We all have problems. The world is littered with armchair dreams and lay-abouts who do nothing about them.
Most men trot through life with an empty emotional bank account.
Their self-esteem is non-existent, and their understanding of why remains a mystery only to themselves.
While self-help books are not a form of taking action, most offer a great deal of insight as to why you’re so f-cked up in life.
From popular psychology to human behavior, the mind and beyond, if you’re looking for inspiring reads by inspirational people, you’ve finally found them.
Only in this collection of self-help all-time reads, the focus isn’t on Zen; it’s about overcoming all the issues holding you back in life from being all that you can be. The truth is, Zen doesn’t pay the bills when you’re coughing up blood in the hospital. It takes money!
It’s a good reason as to why you’ll find business and personal finance reading material mixed in with the relationship, public speaking, self-esteem/confidence building, and time management books. In other words, these top 50 best self help books for men cover all facets of life!
If you’re looking for purely feel good and ego-stroking nonsense, you might as well write your d-mn own book. Because the only person more qualified at being a loser is you!
Best Self Help Books For Men
1. The Compound Effect By Darren Hardy
Decisions, decisions. The premise of this book is that your life is determined by every minute decision that you make. Hardy explains the principles and decisions that have led to the accomplishments of many in the business world; however, the same principles can be applied to every area of life. Use this book as a manual to achieve the life that you desire.
2. The Slight Edge By Jeff Olson
Consider a new way of thinking with this book. It’s a way of thinking that will affect all other aspects of your life and choices that you make. This is not your typical self-help book, but it offers a good foundation for changing your way of thinking as you read other self-help books. Delve into its pages to learn more about “the ripple effect” and helping others.
3. As A Man Thinketh By James Allen
Even though it was originally written in 1902, the advice in Englishman James Allen’s book is still relevant for men today. Help yourself to this classic self-help book and let Allen show you that you hold the key that unlocks the door to your prosperity and that this key is in your mind. If you want to change your life, you must start by changing your thinking.
4. The Last Lecture By Randy Pausch
If you truly want to be challenged to the core, read this book, which goes beyond building wealth and success to leaving a legacy. According to Pausch, who was diagnosed with cancer prior to writing the book, “It’s not about how to achieve your dreams. It’s about how to lead your life.” With every eye-opening page, Pausch will have you realizing the value of time through thought-provoking wit and wisdom.
5. The Four Agreements By Don Miguel Ruiz And Janet Mills
Speaking of freedom, consider this next book in our lineup. Filled with wisdom and based on the ancient Mexican culture, Toltec, it unveils false ideas that you are believing and allowing to stunt your personal growth. Furthermore, Ruiz promotes four agreements that counteract these false beliefs and that will enable you to be free to fulfill your dreams.
6. The Alchemist By Paulo Coelho
This fictional masterpiece is both entertaining and empowering. Don’t be put off that the main character is just a boy. Let the fable of Santiago encourage you to follow your dreams and inspire you in your search for your destiny. You’ll find subtle, motivational lessons sprinkled throughout the book, such as conquering fear, discerning truth, and living in the moment.
7. Outliers By Malcolm Gladwell
Gladwell gets a bit more personal in this book than he did with Blink. He goes beyond determining how successful people think to discovering who they really are and what makes them different. A person’s backstory is often the key to his success. Uncover the intriguing secrets that have made famous individuals and certain demographics successful.
8. The Millionaire Fastlane By By Mj Demarco
This book is for men that want to live life in the fast lane. Why wait until you’re old and gray to enjoy life? Get your life in gear while you’re still young with DeMarco’s tips. According to him, mediocrity and the markets aren’t your friends. Find out how to accumulate wealth that lasts you a lifetime, not just in the end of your life.
9. The Strangest Secret By Earl Nightingale
This Nightingale classic, considered to be one of the greatest motivational essays of all time, could be the kick in the rear that you need. The straightforward language pushes you to get busy accomplishing the tasks that your life has for you. In a world of entitlement, Nightingale impresses you to work hard to reach your own goals.
10. The 10 Pillars Of Wealth By Alex Becker
Learn how to make your money work for you and how to quit working for your money. Who doesn’t want to make money in his sleep? Alex Becker tackles the pillars or mindsets that effect financial wealth and shows you how to think the way that rich people do so that you can be the boss of your financial destiny.
11. Man’s Search For Meaning By Viktor E Frankl
Here’s one for the history buffs, but anyone can appreciate this motivational self-help book by Viktor Frankl, an Auschwitz survivor. If anyone had struggles to overcome, he did. A reading of his memoirs is sure to motivate you to find your own “will to meaning” and to overcome the daily struggles you experience on your journey to a greater you.
12. Rich Dad Poor Dad By Robert T Kiyosaki
Family men, listen up! This book is as practical for your kids as it is for you. Robert Kiyosaki explains how the fiscal philosophies of two men in his life affected his ideas about finances. Be prepared for common financial misconceptions to be debunked and to learn your responsibilities regarding your family’s financial security.
13. The Power Of Your Subconscious Mind By Joseph Murphy
Once you change your way of thinking, the sky really is the limit, according to Dr. Joseph Murphy. Because personal relationships, business management, and financial security are all tackled in this book, no man is excluded from its practical and positive applications. If you’re man enough to get in touch with your subconscious mind, read on!
14. How To Stop Worrying And Start Living By Dale Carnegie
Written in the 1940s by a former worry wort, this book’s principles can still help men today. Find out how Dale Carnegie learned to accept criticism, conquer worry and fatigue, and be himself; then, put those principles into practice for yourself in today’s fast-paced and self-centered society. Don’t worry; you’ll be happy you did.
15. 7 Habits Of Highly Effective People By Stephen Covey
If you want to be effective, you must learn to do the things that highly effective people do. Take instruction from Stephen R. Covey, an effective leadership expert. He shows you how to become your most effective self with seven captivating principles, which include prioritizing and beginning with the end in mind.
16. Awaken The Giant Within By Tony Robbins
Man up and seize control of your life with the help of an expert on performance and change! Tony Robbins advises you how to do this by specifically targeting the individual areas of your mind, emotions (yes, men are emotional beings also), body, and finances. He gives you easy, step-by-step techniques to effectively master your destiny.
17. Blink By Malcolm Gladwell
Do you ever feel inadequate? Do you ever wonder the reason that other men succeed with little effort, but you can’t get ahead? You’re not alone. Malcolm Gladwell explains how you can think quickly and still make the best choices and decisions to succeed in life. The examples in his book are based on both the good and bad decisions of true and relatable characters.
18. Borrowing Brilliance By David Kord Murray
This book is a must-read for any entrepreneur. Murray, a former scientist, executive, inventor, and entrepreneur, will have you growing your business in no time. You’ll want to read his six steps for dealing with problems, borrowing and expanding on the ideas of others, and creating solutions to your problems. Steve Jobs and Sergey Brin are among the brilliant men used as examples in this book.
19. Business Adventures By John Brooks
![[John Brooks] Business Adventures: Twelve Classic Tales from The World of Wall Street - Paperback](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51KSlImLhrL.jpg)
Whether you are a new or seasoned business owner, you want your business to succeed. Learn from the highs and lows of corporate America; read the engaging histories of Ford Motor Company, General Electric, and more; and begin to create your own defining moments. This book has been praised by Bill Gates, so why not give it a read?
20. Getting Things Done By David Allen
Men, it is time to be intentional and to live your life purposefully! This book is loaded with ideas from one of the world’s most well-known consultants. Increase your productivity by learning to relax, delegate, and achieve with Allen’s getting-things-done methods.
21. How To Be Rich By J Paul Getty
Maybe you’re no longer just a college kid trying to pave the way for your life; you’re on the road to becoming a successful businessman. What’s next? Well, this book is for you. Billionaire J. Paul Getty shares his secrets and tells you what to do with your money once you have made it, so put down those get-rich-quick books by not-yet-rich people and win with your money by using Getty’s principles.
22. How To Win Friends And Influence People By Dale Carnegie
This version of Dale Carnegie’s classic has been revamped to make it easier for you to apply his principles in our modern era. This book is a great read for men that want to become more successful communicators and leaders as they learn to utilize all of the tools that the digital age has to offer.
23. Influence By Robert B Cialdini
Are you a yes man? If so, that’s no good for your success! Your degree of success has much to do with your degree of influence over people. Read this book to begin unleashing your powers of persuasion. Once you are putting Robert Cialdini’s six universal truths into practice, you’ll have other men becoming your sycophants.
24. Lead The Field By Earl Nightingale
No matter what your niche in life is, you can apply Earl Nightingale’s 12 truths to become more successful in every niche of your life. The renowned radio host offers insightful stories and poignant lessons to help you develop your best self. It’s a man-eat-man world out there, but Nightingale submits that you can be successful without eating others alive.
25. Making A Good Brain Great By Daniel G Amen
Science geeks will especially enjoy this very practical self-help book. It’s easy for men to equate strength with muscles and to forget that the brain is man’s greatest asset. It needs to be nourished and exercised, too. Dr. Amen uses his years of experience and research to help you get your brain in gear and enhance its capabilities.
26. Meditations By Marcus Aurelius
Speaking of struggles, this book is perfect for those in a struggle to succeed. Strong men are born out of struggles, and Aurelius speaks of manlike behavior in the midst of his struggle to rule an empire. Honestly, who could better teach you to build your own proverbial empire than an emperor of Rome?
27. Release Your Brakes By James Newman
Do you need help determining those things that are holding you back in life? Newman, owner and operator of PACE seminars, purposes to show you ways to tap into your unknown potential. Overcome your fears, step out of your comfort zone, and rid yourself of the extra baggage that is hindering you from achieving your fullest potential!
28. Rework By Jason Fried
If you’re one of those men that is dissatisfied with following the status quo, this is your book. Jason Fried’s seemingly backward instruction isn’t typical of most business books. He takes a simple approach, which he claims produces fast results, to encourage you to succeed in your endeavors. In a nutshell, his advice is to keep things simple, to disregard competitors, and to actually get to work!
29. See You At The Top By Zig Ziglar
Zig Ziglar’s motivational classic emphasizes the necessity of focusing on the important things in life. The book includes faith topics and religious principles to teach you to form habits and to set goals in every area of your life. It also teaches the importance of meeting the needs of others to attain personal success.
30. The 33 Strategies Of War By Robert Greene
Fully loaded with historical accounts, this book analyzes the individual actions that have led to the success or demise of historical and current figures. Greene creatively relates military strategies of war to everyday life decisions so that you can conquer any conflict. Add this one to your reading list if you want to gain an upper hand and take charge of your life.
31. The 48 Laws Of Power By Robert Greene
What man doesn’t want to dominate in every facet of his life? Learn 48 practical laws for beginning your rise to power from Robert Greene’s riveting book. It gives you the ammunition you need to keep your reputation, to draw people to your side, and to dominate at furthering your causes. In addition to others, Greene uses the real-life examples of P.T. Barnum and Henry Kissinger as support.
32. The Definitive Book Of Body Language By Barbara Pease
Do you ever have trouble reading people? Learning to read people’s body language is a huge step in personal growth and development. Allan and Barbara Pease teach you their skills for reading the body language of other people. Learn to tell if a person is lying and to use nonverbal communication to elicit the responses that you need from others.
33. The Easy Way To Control Alcohol By Allen Carr
On a more serious note, you know the damage that alcoholism can cause. If you or someone you know struggles with alcohol addiction, you must read this book. Allen Carr continues his writings about addictions with this book about alcoholism. He destroys myths about alcoholism and explains the reasons that people drink. Finally, he gives instructions to be totally free from addiction.
34. The Game By Neil Strauss
![[By Neil Strauss ] The Game (Paperback)【2018】 by Neil Strauss (Author) (Paperback)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51k7MroZBKL._SL500_.jpg)
Bachelors, this one is especially for you! This autobiography is based on a two-year period of the author’s life. Neil Strauss shares how he was able to seduce women as a pickup artist; however, the key is not a pickup line. The key is confidence, which is necessary to attract your desires in all realms of life. Read this book to develop a more confident you.
35. The Millionaire Next Door By Thomas Stanley And William Danko
Believe it or not, most millionaires don’t drive a Ferrari or live in a mansion. In fact, you might unknowingly know a millionaire. This book pinpoints seven common factors that all millionaires and even wealthier individuals have in common. Put the seven factors into practice, and you could find yourself becoming the next millionaire.
36. The Power Of Habit By Charles Duhigg
Take your business, life, and more to the next level once you find out the reasons that you habitually do the things you do. This book will show you how your habits are affecting you. Stop doing things that are holding you back; begin new habits that will produce success. Duhigg uses provocative stories to support his points and to help you incorporate positive habits in your life.
37. The Power Of Positive Thinking By Dr Norman Vincent Peale
Maybe you know what you need to do to get what you want from life, but you struggle to actually do it. Dr. Peale helps you develop the initiative that you need to fulfill your ambitions. His book, which is written in a nearly hypnotic style, outlines ways that you can affirm your thoughts to effect positive change and relies on case studies to support its theories.
38. The Prophet By Kahlil Gibran
For men interested in a great philosophical read, Kahlil Gibran’s poetic essays won’t disappoint. Gibran leaves no stone unturned; he offers inspiration for marriage and family life, health, law, death, and a number of other topics. This print also includes 12 of Gibran’s drawings, which will appeal to your inner boy. Seriously, if you are searching for enlightenment, you will find it in this book.
39. The Six Pillars Of Self Esteem By Nathaniel Branden
This book is a somewhat technical read, but is a great read for men struggling with self-esteem issues. Dr. Branden offers six daily practices that are the groundwork for healthy self-esteem and provides practical advice for anyone in charge of caring for the self-esteem of others.
40. Thick Face Black Heart By Chu Chin Ning
Next, we turn to ancient Chinese military philosophy. Chin-Ning Chu, an expert on business psychology, explains how to conquer your business and personal worlds by incorporating the strategies of the Chinese military. She combines these strategies with spiritual undertones to help you dominate in the realms of strategic thinking and successful living.
41. Think And Grow Rich By Napoleon Hill
![Think and Grow Rich (Mass Market Paperback)--by Napoleon Hill [1990 Edition] ISBN: 9780449214923](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41mCCF1L4ZL._SL500_.jpg)
Follow the business model of Andrew Carnegie and unleash the secrets of making money. This book doesn’t just tell you what you need to do to become rich; it also explains in detail how to do it. Although the book primarily focuses on accumulating money, its lessons can be applied to every area in which you would like to be more successful.
42. What Every Body Is Saying By Joe Navarro
What kind of non-verbal cues do you send to other people, such as a love interest or boss? You are probably not even aware of what you are doing, yet your silent communication can be either your greatest asset or anchor in life. Learn from a former FBI expert to speed read the actions and behaviors of others and to use that knowledge to your benefit as well.
43. Your First 100 Million By Dan Pena
Finally, Daniel S. Pena, a self-made millionaire, uses his Quantum Leap Advantage model to teach you to become financially successful. He personally used this method to become wealthy and submits that it can work for you, too. He also discusses the importance of mentors as you follow his program. With a mentor and a passion to succeed, you will be on the road to achieving super success and perhaps your own Guthrie Castle.
