Looking for the key to success? Then focus on positive self-improvement. But don’t take my word for it. Success gurus concur the best way to excel in any endeavor is to work harder on yourself than anything else.

 “The greatest gift you can give is self-improvement” ~ Jim Rohn.

This also extends to taking a positive approach in all you do.

“Positive thinking will let you do everything better than negative thinking will.” —Zig Ziglar

Both positivity and self-improvement begin within. No one can do this for you but you.

“It’s what you practice in private that you’ll be rewarded for in public.” – Tony Robbins

When you’re ready to commit to success in your professional and personal life, start by creating a plan and cultivating the resources to take you there.

“To build up a library is to create a life. It’s never just a random collection of books.” – Carlos María Domínguez.

He’s so right.

A library of resources, including podcasts, training, resources, and books, is necessary to elevate your mind, body, and spirit. And since Books Uplift is focused on books, I reached out to a few career experts for their thoughts. The results?

Six books that promote positivity in your professional pursuits.

The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell. This book is a must-read, according to Jodi Livon, The Happy Medium®️ “It examines how ideas and products gain widespread popularity, underscoring the impact of context on business success. Gladwell’s position is that the foundation of profitable projects lies in the conviction that change is achievable and that individuals can fundamentally alter their actions and beliefs when presented with appropriate, powerful incentives. The Tipping Point presents an empowering outlook that can be applied in both professional and personal contexts.”

The Switch: How to Change Things When Change is Hard by Chip Heath and Dan Heath. ‘This is one of our favorite books to revisit time and time again,” says Terra Winson and Marilyn Johnson, Co-Founders of the SoloCEOS  “Entrepreneurs are constantly creating new products/processes or convincing someone else to do something new. Switch helped us to be less frustrated and intimidated by change resistance and to formulate the right questions to ask others (or even ourselves) to get movement. It reminds us that even the hardest problems are still doable; we just need to find the right approach.”

The Greatest Salesman in the World by Og Mandino. “I enjoyed this book because the principles defined hold up against the tests of life and time,” says Jim Kaveney, Leading Life Sciences Learning & Performance Executive Transforming Pain into Purpose.  “The 10 scrolls focus on building a positive outlook, such as practicing gratitude, embracing failure as a stepping stone, and maintaining a spirit of optimism. It instills the idea that success is not just about technical skills but also about cultivating the right attitude. The truth of the scrolls will inspire individuals to pursue their professional goals with positivity, discipline, and purpose.”

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. I highly recommend this book for promoting positivity in professional pursuits,” says Leah Notarianni, Empowering Leaders to Transform Lives and Businesses from the Inside Out.  “It’s an incredibly uplifting read that encourages introspection and reminds us to trust the journey. The book beautifully illustrates how life always communicates with us—offering signs and moments of clarity guiding us toward aligning with our vision and goals. Through powerful storytelling, The Alchemist teaches the importance of resilience, intuition, and staying open to opportunities, making it an inspiring resource for anyone striving to create a fulfilling and purpose-driven career.”

A Shark Ate My Bagel: How We Build Bantam Bagles by Elyse Oleksak. I recently read this memoir and found it to be an inspiring account of the entrepreneurship journey,” says Philippa Portnoy, Co-founder of LaunchBreak: Empowering Women’s Athletes. “Elyse humbly related all her ups and downs in launching Bantam Bagels. She also recounted the long hours, trial and error getting the bagels properly stuffed with cream cheese, and perseverance required for a successful startup. As an entrepreneur myself, I took comfort in knowing that the journey of a startup founder is complicated and that maintaining resilience is important.”

Unreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect by Will Guidara. “I highly recommend this book for anyone looking to cultivate positivity in their career pursuits,” says Dr. Bethany Tennant, Naturopathic Physician and Certified Nutrition Specialist. “The book offers a unique perspective on success and is truly inspiring, showcasing the creativity behind the author’s own career and his approach to curating meaningful experiences. I appreciate the inspiration, vision, and encouragement to be bold in creativity—ultimately demonstrating how great work can create a lasting, positive impact.”

Images Courtesy of Little Brown and Company, Crown Currency, Harper One/Harper Collins Publishing, Penguin Random House/Optimism Press, and StockSnap