Mastering the art of self-motivation is one of the most transformative skills you can develop on your personal growth journey. While there are countless voices in the self-development space, women authors bring unique perspectives, lived experiences, and powerful insights that resonate deeply with readers seeking authentic transformation.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ve curated 10 outstanding self-development books by inspiring women authors who are mastering the art of self-motivation. Each book offers practical strategies, profound wisdom, and actionable tools to help you unlock your full potential and create lasting change in your life.
1. The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins
Mel Robbins’ latest bestseller offers a life-changing mindset shift that millions can’t stop talking about. The Let Them Theory teaches you to stop letting other people’s opinions, drama, and judgment impact your life. With just two simple words—”Let Them”—you’ll learn to free yourself from the exhausting cycle of trying to control everything and everyone around you. This book is essential reading for anyone who struggles with people-pleasing or overthinking what others think.
#1 New York Times Bestseller
#1 Sunday Times Bestseller
#1 Amazon Bestseller
#1 Audible Bestseller
A Life-Changing Tool Millions of People Can’t Stop Talking About
2. The Mountain Is You by Brianna Wiest
This international bestseller has been translated into over 40 languages and is transforming lives around the world. Brianna Wiest explores how self-sabotaging behaviors keep us from reaching our potential and provides actionable strategies to overcome them. The book delves deep into the psychological patterns that hold us back and offers tools for building true self-mastery. If you find yourself getting in your own way, this book will help you understand why and show you how to stop.
– Amazon Best Seller
– An international best seller translated into 40+ languages
– Selected by Inc. as one of the top 5 books to improve leadership mindset
– Listed on Entrepreneur’s “These 10 Bestselling Books Will Help Improve Your Self-Esteem”
– Ranked #1 on the Associated Press “US Audiobooks Top 10”
3. Untamed by Glennon Doyle
Glennon Doyle’s memoir has become a cultural phenomenon, inspiring women worldwide to reclaim their authentic selves. This powerful book explores how women are caged by societal expectations and shows the path to breaking free. Doyle shares her personal journey of leaving behind conformity to build a life based on her own desire, intuition, and imagination. Untamed is both a wake-up call and a roadmap for anyone ready to stop pleasing others and start living for themselves.
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER! “Packed with incredible insight about what it means to be a woman today.”—Reese Witherspoon (Reese’s Book Club Pick)
In her most revealing and powerful memoir yet, the activist, speaker, bestselling author, and “patron saint of female empowerment” (People) explores the joy and peace we discover when we stop striving to meet others’ expectations and start trusting the voice deep within us.
4. The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin
Gretchen Rubin’s year-long experiment to discover how to create true happiness resulted in this #1 New York Times bestseller. Drawing on cutting-edge science, classical philosophy, and real-world applications, Rubin chronicles her adventures test-driving wisdom about how to be happier. She found that novelty and challenge are powerful sources of happiness, money can help buy happiness when spent wisely, and that the smallest changes can make the biggest difference. This engaging, relatable book provides a framework anyone can use to increase their happiness.
Gretchen Rubin’s year-long experiment to discover how to create true happiness. Drawing on cutting-edge science, classical philosophy, and real-world examples, Rubin delivers an engaging, eminently relatable chronicle of transformation. This special 10th Anniversary edition features a Conversation with Gretchen Rubin, Happiness Project Stories, a guide to creating your own happiness project, a list of dozens of free resources, and more.
5. You Are a Badass by Jen Sincero
Jen Sincero’s bold, no-nonsense approach has made this book a cult favorite among those seeking to transform their lives. With her signature humor and straight-talk, Sincero shares 27 bite-sized chapters full of inspiring stories, sage advice, and exercises to help you identify and change the self-sabotaging beliefs that stop you from getting what you want. This book is perfect for anyone who wants to stop doubting their greatness and start living an awesome life.
#1 New York Times bestseller with over 5 million copies sold!
The first ever self-development book to help millions of people around the globe transform their lives using humor, irreverence, and the occasional curse word—now updated and expanded for its 10th anniversary with a brand-new foreword, reader’s guide, and more!
6. Daring Greatly by Brené Brown
Brooklyń Brown’s groundbreaking research on vulnerability and shame has transformed how we think about courage and connection. In Daring Greatly, she challenges everything we think we know about vulnerability and shows that it’s not weakness, but our greatest measure of courage. Brown teaches that when we dare greatly, when we show up and let ourselves be seen, we open ourselves to deeper connections, more creativity, and greater fulfillment. This book is essential for anyone ready to embrace vulnerability as a path to a wholehearted life.
The #1 New York Times bestseller. More than 2 million copies sold!.
Author Brené Brown explains how vulnerability is both the core of difficult emotions like fear, grief, and disappointment, and the birthplace of love, belonging, joy, empathy, innovation, and creativity. She writes: “When we shut ourselves off from vulnerability, we distance ourselves from the experiences that bring purpose and meaning to our lives.”
7. Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottlieb
Through intimate stories of transformation, Gottlieb explores universal themes of love, loss, anxiety, and the courage it takes to change. She demonstrates how confronting our deepest fears and most painful truths can lead to profound growth and healing. Whether you’re considering therapy, currently in therapy, or simply interested in understanding yourself and others better, this book provides invaluable insights into what it means to be human.
INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER!
From a New York Times best-selling author, psychotherapist, and national advice columnist, a hilarious, thought-provoking, and surprising new book that takes us behind the scenes of a therapist’s world—where her patients are looking for answers (and so is she)
8. Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
Elizabeth Gilbert, author of Eat Pray Love, shares her wisdom about creativity and living a life driven by curiosity rather than fear. Big Magic encourages you to embrace your creative instincts and pursue what brings you alive. Gilbert dismantles the myths around creativity and offers practical guidance on how to live creatively, even if you don’t consider yourself an artist. This inspiring book will help you tap into your innate creativity and live a more fulfilling life.
The instant #1 NEW YORK TIMES Bestseller
Readers of all ages and walks of life have drawn inspiration and empowerment from Elizabeth Gilbert’s books for years. Now this beloved author digs deep into her own generative process to share her wisdom and unique perspective about creativity. With profound empathy and radiant generosity, she offers potent insights into the mysterious nature of inspiration. She asks us to embrace our curiosity and let go of needless suffering. She shows us how to tackle what we most love, and how to face down what we most fear.
9. Girl, Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis
Rachel Hollis tackles the lies women tell themselves that prevent them from living joyfully and productively. With her signature candor and humor, Hollis shares personal stories of overcoming obstacles and breaking free from limiting beliefs. She covers everything from body image to relationships to career, offering practical advice and encouragement. This motivational book is perfect for anyone ready to stop believing the lies that hold them back and start living with purpose and passion.
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER – OVER 3 MILLION COPIES SOLD
If you have ever said any of these things to yourself . . .
Something else will make me happy.
I’m not a good mom.
I will never get past this.
I am defined by my weight.
I should be further along by now.
Then this book is for YOU!
10. 101 Essays That Will Change The Way You Think by Brianna Wiest
Brianna Wiest’s collection of thought-provoking essays offers profound insights into self-awareness, personal growth, and finding meaning in life. Each essay challenges conventional thinking and encourages deep reflection on how we live, love, and find fulfillment. Wiest’s writing is both poetic and practical, offering wisdom that stays with you long after reading. This book is ideal for anyone seeking to expand their perspective and develop a more mindful, intentional approach to life.
– Amazon Best Seller
– #1 International Bestseller
– Published in 35+ languages
101 Essays That Will Change The Way You Think, the global bestseller and social media phenomenon, is a collection of author Brianna Wiest’s most beloved pieces of writing. Her meditations include why you should pursue purpose over passion, embrace negative thinking, see the wisdom in daily routine, and become aware of the cognitive biases that are creating the way you see your life. Some of these pieces have never been seen; others have been read by millions of people around the world. Regardless, each will leave you thinking: this idea changed my life.
Final Thoughts
These 10 books by remarkable women authors offer transformative insights and practical strategies to help you master the art of self-motivation. Each author brings her unique voice, experience, and wisdom to guide you on your personal growth journey. Whether you’re looking to break free from self-sabotage, embrace vulnerability, unlock your creativity, or simply find more happiness and fulfillment, these books provide the tools and inspiration you need.
Remember, reading is just the first step—the real transformation happens when you apply what you learn. Choose the book that resonates most with your current challenges, commit to implementing its lessons, and watch as your motivation and personal growth reach new heights. These inspiring women have paved the way; now it’s your turn to walk the path.
