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16 of the Best Books For Motivation and Self Confidence

Here are 16 of the top books for motivation and self confidence that will get you out of a rut and into your best self.

Are you in need of a pep talk from time to time? Whether you are struggling with negative beliefs, too nervous to apply for that dream job, or just simply need a reminder of how awesome you are, books are a great place to turn to.

When we are going through hard times, or in this case doubt,  they can provide incredible insight. Here are the best books for motivation and self confidence.

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16 of the Best Books For Motivation and Self Confidence

Books About Motivation/Staying Motivated

All of these inspirational books should light a fire inside you and get you motivated to go after your goals and ambitions. You’ll get practical advice on how to push past your comfort zone, develop new habits, and put in work so that you can achieve your best life. Here are my picks of the best motivational books.

Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us by: Daniel H. Pink

Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us by: Daniel H. Pink

This New York Times bestseller has the ability to transform your life by using decades worth of scientific research to determine what exactly causes someone to be motivated.  What drives you to be motivated? Read this book to find out.

Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance by: Angela Duckworth

f Passion and Perseverance by: Angela Duckworth

As much as I wish achieving our goals was a simple and easy fix, it’s not. If you want to transform your everyday life into something more, it’s going to take grit. In this book you’ll discover what exactly grit is.

The good news is anyone can go after the life they want and bestselling author Angela Duckworth proves that. In this book you’ll find her insight from the many different interviews she’s had and research she has done.

Gmorning, Gnight! : Little Pep Talks For Me & You by: Lin-Manuel Miranda & illustrated by: Jonny Sun

Gmorning, Gnight! : Little Pep Talks For Me & You by: Lin-Manuel Miranda & illustrated by: Jonny Sun

This is a great book  for you if you need a quick burst of encouragement. You’ll be refreshed and motivated to start your day, and then go to bed inspired with this book of affirmations.

Everything is Figureoutable by: Marie Forleo

Everything is Figureoutable by: Marie Forleo

If you need someone to tell you like it is and nudge you out of this paralyzing doubt you are feeling, this empowering book is for you. Forleo will motivate you to continue on the path to a better life with one small phrase. Everything is figureoutable.

Maybe It’s You: Cut The Crap. Face Your Fears. Love Your Life by: Lauren Handel Zander

Maybe It’s You: Cut The Crap. Face Your Fears. Love Your Life by: Lauren Handel Zander

So you know what you want for your life? Now the question is, how do you get there? Your answer is in this book. Life coach Lauren Handel Zander gives you a road map and practical advice to reach those goals finally. It’s time to get motivated because this time you will be ready and prepared with knowledge to achieve what you desire.

Year of Yes: How to Dance It Out, Stand In the Sun and Be Your Own Person by: Shonda Rhimes

Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes

Shonda Rhimes isn’t just the creator of hit shows like Grey’s Anatomy and Scandal, she’s also a best-sellIng author. In Year of Yes she tells the reader about a time where she was challenged to say yes to things she would normally say no to.

As she shares her own experience, you’ll feel challenged as well, and realize that there are a world of possibilities out there waiting for you. You just have to say yes.

In Conclusion, Don’t Worry About It by: Lauren Graham

In Conclusion, Don't Worry About It by: Lauren Graham

You may know Lauren Graham as the coffee-obsessed fast talker in Gilmore Girls, but did you know she was also an author? In this graduation speech turned self-help book, Graham helps the reader to feel less alone when it seems like everyone around them is celebrating big milestones but you’re not yet.

Lean In: Women, Work, And The Will To Lead by: Sheryl Sandberg

Lean In: Women, Work, And The Will To Lead by: Sheryl Sandberg

This book is inspired by Sheryl Sandberg’s TED talk about women in the workforce. Lean In can be described as a continuation of that encouraging and thought-provoking speech. Sandberg’s words of wisdom will help you realize your full potential in the workplace, and then go for it.

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by: Stephen Covey

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change by Stephen R. Covey

This book has been around for over three decades, and it is still just as impactful. Want to become a more effective student, employee, leader, etc.? You’ll want to add this book to your reading list.  It has transformed many lives, will yours be one of them?

Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life…And Maybe the World by: William H. McRaven

Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life…And Maybe the World by: William H. McRaven

Here is another book that was inspired by a graduation speech. This time that speaker was Navy SEAL Admiral William H. McRaven, and the speech, which went viral, was from the 2014 graduation ceremony at the University of Texas.

In his book the Admiral shares the 10 principles that he learned in the Navy that has impacted his life even in daily life. He believes that by sticking to these life lessons you can create positive change both within yourself and the world.

The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business by: Charles Duhigg

The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business by Charles Duhigg

In order to change your life you have to change your routines, and in order to change your routine you have to find good habits, and stick with them. That is why this book is important. It’s wild to think that one small habit can impact your life.

This book is here to teach you all about habits. If you’ve ever questioned why habits exist, why they are so important, or how they can be changed, this is the book for you.

Books About Confidence

Another aspect of personal development is confidence. When you are confident you are more likely to feel at ease and have a positive outlook on your future. It’s normal to have an off day once in a while.

However, if you notice it happening more often we have to get your self confidence up. These books will help you do just this by helping you learn more about confidence and how to find it.

You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life by: Jen Sincero

If you are struggling with lack of confidence and self love you have to read this book. You Are A Badass was the first personal development book that I read years ago. In my opinion, it still is one of the best self-help books.

Sincero takes you through her own life experiences from being a self help skeptic to a best selling author in the self help category. Along the way she teaches you how to get control of your thoughts and unlearn thoughts and patterns you’ve gained from people around you. Most importantly she shows you how important it is to love yourself.

The Confidence Gap: A Guide to Overcoming Fear and Self-Doubt by: Russ Harris

best books for motivation and self confidence

Author Russ Harris uses a form of cognitive behavioral techniques  to show us how to gain confidence to do things like ask that person out on a date, go for a promotion, public speaking, and more.

He suggests that instead of running away from, or trying to “get over” feelings of fear and inadequateness we should lean into it and develop a relationship with it. By doing that you let the hold that it has on you go. 

Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead by Brené Brown

daring greatly

Brené Brown is a phenomenal thought leader who has written many personal development books. This one in particular is all about examining vulnerability. She takes years of research that debunks the myth that vulnerability = weakness.

The truth is that the most confident thing you can do is be vulnerable. It takes courage to open up, but it can be an incredible way to relate to people as friends, colleagues, family, employees, etc..

The Confidence Code: The Science and Art of Self-Assurance—What Women Should Know by: Katty Kay and Claire Shipman

The Confidence Code: The Science and Art of Self-Assurance—What Women Should Know by: Katty Kay and Claire Shipman

If you are curious about how self-confidence affects the workplace, this book is for you. It’s no secret that in today’s world women have gotten more and more qualified in the workforce. Somehow men are still the gender that predominantly makes up the corporate world. In this book Kay and Shipman dig into why that might be. They also give a practical guide on how to close the gender gap and go after those dream careers. 

Self-Confidence Strategies for Women: Essential Tools to Increase Self-Esteem and Achieve Your True Potential by: Leslie Theriot Herhold MSW LCSW PMC-C

elf-Confidence Strategies for Women: Essential Tools to Increase Self-Esteem and Achieve Your True Potential by: Leslie Theriot Herhold MSW LCSW PMC-C

We’ve reached the end of not only the list of confidence building books, but also the end of the recommended books in this post overall. In Self-Confidence Strategies for Women you’ll find a practical guide full of tools and advice based on proven therapy principles.

After reading this book you’ll get a renewed sense of true confidence and self love. You’ll learn to get rid of that negative self talk and replace it with positive thinking. You’ll also improve the most important relationship you could have. That is the relationship with yourself.

In Summary: Best Books For Motivation and Self Confidence

There are pages and pages of motivation and empowerment in the books on this list. Which ones are going to be on your reading list? Are there any books I missed? Let me know in the comments.

About the Author

Kelly Clark

Kelly graduated from Liberty University with a degree in Advertising and Public Relations and a minor in Journalism. Even though it took her a little while to find her career path, she was always meant to be in Communications. She remembers writing poems and songs when she was a little girl and pitching to my parents the reasons why I should have a cell phone when I was a teenager. She currently has a blog (budding-joy.com) where she talks about her weight-loss journey, mental health and personal development. Her hope is to encourage and inspire readers and let them know they are not alone. Reading blog posts like that are what helped her in tough times and she wants to pay it forward. She loves dance fitness, listening to music, and creating layouts in her bullet journal. She's a big fan of planning, especially when cute notebooks and pens are involved. Her dream job has changed so much over the years; right now she'd love to co-own a dance studio.

Website: budding-joy.com