10 Personal Productivity Books You Need to Read Right Now
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The thing about becoming more efficient is that it is not a once and done thing.
You have to constantly work at it. One of the best ways to do that is to read personal productivity books.
Discover and refine the techniques you use for time management, building focus, and creating good habits that last.
Here are 10 books that are on my list. Many are a re-read for me – because once is never enough.
Before you get started … get the password to my Get Organized Library and download the list. You will also find a selection of printables to help you get focused.
10 Personal Productivity Books
1. Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity by David Allen
Of all the personal productivity books on this list, this one is my manifesto.
My copy is worn and dog-eared with notes throughout. Whenever I get into a rut or start to lose focus I crack this book open for guidance.
If you are scratching your head and wondering – What does GTD mean? then read the linked article.
—-> Click here to see it on Amazon.
2. Time Management From The Inside Out by Julie Morgenstern
If anyone is an organizing guru, it’s Julie Morgenstern.
Early in her career she recognized that she was missing out on important life events because of disorganization. So, she created systems that worked for her and thus, her business was born.
I can really relate to that because I struggle with organization, too. When thing are a mess, you can feel like a failure – and that is not a fun feeling.
You can read my review of her time management book here.
—-> Click here to see it on Amazon.
3. The Checklist Manifesto: How to Get Things Right by Atul Gawande
In this book, Atul Gawande brings his real life experience about the importance of using checklists in the workplace – because forgetting even one step in a process can be deadly.
Think pilots and doctors.
Now, your grocery list may not be as critical as all that – but by following the principles in this book, you can save yourself a lot of time and aggravation by using lists in your daily life.
—-> Click here to see it on Amazon.
4. Listful Thinking by Paula Rizzo
In this personal productivity book Paula Rizzo expands upon the idea of using lists regularly.
She drives home the fact that every list is not necessarily a to do list – but rather a group of items that you need to remember that all have something in common.
You can read my Listful Thinking review here.
—-> Click here to see it on Amazon.
5. The Productivity Project: Accomplishing More by Managing Your Time, Attention, and Energy by Chris Bailey
This book is on my summer reading list.
Chris Bailey used himself as a human guinea pig to what works when it comes to personal productivity.
He did everything from depriving himself of sleep and food to the exact opposite of scheduling less and resting more.
In this book, he documents his results and proves when it comes to getting things done, we have to focus on attention and energy as well as time management.
—-> Click here to see it on Amazon.
6. The Power of Habit – Why We Do What We Do In Life and Business by Charles Duhigg
The Power of Habit has become a classic personal productivity book.
Charles Duhigg the criteria needed to make an action a habit. He offers great insights on what you can do to create good habits and break bad ones.
Read my The Power of Habit Review here.
—-> Click here to see it on Amazon.
7. Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World by Cal Newport
The fact is – we in a distracted world.
If you are having a hard time unplugging from the pressures of social media, email, and all the other things that are screaming for your attention – this book gives you the freedom to disconnect.
The only way to get ahead is to stand out from the crowd by creating something uniquely you. But you need to have the focus to do so..
—-> Click here to see it on Amazon.
8. Do More Better: A Practical Guide To Productivity by Tim Challies
Tim Challies is a self-proclaimed “regular guy”. In this book he introduces productivity concepts from the standpoint of being a family man and member of the community.
We all need productivity not only at work but at home too. Here is how to get more done in your personal life.
—-> Click here to see it on Amazon.
9. The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod
I heard Hal Elrod talking about The Miracle Morning on a podcast years ago, and it really stuck with me.
Mornings are the best time of day for setting the course for your next 24 hours. What you do when you first wake up can have a big impact on what you accomplish.
No worries if you are not a morning person – you can define morning any which way you want. But it’s what you do during this precious time that is of importance.
—-> Click here to get it on Amazon.
10. How to Be a Productivity Ninja: Worry Less, Achieve More and Love What You Do by Graham Allcott
Use the strategies in this book to stay calm and focused. I often throw a monkey wrench into my own personal productivity when I panic about all the things that I need to get done.
By staying calm, cool, and collected you can stay on course with what you need to do.
—-> Click here to see it on Amazon.
I hope you have enjoyed this list of personal productivity books. If you see a favorite on the list please do share in the comments below.
