Here are some of the books that most influenced my understanding of what it takes to get done what needs to get done and how to give yourself a break.
Making It All Work: Winning at the Game of Work and the Business of Life - David Allen
Life is about more than just a list of things to do. This book is about stepping back from the daily grind and creating a system to make sure that the tasks you're tackling are actually moving you toward a life you want to live.
The Progress Principle: Using Small Wins to Ignite Joy, Engagement, and Creativity at Work - Teresa Amabile and Steven Kramer.
We all have those days where we feel stuck. This book reminds us that the best way to get unstuck and feel energized is to focus on a small win, a tiny bit of progress that can create a spark of momentum to get us through.
Confessions of an Accidental Businessman: It Takes a Lifetime to Find Wisdom - James A. Autry
This one's for anyone who thought business was just about numbers. Autry shows us that the real wisdom in work isn't found in a spreadsheet, but in the lessons learned from a lifetime of doing business with humanity and heart.
Meditations for Mortals: Four Weeks to Embrace Your Limitations and Make Time for What Counts - Oliver Burkeman
In a world obsessed with doing more, this book is a welcome dose of reality. It's an invitation to stop fighting against the fact that our time is limited and instead, to focus on the things that truly matter
The Shallows: What the Internet Is Doing to Our Brains - Nicholas Carr
We live in a world of constant pings and notifications. Carr's book is a powerful reminder that our brains are changing and that we need to be intentional about how we use the internet to avoid losing our capacity for deep thought.
Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones - James Clear
We often look for that one big change to transform our lives, but Clear makes a compelling case for the opposite. It's about getting 1% better every day, because those small, seemingly insignificant habits are the building blocks of a truly remarkable life.
First Things First - Stephen Covey, with A. Roger and Rebecca R. Merrill.
Most of us spend our time putting out fires. Covey challenges us to shift our focus and remember that the key to a meaningful life isn't about managing our schedule, but about making sure our schedule is guided by our most important values and priorities.
The Shift: Taking Your Life from Ambition to Meaning - Dr. Wayne W. Dyer
This book is about that moment when you decide to stop running after what you think you're supposed to want and start living from a place of genuine meaning. It's the ultimate change of direction—from the hustle to the heart.
Thank God It’s Monday!: How to Create a Workplace You and Your Customers Love - Roxanne Emmerich
We spend a lot of our lives at work. Why not love it? This book gives you the tools to transform your workplace into a place where both you and your customers can thrive, so you're not dreading the start of the week.
The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9–5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich - Timothy Ferriss
Ever feel like you're stuck in the 9-to-5 grind? Ferriss's book is a blueprint for escaping that trap, teaching you to automate your life, live anywhere, and create a lifestyle that's truly on your own terms.
The Now Habit: A Strategic Program for Overcoming Procrastination and Enjoying Guilt-Free Play - Neil Fiore
Procrastination isn't about laziness, it's about fear. This book is a strategic guide to finally beat that feeling and start enjoying guilt-free play, by creating a routine that allows you to get things done without the constant stress.
Man’s Search for Meaning: An Introduction to Logotherapy - Viktor E. Frankl
Frankl, a survivor of the Nazi concentration camps, shows us that even in the most unthinkable circumstances, we have the power to choose our attitude. This book is a powerful reminder that our search for meaning is what truly drives us.
Rework - Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson
This book is a loud and clear voice against the way we've always done business. It's a call to action to stop worrying about what everyone else is doing and instead focus on building a simple, lean company that's truly effective.
Path of Least Resistance: Learning to Become the Creative Force in Your Own Life - Robert Fritz
We often think of life as a struggle, but Fritz argues that we can achieve our goals by building a creative structure that makes success the most natural outcome. It's about letting your life flow in the direction of what you want to create.
CrazyBusy: Overstretched, Overbooked, and About to Snap! - Edward M. Hallowell
Modern life can feel like a nonstop sprint. Hallowell's book is a roadmap for those feeling stretched and overwhelmed, providing strategies to regain control and find a sense of calm in the chaos.
Walking Your Blues Away: How to Heal the Mind and Create Emotional Well-Being - Thom Hartman
Ever notice how a simple walk can clear your head? This book explores the powerful connection between physical movement and emotional well-being, showing you how to use a simple walk to heal your mind and create a sense of peace.
The Organized Mind: Thinking Straight in the Age of Information Overload - Daniel J. Levitin
In a world of information overload, our brains are constantly working overtime. This book gives us the strategies to get organized, think straight, and reclaim our focus so we can stop feeling overwhelmed by the endless stream of data.
The Power of Full Engagement: Managing Energy, Not Time, Is the Key to High Performance and Personal Renewal - Jim Loehr and Tony Schwartz
Time management is a lie. This book argues that the real key to high performance and personal renewal is not about managing minutes, but about managing your energy. It's about knowing when to sprint and when to rest.
The Willpower Instinct: How Self-Control Works, Why It Matters, and What You Can Do to Get More of It - Kelly McGonigal
We all know we should have more self-control, but this book gets into the "how." It's a deep dive into the science of willpower, giving you the tools to understand your own mind and make better choices, even when it's hard.
Getting Organized in the Google Era: How to Get Stuff out of Your Head, Find It When You Need It, and Get It Done Right - Douglas Merrill and James A. Martin
The world is full of information, but the real challenge is finding what you need when you need it. This book is a modern guide to organizing your life, showing you how to get things out of your head and into a system you can actually use.
Time Management from the Inside Out, Second Edition: The Foolproof System for Taking Control of Your Schedule—and Your Life - Julie Morgenstern
There are a million systems for managing your time, but they don't work unless they're built for you. Morgenstern's book is a guide to finding a system that fits your unique personality and lifestyle, so you can finally take control of your schedule.
Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World - Cal Newport
In a world of constant distraction, the ability to focus is a superpower. Newport's book is a powerful argument for shutting out the noise and dedicating yourself to deep, meaningful work that will actually move the needle in your career and life.
Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us - Daniel H. Pink
We've been taught that the key to motivation is rewards and punishments, but Pink says that's just not true. This book is a look at the real science of what drives us—autonomy, mastery, and purpose—and how to use that knowledge to create a more engaged life.
The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles - Steven Pressfield
Ever feel that inner resistance when you try to create something new? Pressfield calls that "The Resistance," and this book is a no-nonsense guide to overcoming it. It’s for anyone who wants to break through their creative blocks and finally get to work.
Timeshifting: Creating More Time to Enjoy Your Life - Stephan Rechtschaffen
We all want more time, but what if the answer isn't to work faster? This book explores the idea of "timeshifting"—slowing down, being present, and reclaiming your relationship with time so you can actually enjoy your life.
Mozart’s Brain and the Fighter Pilot: Unleashing Your Brain’s Potential - Richard Restak
This book is a fascinating look at the incredible potential of the human brain. It's a reminder that we all have the capacity for incredible creativity and focus, and it offers practical ways to tap into that potential.
Your Brain at Work: Strategies for Overcoming Distraction, Regaining Focus, and Working Smarter All Day Long - David Rock
Our brains are powerful, but they can also be our biggest obstacle. This book gives us the strategies to understand how our brains work, so we can overcome distraction, regain focus, and work smarter, not harder.
The 10 Natural Laws of Successful Time and Life Management - Hyrum W. Smith
This book isn't about complicated tricks or hacks; it's about getting back to basics. It lays out a simple, natural approach to managing both your time and your life, so you can achieve what you really want.
To Do Doing Done: A Creative Approach to Managing Projects & Effectively
Finishing What Matters Most - G. Lynne Snead and Joyce Wycoff
We all have projects we start and never finish. This book is a creative and playful guide to getting things done, showing you how to break down your big goals into manageable steps so you can finally finish what matters most.
SuperCompetent: The Six Keys to Perform at Your Productive Best - Laura Stack
In today's fast-paced world, being productive isn't enough. Stack gives us the six keys to not just be productive, but to be "supercompetent"—to perform at your absolute best by mastering your energy, focus, and actions.
The Millionaire Next Door: The Surprising Secrets of America’s Wealthy - Thomas J. Stanley and William D. Danko
We often have the wrong idea about what millionaires look like. This book reveals the surprising truth: they're not all flashy and extravagant. They're often quiet, disciplined people who live below their means and focus on building lasting wealth.