If you’re someone who only has the time to pick up one book in a year, make it a productivity book. Why? Because these books are designed to make you more efficient both at work and in everyday life.
What’s great about these books is that they’re often straightforward, offering practical advice and immediate steps you can take to improve your productivity. It’s about learning tips and strategies that you can start using right away.
Beyond just helping you manage your time better, reading books focused on productivity can also be good for your mental well-being. A study from the University of Sussex has shown that reading can lower stress by up to 68%.[1]
With the aim of enhancing your productivity, I’ve put together a list of 30 top books. These are the ones to turn to when you want to reclaim your time. But remember, the key isn’t to try and read them all in one go. That approach might just lead you to procrastinate on reading altogether.
Instead, start with something manageable – a chapter a day, a few pages, or even setting aside 15 to 30 minutes for reading. The goal is to read consistently, absorbing and learning from each book.
And my advice? Begin with the book that piques your interest the most. This way, you’re more likely to stick with it and enjoy the process.
So, without further ado, here are the 30 must-read books on productivity to get you started.
30 Best Books on Productivity
1. “Atomic Habits” by James Clear
James Clear masterfully breaks down the journey of habit formation into small, achievable steps.
With engaging concepts like “habit stacking” and “environment design,” he shows how simple adjustments can lead to lasting changes in both your personal and professional life.
2. “Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity” by David Allen
David Allen’s GTD method is a life-saver for those drowning in to-dos.
He simplifies task management into a five-step process that’s easy to follow, transforming the chaos of ideas and tasks into a structured, stress-free workflow.
3. “Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World” by Cal Newport
‘Deep Work‘ is a game-changer, especially for professionals.
Newport skillfully contrasts this with ‘Shallow Work’ and provides clever strategies for minimizing distractions, helping you achieve more in less time.
4. “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” by Stephen R. Covey
This book introduces seven habits, including proactive behavior, beginning with the end in mind, and seeking first to understand, then to be understood.
It’s a holistic guide that applies both to personal and professional life, emphasizing character ethics as a foundation for success.
5. “The 4-Hour Workweek” by Timothy Ferriss
Timothy Ferriss turns the traditional work-retire model on its head.
With strategies like outsourcing and batching tasks, he opens up a world where working less doesn’t mean achieving less.
It’s a bold, unconventional guide to living a more fulfilling life.
6. “Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less” by Greg McKeown
McKeown’s approach is about doing “less but better.” He stresses the importance of saying no to non-essential tasks and focusing on what truly matters.
This book is great for those who want to declutter their professional and personal life and focus on high-impact tasks.
7. “Mindset: The New Psychology of Success” by Carol S. Dweck
This book’s exploration of fixed and growth mindsets is not just eye-opening; it’s transformative.
The author argues that developing a growth mindset leads to greater success and productivity, making this book a must-read for educators, parents, and leaders.
8. “The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business” by Charles Duhigg
Duhigg explores the science of habit formation and how understanding it can help us change our habits.
He uses a variety of case studies to illustrate how habits work and how they can be transformed.
9. “Make Time: How to Focus on What Matters Every Day” by Jake Knapp and John Zeratsky
The authors, former Google designers, offer a practical framework to refocus your day around what truly matters.
They introduce concepts like “Highlight,” “Laser,” “Energize,” and “Reflect” to help you build a more productive daily routine.
Their approach is customizable, making every day both productive and satisfying.
10. “Eat That Frog!: 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time” by Brian Tracy
Renowned author Brian Tracy presents a methodical approach to prioritizing tasks and tackling the most challenging task first (the “frog”).
The book is filled with practical advice for overcoming procrastination and increasing productivity.
11. “The One Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth Behind Extraordinary Results” by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan
This book focuses on the power of prioritizing a single task that will make everything else easier or unnecessary.
The authors introduce the focusing question and the concept of “time blocking” to achieve extraordinary results.
12. “Indistractable: How to Control Your Attention and Choose Your Life” by Nir Eyal
This book is a deep dive into managing distractions.
Nir Eyal cleverly differentiates between ‘traction’ and ‘distraction,’ offering effective strategies to handle digital interruptions and take control of your attention.