My Top Five Books for Motivation

Posted May 24, 2012 by Dave Crenshaw

Are you looking for some new ideas, some different ways of seeing things? I have read more than a few books for motivation and personal growth. Some, of course, have shown themselves more valuable (to me, at least) than others.

I’d like to share with you a handful of my favorites, so please watch this short video and see which are your favorites, too. Then, please share with me your top five books.

Action Steps:

Watch this video, then look into any or all of the books below:
- The Power of Focus by Canfield, Hansen and Hewitt
- The 7 Habits of Highly Successful People by Steven R. Covey
- How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
- Lincoln by David Herbert Donald
- The Secret Code of Success by Noah St. John
On this page, please share which five (secular) books have had the greatest impact on your life.

Principles to Learn:

Seeing the world through the eyes of certain writers can help us hit the refresh button on our own lives and careers.
A book does not have to be a conventional self-help manual to help you improve your lot in life.
Even authors from decades past can have useful insights into current business practices.

Tags: Invaluable, Motivation, MVA, Productivity, Systems

http://mohamedaslam.com Aslam

Thanks Dave.
Here are the 5 books that impacted my life.
1. Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
2. The Power of Your Subconscious Mind by Joseph Murphy
3. Think Like a Winner! by Walter Doyle Staples
4. The 4-Hour Workweek by Timothy Ferriss
5. Rework by Jason Fried

I’m currently reading the How to Win Friends and Influence People and added your list in to my Amazon wish list.

http://www.DaveCrenshaw.com Dave Crenshaw

Thank you for sharing, Aslam. “The Power of Your Subconscious Mind” looks interesting. I’ll have to check it out.

http://mohamedaslam.com Aslam

Yeah. It’s a classic but worth reading. I’d like to know, how many books you read in parellel? Do you have any specific time for read books?

http://www.DaveCrenshaw.com Dave Crenshaw

I typically read books–meaningful books like these–in the “seams”. This means when I’ve got a little down time, when I’m flying on the plane, etc. I find that gives me enough time to read.

http://mohamedaslam.com Aslam

Thanks, Dave. Make sense.

tmcombs

Here are mine in order of discovered:
1. How to Win Friends (as you mentioned) — Taught me how to be confident around people.
2. First Things First by Stephen Covey — Taught me balance when things are crazy.
3. Reviving Ophelia by Mary Pipher (A must read for any parent raising girls)
4. Myth of Multitasking (not just because its your blog. ) My wife and I quote the “mind is not an approved storage place” saying all of the time
5. EntreLeadership – Dave Ramsey

http://www.DaveCrenshaw.com Dave Crenshaw

Great list. And thanks for including “Myth” in there. I’ll have to look up “Reviving Ophelia” as I have a two year old daughter.

http://twitter.com/b160allen Brandon R Allen

Dave. I like your list. Here’s mine in no particular order:

1. Good To Great- Jim Collins
2. Killing Sacred Cows- Garrett Gunderson
3. Switch- Chip and Dan Heath
4. Ignore Everybody- Hugh Macleod
5. Linchpin- Seth Godin

http://www.DaveCrenshaw.com Dave Crenshaw

Great list and I’m familiar with all those books except, “Ignore Everybody.” That’s a new one to me. Thanks, Brandon!

http://youtube.com/micahstubz Micah Stubz

The 4-hour Work Week
The Art of Non-Conformity
Leadership and Self-Deception
Flinch
The Cashflow Quadrant

http://www.DaveCrenshaw.com Dave Crenshaw

Couple of new ones here for me. Is that “The Flinch” by Julien Smith (free kindle book) or Flinch by Robert Ferrigno (novel)?

http://youtube.com/micahstubz Micah Stubz

“The Flinch” by Julien Smith

Sven

Nonviolent Communication – Marshall Rosenberg
the 8th habit – Stephen Covey

http://www.DaveCrenshaw.com Dave Crenshaw

Great additions. Thanks, Sven!

David Pappoe jnr

the 8th habit by stephen Covey has impacted my life a lot and i recommend it. its an amazing reading .. THE POWER OF FOCUS IS ALSO A GREAT ONE

http://www.DaveCrenshaw.com Dave Crenshaw

Thanks, David!

Miguel Martinez

Hey Dave.. what do you think of the “4 hour workweek” by Tim Ferris?

http://www.DaveCrenshaw.com Dave Crenshaw

I think it’s an awesome title for a book and that it has some good tips.

However, I think principles are more important than systems. Principles can be universally applied, but most systems are uniquely designed for unique situations. Tim’s book is about his very specific system, which can work for some people–not so well for others.

If you’re someone who can see past his systems down to the underlying principles, there’s some value.

Cuasar

For me now I think The Biography of Steve Jobs.
Thanks Dave for the list!!!!

http://www.DaveCrenshaw.com Dave Crenshaw

You’re welcome, Cuasar!

Lisa

I try to read The Power of Focus every year. I also like The Success Principles by Jack Canfield. Thank you for the list!!

http://www.DaveCrenshaw.com Dave Crenshaw

Great books. Thanks, Lisa!

http://www.facebook.com/buonodesign Ahmed Mahrous

for me was study smarter, not harder by kevin paul and thanks for the list!

http://www.DaveCrenshaw.com Dave Crenshaw

Thanks, Ahmed.

Miguel Martinez

I am beginning to read John Maxwell’s books on Leadership. Have you read any of them?

http://www.DaveCrenshaw.com Dave Crenshaw

Yes. Maxwell’s books are very good. Thanks for sharing, Miguel.

Mmppcc44

That’s a great line up of books! I have read two of them. Now to get Noah’s book!
Jason

Thank you for the recommendations Dave, I just purchased all of these on my Kindle that weren’t already there (3 of 5). I appreciate your suggestions for reading these. My TOP 5:
1. As A Man Thinketh
2. How To Win Friends & Influence People
3. The Greatest Salesman in the World
4. University of Success
5. Born To Run

http://DaveCrenshaw.com/ Dave Crenshaw

Thanks for the additions, Jason.

Bob Tarne

Dave – Covey’s 7 Habits has always been on the top of my list. I’ve read a lot of books and this one really has a good roadmap regardless of what you do. I added the ones I haven’t read from you list to my read list. Thanks
Nathan

Thanks for the list, Dave. I would add EntreLeadership by Dave Ramsey.

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