Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat to Look ForFrequently Asked QuestionsWhy Trust Verywell Mind?
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What to Look For
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Trust Verywell Mind?
Lacking motivation? Here are the best motivational books that might help you get back on track, according to mental health experts.What Your Lack of Motivation Might Mean“A lack of motivation is often an indication that you need to rest, recharge, and re-evaluate how you’re expanding your energy,” saysAisha R. Shabazz, therapist and licensed clinical social worker who specializes in the treatment of anxiety disorders. “Our global society is very goal-oriented, so I think many people struggle with motivation because they’re exhausted from constantly striving toward doing everything, all the time, at 110%.”
Lacking motivation? Here are the best motivational books that might help you get back on track, according to mental health experts.
What Your Lack of Motivation Might Mean“A lack of motivation is often an indication that you need to rest, recharge, and re-evaluate how you’re expanding your energy,” saysAisha R. Shabazz, therapist and licensed clinical social worker who specializes in the treatment of anxiety disorders. “Our global society is very goal-oriented, so I think many people struggle with motivation because they’re exhausted from constantly striving toward doing everything, all the time, at 110%.”
What Your Lack of Motivation Might Mean
“A lack of motivation is often an indication that you need to rest, recharge, and re-evaluate how you’re expanding your energy,” saysAisha R. Shabazz, therapist and licensed clinical social worker who specializes in the treatment of anxiety disorders. “Our global society is very goal-oriented, so I think many people struggle with motivation because they’re exhausted from constantly striving toward doing everything, all the time, at 110%.”
Outlines actionable, small steps towards lasting change
Easy to read
Non-judgmental
ConsTheory-heavyA long read
Theory-heavy
A long read
His message is simple: start with small, manageable changes in order tobuild towards lasting change.
What Experts Say
ProsGreat for readers who feel stuck in old habits40 million copies soldConsSome find the writing preachy and dogmaticAdvice is not applicable to all readers
ProsGreat for readers who feel stuck in old habits40 million copies sold
Great for readers who feel stuck in old habits
40 million copies sold
ConsSome find the writing preachy and dogmaticAdvice is not applicable to all readers
Some find the writing preachy and dogmatic
Advice is not applicable to all readers
Despite being written over 30 years ago,this bookhas held up over time and is now known as a classic in the self-help space. It is written to be inspirational and motivating, and it uses real-world examples and anecdotes to distill seven basic tips that you can use in your life toachieve success.
It’s easy to read and, more importantly, easy to learn from.
ProsDedicated to goal settingTeaches readers how to focusUses clear analogiesConsSpecific topicSomewhat repetitiveA longer read
ProsDedicated to goal settingTeaches readers how to focusUses clear analogies
Dedicated to goal setting
Teaches readers how to focus
Uses clear analogies
ConsSpecific topicSomewhat repetitiveA longer read
Specific topic
Somewhat repetitive
A longer read
If you struggle to find motivation because you’re never sure where to start,this is the bookfor you. It focuses on one subject—goal setting—but it does so in a way that helps you prioritize your ambitions.
After reading it, you’ll know how to set priorities, get started on tasks, and keep your motivation going until you achieve the outcome you desire.
Explains the science of how habits work
Gives actionable advice for changing routines
If you’ve ever tried to create a new routine for yourself, you’re well aware of how difficult that can actually be. New routines are hard to stick to, and before long, we’re slipping back into our old habits.
This bookbreaks down the latest scientific research on how habits work and what we can do to change them. That way, we can create new routines for our lives and our business.
ProsEasy to readEngaging exercisesAccessible voiceConsCould be more empathetic
ProsEasy to readEngaging exercisesAccessible voice
Engaging exercises
Accessible voice
ConsCould be more empathetic
Could be more empathetic
Best of all, this book contains some engaging, motivating end-of-chapter exercises that you’ll come back to time and time again.
The 10 Best Mental Health Books to Read This Year
ProsBased on medical research and personal experienceEasy to readConsSome advice feels general
ProsBased on medical research and personal experienceEasy to read
Based on medical research and personal experience
ConsSome advice feels general
Some advice feels general
The author uses his personal experiences and medical research to provide readers with actionable tools to helpcope with their anxiety. His goal withthis bookis to help readers harness their anxiety and use it to motivate themselves to live a healthier, happier life.
The chapters are short and easy to read. The tone is compassionate.
What Experts Say“Reading motivational books when you have anxiety can be helpful because you can learn about someone who has been through a similar situation to yours. Maybe they went through something really difficult in life, like a divorce, and they had to find the light in the middle of the darkness. Reading a book about someone who is going through something very challenging can offer help and inspiration and even make you feel grateful for the good things in your life. Motivational books are helpful when you feel hopeless.”—Katie Ziskind, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
“Reading motivational books when you have anxiety can be helpful because you can learn about someone who has been through a similar situation to yours. Maybe they went through something really difficult in life, like a divorce, and they had to find the light in the middle of the darkness. Reading a book about someone who is going through something very challenging can offer help and inspiration and even make you feel grateful for the good things in your life. Motivational books are helpful when you feel hopeless.”—Katie Ziskind, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
ProsTargeted tips aimed at different productivity stylesEasy to readEncouraging voiceConsPromotes signing up for a classA longer read
ProsTargeted tips aimed at different productivity stylesEasy to readEncouraging voice
Targeted tips aimed at different productivity styles
Encouraging voice
ConsPromotes signing up for a classA longer read
Promotes signing up for a class
When it comes to getting motivated, no two people are exactly alike. That’s because, as this author explains, people have different productivity styles—they’re either arrangers, visualizers, planners, or prioritizers. So if you want to get productive and developbetter time management, the first step is to figure out what style you are—andthis bookcan help you do that.
The 7 Best Self-Help Books to Change Your Life
Final Verdict
What to Look for in a Motivational Book
Voice
Do you like the way the author writes? Skim a few pages and try to gauge whether their writing style feels relatable and engaging to you. See if they sound empathetic to the struggles you’re experiencing. If you don’t like the writing style, you won’t want to read the book and might give up on it halfway through.
“Look for an author that makes you feel empowered,” says Schroeder. “Do a little research. There are self-help books on almost any topic, and finding an author that resonates with you is key.”
Some authors will offer free content on their website or will have done web or podcast interviews. “Look for those interviews, because it can give you a feel for who they are,” says Shabazz.
Actionable Advice
Some books will include exercises to help you learn how to implement their motivational tips. This can help guide you to change your habits and outlook.
“You want to make sure you are being encouraged to take small attainable steps,” says Schroeder. “If your goal is to run a marathon and you currently don’t run, you won’t read this book and suddenly be able to run a marathon. Aim for a book that gives you a goal-setting process.”
To a certain extent, motivation varies from person to person because, as Shabazz explains, “different things cause people to feel motivated or unmotivated.” So the first step is often to look at your individual circumstances and figure out what is holding you back from feeling motivated.
For example, “in the case of those who experience anxiety in an intense way, I encourage people to consider what is at stake if they don’t take action,” Shabazz says. “It’s a modern version of a pros and cons list but the purpose is to get to the bottom of what’s holding someone back from moving forward.”
For others getting motivated involves letting go of societal expectations and focusing on doing one thing, every day, that makes them happy. “Do what makes you truly happy, and that is where you will see the motivation increase,” says Schroeder. If you do something that makes you happy first, she continues, you can “fill your cup, and the motivation for other tasks will follow.”
The activity that makes you happy doesn’t have to be complicated either: it can be as simple as going for a walk, meeting up with a friend, or taking an hour for self-care.
Some people also find motivation in either starting the day with a simple task that they can do quickly—like making the bed or checking an easy item off your to-do list—so that you feel a sense of accomplishment early in your day.
Even if you get motivated to do something, it’s not always easy tostaymotivated over time. Here are some tips you can try to sustain your motivation:
Be clear on why you’re doing something:“For most tasks that we set out to accomplish, it’s important to determine what the value attached is with getting this project complete,” says Shabazz. Focus on why you’re doing something and what you’ll get out of it when the task is complete.
Surround yourself with supportive or motivated people: People cheering you on to accomplish your goals will keep you motivated.
Just make sure those people aren’t too competitive or negative. If they are too competitive and unsupportive of your goals, it could lead you to compare yourself or feel less accomplished, which could begin to affect your self-esteem and your follow-through.
Keep learning:This is where self-help books can play a role. Learning about new things and new ways to pursue your goals can be extremely motivating.
Give yourself breaks:“Motivation often ebbs and flows, so it is important to give yourself grace in times you don’t have as much,” says Schroeder. “That way you are able to capitalize on the motivation when it is at a high.”
As an experienced health and science reporter,Simone Scullyunderstands the importance of picking thoroughly researched products to promote wellness and self-care.
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