I have been asked by many to give a list of great personal development books. I always hesitate to recommend any list as some will read one of the books, say “This was a bad book” and then discard the entire list. So know in advance that you may read these books and hate one of them or all of them as they are not relevant to you or your life based on where you are at the moment you are reading the book. Books sometimes work for you based on your own timing. If the book resonates with you, then the timing was right for you to read the book. If it doesn’t, it doesn’t mean that it is a bad book, just that the timing wasn’t right for you to read it.
Another thing: Don’t expect too much from any book. You only need one good idea for a book to be a great book. Every page doesn’t have to be filled with earth-shattering, life-changing wisdom. One good idea is all you need. Read the book looking for that one good idea that you will be willing to act on. One idea, acted on, is more than worth the price of a book.
Also, some of these books are classics from many years ago and the wording, style and references are dated. Be broad-minded enough to get the message and not get hung up on the style or wording, scope up.
This is not a “best of” list. These are just a handful of great books that anyone seriously interested in personal development should read. There are MANY great books out there and you should read most of them. Also, this list is in no particular order.
- The Ultimate Secret To Getting Absolute Everything You Want by Mike Hernacki
- The War of Art (NOT The Art of War) by Stephen Pressfield
- Born Rich by Bob Proctor
- Real Magic by Wayne Dyer
- Greatest Salesman In the World by Og Mandino
- The Richest Man In Babylon by George Clason
- Think And Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
- As A Man Thinketh by James Allen
- 7 Habits For Wealth and Happiness by Jim Rohn
- The Magic Of Thinking Big by David Schwartz
PLUS:
The new, revised, second edition of Shut Up, Stop Whining And Get A Life, the Wall Street Journal #1 Bestseller, that is due out August 9. Plus anything else by me! (come on, it’s my list and my books have to be on it!)
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Thanks for the list, Larry. Adding them to my queue. Can you tell us about any new material being added to the second edition of Shut Up..?
Malcolm, the 2nd edition will be a rewrite of the material that was already in the book to clean it up a bit and to make it sound more like I do today. Also, I have dropped about 10% of the material out and replaced about 25% with new material. I think you will like it – I know I like it much better.
I’m reading “The Idiot Factor” and you quote a few lines from other authors. One of my favorites is from your list above, “As a Man Thinketh”, where he says “Individual responsibility must be absolute”. I have always believed that, just haven’t broken it down into the various areas where I’ve screwed up in my life. You’ve helped me see that, and I hope to apply what I’ve learned successfully. Thanks. BTW, Sylvester Stallone was inducted into the boxing hall of fame the other day. I’m betting you saw it, being a boxing fan. He had a great line, which I thought fit your style. He said, “Sometimes I write things that may seem a little sentimental, but I truly believe it’s not how hard you can hit—it’s how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward because that’s really what makes the difference in your life.” Not bad, huh?
One author that has influenced me is Charlie “Tremendous” Jones who I do not know if he was the originator but he said ” Who you are 10 years from now will be directly influenced by the people you meet, and the books you read”.
Thanks to Larry, I realized one thing that was holding me back and I fired my broke ass friends and have dedicated myself to read at least one book a week on business, sales or leadership. All I am looking for is the one idea per book.
And while my circle of friends has contracted dramatacaly, my life and finances are much improved.
Dear Larry,
thank you so much for this list. I already read four of these ten books, two of them were recommended by you, and I am glad I did read them. The War of Art really helped to stop excusing and getting to write, something I always wanted.
As I have to figure some thing out in my life right now (I’m 30, my long-year girlfriend left me and my job is only part-time and sucks) I am pretty sure these books will help me. Is there any book in particular you would recommend for a guy like me who is looking for a new job ?
And one more thing: Your own books are pretty great as well 🙂
Christian
I can’t recommend The War of Art highly enough. I often pass it along to other people I know that are struggling with their work. This coupled with “It’s Called Work for a Reason” is a great motivation/kick in the butt for professionals in any field from creatives to stay at home parents.
How about “The Warrior Ethos” by Pressfield?
Curtis – Charlie was a great guy and a real influence to lots of folks and his words were dead on target. He is missed by all of his friends.
Christian, there isn’t a book that jumps out at me that would fit the profile of “what to read when looking for a new job.” Read all you can on a number of topics and make finding a new job your current job.
Glad to see many of you have already read War Of Art. I really like this little book. But there are lots of great little books out there – many of the ones on this list are incredibly short but have great content!
I found some of them on Audible. Thanx much!
Thanks for the list Larry.
I´d like to add “7 Habits of Highly Effective Families” written by Stephen R Covey.
Besides I´d like to share a small video ´cause I know you love Bulldogs! The Bulldog named Tillman really rocks: http://vimeo.com/19376227
I have not read the Secret or the books my Mike Hernacki and Napoleon Hill but aren’t they similar? The idea that right thinking will make good things happen. I just read a review of them and that is what it seems like. I know from read some of your other books that you do not like the Secret or its message. I am just wondering what the difference is.
Dear Larry,
Thank you for the list. I’ve already read several of these and thanks to this blog I am picking up more. My own personal track jumpstarted after I read Shut Up, Stop Whining and Get a Life. I can’t thank you enough. What you and a few others are saying is helping the country several times more than 90% of our elected leaders. Blogs like these start countless virtuous circles.
Warmest regards,
Rob
Message to David Taylor:
I think the logical mistake in The Secret is that it confuses “necessary” with “sufficient.” Mr. Winget will tell you that positive thinking isn’t enough. It’s like The Tao of Physics. Read it, wonder, incorporate it into your thinking – with discretion.
Happy reading,
Rob
Great list of books Larry!
Going to have to pick up the Hernacki one as I’ve never read it.
As far as Christian asking about a good book for getting a new job, the ONLY book I can think of that really impressed me is THE PERFECT PITCH: How to Sell Yourself for Today’s Job Market by David Andrusia. Strongly recommend it for anyone looking to switch jobs or get on with a company you really want to work with.
Michael
A great book I’m reading right now is Jump!” By Steve Harvey… its about how God has a bigger plan for your life and taking a leap of faith in yourself to move forwArd and live your dreams.
Thanks as always Larry!
When I read the Ultimate Secret by Mike Hernacki it was at a time in my like when I really needed that info, so the timing was just perfect for me and I’ve come a long way since reading that book . I have been looking for a list of the best how-to books and your list seem to be the perfect one for me , simply because it has that same Hernacki book contained in your list . That’s how much I loved that book . Thanks so much for the list . I will try to obtain and read and tick off as I go along
Larry,
I came across one of your books (People are idiots and I can prove it) at the Library while searching for other books. The title jumped at me and I had to read it. I was hooked. I got a few more of your books and loved them all. I just want to thank you for writing such amazing books pertaining to real life, real situations we all go through. I am one of your biggest fan. Please keep the books coming.