20 Best Motivational Audiobooks for Jump-Starting Your Life

For most of us, motivation tends to ebb and flow; sometimes, even the act of staying motivated feels like something we need to inspire ourselves to do. When you hit a rut, there’s no shame in calling in reinforcements, and luckily, our catalog has a vast selection of them. We’ve compiled this list of the 20 best motivational audiobooks for all the times you need a boost to get going.

The Secret

De: Rhonda Byrne

Narrado por: Rhonda Byrne

Serie: The Secret

Duración: 4 h y 24 m

Fecha de lanzamiento: 11-17-06

Idioma: Inglés

4.5 out of 5 stars 30,197 calificaciones

This audiobook is beloved in the motivational genre and has even been recommended by some of the most impressive celebrity tastemakers in the world (like Oprah!). After just a few minutes of listening, you’re sure to be a believer too. Author Rhonda Byrne performs her own text, which focuses on our internal power to manifest change with mindfulness and intentionality, making for the perfect guide on the journey to self-empowerment. Since the idea that simply visualizing a goal can help bring about its achievement can sound a bit far-fetched, Byrne is sure to include examples, research, and testimonials interwoven throughout her narrative to support the legitimacy of the Law of Attraction. She is also joined by the voices of contributors who collectively make this listen feel like an encouraging conversation instead of a how-to manual.
The 10X Rule

The Only Difference Between Success and Failure

De: Grant Cardone

Narrado por: Grant Cardone

Duración: 7 h y 24 m

Fecha de lanzamiento: 07-19-11

Idioma: Inglés

4.5 out of 5 stars 47,387 calificaciones

When was the last time you really considered your limits and whether you’re pushing yourself to achieve all that’s possible in life? This audiobook packs a motivational punch—it doesn’t beat around the bush, but instead teaches you how to wake up and do the work necessary to get what you want. Narrating his own work with an infectious passion for life and success, Cardone lays out his 31 tenets of success, most of which hinge on the notion that being successful takes high rates of activity (10x our normal rate, to be specific). Pushing ourselves into overdrive, Cardone says, gives you the ability to reach for bigger and better in all areas of your life—better personal relationships, stronger moral ethics, bigger risks, and all-out commitment to your dreams.
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck

A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life

De: Mark Manson

Narrado por: Roger Wayne

Duración: 5 h y 17 m

Fecha de lanzamiento: 09-13-16

Idioma: Inglés

4.5 out of 5 stars 175,345 calificaciones

Sheer positivity can only sustain one’s motivation for so long. At some point, we all experience circumstances or emotions that require more than just an upbeat attitude to deal with. In The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck, Mark Manson speaks directly and honestly to listeners about how to deal with the f*cked up world around them, without losing their motivation to do great things. The content within is just as unique (and blunt) as the title, with intentionally provocative chapter titles, like Happiness Is a Problem and You’re Wrong about Everything (But So Am I). It’s clear from every element of the audiobook that Manson is not your everyday motivational guru—and that’s what sets him apart. Former Air Force broadcaster Roger Wayne narrates this listen; his friendly yet authoritative tone and perfect pacing balance out Manson’s no-nonsense instructions for muscling through the tougher parts of life. This is an excellent choice for anyone, but an especially great choice for self-help skeptics who may otherwise reject the optimistic outlook of the self-dev genre.
Change Your Thoughts—Change Your Life

Living the Wisdom of the Tao

De: Dr. Wayne W. Dyer

Narrado por: Dr. Wayne W. Dyer

Duración: 9 h y 9 m

Fecha de lanzamiento: 12-31-06

Idioma: Inglés

4.5 out of 5 stars 5,029 calificaciones

Not all motivational wisdom that applies to modern life is from the modern era. Dr. Wayne Dyer has dedicated much of his life to parsing the wisdom of the Tao Te Ching—ancient Chinese verses dictated by a man named Lao-tzu—and applying it to 21st-century circumstances with scholastic thoroughness. Dyer includes not only all 81 verses of the Tao, compiled by hand from 10 of the best and most enduring translations, but also 81 essays in which he interprets the lessons each verse contains and makes the ideas accessible for the modern listener. The understanding Dyer has of the Tao is impressive, supported by years of study and research, and we’re glad to have him as an interpreter of its timeless wisdom. As listeners explore the meaning behind such verses as the way never acts yet leaves something undone, the ancient words and Dr. Dyer’s soothing voice blend seamlessly to create a listening experience that is near transcendent.
Super Attractor

Methods for Manifesting a Life Beyond Your Wildest Dreams

De: Gabrielle Bernstein

Narrado por: Gabrielle Bernstein

Duración: 6 h y 25 m

Fecha de lanzamiento: 09-24-19

Idioma: Inglés

4.5 out of 5 stars 6,962 calificaciones

In her seventh title, best selling author Gabrielle Bernstein allows herself to dive deep into the spirituality of her teachings on the law of attraction. For listeners familiar with Bernstein, it should be an enjoyable, easy jump from her past work to this new exploration, and for new listeners, all that’s required to enjoy is an open mind. Super Attractor is an Audible Editors Pick and an engaging, motivating look at how being in alignment with higher forces at work in our lives can bring us the things we’ve always wanted.

Bernstein provides listeners with personal anecdotes about her manifestation practices, practical mental exercises for encouraging mental alignment, and advice for being realistic with yourself while also radically ambitious about what good things you can attract. Her narration is warm and inviting, and as she draws listeners deeper into the spirituality behind her advice, this selection begins to feel like a much-needed cleansing meditation.
The Antidote

Happiness for People Who Can't Stand Positive Thinking

De: Oliver Burkeman

Narrado por: Oliver Burkeman

Duración: 6 h y 13 m

Fecha de lanzamiento: 12-11-12

Idioma: Inglés

4.5 out of 5 stars 3,061 calificaciones

For every fan of motivational literature, there are just as many skeptics of the genre, and that’s understandable—it can be tough to get on the same level of enthusiasm some authors possess. Oliver Burkeman writes for exactly the type of listener who needs motivation, but hasn’t the desire to digest it in its characteristically optimistic format. Subverting our expectations of motivational books, he delivers his thesis that positivity doesn’t always work; therefore, sometimes only the negative path can help us. Listening to Burkeman tell us, in his own words and voice, that it’s okay (and even powerful) to embrace every inescapable, ugly fact in our lives is a powerful experience unlike that of any other audiobook in the genre. The Antidote encourages the listener to move radically toward truth, no matter how painful, making it a standout among its peers.
Crush It!

Why NOW Is the Time to Cash In on Your Passion

De: Gary Vaynerchuk

Narrado por: Gary Vaynerchuk

Duración: 3 h y 40 m

Fecha de lanzamiento: 01-05-10

Idioma: Inglés

4.5 out of 5 stars 11,555 calificaciones

Sitting at the popular intersection between the motivational and entrepreneurship genres, this audiobook provides just as much great life advice as it does strategy for entrepreneurial success. Vaynerchuk, who energetically narrates his own work, encourages the listener not to seek out a career that fits their passions, but to find a way to turn their passions into a career. It is only in doing so, this listen argues, that you can identify the line of work you have enough drive to pursue aggressively to achieve success. Hearing the author tell his own success story—ups and downs included—is as inspiring as it is helpful, and his passion for his own project is the perfect companion to yours.
The Happiness Hypothesis

De: Jonathan Haidt

Narrado por: Ryan Vincent Anderson

Duración: 10 h y 18 m

Fecha de lanzamiento: 05-23-18

Idioma: Inglés

4.5 out of 5 stars 7,005 calificaciones

This ambitious audiobook follows in the footsteps of best selling author Jonathan Haidt’s first book, The Righteous Man, to bring more ancient wisdom to the motivational book canon. Here, he studies individual ideas that have endured through centuries and permeated different cultures, examining the source of their staying power. Listeners are encouraged to find comfort in how blockers to happiness, though they may feel completely unique, have been universally felt by millions across times and cultures. With Haidt’s diligent, thoughtful examination brought to life by the skillful narration of Ryan Vincent Anderson, the listening experience is simultaneously like an enthralling lecture series and an excavation of the wisdom of past ages.
The Magic of Thinking Big

De: David Schwartz

Narrado por: Jason Culp

Duración: 9 h y 31 m

Fecha de lanzamiento: 10-06-15

Idioma: Inglés

4.5 out of 5 stars 9,926 calificaciones

To say this book is popular with listeners would be a massive understatement. Millions of people have engaged with Schwartz’s classic (originally published in 1959), and millions have come away inspired and changed. Today, the wisdom within is just as resonant—and actor Jason Culp’s narration ensures every word has an impact. Schwartz’s message is simple: to get the big results we all dream about, we have to think big first. Once we start thinking big, we can act big and then, finally, achieve big. The best part of this audiobook is how easy the advice is to follow and implement—after each chapter, Schwartz recaps the most important points and practical takeaways so the message never fails to stick.
How to Own Your Own Mind

De: Napoleon Hill, Don Green - introduction

Narrado por: Robertson Dean

Duración: 7 h y 45 m

Fecha de lanzamiento: 09-19-17

Idioma: Inglés

4.5 out of 5 stars 6,131 calificaciones

How to Own Your Own Mind is a unique opportunity to hear motivational advice in the original words (performed with measured, deliberate delivery by actor Robertson Dean) from one of the most revered and successful people in history: Andrew Carnegie. Napoleon Hill’s original interview with the steel magnate provides the structure for each of the three (yes, only three) chapters of this audiobook in which Hill explores the most important steps to having a mind that works with your ambitions instead of against them. The cadence established by the question-and-answer format of this audiobook gives it a rhythmic quality that makes it particularly easy to listen to. But don’t be fooled—the simple structure contains nuanced, in-depth gems of advice for diving into our own thoughts.
See You at the Top 25th Anniversary

De: Zig Ziglar

Narrado por: Zig Ziglar

Serie: Nightingale-Conant: Achievement

Duración: 4 h y 53 m

Fecha de lanzamiento: 04-25-16

Idioma: Inglés

5 out of 5 stars 1,387 calificaciones

Over the years, Zig Ziglar has cultivated a band of devotees who swear by his ability to continually motivate them. The 25th anniversary edition of his smash-hit motivational program is a great place to either listen to his teachings for the first time or to re-experience his inspiring methods for a self-dev top-up. The lessons within are comprehensive, touching on everything from harnessing the subconscious for more success to defending against the negative energies you interact with every day. Ziglar’s energy is unmatched and undeniable, so listening to the live recording of the seminar where he presents his program provides an unforgettable experience. You’ll feel as if you’re sitting among his other students, soaking up his answers to seemingly every question and methods to combat every negative thought you’ve ever had.
Drive

The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us

De: Daniel H. Pink

Narrado por: Daniel H. Pink

Duración: 5 h y 53 m

Fecha de lanzamiento: 12-29-09

Idioma: Inglés

4.5 out of 5 stars 7,940 calificaciones

Whereas some motivational books focus on taking emotion-centered paths to changing minds and behaviors, Daniel H. Pink’s chosen method is scientific. He uses decades worth of data and research to dive deep into the science of what motivates human beings, connecting it with observable practices in the workplace that succeed or fail in motivating employees. This listen is short and consumable, something topical and easy to listen to on the job or on your commute that will invite questions about the motivational framework of both your corporate community and your personal life. Coupled with an author-narrated performance that one listener called open and straightforward, Drive is the perfect audiobook to keep you moving forward.
How Successful People Think

Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life

De: John C. Maxwell

Narrado por: Chris Sorenson

Serie: Successful People

Duración: 3 h y 39 m

Fecha de lanzamiento: 06-01-09

Idioma: Inglés

4.5 out of 5 stars 1,676 calificaciones

Looking outward for examples of success can be one of the surest ways to motivate yourself, and best selling author John C. Maxwell provides 11 different models in How Successful People Think. Maxwell lays out each type with specific details and practical applications that make his advice easy to tangibly apply to our lives. This selection is an almost effortless listen—it’s digestible, straightforward, well-structured, and actionable, making it easy to follow along. Narration by award-winning audiobook veteran Chris Sorenson only furthers the directness of the core message, ensuring that you’ll be thinking more effectively and holistically than ever.
Living with a SEAL

31 Days Training with the Toughest Man on the Planet

De: Jesse Itzler

Narrado por: Jesse Itzler

Duración: 5 h y 18 m

Fecha de lanzamiento: 11-03-15

Idioma: Inglés

4.5 out of 5 stars 15,329 calificaciones

You might think having a Navy SEAL as your roommate would bring about an attitude of stoicism—but when author-narrator Jesse Itzler invited Navy SEAL David Goggins to live with him, it instead caused a boatload of unexpected shenanigans. From Goggins’s scheduling a snowy run in the middle of the night to a series of unfortunate walk-ins, Itzler recounts his housemate’s antics in a way that brings some much-needed humor to the motivational genre. Along the winding road of Itzler’s month with a SEAL, expect joy, friendship, and a healthy dose of serious motivation. (After all, Goggins is also an ultramarathon runner, ultra-distance cyclist, and current world-record holder for most push-ups in 24 hours.) In the end, what he offers Itzler and listeners alike is a much-needed attitude adjustment: what we think we’re capable of is nowhere near our limits
Poke the Box

De: Seth Godin

Narrado por: Seth Godin

Duración: 2 h y 14 m

Fecha de lanzamiento: 03-01-11

Idioma: Inglés

4 out of 5 stars 1,127 calificaciones

Author-narrator Seth Godin thinks that achieving success in the world as it currently stands is the last thing we should be trying to do. Instead, his focus is on breaking the mold and forging our own path—creating a new reality instead of finding our place in an existing one. Poke the Box is the culmination of Godin’s ideas that have been published in his other, briefer works about counter-cultural thinking and change. Assembled here, they form a cohesive guide to using subversion of the norm to accomplish one’s goals. You’ll love this audiobook for its one-sitting length—clocking in at just about two hours, it’s perfect for a quick jolt of motivation—and its ability to break open old thought patterns in such a short amount of time.