entrepreneurs are always looking to win the race against time. As if that weren’t stressful enough, we also need to boost our willpower and strengthen our self-discipline. if not, then all the distractions flying around will get in the way of getting things done.
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Since I’m an avid reader, I’ve learned over the years that the best way to improve my time management and productivity skills have been through books. Of course, it can be overwhelming when you’re searching online or browsing in a book store for literature that can assist you in living a more fruitful life. That’s why I’ve made the decision easier for you by sharing with the 15 best time management and productivity books of all time.
You are reading: Books on time management
1. “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Personal Change Lessons” by Stephen R. flock
First published in 1989, “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” is regularly considered the best book to read if you want to improve your productivity both professionally and personally. it focuses on developing new habits so you can stay on track rather than eliminating bad habits. in particular, define your goals and priorities.
covey uses the analogy of putting rocks, pebbles, and sand in a jar to help you define what’s really important. if you start by putting in the small stuff, like pebbles or sand, the rocks won’t fit. however, if you start with the rock, there is enough room for you to place the smaller objects around it in the jar.
key quote: “The key is not to prioritize what’s in your scheduling application, but to schedule your priorities.”
related: 5 ways to be a more effective person with people
2. “How to Stop Procrastinating: A Simple Guide to Mastering Difficult Tasks and Breaking the Procrastinating Habit” by S.J. scottish
If you struggle with procrastination, this is arguably the only book you’ll ever need. how to stop procrastinating is practical and uses a specific framework to help guide you to action. Scott also shares his own experiences on how he overcame procrastination and explores the main reasons we put our feet back.
Personally, I enjoyed how simple this book is. the advice provided is not too complex. it just encourages you to do this, then do this, then do that.
key quote: “if you are someone who procrastinates, then this bad habit is limiting your success in several ways. if you don’t address this problem, you will reduce the likelihood of achieving your main goals.”
3.“Eat That Frog!: 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time” by brian tracy
if your procrastination still persists then eat that frog! should help you get over that rut. Inspired by a famous Mark Twain quote, “Eat a live frog first thing in the morning, and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day,” author Brian Tracy details why and how you should tackle your most challenging task in the morning. .
Tracy also shares successful time management techniques like setting goals, getting organized, practicing the “law of threes,” and applying the 80/20 rule.
key quote: “you can control your time and your life only by changing the way you think, work, and deal with the endless river of responsibilities that flow over you every day. . you can gain control of your tasks and activities only to the extent that you stop doing some things and start spending more time on the few activities that can really make a difference in your life.”
4. “the 4 hour workweek: get away from 9 to 5, live anywhere and join the nouveaux riches”
by timothy ferriss
timothy ferriss shares his step-by-step guide on how anyone can start earning a five-figure monthly income by working just the 4-hour workweek. As a result, she will be able to live the life she really wants without having to be just another participant in the daily rat race.
See Also: Brian Andrews – Book Series In Order
If this sounds too good to be true, Ferriss includes over 50 practical tips and real-life case studies on how you can live longer and work less.
key quote: “being able to let go of things that don’t work is critical to being a winner.”
5. “Organize tomorrow today: 8 ways to retrain your mind to optimize performance at work and in life” by dr. jason selk and tom bartow
written by dr. jason selk, director of mental training at st. Louis Cardinals and business coach Tom Bartow Organize Tomorrow Today This book outlines the eight most effective ways to optimize your organization. As a result, you’ll focus on process-oriented goals that guide you in maximizing your time and breaking bad habits.
key quote: “greatness is based on constantly doing things that others can’t or won’t do. Simply put, success is not about being brilliant. it’s about being consistent.”
6. “Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity” by David Allen
Since its release in 2001, “Getting Things Done” has not only become one of the most influential business books of all time. it is also considered the book for personal organization. Although Allen has modified the book over the years, the main concept remains intact. when you have a clear mind, you can organize your thoughts, spark creativity and increase your productivity.
key quote: “getting things done requires two basic components: defining (1) what ‘done’ (result) means, and (2) what ‘doing’ (action) looks like.”
related: 5 tips to improve concentration and get things done
7. “deep work: rules for focused success in a distracted world” by cal newport
what exactly is “deep work”? author and professor cal newport defines it as “professional activities performed in a distraction-free state of concentration that push your cognitive abilities to the limit. these efforts create new value, enhance their skills, and are difficult to replicate.”
The problem is that, in an increasingly distracted world, getting into this flow is easier said than done. The good news is that Newport outlines specific disciplines that will transform your mind and habits so you can focus and get down to business.
Key Quote: “To produce at your highest level, you need to work for extended periods of time with full concentration on a single task without distractions.”
8. “making time: how to focus on what matters every day” by jake zeratsky and john knapp
Even though it was released in September 2018, I’m already calling this pick an instant classic. i really enjoyed the friendly and original approach that zeratsky and knapp presented in “make time”. for example, highlighting just one priority per day so all your time and energy are on that specific task.
key quote: “believe in the highlight – it’s worth prioritizing over the random outage.”
9. “168 hours: you have more time than you think” by laura vanderkam
Did you know that we all have the same 168 hours a week? so how come some people can squeeze every minute of this time? Based on the real-life stories of successful and happy people, Vanderkam discovered that bestselling author Laura Vanderkam finds creative ways to make time for the important things.
key quote: “most people who say they are overworked work less than they think, and many of the ways people work are extraordinarily inefficient. calling something ‘work’ doesn’t make it important or necessary.”
10. “the checklist manifesto: how to do it right” by atul gawande
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Based on his past experiences as a surgeon, bestselling author atul gawande explains that we are prone to failure because of the amount of knowledge that surrounds us. the solution? the control list manifest.
Through fascinating stories, Gawande describes exactly what checklists are, what they aren’t, and how they can help you get things done successfully.
key quote: “simple problems plagued us… checklists can provide protection.”
11. “surge: your guide to putting any idea into action” by matt kane, steve garguilo and sergiy skoryk
Many of us have ideas that we are passionate about. Unfortunately, we sit on these ideas waiting for the “perfect” moment or opportunity to act. The reality is that there is no such thing as the right time. “surge” will provide you with the strategies to finally bring your ideas to life.
key quote: “if you want something different, it’s time to do something different. It’s time to act.”
12. “the power of habit: why we do what we do in life and in business” by charles duhigg
Award winning business reporter Charles Duhigg uses fascinating stories and scientific discoveries to shed light on how habits work, ways to change existing patterns, and what can be done to establish new habits. By focusing on good habits, we are better equipped to achieve more than we ever imagined. the power of habit is definitely a must read.
key quote: “the golden rule of habit change: you can’t extinguish a bad habit, you can only change it.”
13. “time warrior: how to beat procrastination, people pleasing, self-doubt, overcommitment, broken promises, and chaos” by steve chandler
time warrior is a clever and digestible book that instructs readers to become “non-linear”. When you do this, you’ll begin to manage your priorities and stop letting people-pleasing and fear hold you back. As a result, you’ll be motivated to focus on the big picture.
key quote: “action is response.”
14. “essentialism: the disciplined pursuit of less” by greg mckeown
I would say that the key to productivity is being able to distinguish between what is essential and what is not. Fortunately, essentialism can guide you in determining how to prioritize your tasks and eliminate the superfluous so you can only focus on what’s most important.
key quote: “essentialism is not about how to do more things; it’s about how to do the right things. nor does it simply mean doing less for the sake of less. it’s about making the wisest possible investment of your time and energy to operate at our highest point of contribution by doing only what is essential.”
related: discipline is what leads to success
15. “15 Secrets Successful People Know About Time Management: The Productivity Habits of 7 Billionaires, 13 Olympians, 29 Alumni, and 239 Entrepreneurs” by Kevin Kruse
kevin kruse, best-selling author and entrepreneur, asked 200 different successful entrepreneurs, athletes, and students, “what is your number one secret to productivity?”
after analyzing the results, kruse found that they all shared 15 secrets successful people know about time management. these include:
- focus on minutes, not hours.
- do one thing at a time.
- don’t use to-do lists.
- beat procrastination with time travel.
- get home for dinner.
- use a notebook.
- process your email only once a day .
- avoid meetings at all costs.
- say “no” to almost everything.
- follow the 80/20 rule.
- delegate most tasks.</li
- create theme days.
- touch things only once.
- establish and follow a morning routine.
- maintain your energy by getting enough sleep, eating healthy, and working on sprints.
key quote: “highly successful people don’t really think much about time. instead, they think about consistent values, priorities, and habits.”