MAKING PROGRESS
The Incrementalist: A Simple Productivity System to Create Big Results in Small Steps (Dyan Williams)
Released May 2020
Become an INCREMENTALIST to create big results, in small steps, without pushing yourself too far beyond your comfort zone, burning out, and feeling inadequate. You can do great work and stretch your limits, gradually and slowly. Incremental progress helps you gain control, master your craft, and seamlessly integrate all that matters to you.
FOCUSING + MINIMIZING DISTRACTIONS
Brain Rules: 12 Principles for Surviving and Thriving at Work, Home, and School (John Medina)
Released February 2008
Developmental molecular biologist, John Medina, outlines 12 ways your brain really works and organizes information. Applying each brain rule, he provides transformative insights for daily life.
Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World (Cal Newport)
Released January 5, 2016
Cal Newport argues the ability to do deep work (focus without distraction on a cognitively demanding task) is a super skill in our high-tech economy. He describes how to make it a habit, while minimizing shallow work that fragments your focus and adds little value.
Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less (Greg McKeown)
Released April 2014
Greg McKeown discusses the importance of deciding what is absolutely essential and cutting out the rest so you can focus on what really matters.
Make Time: How to Focus on What Matters Every Day (Jake Knapp & John Zeratsky)
Released September 25, 2018
Creators of Google Ventures’ design sprint Jake Knapp and John Zeratsky explain how to avoid “infinity pools,” design your day around “highlights” and create “might-do lists” to intentionally make time for the things that really matter.
The Distracted Mind: Ancient Brains in a High-Tech World (Adam Gazzaley & Larry D. Rosen)
Released October 16, 2016
Neuroscientist authors explain why checking your emails, text messages, social media etc. are addictive and interferes with meeting high-level goals. They break down what you can do to avoid media multitasking and deal with digital distractions.
Related articles:
How digital distractions drain your productivity, September 12, 2017
5 quick tips on dealing with digital distractions, September 1, 2017
Alternatives to 3 Misused, Overused Productivity Hacks, June 9, 2017
Making time for what really matters, June 22, 2016
FORMING HABITS
Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones (James Clear)
Released October 16, 2018
James Clear discusses how tiny, consistent changes in daily habits lead to big, positive results over time. He outlines a process to develop long-lasting habits by expanding your identity, instead of focusing on outcomes.
The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business (Charles Duhigg)
Released February 28, 2012
Charles Duhigg walks us through the habit loop, a neurological pattern that governs any habit. Understanding the 3 elements – a cue, a routine, and a reward – helps you change bad habits and create good ones.
Tiny Habits: The Small Changes that Change Everything (BJ Fogg)
Released December 29, 2020
BJ Fogg promises that when you learn the Tiny Habits method on how to change your behavior, you change your life forever. He emphasizes you shape your environment and take baby steps to create new habits quickly and easily.
Related articles:
3 Simple Steps to Build Habits That Stick, December 31, 2017
Breaking bad habits, September 23, 2012
FOLLOWING THROUGH + FINISHING
Finish: Give Yourself the Gift of Done (John Acuff)
Released September 12, 2017
John Acuff provides practical tips on how to finish what you start, and explains why setting big hairy audacious goals (BHAGs) often stops progress toward completing important projects.
The Messy Middle: Finding Your Way Through the Hardest and Most Crucial Part of Any Bold Venture (Scott Belsky)
Released October 2, 2018
Scott Belsky – entrepreneur, Chief Product Officer at Adobe, and product advisor to many startups – provides guidance on how to endure the messy middle in new ventures and creative projects and finish strong.
Willpower: Rediscovering the Greatest Human Strength (Roy F. Baumeister)
Released August 28, 2012
Roy F. Baumesiter notes that willpower is finite and gets depleted, but there are things you can do to strengthen it.
Related articles:
3 Simple Steps to Build Habits That Stick, December 31, 2017
3 steps to get important things done, April 25, 2016
PERSONAL GROWTH
Mindset: The New Psychology of Success (Carol Dweck)
Released December 26, 2007
World-renowned Stanford University psychologist Carol S. Dweck, Ph. explains why having a growth mindset is key to building strengths and achieving success.
The Accidental Creative: How to Be Brilliant at a Moment’s Notice (Todd Henry)
Released August 27, 2013
Related articles:
Create for its own sake (even when it won’t bring you fame, fortune or fans), part 1, July 15, 2013
RUNNING A LEAN BUSINESS WITH SUCCESS
It Doesn’t Have to Be Crazy at Work (Jason Fried & David Heinemeier Hansson)
Released October 2, 2018
Basecamp founders Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson discuss how to create the ideal company culture—what they call “the calm company.” They argue long hours, excessive workloads and other crazy stuff at work are unnecessary.
Remote: Office Not Required (Jason Fried & David Heinemeier Hansson)
Released October 29, 2013
Rework (Jason Fried & David Heinemeier Hansson)
Related articles:
Recommended books are listed only if Dyan Williams found them to be insightful and beneficial and believes they may appeal to her website visitors.
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