Intro
Do you want to save time, increase your focus, or stop procrastinating? Well, in this video, we are counting down the top 10 productivity books which are an absolute must-read.
Now, for the sake of this video, we are only looking at books published since the year 2010. Why? Because books published prior to 2010 have no mention or knowledge of smartphones, social media, or the way that we interact with the online web.
Now, this certainly doesn't mean that older books still don't have value and have some incredible principles to share today, but such classics as "Getting Things Done"
or "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People" really do read as if they were published generations ago and don't seem quite as applicable to our day and age. So with that being said, let's dive into our list. Starting things off at number 10, "Make Your Bed".
Make Your Bed
Former Navy SEAL, William H. McRaven, became somewhat of a YouTube star after his commencement speech in which he talked about the importance of making your bed in the morning went viral.
Shortly after McRaven published the book, "Make Your Bed", which not only includes how important it is to start your day off right, but also nine other lessons, which he learned during his time as a Navy SEAL.
While this is a relatively easy and short read, "Make Your Bed" outlines the importance of doing little things in your life and how they can impact the rest of your day and also the people around you. Number nine, "Grit".
Grit
Author Angela Duckworth has spent most of her career studying successful people.
And in her book, "Grit", she explores what grit is, where it comes from, how it drives success, and most importantly, how you and I can develop it.
After many years of study and research, Duckworth has found exactly why it's so important for us to be consistent and to persevere regardless where we are studying, working, or spending time with others.
The good news is that each and every one of us can develop this important trait. Number eight, "The Miracle Morning".
The Miracle Morning
Author Hal Elrod had an experience many years ago which not a lot of us can relate to. After surviving a horrific car accident, Elrod decided to start living his life in a very different way, and how he started was by changing his morning routine.
By waking up a little earlier and including a series of steps in his morning, he found that he was able to transform his day, and as a result, it has transformed the lives of millions of other readers.
"The Miracle Morning" will not only give you a recipe to starting your day, it will give you a variety of new ideas and inspiration so you can customize it for your own needs. If you are wanting to start the day off fresh, then "The Miracle Morning" is a must-read for you. At number seven, "Atomic Habits".
Atomic Habits
Now, for many years, I considered "The Power of Habit" by Charles Duhigg as the essential reading when it comes to starting or stopping habits, but that was until James Clear published "Atomic Habits".
Now, to give credit, James actually references some of Duhigg's work at the beginning of his book, but "Atomic Habits" is a much easier read and a much more actionable read so you can start applying the powers of habit-breaking or habit-starting right away.
There's a reason why "Atomic Habits" is still at the very top of most non-fiction best-seller lists and probably will be for many years to come. If you want to learn anything about habits, then this book is for you. Number six, "Never Split The Difference".
Never Split the Difference
Now, at first glance, you may think that this book doesn't fit into the productivity and time management category. After all, its focus is all on negotiations and negotiating strategy. However, as author Chris Voss points out, our entire lives are made up of negotiations.
And no, I'm not just talking about buying and selling. Anyone that you have a conversation with, anytime that you are trying to put across an idea, you are negotiating at some level. "Never Split The Difference" is one of the most entertaining nonfiction books I have ever read, why? Because Chris Voss spent most of his career
negotiating real-life hostages around the world. He takes those very extreme situations, which hopefully many of us will never be involved with, and shows the tactics which he has used and are applicable in our everyday lives.
So whether you are wanting to improve your business, improve your relationships, or maybe just get your kids to watch a little less screen time, "Never Split The Difference" might just be the productivity book which will transform the way that you speak with others.
Now, if you've enjoyed this book list so far, you're going to love Shortform. Shortform is my go-to place for detailed and actionable book summaries.
So whether I'm looking for that new book to read or maybe I just want to browse through and get the key points of a bestseller, I can go to Shortform and find exactly what I want. Shortform does a great job of distilling the most important and crucial parts of any book.
And best of all, if I want to choose to listen, rather than read the summary, I can do so here as well. If you'd like to start using Shortform for free and read the summaries of all the books in today's video, go to shortform.com/simpletivity or click the link in the description below. At number five, "Essentialism" by Greg McKeown.
Essentialism
If there's one thing we can all relate to, it is feeling that constant pressure to do more
in less time. But the book "Essentialism" reminds us that when we say yes too often,
and sometimes without thinking, we are saying no to a long list of other opportunities. Author Greg McKeown shows us real-world examples and real people
who are starting to live the essentialist lifestyle of doing less, but better. Yes, you can achieve more and you can do it with a clearer head just by making a few adjustments as a part of your day, and perhaps, with the way that you live your life.
"Essentialism" is a very practical book and can really help us reflect on what is most important to us and what are some things that we may be able to put aside or ignore altogether. If you're looking to make a significant but important change,
"Essentialism" may be the read for you. Number four, "How Will You Measure Your Life?"
How Will You Measure Your Life?
When you get to the very end and look back on your life, will you look back with a big smile on your face or may you question some of the decisions and choices you made along the way?
In "How Will You Measure Your Life?"? Clayton M. Christensen highlights and asks some very important questions to help us reflect and help us to make better decisions moving forward. This particular book holds a very special place on my bookshelf.
Why? Because in two separate circumstances, this book has influenced two major career adjustments which I have made over the course of my life.
I feel that this book is so valuable that I actually try to read it every three years or so, just to reset myself and see if I'm making the right decisions for me, not only to play to my strengths, but so I can better the lives of those around me.
Whether you're looking to make a big or small change in your life, "How Will You Measure Your Life?" will help you answer some of life's most important questions. Number three, "The 4 Disciplines of Execution".
The 4 Disciplines of Execution
I actually first read this book when I was a manager of a team and found it incredibly helpful. While the way this book is written is still very much focused on managers and team leads, in my opinion, this is the very best book when it comes to goal setting,
and more importantly, goal achieving. In fact, I use these four disciplines in my own business, and use them to achieve my own personal goals as well.
If you're looking for a concrete plan, which is repeatable and which has found success in almost every industry, then I would recommend that you pick up "The 4 Disciplines of Execution". Number two, "The One Thing".
The One Thing
If you've ever joined me for one of my live workshops or virtual seminars, you know that I speak very highly of "The One Thing". And in particular, one of the key questions,
which is shared within the book. Author Gary Keller outlines how we are distracted in so many ways and how we can properly prioritize what we should be doing next.
One of the great things about the one thing is that you can use them for big, significant projects, but you can also use it for the very next thing on your task list.
It contains a wealth of real-world examples and things that you can start to apply
both in your life, but also in your career right away. Now, just before I reveal my number one pick on this list, let's take a quick look at some honorable mentions.
"Smarter Faster Better" by Charles Duhigg. Not only is Duhigg a very entertaining author, but this book summarizes some of the very best productivity tips. "12 Rules For Life" by Jordan Peterson.
This book attempts to address many of the complicated questions in which we face in today's modern world. "Range" by David Epstein. Why being more flexible can actually lead to greater success than staying in a very focused discipline. Number one, "Deep Work".
Deep Work
In a world where we are pulled in so many directions when it comes to distractions
in social media and/or technology, "Deep Work" is, in my opinion, the most profound and most important book of our age. Cal Newport is a prolific productivity writer,
but in "Deep Work", he gives us a template on how to eliminate distractions and expand our focus. Not only is "Deep Work" full of real-world examples,] some of them which may be controversial in our ever connected and fear-of-missing-out world,
but as Cal Newport points out, if we don't focus on what's most important and don't set enough time for it, how can we expect to achieve the things we want?
Now, do you agree with my choices for this list? If not, be sure to let me know in the comments down below, what are some of your favorite productivity books and where would you put them in your own personal rankings?
Remember, being productive does not need to be difficult, in fact, it's very simple.
