Over the course of my reading years, several non-fiction books have stood out that I refer to time and time again. Whenever I get the ‘blues,’ or need some motivation with my writing or other projects, these are the books that motivate me to create and persevere.
Please make sure to add
your own top ten motivational books in the comments below
and to share this with your friends and networks.
Here are my Top Ten Motivational Books:
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The Wisdom of Insecurity by Alan Watts |
In
this fascinating book, Alan Watts explores humanity’s quest for
psychological security, examining our efforts to find spiritual and
intellectual certainty in the realms of religion and philosophy. THE WISDOM OF INSECURITY underlines the importance of our search for
stability in an age where human life seems particularly vulnerable and
uncertain. Watts argues our insecurity is the consequence of trying to
be secure and that, ironically, salvation and sanity lie in the
recognition that we have no way of saving ourselves.
A
fantastic book that addresses modernity’s woes with sound logic and
reasoning while emphasizing the positives of encouraging ‘spirituality’
in everyday life. This book made things in my mind go ‘click.’ The
ideas and succinct philosophy are essential reading for anyone
interested in a way forward for humanity – the blueprint is written
here. If you have questions about life and
spirituality and the ‘meaning’ of things, I highly recommend that you
read this book and share it with someone you love.
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The Outsider by Colin Wilson |
As relevant today as when it originally published, THE OUTSIDER explores the mindset of characters who exist
on the margins, and the artists who take them there. Published to
immense acclaim, THE OUTSIDER helped to make popular the literary
concept of existentialism. Authors like Sartre, Kafka, Hemingway, and
Dostoyevsky, as well as artists like Van Gogh and Nijinsky delved for a
deeper understanding of the human condition in their work, and Colin
Wilson’s landmark book encapsulated a character found time and time
again: the outsider.
How does the outsider influence society?
And how does society influence the outsider? It’s a question as relevant
to today’s iconic characters (from Don Draper to Voldemort) as it was
when initially published. Wilson’s seminal work is a must-have for those
who love books and are fascinated by that most difficult to understand
of characters.
This
book blew my mind when I read it. Wilson nails the intersection of art,
life, and philosophy and puts forward his reasoned argument that highly
creative individuals bordering on genius (writers, painters,
philosophers, leaders etc.) are plagued with self-doubt and existential
angst and that this is what drives them on to confront deep and
sometimes terrible issues that the rest of us would rather ignore. And
it is through this courageous confrontation of the dark side of life
that beauty and meaning are discovered.
As a lover of books that
confront difficult issues and tough conceptual theories and ideas, this
book is a fantastic ‘must read’ that answered so many of my own
questions about life and art. Highly recommended. Note: Beyond the Outsider is also worth reading as a follow-up to this book.
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On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King |
As
an author who first wrote horror stories, this book was/is my bible.
The information is entertaining and informative, but most of all,
inspirational. King wrote this book while recuperating from a serious
injury, and (for me) what makes this book great is that his determination and
humour shine through as he looks back on his life while taking the time
to offer advice to aspiring writers.
For one of the most popularly
successful authors in the world to lay it all on the table with this
book is incredibly generous (and clever). If you’re a writer, you’d
have to be dead inside not to glean at least one or two profoundly
insightful pieces of advice or inspiration from On Writing.
If you ever
wanted to be an author, read this book. There is no BS, the hard
road ahead is expertly mapped out in a way that will have you turning
the last pages before you know it. I’m up to my tenth reading of this
book, and it never gets old.
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Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts |
Burning slums and five-star hotels, romantic love and prison agonies, criminal wars and Bollywood films, spiritual gurus and mujaheddin guerrillas — this huge novel has the world of human experience at its heart. Based on the life of the author, it is by any measure the debut of an extraordinary voice in literature.
Fiction or fact, it does not matter, this tome is a masterpiece of prose that will leave most people (with a pulse), breathless. This is truly an epic tale filled with intrigue, adventure and humanity. It's the kind of book that makes you want to leave your life behind and join the French Foreign Legion or take up base jumping. It reminds me of James Michener’s Caravans mixed with Louis L’Amour’s swash-buckling adventure The Walking Drum. Set in a contemporary setting, Shantaram has a resonance and immediacy that makes it all the more believable and epic as a result.
This book encouraged me to be more adventurous – to realize that life does not have to be boring and without excitement. Ultimately, the road to realizing your dreams and achieving something truly worthwhile is paved with danger and obstacles that might seem insurmountable but are not impossible to overcome.
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Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl |
In the decades since its first publication in 1959, Man’s Search for Meaning has become a classic, with more than twelve million copies in print around the world. A 1991 Library of Congress survey that asked readers to name a “book that made a difference in your life” found MAN’S SEARCH FOR MEANING among the ten most influential books in America. At once a memoir, a meditation, a treatise, and a history, it continues to inspire us all to find significance in the very act of living.
This
book is one of the most powerful and emotional reading experiences of my
life. It is beautifully written, and the message it contains is profound.
Whenever I feel low or think the world has treated me badly, I pick up
this book and I know that life is good. Not because Frankl went through
some really horrible and tragic life events and wrote about them really
well, but because he experienced these things and emerged from his
tragic experiences with a hope for humanity stronger than ever.
Frankl's
insights into human nature and the struggle between good and evil will
leave a deep impression on your heart and mind. Whenever you think you
have it tough or the way ahead is too difficult, pick up this book and
read it and change your perspective on life for the
better.
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Worldly Wisdom: Confucian Teachings of the Ming Dynasty by J.C. Cleary |
The
philosophical, religious, and sociopolitical teachings of Confucianism
have played a central role in East Asian culture for many centuries.
This book presents a selection of passages from leading Chinese thinkers
of the later Ming dynasty (sixteenth-seventeenth centuries), a peak
period of Confucian creativity influenced by Buddhism and Taoism. Chosen
for their practical interest and universal appeal, the passages are
concerned with how to develop the personality, conduct social relations,
and order society. In contrast to the common misconception of
Confucianism as a formalistic ideology linked to authoritarian political
regimes, these passages emphasize the cultivation of spiritual
qualities as a means of operating harmoniously and successfully in the
world.
This
book spoke to me. I can’t explain exactly why, but Worldly Wisdom is my
‘dip-in’ book. When I need some ideas or some motivation, I open it
and always come up with a new insight or idea that inspires me. The
wisdom provided brims with logical
positivity and a timeless intelligence and humanity that is as important
and meaningful now as it was when these great thinkers first penned
their thoughts.
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48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene |
Amoral,
cunning, ruthless, and instructive, THE 48 LAWS OF POWER is the
definitive manual for anyone interested in gaining, observing, or
defending against ultimate control. In the book that People magazine
proclaimed “beguiling” and “fascinating,” Robert Greene and Joost
Elffers have distilled three thousand years of the history of power into
48 essential laws by drawing from the philosophies of Machiavelli, Sun
Tzu, and Carl Von Clausewitz and also from the lives of figures ranging
from Henry Kissinger to P.T. Barnum.
Some laws teach the need
for prudence (“Law 1: Never Outshine the Master”), others teach the
value of confidence (“Law 28: Enter Action with Boldness”), and many
recommend absolute self-preservation (“Law 15: Crush Your Enemy
Totally”). Every law, though, has one thing in common: an interest in
total domination. In a bold and arresting two-color package, THE 48 LAWS OF POWER is ideal whether your aim is conquest, self-defense, or simply
to understand the rules of the game.
Aside
from the beautiful aesthetic of this superbly crafted book, when
you need a push forward with your business or social life, this packs a powerful punch. Filled to the brim with an eclectic selection of
the best quotes regarding fundamental laws of human nature, it will
inspire you to lift your game, step up, and stand out from the crowd with
assertive mantras and knowledge you can use in everyday
situations.
If you're in a leadership role or use strategy in your
business (or personal) life, this book is perfect for giving you the
edge. Knowledge is power and this
book is full of both. Read it.
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The Tao of Jeet Kune Do by Bruce Lee |
Compiled
from Bruce Lee’s notes and essays and originally published in 1975, TAO OF JEET KUNE DO is the [leading] best-selling martial arts book in the
world. This iconic work explains the science and philosophy behind Jeet Kune Do — the art Lee invented — and includes hundreds of Lee’s
illustrations. Topics include Zen and enlightenment, kicking, striking,
grappling, and footwork. With introductions by Linda Lee and Editor
Gilbert Johnson, TAO OF JEET KUNE DO is essential reading for any
practitioner and offers a brief glimpse into the mind of one of the
world’s greatest martial artists.
This
book is a combat manual of enlightened philosophy. Bruce Lee’s
unwavering determination, intelligence, and humanity shouts (or should I say, speaks softly with great authority) from these
pages. Despite being a training guide for his self-defence martial art system,
this book is so much more. If you’ve ever felt like giving up or seem to
take the wrong route every time, read this book and take time to
understand the very simple but highly effective principles he espouses. You are bound to change your perspective on life and how you live
it.
This book teaches you how to command respect, take control of your
life and emotions, and take the most economical and effective steps
forward. Aside from the practical fighting and self-defence applications
he teaches, Lee always imbues his thoughts and suggestions with a
philosophical twist that is both profound and poetic. A fantastic book
that will motivate your mind as well as your body.
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Freedom From The Known by J.D. Krishnamurti |
Born
in poverty in India, Jiddu Krishnamurti (1895–1986) became a leading
spiritual and philosophical thinker whose ideas continue to influence us
today. George Bernard Shaw declared that he was the most beautiful
human being he had ever seen and Aldous Huxley was one of his close
friends. Whether debating politics with Nehru, discussing theories with
Rupert Sheldrake and Iris Murdoch, or challenging his students not to
take his words at face value, Krishnamurti engaged fully with every
aspect of life. He is regarded by many modern religious figures as a
great teacher, an extraordinary individual with revolutionary insights;
Joseph Campbell, Alan Watts, Eckhart Tolle and Deepak Chopra are all
indebted to his writings.
FREEDOM FROM THE KNOWN is one of Krishnamurti’s most accessible works. Here, he
reveals how we can free ourselves radically and immediately from the
tyranny of the expected. By changing ourselves, we can alter the
structure of society and our relationships. The vital need for change
and the recognition of its very possibility form an essential part of
this important book’s message.
This
book should be required reading in all schools and for all politicians.
It is soaked in a very human message and provides amazingly powerful
and simple solutions, for people willing to change their lives for the
better and who want to let go of recurring negative thought/life
patterns. If you want to truly understand yourself, as an individual and
as a human, read this book. It won’t necessarily make you rich or more successful, but you would benefit immensely from it as a
leader or mentor. As Krishnamurti explains, freeing oneself from the social constructs, bad
habits, enforced stereotypes and expectations of a lifetime is a key
part of personal growth and original thinking.
This book will open your
eyes and mind to the possibilities of a ‘new you’. Perhaps it is a very Eastern way of thinking (philosophically and socially), which makes it
seem like a wholly original and unique concept, but to my Western mind, it shouts truth and a fresh way of thinking that has me constantly
referring back to this book when I need personal growth and
development.
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Learned Optimism by Martin Seligman |
Known
as the father of the new science of positive psychology, Martin E.P.
Seligman draws on more than twenty years of clinical research to
demonstrate how optimism enhances the quality of life, and how anyone
can learn to practice it. Offering many simple techniques, Dr. Seligman
explains how to break an “I -give-up” habit, develop a more
constructive explanatory style for interpreting your behavior, and
experience the benefits of a more positive interior dialogue. These
skills can help break up depression, boost your immune system, better
develop your potential, and make you happier... With generous additional
advice on how to encourage optimistic behavior at school, at work and in
children, LEARNED OPTIMISM is both profound and practical–and valuable
for every phase of life.
This
book operates on many levels – a discourse on the various negative human
traits (emotional, intellectual, psychological, social etc.) and a
practical work-book for achieving a more positive outlook in your life
and activities. It is a very deep, thorough and insightful work that is
well worth the effort to read and take the time to fully grasp the
methods and suggestions Seligman offers. If you are like me and one of
those people who seem to be born cynics, this book is for you.
The
logical reasoning, lack of fluff and use of real-world examples worked
really well to illustrate his theories and to show how the applications
discussed in this book can be implemented. It has helped me become a lot
more optimistic and see things in a much more positive light, and for
that reason alone I list it here as one of the most influential and
positive self-development books I’ve read.
Thanks
for reading. I hope that you find something that will add value to your life in these book recommendations.
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