11 Must-Read Motivational Books That Just Might Change Your Life

In Feel Good Productivity, Ali Abdaal, the world’s most-followed productivity expert, breaks down the secrets to productivity and doing more of what matters to you. The author’s first tip? Ditch this idea that you need to work yourself to exhaustion. The path to success isn’t through grueling hours or grinding it out — it’s all about joy! Drawing on years of psychological research, Abdaal shares his intuitive system of “energizers,” “blockers,” and “sustainers,” giving you the tools to get more done and to feel great while you’re doing it. If you’re burned out or struggling to stay productive, Abdaal’s motivational book is just the boost you need to get back on top.

Former SEAL team TWO commander Mike Hayes has seen his share of high-stakes scenarios, from leading military operations in Southeastern Afghanistan to negotiating international arms treaties. In Never Enough, he spins these extraordinary episodes into motivational lessons on leadership and living a life of excellence. And while most of us probably won’t be jumping out of a building rigged to explode any time soon, Hayes ably distills his do-or-die experiences into insightful and impactful guidance all of us can use. Filled with constructive advice on self-improvement in our professional and personal lives, Never Enough is sure to inspire.

Two-time Olympic gold medalist Abby Wambach is a world-class athlete. Yet it’s her exemplary leadership and motivational abilities that make her a legend both on and off the pitch. In her #1 New York Times bestseller, Wolfpack, Wambach delivers a rousing message of resiliency, transformation, and uniting with your pack. Based on Wambach’s viral 2018 commencement speech at Barnard College, Wolfpack “is a must-read for all of us determined to teach our kids there are no limits. It’s a manifesto for everyone trying to lead” (Olympic gold medalist Serena Williams).

An instant New York Times bestseller, Love People, Use Things by Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus — better known as The Minimalists — is a motivational guide to resetting your priorities and living with intention. Through insightful lessons on the benefits of minimalism, the authors invite you to imagine an existence defined not by the accumulation of material goods but by the relationships you forge with your loved ones and the world around you. Love People, Use Things will inspire you to clear out the clutter and decrease the stress to make room for more meaning and fulfillment.

From James Clear, a leading expert on habit formation, Atomic Habits equips you with the skills to break bad habits and build better ones. If you struggle to change your habits, the problem isn’t you —it’s your system that needs changing. Drawing on insights from biology, psychology, and neuroscience, Clear delivers actionable advice to elevate your routine, motivating you to lose the lousy habits that hold you down and get back on track to success.

According to Mark Manson, the world is f**ked — and learning to take that in stride might just be the key to a happier, more fulfilling life. In his bestselling The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck, Manson pulls no punches: not everyone is a winner, some things aren’t going to go your way, and not everything needs a positive spin. So instead of chasing unattainable self-help fantasies, the author encourages us to accept our fears, faults, and limitations so that we can begin to live a more grounded life of honesty, courage, and perseverance. Fans of tough-love guidance, no-nonsense advice, and hefty doses of dark humor will find plenty to enjoy in this raw and witty motivational book.

In this New York Times bestseller, psychologist Angela Duckworth teaches us that success is not reliant on “genius” but on wholehearted determination — or as she calls it, “grit.” Duckworth supplements her personal success story with research, historical insights, and lessons she’s learned from highly successful individuals to demonstrate that effort and dedication are worth more than talent when it comes to achieving your goals. A shining endorsement of tenacity, Grit is a motivating read for everyone from parents and students to athletes and entrepreneurs.

Lewis Howes teaches you how to harness your inner greatness in his bestselling motivational book The Greatness Mindset. With strategies backed by science and industry success stories, Howes lays out his method for resetting your mindset to overcome obstacles, realize your true potential, and live a more fulfilling, impactful life. If you’re struggling under the weight of self-doubt, anxiety, and exhaustion, The Greatness Mindset may give you the key to unlocking your inner strength.

An instant bestseller, Happy Money by personal development guru Ken Honda offers a refreshing approach to keeping money from overwhelming your life. While money is often at the root of anxieties and fears, Honda encourages you to make peace with your finances through practices like improving your money EQ and treating money as a “welcome guest.” Radiating levity and insight, Happy Money aims to transform your financial outlook for the better.

Clinical psychologist Dr. Julie Smith delivers an inspirational guide to tackling life’s most persistent challenges in her debut book, Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before? Whether you’re trying to control your anxiety, manage depression, boost your motivation, or conquer insecurities, Smith offers actionable strategies and clear-eyed advice to help achieve those goals. “Smart, insightful, and warm” (bestselling author Lori Gottlieb), Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before? is a practical manual for emotional and mental well-being that belongs on everyone’s shelf.

Polina Marinova Pompliano spent years profiling the world’s highest achievers, learning what propels their success and sets them apart from the crowd. In Hidden Genius she describes the mentality that defines the “truly exceptional” and works to help readers achieve similar results. It’s not about tips, tricks, or hacks, she explains, but rather cultivating a mental framework that shifts your perspective and makes you a highly creative thinker. If you aim to tap into your hidden genius, Pompliano’s book will motivate you to get there.