Best Success Books: 14-Day Challenge to Master Winning Habits & Mindset

Want to achieve more and reach your biggest goals? This 14-day challenge walks you through the best success books, teaching you winning habits, goal-setting strategies, and a mindset for unstoppable growth.

Day 1

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.

"The starting point of all achievement is DESIRE. Keep this constantly in mind. Weak desire brings weak results, just as a small fire makes a small amount of heat." —Napoleon Hill

Why 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...

Day 2

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.

"Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply." —Stephen Covey

Why 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. 🤷‍♂️

Day 3

"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.

"You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you." —Dale Carnegie

Why 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.

Day 4

"Rich Dad Poor Dad" by Robert Kiyosaki shares financial secrets that rich people teach their kids about money, investing, and building wealth.

You'll learn how to make money work for you in smart ways, like by investing and owning businesses.

This approach is contrasted to the more traditional path of relying on a job and paycheck.

"The poor and the middle class work for money. The rich have money work for them." —Robert Kiyosaki

Why read it?

This book shows you why making money isn't just about getting a paycheck—it's also about finding smart ways to make your money work for you.

Why is this book so popular?

Because financial concepts are usually pretty boring, but Kiyosaki makes financial literacy fun by illustrating important ideas with stories from his childhood.

Day 5

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.

"Every action you take is a vote for the type of person you wish to become. No single instance will transform your beliefs, but as the votes build up, so does the evidence of your new identity." —James Clear

Why 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. 📈

Day 6

"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.

"A part of all I earn is mine to keep." —George S. Clason

Why 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.

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. 🐪

Day 7

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.

"Powerful people impress and intimidate by saying less. The more you say, the more likely you are to say something foolish." —Robert Greene
Day 8

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.

"Who you are is defined by what you’re willing to struggle for." —Mark Manson
Day 9

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.'

"If you are insecure, guess what? The rest of the world is, too. Do not overestimate the competition and underestimate yourself. You are better than you think." —Tim Ferriss

Why 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.

Day 10

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.

"Here’s what science has to say: passion for your work is a little bit of discovery, followed by a lot of development, and then a lifetime of deepening." —Angela Duckworth
Day 11

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.

"Your mind is for having ideas, not holding them." —David Allen
Day 12

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.

"Attention energizes, and intention transforms. Whatever you put your attention on will grow stronger in your life. Whatever you take your attention away from will wither, disintegrate and disappear." —Deepak Chopra
Day 13

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.

"Disciplined, consistent, and persistent actions are more of a determining factor in the creation of success than any other combination of things." —Grant Cardone

Why 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.

Day 14

"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.

"Resolve to do something every single day that moves you toward your major goal." —Brian Tracy
📚 Bonus Books: These are extra recommendations to go beyond your challenge!
Day 15

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.

"Life moves on and so should we." —Spencer Johnson MD
Day 16

Elon Musk is a biography of the man who led Tesla, SpaceX and PayPal.

Musk inspires many people with his futuristic plans for new technologies, and his seemingly unstoppable ability to overcome all obstacles.

But his employees are often pushed to their limit, trying to reach impossible deadlines.

"What Musk has developed that so many of the entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley lack is a meaningful worldview. [...] Musk wants to... well... save the human race from self-imposed or accidental annihilation." —Ashlee Vance
Day 17

"The Millionaire Next Door" by Thomas J. Stanley and William D. Danko uncovers the unexpected lifestyles and habits of America's wealthy, showing that they often live frugally and focus on financial independence rather than flashy spending.

The book explains how typical millionaires build wealth, challenging common myths about what it means to be rich.

"Wealth is more often the result of a lifestyle of hard work, perseverance, planning, and, most of all, self-discipline." —Thomas J. Stanley

Why read it?

I recently finished reading "The Millionaire Next Door," and it completely transformed my understanding of wealth.

This book peels back the curtain on the real habits and lifestyles of America's millionaires, and surprisingly, they're not what most of us would expect.

It's fascinating to learn that true financial success often comes down to living frugally, saving diligently, and investing wisely—practices anyone can adopt.

If you're curious about what it really takes to build wealth over a lifetime, without the glitz and glamour often portrayed in the media, I highly recommend this read.

It's eye-opening and challenges many myths about millionaires, providing practical insights into achieving financial independence.

Perhaps the secret to getting wealthy might just be embracing our inner Average Joe! 🛻

Day 18

"The Psychology of Money" by Morgan Housel is about how our money and financial decisions are often determined by psychological factors such as ego, emotions, and biases.

He argues that making good financial decisions and building wealth is less about gaining financial expertise, and more about cultivating qualities like patience, humility, and long-term thinking.

"There is no reason to risk what you have and need for what you don’t have and don’t need." —Morgan Housel

Why read it?

After reading "The Psychology of Money" by Morgan Housel, I've gained incredible insights into how our emotions and biases significantly shape our financial decisions, often more than we realize.

It's not just about numbers and strategies; it's about understanding ourselves.

Housel uses engaging stories and examples that made me rethink my relationship with money.

I recommend this book because it's not just about getting rich; it's about cultivating a healthier, more self-aware approach to managing your finances and life.

It's a must-read for anyone looking to navigate the complex world of money with a clearer mind.

Day 19

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.

"Men do not attract that which they want, but that which they are." —James Allen
Day 20

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.

"What’s the ONE thing you can do, such that by doing it, everything else will be easier or unnecessary?" —Gary Keller

Why 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.