The 12 Best Motivational Books

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Written By Ryan Patton

Adventurer, Tech Geek and Lover of Productivity Hacks. 

Lacking motivation in your life at the moment? If so, you’re not going to want to miss this curated list of the 12 Best Motivational Books below.

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Finding the right inspiration and motivation in life can be often tough.

Many people have trouble figuring out where to start and how to find the drive that they’re missing in their lives.

Encouraging yourself to always be improving is only a job for one, and it’s your sole responsibility to find whatever it is that impulses you to reach your goals.

Whether you are looking for motivation in your daily life or an incentive at the workplace, any of the books listed here will help you get to that desired point.

Life is a rollercoaster and wherever you go you will always find ups and downs.

Often finding the necessary motivation through hard times can be quite tricky, but you must never give up and always search for a way to improve yourself.

Who doesn’t need a little extra inspiration or motivation these days? Below, you’ll find a list of the best books for motivation and plenty of actionable advice that you can start using today.

Table of Contents

  1. Best Motivational Books
  2. Man’s Search for Meaning
  3. Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life…And Maybe the World
  4. The Alchemist
  5. Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance
  6. Choose Yourself
  7. High-Hanging Fruit: Build Something Great by Going Where No One Else Will
  8. Hustle: The Power to Charge Your Life with Money, Meaning, and Momentum
  9. Tuesdays with Morrie
  10. How to Win Friends & Influence People
  11. Mindset: The New Psychology of Success 
  12. Awaken the Giant Within
  13. The Obstacle is the Way

Best Motivational Books


Man’s Search for Meaning

Author: Victor E. Fankl

Through tough life lessons, Victor E. Fankl teaches his readers how even through their darkest times, there will always be a meaning for what you are doing. Regardless of the tough times you may be going through, you will always want to keep in mind a purpose and a motivation that keeps you going.  This book is for everyone searching for meaning and for motivating themselves through life. 


Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life…And Maybe the World

Author: William H. McRaven

You have probably heard the saying “start your morning by making your bed and you’ll feel like you have accomplished something”. Essentially this book discusses why from the first thing in the morning you should find motivation in everything that you do, in order to carry out a productive day. Learn from which habits you should be picking up on, and start encouraging yourself to a better life. 


The Alchemist

Author: Paulo Coelho

Although this book has different meanings and spiritual connections, this book is about a journey and the motivation to reaching your goals. This book tells a story about a young boy who strives to be more than what he has been taught. Through his journey, you can learn how to dedicate yourself through life and how to never give up through a tough challenge. 


Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance

Author: Angela Duckworth

Through this book, Angela Duckworth teaches her readers how a person’s journey to success relies on passion and perseverance in life. Finding the right motifs and impulses to get you going is all about being devoted and in sync with what you do. Learning about the power of passion in life, doing things not because you are forced to do them, but because you want to is quite different. Through this book, you will understand the importance of having the right mentality in your life.


Choose Yourself

Author: James Altucher

Choose Yourself by James Altucher is one of the best motivational books around. This book teaches people how to prioritize themselves in every aspect of life. Investing time and effort in ourselves is by far the most important task that we have to do in life in order to succeed. Pushing yourself all the time and making sure that you are always your biggest supporter is what will give you the right tools to find motivation in your life.


High-Hanging Fruit: Build Something Great by Going Where No One Else Will

Author: Mark Rampolla

In this book, you will be encouraged to find your passion and motivation to achieve success. Life isn’t easy as Mark Rampolla tells his readers, but it is all about reaching as high as we can in life and leaving a mark on the world. Finding the areas where we are the most passionate is of great importance when being motivated as you will find that doing something that you love will bring motivation on its own.


Hustle: The Power to Charge Your Life with Money, Meaning, and Momentum

Author: Neil Patel

A game-changing book, based on understanding what you need in life in order to get what you strive for. This book will redefine the meaning of “hustle” as you will understand that it will come with meaning and greater change into your life.


Tuesdays with Morrie

Author: Mitch Albom

Throughout this book, Mitch Albom attempts to demonstrate lessons on how to live a good life. Through a very inspiring and compelling story, you will find the key to motivating yourself in order to live happily and always be passionate about what you are doing.


How to Win Friends & Influence People

Author: Dale Carnegie 

Understanding why you need the right people in your life is crucial to finding your happiness and success in your field of preference. The people who surround you are said to be a mirror of who you are. Having the right people by your side will help you in finding the right motivation for succeeding in your professional and personal life.


Mindset: The New Psychology of Success

Author: Carol S. Dweck

Understanding the term mindset is far more important than anything else in life. When you know you have a positive and encouraging attitude in your life, you will realize that things will seem to be working in your favor. See how Carol S. Dweck uses her psychology experience to demonstrate to you the importance of changing your mindset in order to see things differently in life. All very important details in order to tackle challenges you didn’t believe you could.


Awaken the Giant Within

Author: Tony Robbins

This book is all about motivation and waking up your best version of yourself in order to find success in everything that you do. Don’t let life pass you by without fulfilling your full potential and using it in every aspect of your life. Understand the importance of always pushing yourself to do your best and see how the results pay off.


The Obstacle is the Way

Author: Ryan Holiday

People often think of obstacles as a stone in the middle of the road and often a path without exit. Instead, this book will show you how to pave the way and utilize your obstacles to improve your life. Learn how to find motivation in the toughest times and use it to achieve progress in your life.


Motivational books are useful for just about everyone out there — not just those who are at rock bottom or feeling down. These books are also read by very successful people who are looking to boost their mentality and take their lives to the next level.

In any case, continuing to educate yourself and become a better human being overall is never a bad idea.

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Did you enjoy this article? If so, let us know which motivational book above is your favorite read in a comment below.

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The 12 Best Motivational Books for 2020

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