Are you struggling to get things done and feeling overwhelmed by the demands of daily life? Do you want to boost your productivity and achieve your goals with less stress and more efficiency? Look no further than the world of productivity books!
I’m a HUGE fan of productivity books, I read then often and they have made a positive difference in my life and change my habits for the better. I have gotten so much more done and you can too.
Whether you’re a business owner, student, or just someone looking to get more out of each day, there’s a productivity book out there that can help. In this post, we’ll explore some of the top picks and share why they’re worth adding to your reading list.
So grab a cup of coffee, get comfortable, and let’s dive into the world of productivity books!
This post is all about the best books on productivity.
This post contains affiliate links, which means I may get a small commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
BEST BOOKS ON PRODUCTIVITY
From David Allen’s “Getting Things Done” to Cal Newport’s “Deep Work” and Tim Ferriss’ “The 4-Hour Workweek”, there are many different types of books available that offer advice on how to maximise productivity, building positive habits and offer powerful lessons on what the best practices are to improve your personal and professional life. On this list are the best productivity books of all time.
What to consider before buying a productivity book?
When it comes to finding the right book for you, there are a few important things to consider. First and foremost, reading reviews of the book you’re interested in is essential – this will give you an idea of what other readers think about it and how well it works for them.
Additionally, it’s important to make sure that the book fits your lifestyle – if you’re a busy parent or working full-time, a 200 page hardback with complex concepts may not be the best choice for you!
Lastly, consider what type of productivity advice resonates with you most. Do you need help creating better habits? Or do you want tips on planning out your day? Do you need guidance on managing anxiety or stress? There are books available that focus on all these topics (and more) so make sure that the book covers what matters most to you.
By doing your due diligence before purchasing a book on productivity, you’ll ensure that the one you choose meets your needs and helps drive positive change in your life or business.
Now that we known what to look for, let’s dive into the best productivity books on the market today.
Researching each book further by looking into its content and author’s credentials can also be helpful in making your decision.
PRO TIP
#1. Atomic Habits by James Clear
Oh boy, have you heard of James Clear’s Atomic Habits? It’s the book that’s making lazy folks everywhere get off their butts and do something productive!
This book is all about how small habits can lead to big changes – which means you can finally stop feeling guilty about binge-watching Netflix all day and start doing some good for yourself.
James has got all the secrets to help you create good habits, kick the bad ones to the curb, and make real changes in your life.
So, if you want to stop being a couch potato and start being a go-getter, this book is the one for you!
#2. Deep Work by Cal Newport
![Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World [Paperback] [Jan 01, 2016] Newport, Cal](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41G4-FBs1YS._SL160_.jpg)
Get ready to buckle up, because Cal Newport’s Deep Work is about to take you on a wild ride! This book is like a secret weapon for anyone who’s fed up with being constantly sidetracked and wants to crank out some real, meaningful work. Newport is all about the power of focused work and he’s got all the tools you need to make it happen.
With easy-to-follow strategies that actually work, you’ll finally be able to block out all those annoying distractions and laser in on what really matters. And the best part? You’ll be surprised at how much more you’ll accomplish in a lot less time.
So, if you’re ready to say “peace out” to distractions and start making some serious progress, Deep Work is the book you’ve been waiting for!
#3. The 4-Hour Workweek
Is there anyone interested in productivity who hasn’t heard of this book by now?!
The 4-Hour Workweek by Tim Ferriss has become a go-to resource for those who seek to maximize their efficiency and achieve more with less time.
This book serves as a guide to breaking away from traditional notions of work-life balance and instead, focuses on lifestyle design and mini-retirements as a way to get the most out of life without having to sacrifice all leisure activities.
From outsourcing mundane tasks in order to free up more time for meaningful pursuits, forming good habits that will help reach goals faster, and learning how to say “no” in order to avoid distractions, The 4-Hour Workweek provides guidance on a variety of strategies that can be used when looking for ways to increase productivity.
Ferriss also encourages readers to prioritize important tasks first so that you don’t waste energy on things that won’t make much progress. Additionally, he suggests breaking down complex goals into smaller chunks so that the task doesn’t appear too daunting or overwhelming.
This book is an invaluable tool for entrepreneurs, business owners, ambitious professionals and anyone else who wishes they had more hours in the day!
#4. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey
Listen up, folks! Stephen Covey’s The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People is a productivity masterpiece that’s been blowing minds for years. This book is like a personal and professional effectiveness cheat sheet, giving you all the tools you need to crush it in life.
Covey’s seven habits, like “be proactive” and “begin with the end in mind,” are pure gold and will help you achieve success in every aspect of your life. With Covey’s timeless principles, you’ll be able to transform your productivity game and become a true superstar.
And the best part? These habits are so simple and easy to follow that you’ll wonder how you ever lived without them. So, if you’re ready to take your life to the next level, dive into The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People and watch the magic happen!
#5. Getting Things Done by David Allen
David Allen’s Getting Things Done is a productivity classic that has helped millions of people get organized and achieve more. The book provides a practical system for organizing your work and personal life and ensuring that nothing falls through the cracks.
The GTD system is all about capturing, clarifying, and organizing your tasks so that you can focus on getting things done.
#6. Essentialism by Greg McKeown
Get pumped, because Greg McKeown’s Essentialism is about to take your productivity game to the next level! This book is all about the art of saying “no” and focusing on what truly matters. McKeown is all about cutting out all the fluff and honing in on the essential tasks that make the biggest impact.
With practical tips and strategies that actually work, you’ll learn how to prioritize your workload and avoid burnout. Say goodbye to distractions and hello to becoming a productivity superstar. By focusing on the important stuff, you’ll be able to achieve more in less time and truly live your best life.
So, if you’re ready to take the leap and become an essentialism champion, this book is your secret weapon!
#7. Charles Duhigg’s “The Power of Habit”
In Charles Duhigg’s book, “The Power of Habit”, he explains how habits are not only the result of conscious decisions, but also occur as a result of neurological cravings. Habits form when we experience a cue or stimulus that triggers a routine, and then receive some kind of reward after completing the routine.
Through this process, our brains learn to form strong connections between cues and rewards which become almost automatic responses.
For example, if you feel anxious every time you look at your emails, you may have developed a habit of checking your email first thing in the morning out of sheer force of habit. In this case, the cue is feeling anxious and the reward is relief from anxiety.
This type of habit can be difficult to break because it gives us a sense of control and comfort over our situation.
Fortunately, there are ways to break bad habits as well as develop new ones. By recognizing when cues trigger old habits and replacing them with new routines that offer better rewards, we can begin to break away from unhealthy patterns and develop new positive ones.
#8. Feel Good Productivity by Ali Abdaal
Feel Good Productivity by Ali Abdaal, one of my favourite YouTuber (channel link here). This book focuses on making your productivity feel good in order to enjoy the process.
#9. The One Thing by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan
The One Thing is a book that will teach you how to focus on what really matters. Forget multitasking and spreading yourself too thin. Instead, learn to prioritize your tasks and identify the one thing that can make the biggest impact in your life.
With a practical framework for getting rid of distractions and honing in on what’s truly important, you’ll be able to achieve more with less effort.
So, if you’re ready to stop spinning your wheels and start making real progress, The One Thing is the book for you!
#10. The Pomodoro Technique by Francesco Cirillo
The Pomodoro Technique is a time management method that involves breaking down tasks into short, focused work intervals (usually 25 minutes) followed by short breaks.
The technique can help us stay focused and productive while also giving us regular breaks to recharge.
#11. The Now Habit by Neil Fiore
The Now Habit is a book that explores the psychology of procrastination and presents practical strategies for overcoming it.
The book offers a unique perspective on time management and productivity by focusing on the importance of relaxation, play, and guilt-free leisure time.
#12. Make Time by Jake Knapp and John Zeratsky
Make Time by Jake Knapp and John Zeratsky is a refreshing take on time management and productivity. This book provides a simple, yet effective four-step framework for making time for the things that truly matter in our lives.
By learning to eliminate distractions and focus on what’s important, you can significantly increase your productivity and accomplish more with less effort.
With practical tips and relatable anecdotes, Make Time is an engaging read that can help you take control of your schedule and live a more fulfilling life. So if you’re ready to stop letting your to-do list run your life and start making time for what matters, this book is a must-read!
#13. The Compound Effect by Darren Hardy
The Compound Effect is a book that presents a simple but powerful idea: small, consistent actions can lead to significant improvements in our lives and work over time.
The book offers practical advice on how to leverage the power of habits and focus on the small things that can make a big difference.
#14. 168 Hours: You Have More Time Than You Think
Laura Vanderkam is a well-known productivity author who has written several books on time management and maximizing productivity. One of her most popular books is “168 Hours: You Have More Time Than You Think.”
In this book, Vanderkam challenges the idea that we don’t have enough time to do the things we want to do in life. She argues that we all have the same amount of time – 168 hours per week – and it’s up to us to make the most of that time.
Vanderkam offers practical tips and strategies for managing time more effectively, including:
- Tracking how you spend your time to identify areas where you can make changes
- Prioritizing the most important tasks and scheduling them into your week first
- Outsourcing or delegating tasks that aren’t important or that you don’t enjoy
- Creating routines and habits to make tasks more efficient
- Eliminating time-wasters like social media or unnecessary meetings
Overall, Vanderkam’s book encourages readers to be more intentional with their time and to focus on what truly matters to them. If you’re looking for ways to boost your productivity and make the most of your 168 hours each week, this book is definitely worth a read!
#15. The 80/20 Principle: The Secret to Achieving More with Less
Richard Koch is a British author, entrepreneur and management consultant who has written several books on business strategy and personal productivity. One of his most well-known books on productivity is “The 80/20 Principle: The Secret to Achieving More with Less“.
In this book, Koch explains the 80/20 principle, also known as the Pareto principle, which states that roughly 80% of effects come from 20% of causes. In other words, a small number of activities or inputs tend to generate the majority of results or outcomes.
Koch applies this principle to personal productivity, arguing that by focusing on the most important tasks or activities, we can achieve more with less effort and time. He also encourages readers to identify and eliminate activities that are not productive or that do not contribute to achieving their goals.
Some other tips and strategies outlined in Koch’s book include:
- Developing a clear sense of purpose and direction to guide decision-making and focus efforts
- Setting clear goals and priorities, and regularly reviewing progress towards them
- Leveraging strengths and focusing on areas of expertise, rather than trying to improve weaknesses
- Simplifying and streamlining processes to reduce time and effort spent on non-essential tasks
- Being mindful of time and energy, and taking breaks or engaging in activities that recharge and refresh
Overall, Koch’s book offers practical and actionable advice for achieving more with less, and is a useful resource for anyone looking to boost their personal productivity.
#16. The Dip by Seth Godin
Seth Godin is basically a productivity rockstar. He’s written so many books on how to get your sh*t together, it’s like he’s a one-man cheerleading squad for the Type A crowd. His book “The Dip” is all about that pesky period where it feels like you’re not making any progress towards your goal.
He calls it “the dip,” and it’s like the Bermuda Triangle of productivity. But fear not! Seth is here to guide you through it.
- He’ll tell you to recognize when you’re in the dip, and not to freak out because it’s totally normal.
- He’ll remind you to focus on the long-term goal and the sweet, sweet rewards that await you if you can just power through.
- And if something’s not worth the effort or doesn’t align with your goals? Quit that sh*t like it’s hot. Life’s too short to waste time on stuff that doesn’t matter.
And if you’re feeling down in the dumps, Seth’s got you covered with some motivational strategies. He says to develop resilience and persistence by learning from your failures and setbacks, and to seek out support and guidance from people who’ve been there, done that.
With Seth by your side, you’ll be the productivity superhero you always knew you could be.
#17. Better Than Before: What I Learned About Making and Breaking Habits
Gretchen Rubin, aka the Happiness Guru, has cracked the code on productivity with her book “Better Than Before: What I Learned About Making and Breaking Habits.” By identifying four types of habit-formers (Upholders, Questioners, Obligers, and Rebels), Rubin helps readers figure out the best approach to forming productive habits.
Rubin’s strategies for making and breaking habits are as simple as they are effective: start small, track progress, reward success, and plan for obstacles. And don’t forget to enlist the help of accountability buddies!
Rubin also encourages readers to get to know themselves and their own values in order to create habits that truly work for them. Who knew self-knowledge could be such a productivity hack?
So if you’re looking to improve your productivity and create habits that stick, “Better Than Before” is the guide you need. And with Rubin’s witty and relatable writing style, you might even enjoy the process!
#18. The 12 Week Year: Get More Done in 12 Weeks than Others Do in 12 Months
The 12 Week Year by Brian P. Moran and Michael Lennington is about leveraging the power of 12 weeks to fast pace the results that you would normally get in a year.
The book is all about executing 12 week (quarterly) thinking instead of treating it like a 12 month year, you treat it like a 12 week year.
#19. The Effective Executive
Peter Drucker, the OG of management gurus, wrote “The Effective Executive,” which is basically like the productivity bible. It’s all about doing things smarter, not harder, and making decisions like a boss (literally).
According to Drucker, being effective isn’t just about being busy all the time. It’s about setting goals and priorities like a pro and focusing on the stuff that really matters. So, if you spend all day responding to emails but never get anything important done, you’re doing it wrong.
But wait, there’s more! Drucker also tells us to take charge of our own learning and development, like some kind of productivity ninja. By constantly improving ourselves, we can stay ahead of the game and be the superstar executive everyone wants on their team.
#20. The Checklist Manifesto
If you’re a fan of lists and want to boost your productivity, then Atul Gawande’s “The Checklist Manifesto” is the book for you. Gawande argues that checklists are the secret weapon to success in all sorts of industries, from hospitals to airlines. No more relying on post-it notes or mental notes – it’s all about checklists now, baby!
Gawande shares real-life examples of how checklists have helped people avoid errors and get things done. He emphasizes the importance of making simple and specific checklists for different tasks, so you don’t get bogged down with too much information.
One of the key takeaways from Gawande’s book is that checklists can even help the experts. That’s right, folks, even the bigwigs need checklists sometimes. By breaking down complex tasks into smaller, easier steps, you can get more done and reduce the chance of mistakes.
Gawande also stresses the importance of teamwork and communication when it comes to productivity. He thinks that checklists are a great way to get everyone on the same page and working together towards a common goal. Just don’t forget to check the checklist, or you might end up in a whole lot of trouble.
In summary, “The Checklist Manifesto” is a funny, practical guide to productivity that’ll have you making lists like a pro in no time. So, grab a pen and paper and start checking those boxes!
Final thoughts on the best books on productivity…
There you have it. Why settle for being unproductive when there are so many amazing books on productivity out there? The options are endless. Want to get things done? Check out David Allen’s “Getting Things Done.” Need to focus on your deep work? Cal Newport’s got you covered with “Deep Work.”
With all these great options, it’s hard to pick just one “best” book on productivity. It really depends on your unique needs and goals. But don’t worry, by reading from these amazing resources, you’ll be well on your way to mastering your time and achieving success in all areas of your life.
So, why not give one of these books a read and start your journey to productivity greatness? And remember, even the most productive people need to take breaks – it’s all about balance!
I hope you found this article helpful, and informative in your quest to improve your productivity. Don’t forget to share it with your friends and colleagues so that they too can benefit from these productivity tips and techniques.
Check back on my blog for more helpful articles and resources on productivity that will help you on your journey to high performance.
This post was all about the best books on productivity.
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