One of the most productive things you can do is read for 30 minutes in the morning.
The simple act of reading mentally stimulates the brain, boosts concentration and cognitive function, and enhances knowledge. Plus, it helps to reduce stress and anxiety, and we all know that being overwhelm-free makes you a more productive person.
So if you want to uplevel your productivity, then I encourage you to pick up a book every morning and read. Or better yet — make the book you read one of these 7 best productivity books.
What are the best productivity books?
The best thing about productivity books is that there are plenty of different topics to get stuck into so you’ll always find something to suit your needs.
If you want to learn how to build habits the easy way, then I can’t recommend Atomic Habits enough.
Or, if you need help getting to the core of why you do what you do, then Start With Why is an absolute must-read for you.
You can also dive into books that show you how to transform your mornings, like The Miracle Morning and The 5 AM Club.
With so many published productivity books, it can be overwhelming to make a decision. That’s why I’ve narrowed down the selection to just 7 of the best options to make your buying process less stressful.
So, let’s dive deeper into each one of these productivity books:
- Atomic Habits by James Clear
- Deep Work by Cal Newport
- Working Hard, Hardly Working by Grace Beverley
- The 4-Hour Work Week by Tim Ferriss
- Start With Why by Simon Sinek
- The 5 AM Club by Robin Sharma
- The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod
1 | Atomic Habits by James Clear
Just as the title says, Atomic Habits is all about habits. How to build good ones and break bad ones.
Since its release in 2018, Atomic Habits has become a life-changing million-copy #1 bestseller. Now, you might be thinking, how can a book on habits be so popular? And that’s because James Clear shows us that habit-building can be easy and fun. It’s not as boring or arduous as you might think.
Plus, by making tiny changes in the form of habits, you are setting yourself up to achieve remarkable results. What’s not to love?
Highlights
- Easy to read and digestible
- Summary at the end of each chapter
- Tips and advice are all extremely actionable
- I’ve previously written a review, so you know it’s worth a read
- Million copy #1 bestseller
→ Price: £9 (paperback) with free delivery on Amazon
My thoughts
James Clear has changed my entire perspective on habits and what it means to be productive. I now build habits to work for me rather than against me.
And in all honesty, Atomic Habits was actually the motivating factor behind my blog.
Before I read this book, I was constantly comparing myself to others online and copying what other female entrepreneurs were doing to be productive. Long story short, the hustle culture didn’t work for me, and I thought there was something wrong with me.
But when I read Atomic Habits, James Clear made me feel less alone. It wasn’t the fact that there was something wrong with me; it was the fact that these “productivity hacks from others” didn’t suit my personality.
So, I applied his advice on building habits to my own work ethic. I then started to view productivity as unique to the individual and built it around my own personality and lifestyle.
My mindful approach to productivity was born, and so was the basis of my blog. I wanted to show others that there is a more sustainable way of working, and this book was where it all started.
So yes, as the cover says, Atomic Habits is truly life-changing!
2 | Deep Work by Cal Newport
Deep Work by Cal Newport shows you how you can focus without distractions and cultivate a deep work practice. This book provides actionable advice and practical strategies that will help skyrocket your productivity while navigating the challenges of our fast-paced, digital world.
In short, Deep Work “is like a superpower” that will allow you to achieve more in less time.
Highlights
- Provides actionable strategies and advice
- Uses principles of psychology and neuroscience
- Includes memorable stories that take you on a journey
- From the best-selling author of Digital Minimalism
- Also available as an Audiobook and Kindle version
→ Price: £8.85 (paperback) with free delivery on Amazon
My thoughts
Reading Deep Work was a game-changer for me as it made me become more aware of how much social media and my phone were distracting me during the day and causing me to procrastinate. After implementing some of the tips within this book (and embracing some of my own), I am now way more productive for longer periods of time and actually get shit done.
3 | Working Hard, Hardly Working by Grace Beverley
Working Hard, Hardly Working challenges conventional notions of productivity and success in the modern workplace.
In a world that glorifies busyness and burnout, this book offers a fresh perspective on how to achieve balance, be more productive and feel fulfilled as you navigate the social media age.
Grace Beverley draws from her personal experiences as a successful entrepreneur to explore the importance of working smarter rather than harder. Through thought-provoking insights and practical advice, this book will help you create your own productivity method, make your routine work for you, understand your value and engage in effective self-care.
Highlights
- Easy to read and digestible
- Grace writes as though she is chatting with a friend
- From the founder of TALA and Shreddy
- Also available as an Audiobook with Grace as the narrator
- The No 1 Sunday Times Bestseller
→ Price: £7.69 with free delivery on Amazon
My thoughts
As someone who is on a mission to promote a healthy work-life balance where productivity and self-care can work side by side and you don’t need to sacrifice one of the other, this book is an incredibly inspiring read. Grace Beverley’s approach to productivity is a breath of fresh air in a world that glorifies the hustle — so you know I’m here for it!
4 | The 4-Hour Work Week by Tim Ferriss
The 4-Hour Workweek is the ultimate guide to escaping the traditional 9-to-5 hamster wheel and travelling the world while earning a substantial income with fewer working hours.
From outsourcing your tasks to virtual assistants and implementing productivity hacks to trading long work hours for mini-retirements, this guide is packed with real-world examples and practical tips to help you transform your life and achieve extraordinary success.
Highlights
- A step-by-step guide for escaping the 9 to 5
- The original edition has since been updated and expanded
- Features more than 50 practical tips and case studies
- Includes templates you can copy for eliminating email, negotiating with bosses and clients, or getting a private chef for less than £5 a meal
- The No. 1 New York Times Bestseller
→ Price: £10.87 with free delivery on Amazon
My thoughts
This was the book that started it all — my digital nomad life.
I read this book way back in 2019 while I was travelling through South America, and it opened up my eyes to the world of online businesses. Fast-forward to 2023, and I now run a health and wellness blog that has a readership of over 20,000 people and a coaching business that offers 1:1 support to help you reach your life and wellness goals.
So yes, you really can say this book changed my life.
5 | Start With Why by Simon Sinek
Start With Why explores the fundamental question of why some leaders are able to inspire and motivate others while others struggle to do so.
Drawing on real-life examples (mainly Apple), Simon Sinek explains that the key lies in understanding and communicating the “why” behind our actions — the deep-rooted causes and beliefs that drive us.
Whether you are an aspiring leader, entrepreneur, or simply seeking personal growth, Start With Why provides you with a blueprint for discovering your own why and leveraging it to inspire others so you can live with real purpose.
Highlights
- Inspiring quotes you can refer back to again and again
- Part of a 3-book series, which also includes a practical guide to Find Your Why
- Uses well-known companies and individuals to back up his points, e.g. Martin Luther King Jr.
- Based on the life-changing Ted Talk
- Multi-million-copy bestseller
→ Price: £8.99 (paperback) with free delivery on Amazon
My thoughts
Yes, this book is a little bit repetitive — the author bangs on about Apple way too much and yes, this book is very corporate and leadership-based, but this book has given me so much motivation.
I read Start With Why during a time when I was figuring out the next steps for Notes by Thalia and what I envision for my brand. This book has given me the guidance and space I’ve needed to really dig deep and figure out the core of what I use this space for and get really clear on my why.
In short, it is a book that has changed the way I show up and has greatly improved my business life.
And it is a book that I think everyone needs to read.
6 | The 5 AM Club by Robin Sharma
The 5 AM Club by Robin Sharma is a life-changing book that introduces a revolutionary morning routine for achieving epic results and personal transformation.
Based on over 20 years of experience, Sharma shares the secrets of waking up early, maximising productivity, and fostering personal growth. This practical guide provides step-by-step methods, insider tactics and inspiring stories to help you unlock your full potential and lead a successful, fulfilling life.
Highlights
- Part manifesto, part playbook and part companion
- ‘Insider-only’ tactics to elevate your life
- Uses proven neuro-science-based practices
- Offers practical strategies to help you wake up early
- Over 15 million books sold
→ Price: £13.22 (paperback) with free delivery on Amazon
My thoughts
For transparency, I am not someone who wakes up at 5 am unless I really need to. For example, I have an early morning flight to catch, or I’m staying somewhere with an unreal sunrise.
So, you might be wondering why I included the last two books on this list. The truth is, I never want these “best of” lists to be one-sided because I know there are a lot of people out there who either do wake up at 5 am or aspire to do so.
And The 5 AM Club is one of the best books out there that shows you how to get the most out of your morning and maximise your productivity.
On that note, my advice to you is this: Always do what works for you. If you’re not a morning person, then do not force yourself to wake up at the crack of dawn or even read this book for that matter (unless you’re curious). Wake up at a time that best suits you and follow the rest of this guide to own your morning.
7 | The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod
The Miracle Morning introduces a powerful morning routine that has been built around a series of six habits known as the “Life S.A.V.E.R.S” – silence, affirmations, visualisation, exercise, reading and scribing. This routine has been designed to transform your life by kickstarting your day with purpose and intention.
Hal Elrod explains that by dedicating time to each of these activities, you can enhance your mindset, boost your energy levels and create a foundation for personal growth and success.
Highlights
- Transformed the lives of tens of thousands of people
- Part of a wider series that includes 15 books
- Easy to read and digestible
- Offers practical tips that you can implement straight away
- An international bestseller
→ Price: £8.99 (paperback) with free delivery on Amazon
My thoughts
I personally believe a morning routine can be anything you want it to be, as long as it allows you to feel calm and relaxed.
What works for one person might not necessarily work for the other and so I encourage you to build a morning routine that makes you feel good.
I understand that The Miracle Morning has helped tens of thousands of people and is a life-changing book, but I still think that this book fails to grasp that everyone is different. Not everyone wants to wake up early or jump-start the day with a series of mentally exhausting habits.
So again, my advice to you, like always, is to test out these “miracle morning” habits first before sticking to them completely.
If they serve you, then great, but if you find that this routine feels like a chore, then adjust it where necessary with rituals that better suit your needs.
In a rush? Save this list on Pinterest for later!
Final thoughts
If you’re looking to become your best self, then I honestly can’t recommend these productivity books enough.
They will provide you with the guidance and awareness you need to uplevel your daily habits and productivity and ultimately improve your life.
So, just to recap, the books I mentioned in this post are:
- Atomic Habits by James Clear
- Deep Work by Cal Newport
- Working Hard, Hardly Working by Grace Beverley
- The 4-Hour Work Week by Tim Ferriss
- Start With Why by Simon Sinek
- The 5 AM Club by Robin Sharma
- The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod
I can’t wait to hear which productivity book(s) you end up reading and how it benefits you.
Until next week,
Thalia xx
Just a heads up — This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using the links above, then I will be rewarded at no extra cost to you. Thank you, as always, for your support.
