MOTIVATIONAL BOOKS
                     MOTIVATIONAL BOOKS
Motivation is one of the most important drivers of creativity and action in one’s life; if you are 
motivated, any task looks achievable. When motivation is lacking, even a molehill looks like a 
mountain. But how to get motivated when there are no triggers to motivate you to even come 
out of bed early in the morning?
Books, books, and books. Yes, books are the best motivating force humankind has ever 
invented. If you don’t feel motivated to do anything even after reading an inspiring book, there 
must be something lacking in your life. The remedy- read a few more books! Jim Rohn, said it 
best: “The book you don’t read won’t help.”
For anyone interested in self-improvement and professional competence, his or her bucket list 
should consist of those books which should not only spark your creativity and change the way 
you think but also urge you to take action by providing practical guidance for achieving personal 
and professional success. With that in mind, here is my bucket list!
WHAT ARE MOTIVATIONAL 
BOOKS?
Motivational books are those books that motivated people to do something, usually a good person 
are read them because these books have to do with the do's and don't of people's life.
There are also books that teach people how to motivate themselves and these books are read by 
every person in the world because everyone can use some motivation.
Motivational books can be a great option for this. They can help you reach your full potential.
They can help you reach goals that you have set for yourself and can help you learn how to 
improve your life.
So if you're looking for something to read, you may want to consider a book that can help you 
improve your life in some way.
Motivational books are specific books that writers of all types can use to develop their writing.
A person might want to write a motivational book because they want to give advice to other 
writers, or because they want to be more motivating to other writers.
If you want to motivating other people to live a more productive life, you can write a motivational 
book.
WHY WE READ MOTIVATIONAL BOOKS
1. It Will Teach You to Live in the Now
Sometimes, we get so caught up in the mundaneness of life, and the demands of our future, that we forget to enjoy 
the present. Reading a motivational book, will remedy the situation immediately. Dwelling over the past won’t give 
it back to us. And worrying about the future will only add to our anxieties and powerlessness.
All we have that we can call ours is the present. Life is in the now. Live it, love, laugh, dream, argue, strive. Make 
every second of your present count. Let your book lead you to become that person who adds meaning and color to 
every moment in the present.
2. It Will Get You Out of the Mental Rut
The monotony of daily life lands most of us in a mental rut, where we put up a lid on our creativity and imagination. 
It’s sad but true that you need a motivator to stop being a robot and start thinking again. Nothing can be a better 
call-to-action for your passive mind than a motivational book. It will stimulate you to think, visualize, act, and 
implement.
 
3. It Will Remind You That You Create Your Own Destiny
So, we have spoken how a motivational book helps you get out of the mental rut. Consequently, it all makes you 
believe and realize that you and only you are responsible for your life. It convinces you and makes you take control 
of your own destiny. Only someone who cares for you very deeply can influence you to never feel like a victim or 
powerless, and go out there and make all your dreams come true. Your books will empower you, and re-instill faith 
and confidence in you.
4. It Will Teach You To Understand People Better and Empathize
Books are those treasure troves that give you insight into feelings, emotions, and nuances of human relationship. 
Motivational books teach us how to seal the deal when it comes to relationships and people. From developing a 
better understanding of people and why they do so, to being able to forgive, and say no when needed, 
motivational books equip you to have lasting and meaningful relationships.
5. It Will Strengthen You When You Are Feeling Weak and Defeated
There cannot be better pick-me-ups than books. No ice-cream, feel-good movie, or retail therapy can make you feel more full of 
courage and optimism than a book. Turning those pages will infuse in you hope, and strength to take action.When you are down 
in the dumps, you need someone to listen to you, without judging and fill you with words of wisdom and motivation, that 
reasserts your self-worth and confidence. A book through its bevy of carefully selected words, or a protagonist who despite all 
odds and obstacles never gives up and emerges to strive and succeed is the best form of motivation we humans needs to see. 
The book becomes a testament to the indomitability and triumph of the human spirit, and coaxes us to take action and change 
the course of events in our favor.
“If we encounter a man of rare intellect, we should ask him what books he reads.” – Ralph 
Waldo Emerson
6. It Will Never Let You Feel Lonely
As humans, struggle, depression and anxiety is inevitable. In such states of melancholy, we often move towards isolation. Anyone 
who has ever felt lonely, will tell you that it is not a good feeling. With a motivational book by your side, you will never feel lonely. 
Going through the pages, you will feel like you have a friend who understands you, listens to you, and gradually, but definitely, 
eases your anxiety and steers you towards peace and comfort.
 Invest in motivational books because, somewhere between the bookmarks and folded corners, smell of the pages, and 
handwritten notes, you will also find your true self.
 
TYPES OF MOTIVATIONAL BOOKS
1. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey
 This is one of the most popular motivational books of all time. Sadly Covey passed away 
in 2012. In his book, he lays out seven habits for finding success at work and in your 
personal life. A companion workbook is also available. I found the book quite inspiring in 
that it addresses managing problems at work and at home, which is unusual in a genre 
like this. The seven habits 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
2. How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale 
Carnegie
This bestselling motivational book was published in 1936, and it has sold 
over 30 million copies and is still in print. It addresses topics like increasing 
your popularity and earning power, becoming a better public speaker and 
winning people over to your way of thinking.
The book is full of wisdom that’s still useful today. Examples include: don’t 
criticise, condemn or complain; give honest and sincere appreciation; and 
arouse in the other person an eager want. The author writes about how to 
encourage people to like you by smiling, becoming genuinely interested in 
their problems, and being a good listener. Carnegie writes, 
“You can make more friends in two months by becoming 
interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to 
get other people interested in you.”
Dale Carnegie
3. Think and Grow Rich written by Napoleon Hill
This book dates back to 1937 and surprisingly, the advice still applies to 
difficult times today. Hill offers readers fourteen principles that will help them 
find spiritual and material wealth. For this motivational book, Hill interviewed 
some of the greatest business minds of his day, including Henry Ford and J. D. 
Rockefeller. The book also includes 3 American presidents. Hill offers 
motivational nuggets like:
“You are the master of your destiny. You can influence, direct and 
control your own environment. You can make your life what you want 
it to be.”
Napoleon Hill
4. Awaken the Giant Within by Anthony Robbins
Anthony Robbins isn’t for everyone, but he’s one of the most famous 
motivational coaches of modern times. His coaching process involves training 
both the mind and the body, and his famous seminars cost thousands of 
dollars.
Why pay that much when you can get some of his insights via this much 
cheaper book? Published in 2001, it offers covers topics like feeling out of 
control and living a life with passion and energy.
It’s one of the longer motivational titles in this list, partly because Robbins 
writes at length about each idea. Personally, I prefer listening to Robbins via his 
courses and audiobooks. But, assuming you can wade through the monologues, 
it’s an inspiring read. Expect motivational advice like,
“If you can’t, you must. If you must, you can.”
Tony Robbins
5. As a Man Thinketh by James Allen
Published in 1903, the author continues to motivate people even into the 
present time. His goal was to help people life a better life using advice inside of 
his short, pocket companion book. This motivational book has a spiritual angle to 
it. He argues thinking beyond what we are to what we can be is imperative. 
Allen writes,
“The outer conditions of a person’s life will always be found to be 
harmoniously related to his inner state…Men do not attract that which 
they want, but that which they are.”
James Allen
6. The Greatest Salesman in the World by Og Mandino
Published in 1968, this book isn’t about sales at all. It prescribes how to live a 
life of abundance using ten principles. He dubs these as “The Legend of Ten 
Scrolls”. Examples include: Master Your Emotions, Multiply Your Value 
Everyday and The Power of Laughter. Reading this book isn’t about speed. 
Mandino says it should take you up to 10 months to read it properly. Mandino 
writes,
“[Every] defeat, every heartbreak, every loss, contains its own seed, 
its own lesson on how to improve your performance the next time.”
Og Mandino
7. Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff by Richard Carlson
Published in 1998, this book carries a simple motivational message: let go of 
the clutter. This book aims to help the reader differentiate between what is 
important versus clutter. He argues managing stress and finding motivation is 
hard if the little things weigh us down. Carlson writes,
“The key to a good life is this: If you’re not going to talk about 
something during the last hour of your life, then don’t make it a top 
priority during your lifetime.”
Richard Carlson
8. Drive by Daniel Pink
New-York Times bestselling author Daniel Pink is one of the more engaging and colorful business 
authors in recent times. His 2011 book explains what motivates people to perform at work. Pink also 
covers why the most effective people are masters of their own time and have a purpose beyond 
monetary rewards. Pink interweaves personal anecdotes with third-party research. He writes,
“Greatness and nearsightedness are incompatible. Meaningful achievement depends on lifting 
one’s sights and pushing toward the horizon.”
Daniel Pink
9. The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent 
Peale
This theme of this motivational books was criticized when published back in 1952. 
However, happiness is a skill anyone can learn with practice and positive thinking. The 
healthier and cheerier person will be more likely to do well and succeed versus 
someone who does not hold the same mindset. The power of positivity is the way to go. 
Peale writes,
“The way to happiness: Keep your heart free from hate, your mind 
from worry. Live simply, expect little, give much. Scatter sunshine, 
forget self, think of others. Try this for a week and you will be 
surprised.”
Norman Vincent Peale
10. The Power of Ambition by Jim Rohn
I listened to this inspiring audiobook during a mild case of depression a few 
years ago. I was surprised by how Jim Rohn’s warm and engaging delivery. 
Published in 1994, the advice inside of the book isn’t any different to what I’d 
read elsewhere but Rohn communicates clearly to the reader about how to 
overcome personal setbacks. He also covers how to find financial freedom. 
He says,
“Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you 
going.”
Jim Rohn
11. Atomic Habits by James Clear
New York Times bestselling author James Clear coaches readers how to 
succeed in their personal and professional lives by reaping the rewards of 
smart daily decisions.
In this book, Clear outlines how to create lasting good habits and overcome 
bad ones. He also provides advice on using habit trackers and how to find 
motivation when a habit falls by the wayside. Expect advice like,
“You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your 
systems.”
James Clear