Every now and then, we could all use some help with productivity. Perhaps we have difficulty with procrastination, prioritizing tasks, creating to-do lists, or just knowing where to start in general. I’ve created a small list of 4 star rated books that will help you gain the proper tools to maximize your time and efficiency.
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The tips shared in these books will help you build better habits towards achieving your personal and professional goals, such as organizing your home, spending less time on our devices, and creating systems that work. Each book includes a link to their Goodreads page so you can easily add them to your TBR list, and link to purchase on Amazon.
The Best 4 Star Productivity Books to Read in 2023
1) Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman
Goodreads Rating: 4.18
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From the publisher: Kahneman takes us on a groundbreaking tour of the mind and explains the two systems that drive the way we think. System 1 is fast, intuitive, and emotional; System 2 is slower, more deliberative, and more logical. Kahneman exposes the extraordinary capabilities—and also the faults and biases—of fast thinking, and reveals the pervasive influence of intuitive impressions on our thoughts and behavior.
2) Atomic Habits by James Clear
Goodreads Rating: 4.38
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From the publisher: If you’re having trouble changing your habits, the problem isn’t you. The problem is your system. Bad habits repeat themselves again and again not because you don’t want to change, but because you have the wrong system for change. You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems. Here, you’ll get a proven system that can take you to new heights.
3) Do It Today by Darius Foroux
Goodreads Rating: 4.16
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From the publisher: Are you also tired of putting off your dreams until “tomorrow?” I’ve procrastinated and put off my desire to write a book for a decade. I always came up with excuses like, “it’s not the right time.” Or, “I need to do more research.” But in 2015 I got tired of this endless procrastination, and finally took action. Six months later, my first book was published. Time is limited, that’s why we must do the things we want: Today.
4) Getting Things Done by David Allen
Goodreads Rating: 4.00
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From the publisher: In today’s world, yesterday’s methods just don’t work. Allen’s premise is simple: our productivity is directly proportional to our ability to relax. Only when our minds are clear and our thoughts are organized can we achieve effective productivity and unleash our creative potential. From core principles to proven tricks, Getting Things Done can transform the way you work, showing you how to pick up the pace without wearing yourself down.
5) Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport
Goodreads Rating: 4.07
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From the publisher: Digital minimalists are calm, happy people who can hold long conversations without furtive glances at their phones. Newport identifies the common practices of digital minimalists and the ideas that underpin them. He shows how they are rethinking their relationship to social media, rediscovering the pleasures of the offline world, and reconnecting with their inner selves through regular periods of solitude.
6) Organizing for the Rest of Us by Dana K. White
Goodreads Rating: 4.12
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From the publisher: Traditional organizing advice never worked for decluttering expert and self-proclaimed recovering slob Dana K. White. Is it possible, she wondered, to get organized without color coding my sock drawer? As Dana let go of the need for perfection, she discovered the joy of having an organized house in the midst of everyday life. You can too!
7) Stop Buying Bins by Bonnie Borromeo Tomlinson
Goodreads Rating: 4.33
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From the publisher: Why do we hold onto belongings that no longer serve us? How do we change our perspective regarding our things? How do we go about actually downsizing our clutter? Told through individual client stories, Stop Buying Bins reveals the personality traits that create resistance to letting go, flips the switch on assigning value to objects, and provides step-by-step instructions on how to decide what goes and what to do with it.
I enjoy reading about productivity because there are always useful tips that help to shift your perspective on how you tackle things. Hearing about other’s experiences and how they’ve reach their goals is inspiring and it motivates you to create better habits. Have you read any books from this list? Are there any that you’d like to add? If so, please share your recommendations in the comments. For more book related posts, visit my tag here.
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These sound like great productivity books, and I’m most intrigued by Organizing for the Rest of Us. Having a perfectly organized home isn’t realistic for many of us, but it is still beneficial to have some organization and I’m curious about her strategies.
Exactly, I love that it offers attainable solutions for organization. Thank you for reading Karalee!
I like the sound of Digital Minimalism; I think this is something I should look into more (and get a bit of guidance on). All of these books included here are really useful — thanks for sharing them!
I’m half way through Digital Minimalism and I’m loving it. It’s so helpful with breaking our addiction to our devices/social media. Thank you for reading Molly!
atomic habits was such a great read! will check out these other titles.
I agree, I picked up so many great tips. Thanks for reading!
What a nice list. I have Atomic Habits on hold at my library. I hope to get it soon.
I hope you enjoy it Wendy! Thank you for reading!
Being retired I don’t really think about productivity too much these days but I always appreciate good information. Thanks for sharing about these books.
Thank you for reading Jodie!
We’ve heard of a few of these books, but we haven’t read any yet. We’re going to check these out!
I hope you enjoy! I’ve gained so many great tools from them. Thank you for reading!
I’ve seen many people postpone until tomorrow and not put in the work. These are interesting and new to me books.
These are very resourceful for those who feel stuck with their productivity. Thank you for reading Fransic!
We own Thinking Fast and Slow, but we haven’t read it yet. We’re happy that you recommend it!
That’s wonderful! I hope you enjoy it, it’s a long book haha. Thank you for reading!
Great post! I haven’t read any of these books, but my boyfriend like Atomic Habits. Thank you for sharing x
I’m glad he enjoyed it. Thank you for reading Eleanor!
These sound like some really helpful books! I like the sound of Thinking Fast and Slow, that concept sounds really intriguing!
I agree, it’s always interesting to learn about how the mind works. Thank you for reading Jenny!
I haven’t heard of some of these. But I do have Atomic Habits, it is in my reading pile. Thank you for sharing these other suggestions.
Lauren
I hope you enjoy it Lauren, it has some great tips. Thank you for reading!