16 Best Goal Setting Books
We analyzed 5+ expert sources, curated book lists, and recommendations from successful people to find the 16 best goal setting books according to the internet — not just one person's opinion. Each book on this list was mentioned by at least two independent sources, and the ranking is based on how frequently each title appears across all sources studied. This consensus-based approach ensures you get recommendations backed by multiple experts, not a single reviewer's bias.
Goal: Find the best Goal Setting books according to the internet (not just one person's opinion).
Method:
- Search for "best goal setting books" and study the top 5+ pages.
- Add only the books mentioned 2+ times.
- Rank the results neatly here.
16 Best Goal Setting Books
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases (at no extra cost to you).
Hard Goals
The Secret to Getting from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be
Creating Your Best Life
The Ultimate Life List Guide
Your Best Year Ever
A 5-Step Plan for Achieving Your Most Important Goals
How To Win Friends and Influence People
Also recommended by
18 people
Warren Buffett recommended this bookWarren Buffett
"In my office, you will not see the degree I have from the University of Nebraska, or the master’s degree I have from Columbia University, but you’ll see the certificate I got from the Dale Carnegie course." - Warren Buffett
Warren Buffett's recommendation of this book 
Scott Adams recommended this bookScott Adams
One of the books on Scott Adams' "Persuasion Reading List."
Scott Adams's recommendation of this book 
Dave Ramsey recommended this bookDave Ramsey
Recommended on Dave Ramsey's website.
Dave Ramsey's recommendation of this book 
Paul Graham recommended this bookPaul Graham
"The one book we encourage startup founders to read. [...] It's critically important for anyone in business." - Paul Graham
Paul Graham's recommendation of this book 
Derek Sivers recommended this bookDerek Sivers
Derek Sivers mentioned this book on "The Tim Ferriss Show" podcast.
Derek Sivers's recommendation of this book 
Dustin Moskovitz recommended this bookDustin Moskovitz
"Seek to be understood." - Dustin Moskovitz
Dustin Moskovitz's recommendation of this book +12
More recommendations
- Ken Block
"One of the first books that really helped me achieve my management style and what’s helped me really be successful." - Ken Block
- DJ Vlad
Most Recommended Books reached out to DJ Vlad directly.
- Strauss Zelnick
"Archaic references and overweening title to the side, it’s actually a great guide to leadership and salesmanship." - Strauss Zelnick
- Daymond John
"I love all the Dale Carnegie books." - Daymond John
- Shay Carl
"A staple that I have listened to three or four times." - Shay Carl
- Tim Draper
"[One of the books] that are recommended or required at Draper University." - Tim Draper
- Sahil Lavingia
Sahil Lavingia recommended this book on Notion.
- Barbara Corcoran
"A must read for anyone in business." - Barbara Corcoran
- Alex Hormozi
Alex Hormozi recommended this book on Instagram.
- Michael Hyatt
Michael Hyatt recommended this book on his website.
- Ben Greenfield
Most Recommended Books reached out to Ben Greenfield directly.
- Patrick Bet-David
Patrick Bet-David recommended this book on his website.
- Ken Block
Measure What Matters
How Google, Bono, and the Gates Foundation Rock the World with OKRs
Also recommended by
8 people
Larry Page recommended this bookLarry Page
"I wish I had had this book nineteen years ago, when we founded Google. Or even before that, when I was only managing myself!" - Larry Page
Larry Page's recommendation of this book 
Bill Gates recommended this bookBill Gates
"I’d recommend [John Doerr]’s book for anyone interested in becoming a better manager." - Bill Gates
Bill Gates's recommendation of this book 
Walter Isaacson recommended this bookWalter Isaacson
"The most important venture capitalist of our era reveals a key to business innovation and success." - Walter Isaacson
Walter Isaacson's recommendation of this book - Dustin Moskovitz recommended this book
Dustin Moskovitz
Dustin Moskovitz recommended this book on Twitter.
Dustin Moskovitz's recommendation of this book 
Reid Hoffman recommended this bookReid Hoffman
"Whether you're a seasoned CEO or a first-time entrepreneur, you'll find valuable lessons, tools, and inspiration in the pages of [this book]. I'm glad [the author] invested the time to share these ideas with the world." - Reid Hoffman
Reid Hoffman's recommendation of this book 
Jim Collins recommended this bookJim Collins
"Deserves to be fully embraced by every person responsible for performance, in any walk of life. [The author] makes Andy Grove a mentor to us all." - Jim Collins
Jim Collins's recommendation of this book +2
More recommendations
- Sheryl Sandberg
"Shows how any organization or team can aim high, move fast, and excel." - Sheryl Sandberg
- Marty Cagan
"Does a good job overall - worth reading." - Marty Cagan
- Sheryl Sandberg
Goals!
How to Get Everything You Want -- Faster Than You Ever Thought Possible
Nine Things Successful People Do Differently
The 4 Disciplines of Execution
Achieving Your Wildly Important Goals
The Book of Mistakes
The Magic Lamp
Goal Setting for People Who Hate Setting Goals
Atomic Habits
An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones
Also recommended by
8 people
Tim Urban recommended this bookTim Urban
"I'd attribute about 60% of my good habits to [the author's] blog and this book is rapidly filling in the other 40%." - Tim Urban
Tim Urban's recommendation of this book 
Vinod Khosla recommended this bookVinod Khosla
"A decent book on self-help tools, not a category I am generally a fan of." - Vinod Khosla
Vinod Khosla's recommendation of this book 
Biz Stone recommended this bookBiz Stone
"Great book." - Biz Stone
Biz Stone's recommendation of this book 
Anthony Pompliano recommended this bookAnthony Pompliano
"Highly recommend." - Anthony Pompliano
Anthony Pompliano's recommendation of this book 
Jodie Cook recommended this bookJodie Cook
"I love the simplicity of this book." - Jodie Cook
Jodie Cook's recommendation of this book 
Blake Randall recommended this bookBlake Randall
"" - Blake Randall
Blake Randall's recommendation of this book +2
More recommendations
- Ali Abdaal
"Helped me understand how habits are formed and what we can do." - Ali Abdaal
- Ben Greenfield
Most Recommended Books reached out to Ben Greenfield directly.
- Ali Abdaal
The Power of Positive Thinking
Also recommended by
1 person
Steve Harvey recommended this bookSteve Harvey
"Powerful." - Steve Harvey
Steve Harvey's recommendation of this book
Big Potential
How Transforming the Pursuit of Success Raises Our Achievement, Happiness, and Well-Being
The Art Of Setting Smart Goals
Set Winning Goals and Live a Life of Abundance, Success and Achievement
The Desire Map
A Guide to Creating Goals with Soul
The Third Door
The Wild Quest to Uncover How the World's Most Successful People Launched Their Careers
Sources
- 1
12 Goal Setting Books That Will Change Your Life - The Olden Chapters
theoldenchapters.com
- 2
14 Great Setting Goals Books To Read This Year - LifeHack
lifehack.org
- 3
15 Best Goal Setting Books to Read
positivepsychology.com
- 4
My Top Five Goal Setting Books - Five Books Reader List
fivebooks.com
- 5
The 7 Best Goal Setting Books For Extraordinary Success
theexceptionalskills.com
.jpg)
Edited by
Software engineer whose passion for tracking book recommendations from podcasts inspired the creation of MRB.
Lead investor at 3one4 Capital whose startup expertise and love for books helped shaped MRB and its growth.
Comments
Did we miss something? Have feedback?
Help us improve this page by sharing your thoughts