The 29 Best Self Help Books of All Time (2024)

Think and Grow Rich is about more than money—it's about getting what we want in life. Napoleon Hill interviewed 500+ successful people (like Henry Ford and Thomas Edison), identifying a 13-step formula for achievement, which includes 1) a burning desire, 2) a definite plan, and 3) persistence past failure.

Why should you read it? Okay, this book may seem a bit 'out there' to some people because of its focus on using imagination and positive thinking to top into the mystical law of attraction. Some people will love it and others will think it's straight up bonkers. This isn't your cut-and-dry financial planning book. So, if you're looking for straightforward budgeting tips, this might not be your cup of tea. But hey, who knows? Maybe your good vibes will help you attract the perfect accountant into your life...

Meditations by Marcus Aurelius is a classic of Stoic philosophy and shows us how to become more self-disciplined, stop caring what people think, and control our emotions. The author was a powerful Roman Emperor about 2,000 years ago and wrote down these ideas in a private journal to himself.

"The 5 Love Languages" by Gary Chapman explains that people show and feel love in five main ways: Words of Affirmation, Acts of Service, Receiving Gifts, Quality Time, and Physical Touch. By figuring out which of these love languages matter most to you and your partner, you can enrich your marriage or relationship by showing love in the way that makes each other feel most appreciated and loved.

Why should you read it? Ever wondered why your big romantic gestures don't always hit the mark? This book could be the Rosetta Stone you need for deciphering the language of love. Chapman's insight into how people give and receive love using 5 different "languages" can transform relationships, helping you understand your loved ones better.

Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki explains what rich people know about finance, money, and investing. The author compares advice from his real father (Poor Dad), who was well-educated but always struggled financially, with advice from his best friend's father (Rich Dad), who had little formal education but was a very successful entrepreneur.

Why should you read it? This book shows you that making money isn't just about getting a paycheck—it's also about finding smart ways to make your money grow for you. Why is this book so popular? Because financial concepts are usually pretty boring, but Kiyosaki makes financial literacy fun by illustrating his ideas with the story of his childhood.

Who Moved My Cheese? is a fable about dealing with life's never-ending change. Spencer Johnson describes four small characters living in a maze. One day, their cheese suddenly disappears. They can either resist the change and suffer, or learn to embrace it and move onto something better.

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho is a simple yet profound story about a shepherd boy named Santiago who follows his dreams, going on a journey to find treasure in Egypt. Along the way, he finds love, danger, and wisdom. The book inspires readers to listen to their hearts, risk adventure, and seek life's meaning.

The 4-Hour Workweek is about building a passive income business so we can escape the usual 40-hour workweek, and design our ideal lifestyle. Tim Ferris also shows how we can improve our productivity by following the 80/20 rule and a 'low information diet.'

Why should you read it? This book is practically the bible of the "digital nomad" movement, where some people figured out how to work from their laptop anywhere in the world. To most people it sounds like a complete fantasy: Imagine traveling the world, indulging your curiosity, all while your business runs itself. But Tim Ferriss shares many inspirational case studies of people who have done it successfully. It's kind of like finding out that unicorns are real—and they know how to code websites! This book has opened the eyes of countless people that a radically different, unconventional type of lifestyle is possible.

"Eat That Frog!" by Brian Tracy is a guide to stop procrastinating, increase productivity, and master time management. It teaches you to tackle the hardest tasks first, helping you get more done and make each day more focused and productive.

The Power of Your Subconscious Mind explains how to change our thinking through "scientific prayer," so we can change the outer conditions of our life to enjoy more prosperity, health, and happiness. Joseph Murphy's techniques include affirmations, visualization, gratitude, faith, and surrender.

As a Man Thinketh says our thoughts set the course our life, not our circumstances. James Allen says thoughts are seeds for actions, so our mind is a garden where we must cultivate the right seeds. This short, inspiring book still influences many modern self-help teachers.

The 5AM Club is about learning to wake up at 5 a.m. and follow a morning routine, so we can become more self-disciplined, productive, and happy. Robin Sharma wrote this self-help book as a story, with a Billionaire mentoring an Entrepreneur and Artist, who were struggling with distraction and procrastination.

The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success is about reaching our dreams with ease, through following wisdom from both ancient religions and modern spiritual teachers. Deepak Chopra says we can attain much more than just material success, if we follow practices like silence, non-judgment, giving, intention and detachment.

Essentialism by Greg McKeown is a productivity book that helps you get more done by doing less. It teaches you to focus only on what’s really important and say no to things that distract you. Instead of feeling overwhelmed by too many tasks, you'll learn how to prioritize and concentrate on what truly matters in your life and work.

The ONE Thing by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan emphasizes focusing on the single most important task in any area of your life to achieve extraordinary results. The book teaches the power of prioritization, guiding readers to simplify their approach by identifying and acting on the "one thing" that will make the biggest impact in their goals, careers, or personal lives.

Why should you read it? I read The ONE Thing, and it completely shifted how I think about productivity. Instead of trying to juggle everything at once, this book taught me to focus on what truly matters—what will drive the biggest results. If you feel overwhelmed with too many tasks or unsure where to start, The ONE Thing will show you how simplifying and narrowing your focus can lead to extraordinary success.