The 20 Best Success 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...

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People is about becoming more effective at reaching our goals and leading others. Stephen Covey says his teachings are based on timeless principles like personal responsibility, empathetic listening, and treating others with fairness.

Why should you read it? This book teaches 7 key principles that you can apply to almost any area of life, kind of like a Swiss Army knife for personal development. Stephen Covey shifts focus from the surface-level pursuits of busyness and status to the character ethic - which says true success is about who we are, not just what we achieve. After all, being busy isn't a personality trait, no matter how much we pretend it is on social media. 🤷‍♂️

"How to Win Friends and Influence People" by Dale Carnegie is a classic self-help book that offers practical tips for better communication and relationships. It teaches key principles for handling people, making friends, influencing others, and becoming a respected leader. The book highlights the importance of empathy, respect, and appreciation.

Why should you read it? The book is filled with timeless wisdom on how to build meaningful relationships and influence people positively. It's not just about making friends but also about becoming a better communicator and leader. I found the real-life examples and practical tips incredibly useful in both my personal and professional life. You should definitely read it to enhance your social skills and become more effective in your interactions.

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.

Atomic Habits by James Clear is about how small 1% improvements in our daily habits can lead to remarkable results and change your life. This is a practical guide to building good habits and breaking bad habits. The Four Laws of Behaviour Change say to make good habits: obvious, attractive, easy, and satisfying.

Why should you read it? When I picked up "Atomic Habits," I didn't expect much. I've read tons of self-help books for my website over the last several years, and they often say the same things. But this book was different. James Clear basically summarizes ALL the best strategies on habit formation in a way that is incredibly... well, "Clear." Best of all, he focuses on making tiny improvements, not big leaps, showing how small daily changes can really add up. I was surprised how much I liked it. It's a book I plan to read again every few years. 📈

"The Richest Man in Babylon" by George S. Clason offers timeless financial wisdom through parables from ancient Babylon, focusing on principles such as saving 10% of your income, living within your means, and avoiding get-rich-quick schemes. The book champions the concept of "paying yourself first" by setting aside at least 10% of your income before paying any expenses.

Why should you read it? After reading "The Richest Man in Babylon," the principle of "paying yourself first" truly resonated with me. This idea of automatically saving a portion of your income before anything else has shifted the way I manage my finances. It’s a small change that can make a huge difference in your financial journey. The stories, set in ancient times, brilliantly illustrate how such a simple habit can lead to lasting wealth and financial independence. <br /><br />The book’s advice is straightforward but powerful, teaching not just to save, but to actively invest in our future selves. It's inspiring to see how applicable these ancient principles are today, and I can't recommend this book enough to anyone looking to improve their financial health. It's kind of like hearing life lessons from a wise and wealthy grandfather, but with more camels. 🐪

The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene is a self-help book that explains how powerful people have gained and maintained their control over the centuries. While controversial for its manipulative tactics, this book also shares eye-opening insights into history, strategy, and human nature.

The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*** is like your smart but impolite friend explaining some great lessons from philosophy. Mark Manson shows how to live by your values so you can act with less hesitation, do what's most important to you, and stop worrying what people think.

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.

Grit says being a top achiever is less about natural talent and more about your "grit," which means working consistently and staying interested in one direction for multiple years. Angela Duckworth shares research on how we can become grittier, and help others do so too.

Getting Things Done is a system to help us be more organized and productive. It basically turned into a popular movement during the early 2000's. David Allen says we can feel in control of our busy work lives, simply by learning to manage our daily tasks effectively.

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.

The 10X Rule challenges us to set targets 10X larger than before and then take 10X the action we believe is necessary. Grant Cardone says achieving success always takes exponentially more effort, time and money than we think. We always set our goals too low and underestimate the challenges we'll face.

Why should you read it? If you're ready to supercharge your goals for business and life, then Grant Cardone may be just the rocket fuel you need. The man is basically a walking billboard for success. And his book is a motivational call to action to multiply our efforts and think bigger. It's a fun read if you want to stop walking on the threadmill of "average" and strap on a jetpack to larger goals than you'd ever imagined.

"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.

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.