Top 10 Time Management Books that Will Really Boost Your Productivity

The pomodoro technique, you often hear your seniors or colleagues suggest, only sometimes leads to the most productive outcomes. Sure, it prevents procrastination, but it is not useful in an office situation where interruptions are inevitable. Why not check out some of the bestselling time management books to get better guidance and useful insights!

Time management is applicable both professionally and personally. It is an invaluable management skill to be good at. When you go for managerial round interviews in any domain, you will be asked how you manage your and your team’s deadlines. Similar questions are also asked during team leader interview rounds.

Fortunately enough, you will find some excellent time management books below. They will help you defeat procrastination, reduce stress and improve productivity. The ones listed today offer different approaches to doing more in less time. Reading one or more of them will guide you with winning perspectives on how you consider priorities. Read on, and don’t forget to bookmark this page. 

Make Time: How to Focus on What Matters Every Day

Co-authors, Jake Knapp and John Zeratsky, guide you on developing a framework for your daily habits. But these tips are not provided through a one-size-fits-all approach. 

These are meant to be incorporated into any lifestyle by any individual when they apply them in their own context. Since the book was published in 2018, it has helped those who think passively about making more time to create time for their tasks actively. 

Competing Against Time: How Time-Based Competition is Reshaping Global Markets

George Stalk Jr. and Thomas M. Hout, the authors, provide amazing examples of how top companies including Ford, Harley-Davidson, Walmart, etc., utilise time and bring success. 

The book provides insight into time management at an organisational level instead of an individual one. The authors highlight that time is a competitive weapon that organisations should use. 

Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity 

Veteran coach, David Allen, provides useful insights on time management through the philosophy that everyone’s idea of productivity is based on the idea of relaxing. He explains that when there is no stress, one is more organised. 

168 Hours: You Have More Time Than You Think

This book’s premise is set on what modern-day individuals assume – nobody has time. The author, Laura Vanderkam, argues the opposite. 

She discusses that one should start tracking time spent on any given task. Then she goes on to say whatever one is good at – core competencies – should spend more time doing those and reduce spending time on the other things. Identifying one’s core competencies is also needed, and Vanderkam offers some solid advice on it. 

Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less

One of the popular New York Times bestsellers in this list of time management books, this book goes an extra mile to show you how to take control of your life. Author, Greg McKeown, explains that you should know and only do the right or the bigger things that actually matter. The rest should be eliminated. 

The 80/20 Principle: The Secret to Achieving More with Less

Authored by Robert Koch, the book discusses the Pareto Principle, where most results stem from minor causes. Koch shows how this principle can be used in one’s day-to-day work life. Using this principle, one can become more productive, delegate more, etc. 

Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World

Author, Cal Newport, discusses the meaning of deep work where you can shut everything off cognitively to achieve better results in less time. He explains how in today’s age, everyone is distracted by emails, social media, etc.

This book has four rules/principles that are rigorous when you start following them. And they are all worth incorporating in how you work. 

Related: Impact of Social Media

Eat That Frog! 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time

Brian Tracy is a top-selling author of over 70 books. This book is considered a classic, taking the philosophy from Mark Twain’s quote, “Eat a live frog the first thing in the morning, and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day”. 

The author discusses that you should do the most difficult thing in the morning. This is prioritisation 101, where you need to plan your work. For that, you will need discipline. 

The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9–5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich 

Written by American lifestyle coach and popular podcaster, Timothy Ferriss, this one is from his notable series of self-help books on managing time, body, and cooking. Ferris explains how one who becomes stuck with the usual 9 to 5 working schedule can absolutely do more with their lives. 

He offers around 50 practical insights showing you how to focus on being effective than being efficient. Removing distractions, working in short bursts, automating work with virtual assistants to save work, etc., are some.  

Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals

Oliver Burkman is the author of this bestselling time management book. He takes a step back into history and discusses how people lived and considered time. The book also gives a unique yet critical perspective on human behaviour that everybody procrastinates. Instead of trying not to push things till the end, the author suggests maintaining a balance between procrastination and productivity. 

Parting Thoughts

The thing about time management is that it applies to almost everything you do. From finishing up a menial task or completing a month-long project to managing your personal and family life. Certainly, some of these time management books will help you take control of the outcomes without having to stress out ever.