examines strategy and dispute
resolution, equally studied by men and women, military, business executives and politicians
alike. According to this book, strategy, preparedness and taking advantage of opportunities
are key to achieving success by overcoming conflict.
Major 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 opportunity.”
2
The Four Agreements
About
According to author Miguel Ruiz, four agreements in life are fundamental steps on the path
to freedom:
Be impeccable with your word. Don’t take anything personally. Don’t make assumptions. Always
do your best. The motivational books basic premise is that the diligent application of these
agreements will lead to personal freedom.
Major 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.”
3
7 Habits of Highly Effective People
About
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 touted by the book are:
Begin with the End in Mind, Put First Things First, Be, Proactive, Think Win-Win, Seek First
to Understand, Then to be Understood, Synergize, Sharpen the Saw.
Major 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
About
Brimming with practical advice, this motivational book includes fundamental techniques in
handling people, six ways to make people like you, twelve ways to win people to your way of
thinking, how to be a leader and change people without giving offense or breeding
resentment, and seven rules for making your home life happier.
Major 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.”
5
Think and Grow Rich
About
The title of this motivational book suggests that this book tells you how to accumulate
monetary wealth, but it is so much more than that – the principles set out in this book
cover growing rich in every aspect, personally and professionally.
The author conducted a series of interviews with the most successful and wealthiest
individuals to determine the universal doctrines that anyone may apply in order to be
successful.
Major 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
About
This informative and motivational book is authored by Tony Robbins, who is probably one of
the best motivational speakers today. In this book, Tony shares tips and strategies to gain
control of your emotions, body, relationships, finances and life.
Major 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
About
This therapeutic and motivational book is all about seeing the bigger picture, and learning
to let go of those things that don’t really matter. Cherish your loved ones and take time to
stop and smell the roses.
Major 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
About
The authors of this fun and motivational book examine change. Their 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 inspirational
anecdotes, this book illustrates how to make change happen.
Major 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
About
Think small and you will have small success. Think big and you will have big success. These
are the core concepts espoused by this motivational book.
The author provides practical advice to overcome fear, have confidence and above all, aim
high.
Major 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
About
Walter Isaacson provides an in-depth account of the professional and personal life of Steve
Jobs, drawing upon interviews with Jobs himself, as well as family members, friends,
competitors and colleagues.
This book is incredibly inspiring, as it shares the tale of a driven perfectionist,
admittedly difficult to deal with, that was the greatest innovator of his generation.
Major 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.”
