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Key Takeaways: The Top 5 Books
The 5 best mindset books of all time are:
- As a Man Thinketh - James Allen
- Think and Grow Rich - Napoleon Hill
- The Magic of Thinking Big - David J. Schwartz
- The Power of Positive Thinking - Norman Vincent Peale
- How to Stop Worrying and Start Living - Dale Carnegie
Learn why and get the full list of best mindset books below...
The ONE Thing That’s Holding You Back
You’ll find a number of book summaries and reading lists on The Art of Living filled with timeless advice on topics as varied as communication, learning and productivity. (There’s even a collection of my favourite growth mindset quotes.)
And yet, despite this surplus of wisdom, at least 95% of the people who come here (and even of those who actually read the books recommended) will fail to sustain meaningful change.
Why? Because not knowing “What” to do or “How” to do it is rarely what holds most of us back. And if you take a careful look at your life, you’ll probably find that it’s not what’s restricting you either.
I’ve seen it thousands of times: the main reason people don’t act is that they gave up before they got started. What holds most of us back is belief – in our teachers, in our “Whys” but perhaps most of all in ourselves.
Why These Best Mindset Books Matter
In the list below, you’ll find some of the best mindset books I’ve discovered on beating those odds.
You’ll find books on grit, books on suffering, books on ownership, books on success and books that put your life in perspective. But above all, you’ll find books that teach you to believe in you; in your ability to shape your own destiny.
Of course, it takes more than just a positive mindset to succeed. Everything worth achieving demands its price in blood, sweat and tears.
But what the best mindset books below will give you are the tools to lighten your load, to take action, to turn obstacles to your advantage, to get back in the saddle and, with luck, to love yourself no matter where life’s journey takes you.
So with that in mind, good luck, go well and remember: “Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.” – Thomas Edison.
The 60 Best Mindset Books Ever Written
Why these best mindset books and not others? To stay objective, I rank all my book recommendations by what’s most loved (Goodreads rating), what’s most popular (Goodreads review count) and what’s proven timelessly relevant (first publication date).
This isn’t a whimsical list. It’s a data-driven, crowdsourced collection of the best mindset books ever published as decided by book lovers just like you. (Note: To maximise diversity, I only include the top ranking book from any series in a list.)
And if you think something's missing? I LOVE book recommendations so if there are any other best mindset books that you think deserve mentioning, email me and I’ll be sure to include them in the next round of updates.
Until then, enjoy this ultimate list of the 60 best mindset books of all time...
Books 1-10: The Top 10 Best Mindset Books of All Time
The top 10 best mindset books of all time are...
1. As a Man Thinketh - James Allen (FREE Summary)
As a Man Thinketh is THE #1 ranking, uplifting, pocket-sized pep-talk on the power and importance of changing your thoughts as the cornerstone to changing your life - by philosopher and prolific self-help author, James Allen.
Published 1902 // 34 pages // Rated 4.3 over 68,100 reviews on Goodreads
2. Think and Grow Rich - Napoleon Hill (FREE Summary)
Think and Grow Rich is a best-selling book of all time and a cornerstone guide to the Law of Attraction and the role of the subconscious in transforming your life - by a titan of the self-help genre, Napoleon Hill.
Published 1937 // 233 pages // Rated 4.2 over 254,900 reviews on Goodreads
3. The Magic of Thinking Big - David J. Schwartz (FREE Summary)
The Magic of Thinking Big is a powerful, practical and uplifting book to help get you out of a rut, invigorate your goals and empower you towards success - by life-long motivational writer and coach, David J. Schwartz.
Published 1959 // 320 pages // Rated 4.2 over 77,300 reviews on Goodreads
4. The Power of Positive Thinking - Norman Vincent Peale (FREE Summary)
The Power of Positive Thinking reminds us that we don’t need a PhD in Human Relations to live our best lives if we can learn a few tricks to change how we think - by minister and best-selling author Norman Vincent Peale.
Published 1952 // 128 pages // Rated 4.1 over 96,300 reviews on Goodreads
5. How to Stop Worrying and Start Living - Dale Carnegie (FREE Summary)
How to Stop Worrying and Start Living is a practical, common-sense bible filled with stories, case studies and simple step-by-step guides to conquering worry, anxiety and depression - by self development guru, Dale Carnegie.
Published 1944 // 358 pages // Rated 4.1 over 87,800 reviews on Goodreads
6. The Science of Getting Rich - Wallace D. Wattles (FREE Summary)
The Science of Getting Rich offers a short, pragmatic guide to attracting wealth and success by reprogramming your thinking, ovecoming mental barriers and learning to create, rather than compete - by New Thought and self-help author, Wallace D. Wattles.
Published 1910 // 146 pages // Rated 4.1 over 35,500 reviews on Goodreads
7. Acres of Diamonds - Russell H. Conwell (FREE Summary)
Acres of Diamonds is a short, inspirational reminder that all you need for success, wealth and happiness can be found right in front of you and that the grass is always green where you water it - by minister, orator and founder of Temple University, Russell H. Conwell.
Published 1892 // 68 pages // Rated 4.2 over 8,400 reviews on Goodreads
8. Psycho-Cybernetics - Maxwell Maltz (FREE Summary)
A New Way to Get More Living Out of Life
Psycho-Cybernetics defined the concept of self-image and inspired a generation of books on the power of identifying and breaking limited beliefs - by cosmetic surgeon and best selling author, Maxwell Maltz.
Published 1960 // 288 pages // Rated 4.2 over 20,300 reviews on Goodreads
9. The Master-Key to Riches - Napoleon Hill (FREE Summary)
The Master-Key to Riches is an accessible self help manual that covers everything from positive thinking and goal visualization to habit formation and self-discipline - by titan of the genre and author of Think and Grow Rich, Napoleon Hill.
Published 1945 // 208 pages // Rated 4.3 over 5,200 reviews on Goodreads
10. The Four Agreements - Miguel Ruiz (FREE Summary)
A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom
The Four Agreements is a provocative and mind-altering Toltec guide to waking up and finding peace in our illusory world - by retired surgeon, author and Eagle-Knight shaman Don Miguel Ruiz.
Published 1997 // 168 pages // Rated 4.2 over 247,800 reviews on Goodreads
Books 11-60: The Best Mindset Books to Read Next
Here are the next best mindset books from my database...
11. Success Through a Positive Mental Attitude - Napoleon Hill
Published 1960 // 384 pages // Rated 4.2 over 9,700 reviews on Goodreads
12. The Master Key System - Charles F. Haanel
Published 1912 // 236 pages // Rated 4.2 over 5,600 reviews on Goodreads
13. Illusions - Richard Bach
The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah
Published 1977 // 144 pages // Rated 4.1 over 59,800 reviews on Goodreads
14. You Can Heal Your Life - Louise L. Hay
Published 1984 // 253 pages // Rated 4.1 over 69,200 reviews on Goodreads
15. The Last Lecture - Randy Pausch
Published 2008 // 217 pages // Rated 4.2 over 326,700 reviews on Goodreads
16. The Success Principles - Jack Canfield
How to Get from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be
Published 2004 // 473 pages // Rated 4.2 over 32,000 reviews on Goodreads
17. Awaken the Giant Within - Anthony Robbins
How to Take Immediate Control of Your Mental, Emotional, Physical and Financial Destiny!
Published 1992 // 544 pages // Rated 4.1 over 62,000 reviews on Goodreads
18. The Strangest Secret - Earl Nightingale
Published 1957 // 34 pages // Rated 4.5 over 600 reviews on Goodreads
19. The Inner Game of Tennis - W. Timothy Gallwey (FREE Summary)
The Classic Guide to the Mental Side of Peak Performance
The Inner Game of Tennis is an insightful and practical guide to optimizing natural learning and performance with applied mindfulness - by author, speaker and ex-Harvard tennis captain, W. Timothy Gallwey.
Published 1974 // 134 pages // Rated 4.2 over 12,800 reviews on Goodreads
20. Wooden - John Wooden (FREE Summary)
A Lifetime of Observations and Reflections On and Off the Court
Wooden set's out John Wooden's effort-and-integrity focussed personal philosophy - spanning family, achievement, success and excellence - by UCLA's famous philosopher-coach, John Wooden, and author, Steve Jamison.
Published 1997 // 201 pages // Rated 4.5 over 4,500 reviews on Goodreads
21. The Go-Giver - Bob Burg
A Little Story About a Powerful Business Idea
Published 2007 // 133 pages // Rated 4.4 over 18,000 reviews on Goodreads
22. Grow Rich! - Napoleon Hill
With Peace of Mind
Published 1967 // 256 pages // Rated 4.3 over 700 reviews on Goodreads
23. Daring Greatly - Brené Brown
How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead
Published 2012 // 287 pages // Rated 4.3 over 158,700 reviews on Goodreads
24. You Can If You Think You Can - Norman Vincent Peale
Published 1974 // 336 pages // Rated 4.2 over 2,200 reviews on Goodreads
25. The Gifts of Imperfection - Brené Brown
Let Go of Who You Think You're Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are
Published 2010 // 138 pages // Rated 4.2 over 136,800 reviews on Goodreads
26. Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers - Robert M. Sapolsky
Published 1993 // 560 pages // Rated 4.2 over 10,200 reviews on Goodreads
27. Tiny Beautiful Things - Cheryl Strayed (FREE Summary)
Advice on Love and Life from Dear Sugar
Tiny Beautiful Things is a heart thumpingly raw, vulnerable and powerful collection of letters and advice on the power of love, of forgiveness and of finding growth in the darkest of places - by award-winning writer, Cheryl Strayed.
Published 2012 // 304 pages // Rated 4.3 over 73,800 reviews on Goodreads
28. The Power of Intention - Wayne W. Dyer
Learning to Co-create Your World Your Way
Published 2005 // 272 pages // Rated 4.2 over 31,400 reviews on Goodreads
29. With Winning in Mind - Lanny Bassham
The Mental Management System: An Olympic Champion's Success System
Published 1996 // 162 pages // Rated 4.4 over 1,200 reviews on Goodreads
30. Positive Imaging - Norman Vincent Peale
The Powerful Way to Change Your Life
Published 1981 // 192 pages // Rated 4.3 over 700 reviews on Goodreads
31. Ask and It Is Given - Esther Hicks
Learning to Manifest Your Desires
Published 2004 // 314 pages // Rated 4.2 over 28,500 reviews on Goodreads
32. The Path of Prosperity - James Allen
Published 1901 // 48 pages // Rated 4.2 over 400 reviews on Goodreads
33. The Way to Wealth - Benjamin Franklin
Published 1758 // 30 pages // Rated 4.1 over 2,300 reviews on Goodreads
34. Self-Reliance - Ralph Waldo Emerson
Published 1841 // 52 pages // Rated 4.0 over 7,700 reviews on Goodreads
35. Can't Hurt Me - David Goggins (FREE Summary)
Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds
Can't Hurt Me is a powerful, uplifting, part-how-to, part-memoir that'll pick you up by your collar, help you take control of your life circumstances and kick your victim mentality to the curb - by endurance athlete and retired Navy SEAL, David Goggins.
Published 2018 // 290 pages // Rated 4.4 over 94,000 reviews on Goodreads
36. Failing Forward - John C. Maxwell
Turning Mistakes Into Stepping Stones for Success
Published 2000 // 209 pages // Rated 4.2 over 10,200 reviews on Goodreads
37. Eight Pillars of Prosperity - James Allen
Published 1911 // 244 pages // Rated 4.2 over 400 reviews on Goodreads
38. Attitude Is Everything - Jeff Keller
Change Your Attitude... and You Change Your Life!
Published 1999 // 130 pages // Rated 4.2 over 5,300 reviews on Goodreads
39. As You Think - James Allen
Published 1903 // 112 pages // Rated 4.1 over 1,000 reviews on Goodreads
40. The Alchemist - Paulo Coelho
Published 1988 // 197 pages // Rated 3.9 over 2,343,000 reviews on Goodreads
41. Extreme Ownership - Jocko Willink
How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win
Published 2015 // 320 pages // Rated 4.2 over 53,800 reviews on Goodreads
42. Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway - Susan Jeffers
Published 1987 // 240 pages // Rated 4.0 over 30,200 reviews on Goodreads
43. Your Erroneous Zones - Wayne W. Dyer
Published 1976 // 320 pages // Rated 4.0 over 14,000 reviews on Goodreads
44. The Amazing Results of Positive Thinking - Norman Vincent Peale
Published 1959 // 288 pages // Rated 4.2 over 400 reviews on Goodreads
45. Mindset - Carol S. Dweck (FREE Summary)
The New Psychology of Success
Mindset is a research-grounded dive into the self-fulfilling nature and impact of Fixed- and Growth-Mindset beliefs in personal development - by social and developmental psychology professor, Carol Dweck.
Published 2006 // 276 pages // Rated 4.1 over 111,300 reviews on Goodreads
46. Don't Sweat the Small Stuff ... and it's all small stuff - Richard Carlson
Simple Ways to Keep the Little Things from Taking Over Your Life
Published 1997 // 248 pages // Rated 4.0 over 86,600 reviews on Goodreads
47. The Happiness Advantage - Shawn Achor
The Seven Principles of Positive Psychology That Fuel Success and Performance at Work
Published 2010 // 272 pages // Rated 4.1 over 30,000 reviews on Goodreads
48. The Master Mind - William Walker Atkinson
Published 1913 // 276 pages // Rated 4.2 over on Goodreads
49. Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life - Brian Tracy
How to Unlock Your Full Potential for Success and Achievement
Published 2003 // 270 pages // Rated 4.2 over 1,600 reviews on Goodreads
50. The Way of Peace - James Allen
Published 1901 // 98 pages // Rated 4.1 over 500 reviews on Goodreads
51. Magic of Thinking Success - David J. Schwartz
Your Personal Guide to Financial Independence
Published 1960 // 224 pages // Rated 4.2 over 300 reviews on Goodreads
52. Go-Givers Sell More - Bob Burg
Published 2010 // 208 pages // Rated 4.3 over 2,500 reviews on Goodreads
53. Who Moved My Cheese? - Spencer Johnson (FREE Summary)
Who Moved My Cheese is a short, light-hearted parable about the different ways we respond to life's changes and how doing so skillfully can help us find more success and happines in our lives - by best-selling author, Dr. Spencer Johnson.
Published 1998 // 96 pages // Rated 3.8 over 405,300 reviews on Goodreads
54. Napoleon Hill's Positive Action Plan - Napoleon Hill
365 Meditations For Making Each Day a Success
Published 1995 // 208 pages // Rated 4.3 over 200 reviews on Goodreads
55. The Law of Attraction - Esther Hicks
The Basics of the Teachings of Abraham
Published 2006 // 205 pages // Rated 4.1 over 20,900 reviews on Goodreads
56. The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari - Robin S. Sharma
A Fable About Fulfilling Your Dreams and Reaching Your Destiny
Published 1996 // 208 pages // Rated 3.9 over 124,600 reviews on Goodreads
57. Enthusiasm Makes the Difference - Norman Vincent Peale
Published 1967 // 272 pages // Rated 4.1 over 500 reviews on Goodreads
58. Maximum Achievement - Brian Tracy
Strategies and Skills that Will Unlock Your Hidden Powers to Succeed
Published 1993 // 352 pages // Rated 4.1 over 5,200 reviews on Goodreads
59. Maximize Your Mental Power - David J. Schwartz
Published 1965 // 224 pages // Rated 4.2 over 100 reviews on Goodreads
60. Positive Thinking Every Day - Norman Vincent Peale
An Inspiration for Each Day of the Year
Published 1993 // 384 pages // Rated 4.2 over 300 reviews on Goodreads
More Book Recommendations
Enjoyed this list of the best mindset books of all time?
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Or, you can read all my book recommendations.
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