Top 10 Motivational Books of All Time

Inc.com recently listed the top 10 motivational books of all time and they included some great quotes from each book.

How many of these are in your success library?

Which other books do you think should be on the list?

10. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

This book by Steven Covey’s doesn’t just help you develop better habits, it convinces you that acquiring them will make you a better person.

Best quote:

“Sow a thought, reap an action; sow an action, reap a habit; sow a habit, reap a character; sow a character, reap a destiny.”

9. How to Win Friends & Influence People

Carnegie explains that business relationships and personal relationships are absolutely inseparable.

Best quote:

“The unvarnished truth is that almost all the people you meet feel themselves superior to you in some way, and a sure way to their hearts is to let them realise in some subtle way that you recognise their importance, and recognize it sincerely.”

8. Think and Grow Rich

Napoleon Hill interviewed “40 millionaires” to discover the common thought processes and behaviors that had led to their success.

His study of these “best practices” was revolutionary in a world where it was largely assumed that great wealth resulted from a combination of greed and luck.

Best quote:

“All the breaks you need in life wait within your imagination. Imagination is the workshop of your mind, capable of turning mind energy into accomplishment and wealth.”

7. Awaken the Giant Within

Anthony Robbins is one of the most well known motivational trainers of the current era.

I’ve learned a lot form his books and seminars.

Best quote:

“If you can’t, you must. If you must, you can.”

6. As a Man Thinketh

This 1902 classic by James Allen explains how your thoughts mold your personality, and how that personality drives you to take action and determines the type of action you’ll take.

Best quote:

“The dreamers are the saviors of the world. As the visible world is sustained by the invisible, so men, through all their trials and sins and sordid vocations, are nourished by the beautiful visions of their solitary dreamers.”

5. The Greatest Salesman in the World

This book by Og Mandino is required reading for anybody who sells. Which is just about everybody.

Best quote:

“I will live this day as if it is my last. This day is all I have and these hours are now my eternity.

I greet this sunrise with cries of joy as a prisoner who is reprieved from death.
I lift mine arms with thanks for this priceless gift of a new day.”

4. Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff

Richard Carlson helps you differentiate between what’s really important–and deserving of your attention–and what’s just “noise in the system.”

Best quote:

“Stress is nothing more than a socially acceptable form of mental illness.”

3. Drive

Daniel Pink’s book illustrates that motivation comes from many sources and that, at the highest level of performance, motivation come from your deepest and most profound sense of who you are and want to be.

Best quote:

“For artists, scientists, inventors, schoolchildren, and the rest of us, intrinsic motivation–the drive to do something because it is interesting, challenging, and absorbing — is essential for high levels of creativity.”

2. The Power of Positive Thinking

When it was first published, both psychologists and theologians attacked this book as heretical, and accused author Norman Vincent Peale of being a crank.

Today, science has verified the book’s basic concept–that being optimistic makes you healthier and happier and thus more likely to succeed.

Best quote:

“Action is a great restorer and builder of confidence. Inaction is not only the result, but the cause, of fear.
Perhaps the action you take will be successful; perhaps different action or adjustments will have to follow.
But any action is better than no action at all.”

1. Your Favorite Here

Now it’s your turn. What book ought to be on this list?

What book has motivated you?

Please leave a comment!

Read the full article at Inc.com.

If you’re looking specifically for tips and advice for wealth creation, you might want to check out my property investment books.

About Michael Yardney

Michael is a director of Metropole Property Strategists who help their clients grow, protect and pass on their wealth through independent, unbiased property advice and advocacy. He's once again been voted Australia's leading property investment adviser and his opinions are regularly featured in the media. Visit Metropole.com.au

'Top 10 Motivational Books of All Time' have 28 comments

February 13, 2019 Rishabh Puri

Thanks for sharing your list

September 21, 2018 Keshav Sharma

Great suggestions. Thanks for sharing. Reading self-help books is an amazing habit. I have learned many great ideas from such books and have implemented them in my life. These have helped me to become a better person. My personal favorite is “How To Win Friends & Influence People”.

December 5, 2016 Chris

Rich Dad Poor Dad, as many others have already suggested was the ultimate game changer for me, when it comes to developing the particular investor mindset that one needs. It really

Taking this one step further, the book after Rich Dad, still by Robert Kiyosaki – the Cashflow Quadrant, while not as well known, is arguably as, if not more important, as it goes into more detail on fewer topics, but in many ways is more practical/relevant than the original Rich Dad book (particularly to Australians, where a few aspects in the original Rich Dad were not applicable).

And finally, a book that hasn’t received a mention in the article or the comments section, but for me personally has nudged ahead as my favorite of all time, is ‘The 4-hour Workweek’ by Timothy Ferriss. Tim’s way of writing, as well as all the tips and tricks to be more efficient in every day life is incredibly motivating and a great way to get people thinking about their personal development and approaching life with a slightly different mindset to the norm.

I was so impressed by Tim’s 4 hour workweek that the following week I immediately ordered his other books, The 4-hour Body, and the 4-hour Chef, despite not being linked to finance or investing in any way, I just knew that Tim’s way of writing was fantastic and that he didn’t care about being politically correct or stating the norm/obvious statements than many people say to be safe.

Tim hasn’t written a book in over 5 years, but I’m terribly excited to read his latest book which is getting released this week. My order is in the mail as we speak. It’s called Tools of Titans: the tactics, routines, and habits of billionaires, icons, and world-class performers

You can read a free sample chapter and see the excited comments of other fans that he has globally here:
http://fourhourworkweek.com/2016/10/25/tools-of-titans/

Regards,
Chris

November 16, 2015 Garry Vogelsang

Jonathan Livingston Seagull because it should be on the list somewhere.

January 7, 2015 Pete Moeller

There are some great recommendations in this list and being a subjective question means different perspectives will appeal to different people, I would respectfully submit the following list as readings that have assisted me on my path:-
1. Financial Management – The richest man in Babylon. George S. Clason.
2. Motivation – Think and Grow Rich. Napoleon Hill.
3. Entrepreneurial Management – Great by Choice. Jim Collins.
4. Strategic Thinking – The Art of War – Sun Tzu.

January 8, 2015 Michael Yardney

Thanks for your suggestions Peter

January 7, 2015 Swidge

The Slight Edge by Jeff Olson abd Rich Dad Poor Dad changed my life for the better.

January 7, 2015 Michael Yardney

Thanks for those suggestions Swidge

January 7, 2014 Jan Berry

I learned a lot from Harv T. Eker’s The Millionaire Mindset

January 7, 2014 Michael Yardney

Yes Jan – I agree – it’s one of the best books I’ve read on the topic of the Mindset of Success

January 7, 2014 Hari Yellina

How about millionaire next door.

January 7, 2014 Michael Yardney

Thanks for the great suggestion Hari

January 7, 2014 john harrington

“who moved my cheese” by Spencer Johnson.

“what would you do, if you weren’t afraid”

January 7, 2014 Michael Yardney

Who Moved my chees seems to be a popular choice John – it’s a great little book

January 7, 2014 Andrew

Thumbs up for Who Moved My Cheese. I think that Rich Dad, Poor Dad (which, from what I’ve read recently is not entirely non-fiction ) has been the starting point for many of us.

January 7, 2014 Michael Yardney

2 good books Andrew – thanks for your comment

October 25, 2013 leemob

In my mid 30’s I started reading self help books and I really do believe they changed my thinking, for the better, however, they were NOT a miracle cure. I’m now in my 50’s and want/need to give my life a good shot in the butt. It is NEVER too late! I look forward to hearing from anyone who can recommend any reading or other forms of motivation that will help me find that ‘spark’ again. Unfortunately society makes women my age feel like we need to move aside and let the younger women take over. I want to show this modern world of mature women that we can still/need to be vital. After all, we are the mentors of wisdom!

June 29, 2013 Gina

Who moved the cheese. A great read. A short read but will motivate you to make the hard decision.

June 26, 2013 Lucy

How to get rich by Felix Dennis is a great read..

April 10, 2013 Adam - We Do Houses

Richest man in Banylon. My favourite book ever.

April 9, 2013 Darren Anderson

I agree with Kinsgley Scarface, the Richest Man in Babylon is a great book.
I think every school child should be made to read it.

April 9, 2013 Jonathan Fenn

I was with Jason on that one.. Hehe

April 9, 2013 Kingsley Scarfe

The Richest Man in Babylon. I think it is the bible of wealth creation

April 9, 2013 Pete

I agree… Robert Kyosaki’s book Rich Dad, Poor Dad is what got me going as well. I havent read any of the others in the list so cant comment.
I now have 4 IP’s and have my own house mortgage down to less that 20K and its the only bad debt I have…. so I am on track to succeed.

April 9, 2013 Ian Brown

For me Robert Kyosaki’s book Rich Dad, Poor Dad was such an eye-opener to a different way of thinking. I found it so easy to read but reading it at 40 yrs old also I found myself angry that I had not been shown this way of thinking about assets and wealth creation. From that book, I then read began reading some of the others but Rich Dad really made me wake up

April 9, 2013 KD

I would not have put this at No. 1, but I think Robert Kiyosaki’s “Rich Dad, Poor Dad” should get a mention.

This book is very approachable for those early on the path, and it (and the others in the series) tought me a lot about the psychology of wealth and investing, and saved me from some early mistakes.

April 9, 2013 Jason

What about How to Build a Multi Million Dollar Property Portfolio in Your Spare Time? Also, I think any of Jim Rohn’s books are essential reading.
Thanks

April 9, 2013 Michael Yardney

Thanks Jason
I agree but it’s probably not a motivational book and that’s why it was left off the list 🙂