Which is the best motivational "self-help" book ever written?
 

Which book do you feel outranks every other book out there and has had the greatest impact on your life?

Re: Which is the best motivational "self-help" book ever written?
 

There is so many books out there that I can't just name one. But if I had to name an easy read and a book that someone could finish in a couple of hours i would say Og Mandino's "Greatest Salesman in the World." This is a wonderful book and it has life lessons that we all can learn from.

Re: Which is the best motivational "self-help" book ever written?
 

This is the reason why I asked everyone to name just one. I have so many books lying around that I just can't make up my mind which one to read first.

Re: Which is the best motivational "self-help" book ever written?
 

"The Secret"

But then again, I haven't read very many books. ; )

Re: Which is the best motivational "self-help" book ever written?
 

The Holy Bible.

Re: Which is the best motivational "self-help" book ever written?
 

Probably "Light on Yoga" by B.K.S. Iyengar - which describes
and instructs the reader in the practice of the ancient system
of self-development commonly known today as hatha yoga.

The impact it had on my life was more a function of the time
in which I read the book first, in my early 20s.

Is it the book I would recommend if you want to win friends,
develop charisma, get rich?

No. Not really. I'd say read things like Dale Carnegie
and Napoleon Hill for those sorts of goals.

If you want to get fit and internally balanced as a way to
prepare yourself for success and happiness in life
I definitely would recommend checking it out.

Re: Which is the best motivational "self-help" book ever written?
 

I think the answer to this question depends a lot on your state of mind when reading self help books. There are some times when a books says exactly what you need to hear at the right time.

For me that was two books:

Way Of the Peaceful Warrior by Dan Millman
and Journey to IXtlan by Carlos Castaneda

both classics in their own right.

Re: Which is the best motivational "self-help" book ever written?
 

Tony Robbins' 'Unlimited Power' had a huge impact for me.
Lots of practical stuff that you can use to actually CHANGE right away.

It introduced me to NLP and I became an NLP trainer in the end (although not doing certification trainings). :)

I love Catherine Ponders books, especially 'Pray and grow rich'. One of the first books to teach releasing. see ch 4.

Ralf

Re: Which is the best motivational "self-help" book ever written?
 

Agreed! Tony has helped a lot of lazy bums get out of bed and get to work.

Re: Which is the best motivational "self-help" book ever written?
 

For me it would be the Bible but if we are talking about non religious books I will have to say How to win friends and influence people by dale carnegie. That was the first self help book I read and after reading that there was no going back......

Re: Which is the best motivational "self-help" book ever written?
 

In fact! Most books have something or the other from the bible.

Re: Which is the best motivational "self-help" book ever written?
 

Hmm can I say IMO, it's actually an audio/video: Earl Nighthingale's The Strangest Secret.

Re: Which is the best motivational "self-help" book ever written?
 

"Agreed!" Even "The Secret" is no secret - Solomon was the first to verbalize this truth in Proverbs 23:7 -

What all these other books do is to express these same truths in different ways, which helps us to grasp them.

We all have different learning styles - so one book will lead to one person's "ah ha moment", while another may not get anything at all out of the same book.

One of my favorite books is Jesse Du Plantis - The Everyday Visionary: Focus Your Thoughts, Change Your Life

Re: Which is the best motivational "self-help" book ever written?
 

Think and Grow Rich - Napolean Hill
The Law of Success - Napolean Hill

The Law of Success, hands down, beats any other
book I've come across. This series was distilled down
to "Think and Grow Rich". So, if you liked TAGR, you'll
be absolutely bowled over by Law of Success.

Asher

Re: Which is the best motivational "self-help" book ever written?
 

I would totally agree with Think and Grow Rich by Napolean Hill. I see it as pretty much the basis for all self help books since then.

Re: Which is the best motivational "self-help" book ever written?
 

If I had to start with just one it would be
"Ask and It Is Given" by Esther and Jerry Hicks.

After that I'd read "What Does God Want" by
Neale Donald Walsch

Then I'd tackle "Your lnfinite Power To Be Rich"
by Joseph Murphy

These three have deeply impacted my life, the
way I do business, the way I respond to problems,
and how I interact with my children.

Re: Which is the best motivational "self-help" book ever written?
 

Where do I start....
To choose just one can be such a challenge.
As per Shaleniie, Earl Nightingale's "The Strangest Secret" is one of the best Audio's available.

Book wise I would like to submit:

"Maximum Achievement" - Brian Tracy
"The Alchemist" - Paulo Coelho
"The Ultimate Gift" - Jim Stovall

Of course there are many more, including what has already been suggested.

Everything listed so far by everyone would make a great place to start your library.

Re: Which is the best motivational "self-help" book ever written?
 

Although not being classic motivational book, this one had strong impact on my perception of whole business philosophy:
"Giants of Enterprise: Seven Business Innovators and the Empires They Built" by Richard S.Tedlow
Really impressive book. Highly recommended.

Re: Which is the best motivational "self-help" book ever written?
 

The Law of Success by Napoleon Hill is literally a "Roadmap to Success" Although written 80 years ago, it's still the best!

Re: Which is the best motivational "self-help" book ever written?
 

The Success Principles by Jack Canfield... the only success book you'll EVER need

Re: Which is the best motivational "self-help" book ever written?
 

For me , it would be the Richest man in Bablylon by George Clason

It is one book that i absolutely love

It is like a story and yet insightful

The book that changed my life and my thinking about money

Re: Which is the best motivational "self-help" book ever written?
 

Anyone Have Read You Can Win by Shiv Khera??
It's an Amazing Book.
It's Very Popular here in India.

Re: Which is the best motivational "self-help" book ever written?
 

For me it is Think and Grow Rich by Napolean Hill. I've read plenty of self help books by other celebrated authors and I've always found majority of the writers are inspired by Think and Grow Rich.

Re: Which is the best motivational "self-help" book ever written?
 

The Holy Bible all the way...

Re: Which is the best motivational "self-help" book ever written?
 

'The Law of Success' all the way. I've been re-reading it for years. Stick with only original manuscripts and not one of the edited books of today with the publisher's opinions added to it.

Re: Which is the best motivational "self-help" book ever written?
 

Same for me. I like how the rich man considered his investments to be his "children", and how they would go on to produce more "children" or investments. Very simple language to get the point across.

Re: Which is the best motivational "self-help" book ever written?
 

Allen - As a man thinketh

Re: Which is the best motivational "self-help" book ever written?
 

success principles by jack canfield

Re: Which is the best motivational "self-help" book ever written?
 

Alan Zimmerman - Pivot: how one simple turn in attitude can lead to success

Re: Which is the best motivational "self-help" book ever written?
 

Your Wish Is Your Command

Re: Which is the best motivational "self-help" book ever written?
 

"Think & Grow Rich" got me started on wanting to have my own business. It opened up so many possibilities. I haven't achieved success yet but I haven't given up either.

Re: Which is the best motivational "self-help" book ever written?
 

"The Millionaire Fastlane" by MJ DeMarco

Most of the books I read prior to this one were all pretty similar to the ideas presented in "Think and Grow Rich" - which I enjoyed. This book really challenges some of the stuff taught in books like "Think and Grow Rich" and the "Secret." It's an interesting read and a real wake up call. Highly recommended.

Re: Which is the best motivational "self-help" book ever written?
 

Agree 100%. I said in another post that "The Law of Success" is Napoleon Hill's major opus. He really goes in-depth into every subject that gets only a chapter in "Think and Grow Rich".

Re: Which is the best motivational "self-help" book ever written?
 

I've read most of the books mentioned, and "concur" with em all! (except for The Millionaire Fastlane, I'll have to look into this one eric)...since the heavy hitters are already taken, I'll throw a lesser known, but just as powerful classic on the table;

"Your Greatest Power" by J Martin Koche written in 1953

He was a distributor or publisher (I cannot remember which for sure) for Napoleon Hill's books when they first came out.

According to Koche, our greatest power, is the.... "power to choose".

Short but awesome book!

tim

Re: Which is the best motivational "self-help" book ever written?
 

also speaking of Og Mandino....

I heard of that last book through his book, "University of Success".

He goes over 50 classic self help/motivational books starting back in the early 1900's!

Re: Which is the best motivational "self-help" book ever written?
 

If you want more focus, you can read the Psalms and Proverbs. The Psalms show man relating to God. The Proverbs teach about man relating to man.

Re: Which is the best motivational "self-help" book ever written?
 

Secrets of a Millionaire mind - T Harv Eker
Thick Face Black Heart - Chin Ning Chu
Power of Now -Eckhart Tolle
New Earth - Eckhart Tolle
Excuse me Your Life is Waiting - Lynne Grabhorn

All of these books are very helpful and understandable - Eckhart tolle is a bit harder to read then the others but good messages in all - yes many of the above books are reading the similar age old message but its all in the delivery really. These books have helped me considerably over the years and I have read all of the above mentioned as well. Big library at home :)

Re: Which is the best motivational "self-help" book ever written?
 

Quite interesting to see so many common books and authors on the list. Here are some of my favorites. Since there are many repeated above, thought the list might offer some titles not already mentioned. After the first, they are not necessarily in prioritized order.

1. The Bible - God
2. Success Through A Positive Mental Attitude - W. Clement Stone
3. Think and Grow Rich - Napoleon Hill
4. The Amazing Power of Deliberate Intent - Esther & Jerry Hicks
5. As A Man Thinketh - James Allen
6. Psycho-Cybernetics - Dr. Maxwell Maltz
7. Psycho-Cybernetics 2000 - Bobbe Sommer
8. Talent Is Overrated - Geoff Colvin
9. The PowerMind System - Michael Kiefer
10. Mind Power John Kehoe
11. Personal Power II - Audio Album - Tony Robbins
12. Rich Dad Poor Dad - Robert Kiyosaki
13. Mastery of Money - Audio Album - Brian Klemmer
14. Successful Achievement - Sidney Bremer 4 Vol. set.
15. Richest Man in Babylon - George S. Clayson

Re: Which is the best motivational "self-help" book ever written?
 

Totally agree with Rich Pirate on "The way of the peaceful warrior" and another great book is " The Magician's Way" by William Whitecloud. They are similar in that the tell you to trust your instincts and you will never go wrong. Also, when you are in the flow of life everything comes to you without struggle, notice I didn't say without effort.
To your success,
Mike

Re: Which is the best motivational "self-help" book ever written?
 

Art of War - Sun Tzu

Re: Which is the best motivational "self-help" book ever written?
 

The purpose driven life...it helps me a lot become a better person..

Re: Which is the best motivational "self-help" book ever written?
 

The Bible

Think and Grow Rich - Napolean Hill

- Sorry, haven't read too many books, :P

Re: Which is the best motivational "self-help" book ever written?
 

think and grow rich and 4 hour workweek.

Re: Which is the best motivational "self-help" book ever written?
 

"Think and Grow Rich" by Napolean Hill would have to be the book I've read and reread the most.

This is the most foundational and specifically directed information package of all time.

Re: Which is the best motivational "self-help" book ever written?
 

I feel the secret made a big difference in my life, after readin it i managed to get my own bike and a nice phone. so for me the secret definetly.

Re: Which is the best motivational "self-help" book ever written?
 

I love Richard Wiseman's "59 Seconds", because it's trying to get rid of all the new-age mumbojumbo in the self-help industry and actually focuses on strategies that are tested. Can't believe how many unsuccessful people are buying into self-help ideas made up by people who never had any success outside the self-help industry.

I don't usually like WSJ, but this quote is pretty great:
— The Wall Street Journal

Oh, and the Bible. All the genocide, slavery, misogyny, imposed servility and superstition in there never ceases to make me thankful that I'm living today and not two thousand years ago.

Re: Which is the best motivational "self-help" book ever written?
 

I don't know if any of you have read it, but I finished reading "Fight Club" few days ago. It truly is self-motivational and really "deep-thinking" book!

Re: Which is the best motivational "self-help" book ever written?
 

"The Jackrabbit Factor" a free book (at least eBook) about how you can profit from your losses and how even when your down you can always get back up.

you can google it.

Re: Which is the best motivational "self-help" book ever written?
 

Secrets of the Millionaire Mind by T Harv Eker revolutionized my thinking about money and about myself.

Re: Which is the best motivational "self-help" book ever written?
 

The Secret"

But then again, I haven't read very many books. ; )