The most recommended productivity books

Who picked these books? Meet our 26 experts.

26 authors created a book list connected to productivity, and here are their favorite productivity books.
When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

What type of productivity book?

Loading...

Book cover of Return On Influence: The New Currency for Leaders

Shelle Rose Charvet Author Of Words That Change Minds: The 14 Patterns for Mastering the Language of Influence

From my list on books for nice people to be more persuasive.

Why am I passionate about this?

Not many people know that I was so timid as a child; I used to burst into tears if I had to ask for something in a store. Now, I am known for my “out there” presentation style and mastery of words. Since 1982, I have been working with individuals and groups to help them get better at persuading, solving conflicts, and having inspiring relationships. So, how can you be a nice, caring person and still be persuasive, even with the most skeptical of people? These books helped me do this.

Shelle's book list on books for nice people to be more persuasive

Shelle Rose Charvet Why did Shelle love this book?

This book helped me recall and explain the times when I really made a positive impact. It really IS about telling a compelling story.

I learned that I didn’t have to be a powerhouse; just tell the story in a way that makes a difference. It taught me how to gauge what level of influence I really have with people from lowest to highest: Compliance, Participation, Buy-In, Leadership, and Visionary. 

Instead of working with a team who are merely complying or participating at best, which means as a leader, I have to constantly check if the work has been done and done correctly, I can trust my colleagues to self-manage, deliver high-quality work and be a real part of our team.

By Susan Luke Evans,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Return On Influence as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Life is about human connection and leadership is the influential tool used in the attainment of unparalleled success. In this unique approach, you will learn how to get your business to the top echelon from the inside out and get your team striving to give the best of themselves. How? Maximize your Return on Influence while learning how to lead in a manner that will capture attention. Communicating in an inspiring and creative way can increase both morale and productivity. In the modern global marketplace, career options are virtually endless and finding and keeping valuable employees can be akin to…


Book cover of The 5AM Club: Own Your Morning. Elevate Your Life.

Shannah Kennedy and Colleen Callander Author Of Elevate: Unlock Your Extraordinary Potential

From my list on that will change your life.

Why are we passionate about this?

We are thrilled to present this carefully curated book list. As passionate advocates for leadership, self-mastery, and health and well-being, we have handpicked these titles to inspire and empower individuals on their journey toward personal and professional growth. Each book within this collection resonates with principles that we believe are pivotal for fostering resilience, achieving self-mastery, and maintaining a healthy and balanced lifestyle. Whether you're seeking leadership insights, self-help guidance, or ways to enhance your overall well-being, these books offer a diverse range of perspectives and actionable strategies. We hope this collection becomes a valuable resource for you on your path to personal excellence. – Colleen Callander & Shannah Kennedy. 

Shannah's book list on that will change your life

Shannah Kennedy and Colleen Callander Why did Shannah love this book?

This book is one of my favorites. It is a transformative journey to unlock peak performance and personal mastery.

Robin Sharma's compelling narrative weaves together a powerful tale, intricately linking the essence of discipline and early rising to success. The book's 5 am formula isn't just a wake-up call; it's a blueprint for incredible life changes. Robin Sharma's insights, backed by practical strategies, create a roadmap for heightened productivity and well-being.

Embracing the 5 am routine has been a game-changer, fostering focus and setting the tone for my day. This is more than a book; it's a lifestyle manifesto for success.

By Robin Sharma,

Why should I read it?

3 authors picked The 5AM Club as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Legendary leadership and elite performance expert Robin Sharma introduced The 5am Club concept over twenty years ago, based on a revolutionary morning routine that has helped his clients maximize their productivity, activate their best health and bulletproof their serenity in this age of overwhelming complexity.

      Now, in this life-changing book, handcrafted by the author over a rigorous four-year period, you will discover the early-rising habit that has helped so many accomplish epic results while upgrading their happiness, helpfulness and feelings of aliveness.

      Through an enchanting—and often amusing—story about two struggling strangers who meet an eccentric tycoon who becomes their secret…


Book cover of Work Well. Play More!: Productive, Clutter-Free, Healthy Living - One Step at a Time

Melina Palmer Author Of The Truth About Pricing: How to Apply Behavioral Economics So Customers Buy

From Melina's 3 favorite reads in 2023.

Why am I passionate about this?

Author Applied behavioral economist Podcaster Learner Traveler Business owner

Melina's 3 favorite reads in 2023

Plus, Melina's 2-year-old's favorite books.

Melina Palmer Why did Melina love this book?

Everyone has goals to achieve and habits they need to embrace (or change) to get there. You can’t do them all at once, and it becomes easy to waste time planning without accomplishing much.

In addition to the science-backed insights and great stories, the sheer volume of advice and how it is expertly organized in Work Well. Play More! is inspiring. The book is divided into 3 areas of focus: productivity, health, and clutter, with 3 levels of expertise: novice, pro, and master. Each of these has 12 months of tips.

This allows everyone to work on something and make consistent progress (instead of productively procrastinating). The way Marcey has balanced so much information and tips in a readable format that isn’t overwhelming is an achievement.

By Marcey Rader,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Work Well. Play More! as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

PRINT AND KINDLE VERSIONS UPDATED FOR 2023! If you are ready to become more productive, declutter your spaces, and embrace healthy living, you must read this now!

Did you know engaging in just one unhealthy behavior can decrease productivity in all areas of life? This easy to use and adaptable guide will show you how you can kick your productivity into high gear -- while Working Well and Playing More!

This book is a MUST for anyone looking for clear steps, goals, and habits, but for whom strict rules feel...well too restrictive.

"The timing of this book could not be…


Book cover of 168 Hours: You Have More Time Than You Think

Anna Dearmon Kornick Author Of Time Management Essentials: The Tools You Need to Maximize Your Attention, Energy, and Productivity

From my list on how to live your best life.

Why am I passionate about this?

I’m a time management coach, author, keynote speaker, host of the top 1% ranked time management podcast It’s About Time, and founder of the It’s About Time Academy (a community of people who want to make time for what matters most). I help busy professionals and business owners struggling with overwhelm manage their time with my signature HEART Method. I’ve been devouring time management books for over a decade now—so I hope you enjoy these time management reads as much as I did!

Anna's book list on how to live your best life

Anna Dearmon Kornick Why did Anna love this book?

I absolutely love this book. It’s the OG time management book that started it all for me. My cousin recommended this to me years ago, and it has stayed on my favorites list year after year.

This book opened my eyes to a truth that’s hard to swallow: That, yes, I do have more time than I realize. And I don’t mean like, “You have the same hours in a week as Taylor Swift - go get ‘em, girl!’ because she totally has a team helping her.

No, this book showed me that it’s more about being intentional about what I do have. It brought awareness to how I’m spending my time and how I’m wasting my time, and it helped me see where every minute is going. I can confirm that IT WORKS!

By Laura Vanderkam,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked 168 Hours as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

It's an unquestioned truth of modern life: we are starved for time. We tell ourselves we'd like to read more, get to the gym regularly, try new hobbies, and accomplish all kinds of goals. But then we give up because there just aren't enough hours to do it all. Or if we don't make excuses, we make sacrifices- taking time out from other things in order to fit it all in.

There has to be a better way...and Laura Vanderkam has found one. After interviewing dozens of successful, happy people, she realized that they allocate their time differently than most…


Book cover of Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World

Havard Mela Author Of Digital Discipline: Choosing Life in the Digital Age of Excess

From my list on how we get distracted and how to reclaim your attention.

Why am I passionate about this?

As someone who has felt the consequences of spending too much time online on distractions, I am compelled to share how much better life can be when we are conscious of the time we spend online. In my early twenties, I experienced digital addiction. I managed to turn things around by cultivating discipline and finding purpose in life. In the process, I developed a deep interest in neuroscience and psychology. My book explains how you can take conscious control of your life in a practical way based on my experience backed up by research.

Havard's book list on how we get distracted and how to reclaim your attention

Havard Mela Why did Havard love this book?

Deep Work is an excellent book for realizing how detrimental the typical employee’s work habits of checking email every 5 minutes, constant meetings, and other distractions are to their ability to perform high-quality work. Newport also shares good suggestions for reclaiming your focus and doing what he calls “deep work.” 

The book strongly advocates for the importance of having as much time as possible without distractions to achieve flow and perform optimally. This book helped me become much more conscious about how I work.

By Cal Newport,

Why should I read it?

8 authors picked Deep Work as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Many modern knowledge workers now spend most of their brain power battling distraction and interruption, whether because of the incessant pinging of devices, noisy open-plan offices or the difficulty of deciding what deserves your attention the most. When Cal Newport coined the term 'deep work' on his popular blog, Study Hacks, in 2012, he found the concept quickly hit a nerve. Most of us, after all, are excruciatingly familiar with shallow work instead - distractedly skimming the surface of our workload and never getting to the important part. Newport began exploring the methods and mindset that foster a practice of…


Book cover of Effective Modern Coaching

Harriet Beveridge Author Of Will It Make the Boat Go Faster?

From my list on help you get results and thrive.

Why am I passionate about this?

I’ve always been fascinated by how we can fulfill our potential in a way that allows us to thrive rather than burning ourselves out in the process. My motto is I’d like to ‘save the world, but be back in time for tea.’ My fascination has led me down all sorts of intriguing avenues. I’ve become a stand-up comic (and taken four solo shows to the Edinburgh Fringe), exploring how humor can help us tackle tough topics. I’ve researched mental health (I’m currently studying for an MSc in the Psychology and Neuroscience of Mental Health), I’ve studied elite sports, and I’ve been an Executive Coach to leaders of diverse organizations. 

Harriet's book list on help you get results and thrive

Harriet Beveridge Why did Harriet love this book?

This is one of the books that first got me into coaching—and here I am, coaching over twenty years later! I love it because it is short and to the point but still gives lots of examples, which helped me understand the concepts. I also found the author very generous in sharing lots of hugely practical tools.

I think my biggest  ‘Aha’ moment was this book showing how the gap between what we want to achieve and where we are now can have many different forms—that a block can be purely about confidence or lack of accountability—it may well not be a lack of knowledge or skills. I think coaching is an invaluable skill for every walk of life, and this book helped me start my coaching journey. 

By Myles Downey,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Effective Modern Coaching as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Written by one of the world's leading business coaches, this book provides authoritative and proven guidance and techniques for any manager, executive or indeed coach who wants to bring out the full potential of their employees and clients through coaching. Individual performance is a cornerstone of corporate performance and the need to achieve more - be that productivity or innovation - from fewer is becoming increasingly vital. Coaching is a demonstrably successful approach to helping individuals to perform to higher levels. This book aims to develop managers and executives into great coaches, who can transform the performance of individuals and…


Book cover of TomorrowMind: Thrive at Work with Resilience, Creativity and Connection, Now and in an Uncertain Future

Joey Havens Author Of Leading with Significance: How to Create a Magnetic, People-First Culture

From Joey's 3 favorite reads in 2023.

Why am I passionate about this?

Author Positive Grateful Reader Fisherman College football fan

Joey's 3 favorite reads in 2023

Joey Havens Why did Joey love this book?

Tomorrowmind is such a great read because it helped me understand how fast our world is changing compared to the Industrial Revolution.

The authors go into great detail to explain what mindsets will need to thrive in an exponential world. Thriving in the future will require resilience, meaning, connection, anticipation, and creativity.  

By Gabriella Rosen Kellerman, Martin Seligman,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked TomorrowMind as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

A future-proof guide to rehumanising the workplace in order to bring about greater personal success and corporate productivity, from two global authorities in workplace mental health.

In recent years, workplace toxicity, industry volatility, employee isolation and technology-driven change have threatened the psychological well-being of employees. The rise of quiet quitting has shown that when we can't flourish at work, both personal success and corporate productivity suffer.

As we sit on the cusp of some of the most turbulent economic changes in history many of us wonder if we can not only survive but flourish in our careers.

Based on the…


Book cover of Meditations for Mortals: Four Weeks to Embrace Your Limitations and Make Time for What Counts

Cath Bishop Author Of The Long Win : There's more to success than you think

From Cath's 3 favorite reads in 2024.

Why am I passionate about this?

Author

Cath's 3 favorite reads in 2024

Cath Bishop Why did Cath love this book?

As with all Oliver Burkeman's writing, it challenges my thinking, my perspectives on life, society's assumptions and our typical daily habits. It really challenges our relationship with time which is a fundamental part of being human and starts prompting us to rethink how we consider concepts of productivity, success, and how we spend our time.

Book cover of The 12 Week Year: Get More Done in 12 Weeks Than Others Do in 12 Months

Curtis Jenkins Author Of Vision to Reality: Stop Working, Start Living

From my list on accelerating your success.

Why am I passionate about this?

During a meeting in Fall 2020, a fellow business owner shared that they were about to lose everything and that no one would help them financially to get over this setback. This struck a chord with me, as I come from North Philadelphia and saw many small business owners struggle and ultimately lose their businesses. Thus, my personal goal is to help 1000 small businesses annually, giving them the gift of time, realizing their vision and mission, and leaving a legacy of prosperity. By supporting small businesses, I hope to make a positive impact on families, friends, and communities, creating a world of successful small business owners.

Curtis' book list on accelerating your success

Curtis Jenkins Why did Curtis love this book?

If you want to achieve your goals faster and accelerate your productivity, The 12 Week Year should be at the top of your list.

This book teaches you how to get more done in less time by compressing your goals into 12-week cycles. By doing this, you can experience a full year of experiences in 12 weeks, accelerating your ability to grow your business or achieve your goals.

The book’s core message is that time is your most valuable asset, and you should use it wisely to achieve your desired lifestyle. Reading this book can help you develop a mindset that focuses on achieving your goals faster and enjoying more of life’s experiences. 

By Brian P. Moran, Michael Lennington,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The 12 Week Year as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

The guide to shortening your execution cycle down from one year to twelve weeks Most organizations and individuals work in the context of annual goals and plans; a twelve-month execution cycle. Instead, The 12 Week Year avoids the pitfalls and low productivity of annualized thinking. This book redefines your "year" to be 12 weeks long. In 12 weeks, there just isn't enough time to get complacent, and urgency increases and intensifies. The 12 Week Year creates focus and clarity on what matters most and a sense of urgency to do it now. In the end more of the important stuff…


Book cover of The Productivity Project: Accomplishing More by Managing Your Time, Attention, and Energy

Anna Dearmon Kornick Author Of Time Management Essentials: The Tools You Need to Maximize Your Attention, Energy, and Productivity

From my list on how to live your best life.

Why am I passionate about this?

I’m a time management coach, author, keynote speaker, host of the top 1% ranked time management podcast It’s About Time, and founder of the It’s About Time Academy (a community of people who want to make time for what matters most). I help busy professionals and business owners struggling with overwhelm manage their time with my signature HEART Method. I’ve been devouring time management books for over a decade now—so I hope you enjoy these time management reads as much as I did!

Anna's book list on how to live your best life

Anna Dearmon Kornick Why did Anna love this book?

This was such a fun and super interesting read for me! The number one thing I learned from this book is that I couldn’t just use a “time management hack” that worked for someone else and expect it to work for me.

I learned that time management isn’t one-size-fits-all―it’s meant to be reworked for your life. Reading this book gave me such a lightbulb moment for how I understand time management!

By Chris Bailey,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Productivity Project as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

A fresh, personal, and entertaining exploration of a topic that concerns all of us: how to be more productive at work and in every facet of our lives.
 
Chris Bailey turned down lucrative job offers to pursue a lifelong dream—to spend a year performing a deep dive experiment into the pursuit of productivity, a subject he had been enamored with since he was a teenager. After obtaining his business degree, he created a blog to chronicle a year-long series of productivity experiments he conducted on himself, where he also continued his research and interviews with some of the world’s foremost…


Book cover of Return On Influence: The New Currency for Leaders
Book cover of The 5AM Club: Own Your Morning. Elevate Your Life.
Book cover of Work Well. Play More!: Productive, Clutter-Free, Healthy Living - One Step at a Time

Share your top 3 reads of 2024!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,586

readers submitted
so far, will you?