In today’s fast-paced world marred by distractions and the rising cost of living, productivity is more essential than ever. According to BOSTONtec, office workers are usually productive for no more than 31% of their 8-hour workday, which translates to just two hours and 53 minutes. Social media is the main culprit behind this dismal statistic, affecting more than 47% of workers.
If you’re part of this demographic or struggle to meet your personal or professional goals, there’s an effective solution for you. Grab a couple of these 13 must-read productivity books for the best advice on time management and productivity at work or in everyday life.
Top Productivity Books
Despite their availability, finding the right productivity book might be tricky. We’ve selected these books based on how easily they apply in the real world, how easy they are to read and how impactful they can be in improving your knowledge and habits. These top productivity books cover everything—from new ways of managing your tasks or increasing your business’s profit margins to overcoming procrastination in your work.
1. Getting Things Done
By David Allen
The ideas in Getting Things Done are based on the premise that organization and mental clarity lead to greater productivity. David Allen’s primary goal is to empower readers to manage their time and workflow better in virtually any sector.
Allen’s decades-long experience as a productivity consultant and coach shines through in his simple approach to the issue. The core theme in the book is how to leverage straightforward and everyday tactics to tackle problems or tasks as soon as they arise. The key takeaway from this approach is the “Two-Minute Rule.”
The “Two-Minute Rule” is simple—if a task or assignment takes less than two minutes, do it immediately. On top of this, if you’re working on a big project, break it into smaller tasks you can manage within the shortest time possible. While working on these tasks, optimize efficiency by organizing them according to priority or any criteria you can come up with.
Buy this book on Amazon.
Related: 10 Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get Things Done
2. Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less
By Greg McKeown
Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less should be among your first productivity reads if you want to streamline your work by setting the right priorities. The book centers its productivity ideas around sifting through non-essential tasks and focusing on those that would have the most significant impact when working on a project—giving your all to what truly matters in any undertaking.
Given his background as a business consultant, it makes sense that Greg McKeown is selling this idea. Businesses rely on profit—anything that can maximize it is a recipe for success. Focusing on only the essential aspects of any business will reduce costs and result in more profit. You can easily replicate this approach in whatever projects you’re involved in across any discipline.
The approach to being more productive that stood out is the “graceful no” method. This method involves turning down requests respectfully and professionally while asserting one’s commitment to more consequential priorities.
McKeown says, “Only once you give yourself permission to stop trying to do it all, to stop saying yes to everyone, can you make your highest contribution towards the things that really matter.” This statement emphasizes the power of selective decision-making—saying no guarantees getting the most value out of whatever you set out to do.
Buy this book on Amazon.
Related: How I Learned to Work Less But Do More
3. The ONE Thing
By Gary Keller and Jay Papasan
Chances of perfection are usually higher if you decide to give any task 100% focus. This is the premise of The ONE Thing. Keller and Papasan stress that giving extreme focus to the most impactful task of any project will always lead to extraordinary results. Focusing on “the ONE thing” will always be the difference maker.
The book emphasizes the importance of prioritization. Its central theme poses the question, “What’s the ONE thing I can do such that by doing it, everything else will be easier or unnecessary?” If you ask yourself this question, you can narrow down the most productive aspects of whatever you’re working on, whether a work project, a business, or school work.
Keller and Papasan offer real-world examples alongside productivity techniques to support their case. One such technique is the Pareto Principle (80/20 principle), which states that 20% of effort usually yields 80% of the results. If you’re often overwhelmed in your work or business, this book is ideal as it will guide you in simplifying your workflow and prioritizing the things that matter.
Buy this book on Amazon.
4. The 80/20 Principle: The Secret to Achieving More with Less
By Richard Koch
In The 80/20 Principle: The Secret to Achieving More with Less, Koch gives one interesting real-world example of the idea that 20% of effort usually yields 80% of the results. In 2002, tech giant Microsoft discovered that 80% of its software errors were caused by 20% of detected bugs. Based on these findings, the company created a more efficient debugging process.
Koch explains that focusing on high-value tasks saves time and amplifies the outcome of whatever project or task you may be working on. In the book, he explains that in most cases, 20% of customers or products will lead to 80% of a business venture’s profits.
This principle doesn’t apply solely to business, however. You can apply the principle to whatever activity you’re involved in. It’s most effective when you uncover every variable, eliminate the negative influences and channel your energy into the most productive elements.
Buy this book on Amazon.
5. Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones
By James Clear
Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones is the perfect read if you want to make lasting behavioral changes. James Clear provides a compelling approach that shows how incremental changes he calls “atomic” habits can lead to meaningful improvements in life.
Clear roots his ideas in behavioral psychology and stresses the compounding effect small, consistent actions have in determining success or failure in any undertaking. Clear presents the “Four Laws of Behavior Change” that can guide you in developing good or better habits. They are simple and involve making habits easy, attractive, satisfying and obvious.
In addition to these simple laws, Clear also dissuades setting goals and encourages applying systems instead. The argument is to shift your identity and mentality to align with the habits you want to sustain.
Clear’s standout take in this book is a method he calls “habit stacking,” which involves pairing or creating a link between a new and existing habit. He believes doing this makes it easier to adapt the new habit into your routine. Before you know it, the latest addition becomes second nature.
Buy this book on Amazon.
6. Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World
By Cal Newport
If you constantly get distracted by your phone while trying to get work done, this book is for you. Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World employs the science of productivity and seeks to teach how to get engrossed in important tasks in a world of distractions.
Cal Newport offers tips on how to train your brain to focus on demanding tasks to the end without getting waylaid by anything. One of the nifty tips you can pick out from this book is the “Bimodal Strategy.” This approach involves segmenting your time into two modes—deep work and all other miscellaneous tasks. The goal is to dedicate extended periods to deep work alone and allocate the remaining time to everything else.
When applied correctly, the “Bimodal Strategy” result should be a sustained focus on productive work and finding the perfect balance across your schedule. This strategy should work perfectly for you if you work with a timetable or schedule.
Newport is a computer science professor who has had to find ways to balance his teaching, writing and research. As a result, he is in a perfect position to advise on how to create strict routines and minimize distractions.
Buy this book on Amazon.
7. Feel-Good Productivity
By Ali Abdaal
Ali Abdaal is a contemporary productivity expert whose career in this field picked up unconventionally. He transitioned from being a medical doctor to becoming one of the biggest creators on YouTube and other podcasting platforms. He draws most of the ideas in Feel-Good Productivity from this part of his life.
In this book, Abdaal delves into how you can find the perfect balance between happiness and productivity. He makes a good case for why you shouldn’t sacrifice enjoyment to be efficient and productive. It all boils down to working smarter rather than harder by having the right priorities and sustainable habits, aligning tasks with personal passions, and avoiding burnout.
To prove the author’s point, Feel-Good Productivity delves into personal experience backed by psychological research. As such, the book offers a perfectly balanced blend of anecdotes you can relate to and evidenced-backed methods of becoming more productive.
Buy this book on Amazon.
8. The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari: A Fable About Fulfilling Your Dreams and Reaching Your Destiny
By Robin Sharma
The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari: A Fable About Fulfilling Your Dreams and Reaching Your Destiny is an entertaining fable about living a meaningful life. The story explores personal growth, inner peace, and fulfillment. It’s about Julian, a high-flying lawyer who decides to drop everything he owns and embark on a spiritual journey. As a result, he found inner peace and purpose and was able to lead a fulfilling life.
Julian decided to take this drastic measure after a health scare triggered by his demanding work schedule. He disappeared from his peers for a while and later returned from his trip, exuding a better and more precise understanding of life.
Robin Sharma, a spiritual growth expert, uses Julian’s character to deliver three key insights:
- Knowing your purpose and aligning it with your goals to achieve a fulfilling life
- Applying meditation and reflection to manage stress while staying focused on your goals
- Cultivating focus, discipline and well-being to be more productive
These insights are well highlighted in the lawyer’s story. The author uses this story to introduce actionable frameworks you can apply to increase productivity while sustaining inner peace in your life. The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari: A Fable About Fulfilling Your Dreams and Reaching Your Destiny is the perfect book if you want to achieve success in your career and still live a fulfilling life away from work.
Buy this book on Amazon.
9. The 5 AM Club: Own Your Morning. Elevate Your Life.
By Robin Sharma
Like the previous book, also by Robin Sharma, The 5 AM Club: Own Your Morning. Elevate Your Life., employs a fable to deliver the message. We won’t get into the story for spoiler reasons but will, instead, focus on the key insights you’ll get from this book.
The author’s story is mostly entertaining, but you still learn about the benefits of starting your day as early as 5 AM. This habit gives you an extra few hours in the day to get more done. You can squeeze in exercise, reflection, and learning, culminating in Sharma’s core principle—“The 20/20/20 Formula.”
This principle advises segmenting the first hour of your day into three 20-minute sessions. You should exercise, meditate or journal, then finish by doing something constructive, like reading, listening to a podcast or practicing a new skill.
Exercising will pump your energy and clear your mind. Meditation or journaling will give you emotional balance and help you set goals. Learning something new will stimulate your brain. Combine all three outcomes and you’ll be set to conquer the rest of your day. Practicing this daily routine will guarantee productive days and long-term success in your future undertakings.
Buy this book on Amazon.
10. The Compound Effect
By Darren Hardy
The Compound Effect focuses on principles similar to those we saw with Atomic Habits. Darren Hardy examines how habits, thoughtful decision-making, and persistence are the recipe for long-term success.
To expound on these, it’s helpful to explore four key insights from the book:
- As long as they are consistent, small efforts will compound over time, resulting in significant success and personal growth.
- Maintaining daily habits and routines is a recipe for long-term success.
- Consider every small change in life, be it money, health or personal development; this will help you stay accountable and improve over time.
- Being intentional about choices and owning their outcome is another recipe for long-term success.
This book is for anyone looking to cultivate good habits, increase productivity and achieve big professional or personal goals. It’s also a good read if you constantly strive for consistent self-improvement.
Buy this book on Amazon.
11. High Output Management
By Andrew S. Grove
High Output Management is for you if you’re a department leader, executive or manager. Despite being published in 1983, Andrew Grove’s work is still relevant today regarding productivity in workplaces.
Grove covers every aspect of workplace leadership, from managerial leverage to interviews, training, performance reviews, and promotion.
According to the author, a manager’s output shouldn’t be measured solely based on how much individual work he/she puts in. It has to factor in the output of his/her team and any other groups he/she controls. If you are in this position, you’ll need to leverage effective processes and empower your team(s) to work efficiently towards your organization’s goals.
Grove was the Co-Founder and CEO of Intel until 2004, and the company’s success was a testament to some of the teachings he shares in High Output Management. Besides leveraging an organization’s managerial position, Grove also outlines solutions to many other productivity challenges, and leadership needs to help organizations of all sizes succeed.
Buy this book on Amazon.
12. The Power of Habit
By Charles Duhigg
Pulitzer-prize-winning Charles Duhigg crafted The Power of Habit inspired by the actions of a U.S. Army veteran who used an ingenious strategy to quell riots in Iraq. Duhigg delves into the science behind habit formation and provides a framework for changing them for improved professional and personal performance.
Here are the key insights you can gather from this book:
- Habits happen in three-step loops—cue, routine and reward. The cue is the habit’s trigger, the routine is the automatic action you perform and the reward is what you get after acting.
- Changing the routine—one part of the loop—can help change habits.
- Willpower is the most essential habit and can be enhanced in three ways: doing something that demands discipline, having contingencies for worst-case scenarios and maintaining autonomy at all times.
Applying these simple principles will go a long way if you’re seeking personal or professional development. Changing habits for the better guarantees success and improvement in all areas of life.
Buy this book on Amazon.
13. The 4-Hour Workweek
By Timothy Ferriss
The 4-Hour Workweek is a guide to help you escape the rat race by starting a business to help you achieve your financial goals. While setting yourself up outside the corporate world, you don’t have to work for hours on end to meet your goals, according to Timothy Ferriss. He advocates for working less through automation and delegating tasks to other parties.
Ferris explains his case through his personal experience of detaching himself from his company to give himself the freedom to travel and learn. He introduces the “DEAL” framework, which consists of four core principles to optimize one’s work and life.
- Define your personal goals and focus on what you desire to achieve.
- Eliminate distractions and unnecessary tasks using Pareto’s Principle.
- Automate tasks using technology or outsourcing to save time and get more done.
- Liberate yourself by working under your terms wherever and whenever you want.
Once you nail these core principles, you’ll be efficient in your work, get more done and still have the time to enjoy the finer things in life.
Buy this book on Amazon.
Discover A More Productive You, Today
All 13 books mentioned are treasure troves of invaluable insights and practical advice. They can greatly improve your productivity and help you achieve both professional and personal goals. Each author offers a unique take on how to accomplish the same thing—to become more efficient, make tasks easier and be more productive.
Being productive doesn’t come easily in our current world, which is full of distractions (like smartphones). For this reason, we recommend grabbing one or two of these books to help you regain control of your life and achieve most, if not all, of your career and personal goals.
Photo by Alohaflaminggo/Shutterstock
