Fans pick 100 books like The Power of Less

As a Cal Newport fan, I find his work indispensable. Deep Work influenced my approach as a productivity coach, and I quickly incorporated his research into my business. With this one, Newport masterfully presents why we need to declutter our digital lives without demanding we go off-grid, which isn't achievable (nor would we want it to be).

The relatable stories of people experimenting with digital restraint brought the strategies to life, showing that anyone can find more solitude and less noise. His realistic, actionable insights make this a go-to for me to recommend to my clients.

I connected deeply with this book and the author’s powerful story about choosing a meeting over the birth of his child. At first, it seemed extreme, but then I realized how often I prioritized work over my husband in the past.

His message is clear: true productivity means being ruthless about what’s essential. His argument that productive people are ruthless at removing and finding what's essential is a writer-downer for many. I liked his language, arguments, and hope for the future of corporate America.

This book is one of those foundational books that shifted my approach to both personal and professional habits. The science and storytelling brought habit formation to life, showing me how small changes could drive big outcomes. Like Cal Newport’s and Gretchen Rubin's work, it’s practical and realistic, offering insights I could apply directly to my routines and business practices.

Duhigg’s breakdown of how habits work—and how to reshape them—gave me new tools for building sustainable, intentional habits and teaching others to do it, too. This one has stayed with me and remains a key influence on how I approach productivity.

I felt like I was meeting a kindred spirit. Rubin’s insights into habits and how we’re wired to form (or break) them resonated with me personally—it was like we were sisters from another mister! Her humor, honesty, and practical strategies hit home, offering me a fresh lens on self-improvement.

I walked away with actionable ideas and a better understanding of what actually works for me. Rubin’s approach makes habit-building feel possible and even fun (even when the habit seems like a grind).

I can’t be the only one who settles down to watch TV next to my husband – both of us on our phones aimlessly scrolling. He sends me a DM. I message him back. Even my spaniel knew my phone was more exciting than he is. Something had to change.

This book, written by the men who made Google and YouTube as addictive as possible, showed me how to live in this digital age without being glued to my phone. Work before e-mails. Family before Instagram. No more phones in the bedroom. It was a real wake-up call.

Having control of your time, the author proclaims, is of no value unless it frees time for the human side of life – thinking, creating, planning, and enjoying. My thoughts exactly! Being in control of your time includes paying attention to your health, allowing for more relaxation and creativity, stress reduction, and more joy in everyday life. 

I find this to be so true: We become so prone to using every minute of the day "wisely" that even when we are tired and don't feel well, we push ourselves to do more to justify our paycheck or our existence. "Creative procrastination," as she calls it, is time deliberately planned and scheduled for your own use. 

The reasons why we procrastinate negatively include fears of disapproval, failure, making mistakes, being wrong, sticking our necks out, being noticed, not being noticed, confronting the unknown, committing ourselves, getting into trouble, taking on too… show more.

Skip the Line literally changed my perception of human potential. His deep dive into the path to achieving any goal exposes his secrets of success and failure. He has been a multi-millionaire and broke. James leaves nothing to chance or imagination in giving his step-by-step ideas and examples of how he broke through the commonly accepted limitations on steps to bold change. His style is self-effacing and so real that the story drags you in and you absolutely can not put it down.

Ryan Holiday, like Steven Pressfield, is a no-nonsense writer whose words inspire you to start that project you’ve been putting off.

Already started it but running into some, well, obstacles? Holiday describes in his book how obstacles are a good thing and inspires us to look for creative solutions. This book made me reframe how I look at challenges, both personally and professionally.

This book by Gary John Bishop is a no-nonsense guide to breaking free from self-limiting beliefs and rediscovering your inner strength. Grounded in the theme of self-discovery and empowerment, this book offers practical strategies for overcoming obstacles and creating a life of purpose and fulfillment.

His straightforward approach is both refreshing and empowering. He cuts through the noise of self-help clichés to deliver actionable advice that gets to the heart of personal transformation. Through a combination of candid anecdotes and powerful insights, readers are challenged to confront their inner critic and take ownership of their lives. I actually read this book to help me get out of my head during a period of time when I struggled with boundaries and anxiety along with my “superwoman syndrome." 

He encourages readers to stop making excuses and start taking control of their thoughts, actions, and outcomes. By shifting their mindset and adopting a… show more.

Step one in treating yourself better is to cease focusing on what isn't going well and to put your attention on what is. Be truly thankful for your blessings. No matter what challenges or situations you are facing, there are things you can be grateful for. You have air to breathe and water to drink, for example. Start there. The more you focus on the positives in your life, the more good things you will attract. This book guides you through a month of gratitude activities that will have you feeling better about every aspect of your life.