How to Improve Your Personal Effectiveness

The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business

By Charles Duhigg

This is a fascinating book about how habits work. Charles Duhigg uses the latest research to explain how cravings drive habits and how changing "keystone habits" can bring about broader changes. He also provides a framework for creating new habits by experimenting with cues and rewards. Whether you want to waste less time or exercise more, the insights in this book are incredibly empowering. Read More...

A Factory of One: Applying Lean Principles to Banish Waste and Improve Your Personal Performance

By Daniel Markovitz

A Factory of One applies simple principles from the Lean management philosophy to the work of individuals. In a concise and very readable format, Markovitz advocates identifying your key value added, getting your work organized, establishing a workflow, identifying the root cause of productivity problems, and setting up a simple system that will make it very easy to decide what to work on next. Very effective.
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Getting Things Done

By David Allen

David Allen's main premise is that we can be far more productive and creative if we don't have to waste energy remembering all the things we have to do. He advocates writing it all down and organizing your action items according to where you can do them. He also has a great methodology for processing things in your inbox and tracking to-do items. The ideas in Getting Things Done are extremely flexible and can be adapted to many kinds of work styles. Implementing just a few of the ideas in this book can make a big difference. Read More...

The Now Habit: A Strategic Program for Overcoming Procrastination and Enjoying Guilt-Free Play

By Neil Fiore, Ph.D.

This terrific book explains the causes procrastination and how to overcome them. Dr. Fiore's approach is very helpful for those struggling to find better work-life balance because it includes an innovative "un-schedule," which carves out time for non-work activities (exercise, sleep, hobbies, etc.) and focuses on being as productive as possible during work hours. Read More...

On Writing Well

By William Zinsser

Effective written communication is a core skill for success. On Writing Well is a beautifully written book about how to write about many different non-fiction topics. Focuses on the hard work required to express your ideas in a clear way that will engage the reader. A classic.

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