Ignite Change With This List of the Most Inspiring Books Around
Making change can be hard. No matter what you want to do, getting motivated and excited about what’s ahead isn’t always easy. That’s why sometimes it’s good to seek a little inspiration. Often, the lives and experiences most different from our own can be the greatest sources of insight. We may not all get to be astronauts, but who isn’t charmed and enthralled by Chris Hadfield’s deeply inspiring book?
If you need a little encouragement, we’ve compiled a list of our favorite bestselling inspirational books to give you the nudge you need.
Without further ado, check out these top inspiring books
An Astronaut’s Guide to Life on Earth: What Going to Space Taught Me About Ingenuity, Determination, and Being Prepared for Anything by Chris Hadfield
An Astronaut’s Guide to Life on Earth
- 12 min reading time
- audio version available
Chris Hadfield, the first Canadian to spacewalk, offers a peek into the life of an astronaut: a profession that few will ever get to experience. There’s a lot to be learned from being up in space, so listen to some extraterrestrial wisdom and get inspired.
Born for This: How to Find the Work You Were Meant to Do by Chris Guillebeau
Born For This
- 13 min reading time
- audio version available
They say that if you love your job, you’ll never work a day in your life. But when you’re stuck doing something you hate, getting to that point feels impossible. This is one of the most inspiring books out there for finding what it really is that will empower you to ditch the day job and follow what really ignites your enthusiasm, which is half the journey — and half the fun.
Finding Your Element: How to Discover Your Talents and Passions and Transform Your Life by Ken Robinson
Finding Your Element
- 22 min reading time
- audio version available
For a life of passion, you don’t always have to give up structure and security – you can restructure your life to accommodate it. Focus on what you love, when you can, to bring you that ideal balance.
How Will You Measure Your Life?: Finding Fulfillment Using Lessons from Some of the World’s Greatest Businesses by Clayton M. Christensen, James Allworth and Karen Dillon
How Will You Measure Your Life?
- 18 min reading time
- audio version available
Clayton M. Christensen has survived cancer and is a top business leader, meaning he can offer advice both on the meaning of life and achieving career success – giving just as much attention to the topics of strategy and motivation as he does to strengthening relationships.
The Art of Asking: Or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Let People Help by Amanda Palmer
The Art of Asking
- 15 min reading time
- audio version available
Part memoir and part self-help book, songwriter and musician Amanda Palmer documents her journey to finding the courage to accept help, as well as reach out and ask for it when needed – not an easy feat for the headstrong. Even if you’re not famous, create your own fanbase and you’ll never be stuck.
The Artist’s Way: A Spiritual Path to High Creativity by Julia Cameron
The Artist's Way
- 14 min reading time
- audio version available
Does the word “spiritual” make you shudder? It doesn’t have to be that way. Everyone has an artistic side, but it’s all about trying to find a way to connect with it when you’re worn down by the humdrum of everyday life. Cast your doubts and external pressures aside, and tune in.
Linchpin: Are You Indispensable? By Seth Godin
Linchpin
- 12 min reading time
- audio version available
You know those people whose bosses say “I don’t know what we’d do without them”, who make you slightly envious of their inherent awesomeness that you weren’t born with? Newsflash: it can be learned! By putting more into your work, you’ll not only keep your manager and team happy, but also find it more rewarding.
I Thought It Was Just Me (But It Isn’t): Making the Journey from “What Will People Think?” to “I Am Enough” by Brené Brown
I Thought It Was Just Me (but it isn’t)
- 13 min reading time
- audio version available
This is one of the most inspiring books for those who feel held back from living their best life due to shame. It’s a user’s manual for empathy and connecting to one another, showing that speaking up about certain feelings can help us to appear more authentic and down to earth – thus attracting people with whom we have a true affinity.
When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi
When Breath Becomes Air
- 16 min reading time
- audio version available
Presented with a diagnosis of terminal cancer, neurosurgeon Paul Kalanithi set about penning his inspirational memoir, exploring the meaning of life when you are but an organism among all the others on this planet. These blinks sum up what one man learned when faced with his own mortality, and will make you appreciate the present moment, motivating you to achieve your goals in a different light.
How to Find Fulfilling Work: The School of Life by Roman Krznaric
How to Find Fulfilling Work
- 19 min reading time
- audio version available
Fact: fulfilling work can mean making the best out of a bad situation. If you’re determined to take it one step further, though, this popular book on changing your job will be of some use. It offers tips on making your new career path sustainable and achievable.
All in all, work isn’t all of life, of course, but changing it to suit you can do a whole lot for your happiness. Get one step ahead today by reading or listening to the world’s best inspiring books from a library at 2,000 and counting!
