11 GREAT books to help boost your productivity

“Productivity is never an accident. It is always the result of a commitment to excellence, intelligent planning, and focused effort.” ~ Paul J. Meyer

At Mudita, we are passionate about promoting ideas and creating solutions designed to help you be more productive and achieve your goals. Contrary to popular belief, it IS possible to increase productivity, without increasing stress. 

These eleven books offer expertise and practical tools for staying focused and productive which can ultimately lead to being more successful at work and satisfied with life.

Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World

By: Cal Newport

It’s no secret that, at Mudita, we’re fans of Cal Newport. His book, Digital Minimalism, is a very useful book for reducing your addiction to and reliance on technology, while increasing the benefits you derive from it. Good for being mindful about controlling your tech, instead of letting tech control you.

How to be a Productivity Ninja: Worry Less, Achieve More and Love What You Do

By: Graham Allcott

In the age of information overload, traditional time management techniques simply don’t cut it when it comes to overflowing inboxes, ever-expanding to-do lists and endless, pointless meetings. Thankfully there is a better way: The Way of the Productivity Ninja.

Using techniques including Ruthlessness, Mindfulness, Zen-like Calm and Stealth & Camouflage you will get your inbox down to zero, make the most of your attention, beat procrastination and learn to work smarter, not harder.

Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones 

By: James Clear

No matter your goals, Atomic Habits offers a proven framework for improving--every single day. James Clear, one of the world's leading experts on habit formation, reveals practical strategies that will teach you exactly how to form good habits, break bad ones, and master the tiny behaviors that lead to remarkable results.

Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less 

By: Greg McKeown

Essentialism is about deliberately distinguishing the vital few from the trivial many, eliminating the non-essentials, and then removing any obstacles so the essential things have a clear , smooth passage. If you don't prioritize your life, someone else will. Effortless: Make It Easier to Do What Matters Most 

By: Greg McKeown 

Another book by the talented Mr. McKeown. While  Essentialism is about choosing where to focus your energy, the book, Effortless, is about how you functionally structure your work to make the most essential activities the easiest ones to achieve. It’s aim is to help reduce the feeling of burnout by focusing on working more efficiently; instead of over-complicating our lives and constantly working harder with minimal success. 

Eat That Frog!: Get More Of The Important Things Done Today 

By Brian Tracy 

Mark Twain once said, “Eat a live frog first thing in the morning and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day.” We all know that sometimes there’s just not enough time for everything on our 'To Do' list. It’s time to stop procrastinating and get more of the important things done! After all, successful people don’t try to do everything. They focus on their most important tasks and get those done. They eat their frogs.

Working Hard, Hardly Working: How to achieve more, stress less and feel fulfilled

By Grace Beverley 

This book is  full of practical advice for helping you focus when you're finding it hard to get stuff done and for stepping back when you're on the edge of burnout. Working Hard, Hardly Working provides a productivity blueprint for a new generation. Insightful, curious and refreshingly honest, it will make you reflect on what you want from your life and work - and then help you chart a path to get there.

Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity 

By David Allen

The Art of Stress-Free Productivity presents the reader with a simple yet detailed system for increasing productivity. David Allen believes one of the best ways to be more productive is to start acting, rather than just thinking about taking action.  In the book, the author outlines a detailed workflow that allows you to be more relaxed, energized, yet accomplish more with less effort. In a way, it’s like having your cake & eating it too. 

Hyperfocus: How to Work Less to Achieve More 

By Chris Bailey

This book is a practical guide to managing your attention – the most powerful resource you have to become more creative, get stuff done, and live a more meaningful life. This book is a practical guide to managing your attention – the most powerful resource you have to become more creative, get stuff done, and live a more meaningful life.

Zen to Done 

By Leo Babauta

Zen to Done is actually a productivity system created by Leo Babauta of Zen Habits. Its goal: Help people build individual habits, step by step, as they work through a workflow management system. ZTD teaches you how to take a simple approach to improving your productivity by encouraging you to focus on forming one habit at a time.

Free to Focus 

By Michael Hyatt

The key to productivity today is not to try and squeeze in more stuff. Instead, you should be focused on getting the right things done in the face of 24/7 distractions and sidetracks. If you can start each day with clarity about your highest value priorities and then end each day with a feeling of accomplishment, you'll be doing well. 

Free to Focus by Michael Hyatt is a great system to help you focus on working on the right things. First, you'll stop and define what productivity means to you by formulating, evaluating, and reformulating. Then, you'll cut the nonessentials by eliminating, automating, and delegating.

If you are looking to enhance the way your mind works in order to be more productive, effective and happy, you’re in the right place. Please check out similar articles featured on our blog and learn more about how to increase your concentration and boost productivity. 

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