The 20 Best Entrepreneurship Books to Start, Grow & Run a Successful Business
Following your passion while making a profit – that is the dream. Every year, millions of people become entrepreneurs in hopes of getting paid to do what they love.
Unfortunately, around half of all newly minted business owners fail within the first five years. What’s more, at least one in four must fail before eventually succeeding, which takes at least three years on average. How can you make sure you make it the first time around?
Starting a business requires taking risk, staying grounded, and facing many challenges. It can be our biggest struggle, but seeing our products make the world a better place can also be our greatest reward.
At Four Minute Books, we’ve summarized over 1,000 books, hundreds of them about entrepreneurship. Along the way, we’ve learned a few lessons, and we’ve discovered which ones are most worth spending your precious time on.
Being an entrepreneur is not the easiest job in the world, but if you want to learn the secrets of being a great founder or successful self-employed freelancer, this list of the 20 best entrepreneurship books is a good start.
Each book in this list contains our favorite quote, three takeaways, and a one-sentence summary. Scroll down a bit more, and you’ll find our main argument for why and when you might want to read the book. Use the handy table of contents below to jump to any section or book that seems particularly interesting to you.
Let’s hop right into the secrets of entrepreneurship!
Best Books on Entrepreneurship Overall
Favorite Quote
“The only way to win is to learn faster than anyone else.” — Eric Ries
The Book in One Sentence
The Lean Startup offers both entrepreneurs and wantrepreneurs a semi-scientific, real-world approach to building a business by using validation, finding a profitable business model and creating a growth engine.
Why should you read it?
Are all start-ups prone to failure? Or are all the failures caused by some mistakes which can be easily prevented? According to Eric Ries, a startup deals with a wave of uncertainty, indeed, and business plans might not be the key to make things run smoothly. This book gives a scientific approach to the proper management of a startup, mostly by making use of innovation.
Key Takeaways
Find a business model that works through validation. Use split-testing to tell value from waste. Never ever indulge in vanity metrics.
If you want to learn more, you can read our free four-minute summary or get a copy for yourself.
_____
Favorite Quote
“Brilliant thinking is rare, but courage is in even shorter supply than genius.” — Peter Thiel
The Book in One Sentence
Zero To One is an inside look at Peter Thiel’s philosophy and strategy for making your startup a success by looking at the lessons he learned from founding and selling PayPal, investing in Facebook and becoming a billionaire in the process.< /em>
Why should you read it?
You might think that we know everything by now and that there isn’t much to create at this point. That all the greatest inventions have appeared by now. And this is where you might be wrong: entrepreneur Peter Thiel confirms that there are still countless ways for us to create something new. And all this can be done by making use of your power and asking the right questions in order to come up with the next innovation.
Key Takeaways
The biggest leaps in progress are vertical, not horizontal. Monopolies are good, for both business and society. Founders need a vision to take their business from zero to one.
If you want to learn more, you can read our free four-minute summary or get a copy for yourself.
_____
Favorite Quote
“The only thing that prepares you to run a company is running a company” — Ben Horowitz
The Book in One Sentence
The Hard Thing About Hard Things is an inside look at the tough decisions and lonely times all CEOs face, before showing you what it takes to build a great organization and become a world-class leader.
Why should you read it?
It’s great to have your own business, indeed. Truth be told, though, it is rather hard to have a business and run it properly. Ben Horowitz provides us with key anecdotes in this book, derived from his success – which was not as easy to obtain, as people might think. Getting straight to the point, this book will answer all the questions you might have, no matter if you already have a business of your own or if you are thinking about starting one.
Key Takeaways
The CEO should be the first one to shout when shit hits the fan. There are 2 types of CEOs. Great CEOs must learn to be comfortable being uncomfortable.
If you want to learn more, you can read our free four-minute summary or get a copy for yourself.
_____
Favorite Quote
“Plans are only good intentions unless they immediately degenerate into hard work.” — Chris Guillebeau
The Book in One Sentence
The $100 Startup shows you how to break free from the shackles of 9 to 5 by combining your passion and skills into your own microbusiness, which you can start for $100 or less, yet still turn into a full time income, thanks to the power of the internet.
Why should you read it?
It’s important nowadays to live a life full of meaning and purpose, but what is also important is to earn a good living. This book is filled with key principles that will help you figure out exactly what it is that you have to do to live your life the way you want. And the best part about it is that it doesn’t get lost in generalities which might not give you the insight you need.
Key Takeaways
Passion is only 1/3 of the equation, you also need skills and customers. If you want your passion to be more than a hobby, focus on income and costs. Keep your plans simple, because action beats them every time.
If you want to learn more, you can read our free four-minute summary or get a copy for yourself.
_____
Favorite Quote
“If your business depends on you, you don’t own a business – you have a job. And it’s the worst job in the world because you’re working for a lunatic!” — Michael E. Gerber
The Book in One Sentence
The E-Myth Revisited explains why 80% of small businesses fail, and how to ensure yours isn’t among those by building a company that’s based on systems and not on the work of a single individual.
Why should you read it?
Do you want to know how to grow your business productively? Michael Gerber has the answer for you in this book and walks you through all the steps you need to take in a business. And it is all sharp insight from his own experience, which will help you deconstruct all the myths regarding the way one should work when it comes to business.
Key Takeaways
Having great technical skills does not mean you know how to run a business. Imagine your business as a nationwide franchise from day one, then build the first store. The franchise approach makes sure you build a business based on systems, not people.
If you want to learn more, you can read our free four-minute summary or get a copy for yourself.
_____
Best Books on Entrepreneurship for Beginners
Favorite Quote
“There no longer has to be a difference between who you are and what you do.” ― Gary Vaynerchuk
The Book in One Sentence
Crush It is the blueprint you need to turn your passion into your profession and will give you the tools to turn yourself into a brand, leverage social media, produce great content and reap the financial benefits of it.
Why should you read it?
What would you do if you could transform your dream or hobby into something that could earn you money? This book gives you valuable insight into how you can turn your interests into a successful business, just by making use of the power of the Internet. And all of this by taking it step by step, in a world where both the Internet and the technological aspects are a very important part of our lives.
Key Takeaways
In order to profit from your passion, you have to turn yourself into a brand. Pick a medium that fits you to tell stories people want to hear. Always be authentic in your content.
If you want to learn more, you can read our free four-minute summary or get a copy for yourself.
_____
Favorite Quote
“Positioning should be about what you do for your customers – not about what you want to become.” — Guy Kawasaki
The Book in One Sentence
The Art Of The Start is your guide to beginning a company and explains everything from getting the right people on board to writing a winning business plan and building your brand.
Why should you read it?
Sometimes, it just takes an idea to put together something new – and that requires having enough will to keep going, against all odds. If you feel like your idea might be hard to be transformed into action, this book will provide you with all the advice you need to keep going, all of it coming from nearly two decades of the author’s experience.
Key Takeaways
Your first goal as an entrepreneur must be to create meaning, not make money. Prepare your Milestones, Assumptions, and Tasks to have direction and purpose right from the start. Set yourself up for success by creating a business plan.
If you want to learn more, you can read our free four-minute summary or get a copy for yourself.
_____
Best Books on Entrepreneurship With Minimal Resources
Favorite Quote
“Being broke is temporary but poverty of mind is permanent.” — Daymond John
The Book in One Sentence
The Power Of Broke shows you how to leverage having no money into an advantage in business by compensating it with creativity, passion and authenticity.
Why should you read it?
If desperate minds mean desperate measures, then innovation should also be added – because this is exactly what Daymond John did. What started as being a simple idea, ended up becoming a global phenomenon, and all of this while he was broke. This book tells you that sometimes, you just need to have a little bit of hope and to do your best to achieve success – who knows when the perfect opportunity might come knocking.
Key Takeaways
If you have no money, you’ll automatically find resources others don’t look for. The power of broke helps in all four stages of growing a business. Starting a business gets easier by the day, so start now.
If you want to learn more, you can read our free four-minute summary or get a copy for yourself.
_____
Favorite Quote
“When you don’t know what you believe, everything becomes an argument. Everything is debatable. But when you stand for something, decisions are obvious.” — Jason Fried
The Book in One Sentence
Rework shows you that you need less than you think to start a business – way less – by explaining why plans are actually harmful, how productivity isn’t a result from working long hours and why hiring and seeking investors should be your absolute last resort.
Why should you read it?
Do you feel like all the old advice business books give you is not really what you need to kickstart your own business? What if there was an easier and better way to succeed in business, that didn’t involve writing down endless business plans, for example? This book makes use of an easy way to understand the approach and shows you the way towards not only productivity but also inspiration. Are you up for the challenge?
Key Takeaways
Take a stand for something you believe in and then pick a fight with an incumbent. Screw big corporate marketing, stay honest, personal and nimble. Don’t let long hours and meetings prevail, they actually hurt productivity.
If you want to learn more, you can read our free four-minute summary or get a copy for yourself.
_____
Favorite Quote
“If you’re not 100 percent happy with your life today, it is never a waste of time to try something that could get you there.” — Gary Vaynerchuk
The Book in One Sentence
Crushing It is Gary Vaynerchuk’s follow-up to his personal branding manifesto Crush It, in which he reiterates the importance of a personal brand and shows you the endless possibilities that come with building one today.
Why should you read it?
Your brand is important nowadays, and you have to make use of that to be successful. And you can do that by making use of social media – Gary introduces us to those secrets in this practical guide, where he put together several experiences of people who have followed their dream and got exactly where they wanted to be.
Key Takeaways
You don’t need a product to monetize a personal brand. A solid social media presence is built on seven principles. Don’t overthink creating content, just document your journey.
If you want to learn more, you can read our free four-minute summary or get a copy for yourself.
_____
Best Books on Entrepreneurship Strategy
Favorite Quote
“Companies should focus on one of three value disciplines: operational excellence, product leadership, or customer intimacy.” — by Alexander Osterwalder, Yves Pigneur
The Book in One Sentence
Business Model Generation teaches you how to start your own company by explaining the details of matching your customer’s needs with your product’s capabilities, managing finances, and everything else involved in the planning stages of entrepreneurship.
Why should you read it?
How would you describe your thinking when it comes to how businesses should be handled? Are you more oriented towards the “traditional” way or are you seeking modern solutions? This book makes use of practical examples that will help anyone in terms of improving their business models, regardless of their approach.
Key Takeaways
Market channels, value propositions, and customer groups are the basis for a good business model. You need to know your customer’s relationship with you, how money is coming in, and what physical things that you need to run your company. Plan for what you’ll do from day to day, who you’re going to work with, and what your cost structure will be.
If you want to learn more, you can read our free four-minute summary or get a copy for yourself.
_____
Favorite Quote
“All new companies and new products begin with an almost mythological vision – a hope of what could be, with a goal few others can see.” — Steve Blank
The Book in One Sentence
The Four Steps To The Epiphany shows startups how to plan for and achieve success by giving examples of companies that failed and outlining the path they need to take to flourish.
Why should you read it?
Do you want a book that gives you simple, yet concrete examples in regards to how businesses work? Not all startups become successful immediately – and this book proves it. This simple, step-by-step guide could become essential to you, as it gives you useful insight into how you should organize all parts of your business for your startup to succeed, rather than fail.
Key Takeaways
Don’t fall into the trap of treating your startup like you would a big business. Find your market type first, then base your strategy around it. Early adopters are more important to consider when designing your product than the mainstream market.
If you want to learn more, you can read our free four-minute summary or get a copy for yourself.
_____
Favorite Quote
“Don’t be afraid to say no to projects. Prove that you’re serious about specialization by turning down work that falls outside your area of expertise. The more people you say no to, the more referrals you’ll get to people who need your product or service.” — John Warrillow
The Book in One Sentence
Built To Sell shows you how to become a successful entrepreneur by explaining the steps necessary to grow a small service company and one day sell it.
Why should you read it?
Is there any mistake entrepreneurs make when they start their business? According to John Warrillow, there is one mistake that might cost them more than they could ever imagine, and he presents this mistake under the form of a fictional small business, which has to be sold. Are you curious to see what happens to the business? You should probably find the nearest library and check it out!
Key Takeaways
You will be more successful in business if you specialize in one service. If you’d like to one day sell your company, you as a founder need to work to make sure that you’re replaceable. Don’t rely on one big client, it’s risky and makes your business less attractive to those that may buy it.
If you want to learn more, you can read our free four-minute summary or get a copy for yourself.
_____
Favorite Quote
“I don’t think money makes much difference, as long as you have enough.” — John Brooks
The Book in One Sentence
Business Adventures will teach you how to run a company, invest in the stock market, change jobs, and many other things by sharing some of the most interesting experiences that big companies and their leaders have had over the last century.
Why should you read it?
How do you run a company? If all businesses are different, why are some things so similar? Making use of stories about Wall Street, John Brooks has put together a reportage that looks at the history of some of the biggest disasters that have taken place on the American market. Is history bound to repeat itself, if people don’t learn from their mistakes?
Key Takeaways
The three-day stock market crash and recovery of 1962 showed the world how irrational and unpredictable it is. If you want to know how not to launch a product, look to the example of the Ford Edsel. Having trade secrets doesn’t make it impossible for you to get a new job thanks to Donald Wohlgemuth.
If you want to learn more, you can read our free four-minute summary or get a copy for yourself.
_____
Best Books on Entrepreneurship Culture
Favorite Quote
“If you as a leader allow people to halfway do their jobs and don’t demand excellence as a prerequisite to keeping their job, you will create a culture of mediocrity.” — Dave Ramsey
The Book in One Sentence
EntreLeadership provides you with a path to becoming a great leader in your company by identifying the necessary management and entrepreneurial skills.
Why should you read it?
We have all heard of a successful business that started in a garage or in a rather normal place. This informative guide gives you access to exactly that kind of story: from just a card table to a multimillion-dollar company. The advice in this book will get you even through the toughest of times, for both businesses and their leaders.
Key Takeaways
The most successful heads of new companies combine the skills of an entrepreneur and a leader. To create a lucrative business, work on your marketing strategy. You get hardworking and loyal employees when you give generous salaries and bonuses.
If you want to learn more, you can read our free four-minute summary or get a copy for yourself.
_____
Favorite Quote
“There is no denying that today’s elite may be among the more socially concerned elites in the history. But it is also, by the cold logic of numbers, among the more predatory in history.” — Anand Giridharadas
The Book in One Sentence
Winners Take All helps you see the ultra-rich in a more accurate light by identifying their shady strategies, including using the idea of “making the world a better place” as a front that only serves as a way to solidify their wealth and power.
Why should you read it?
What does social justice have to do with entrepreneurs? Anand Giridharadas surprises us with this challenging book, by putting into perspective how improvements are not accessible to everyone. Small businesses end up fighting against monopolies and have to deal with a system where it might just be easier to deny certain benefits. So, how do we make the world a better place, for businesses and people?
Key Takeaways
The elite control social progress, which we think is happening for our benefit but really only benefits them. Inequality is rampant because the “win-win” attitude of the ultra-rich is actually a lie to cover up their plans to only look out for themselves. Powerful people often deny their influence, which ironically just cements their status even further.
If you want to learn more, you can read our free four-minute summary or get a copy for yourself.
_____
Favorite Quote
“I’d say determination is the single most important quality in a startup founder. If the founders I spoke with were superhuman in any way, it was in their perseverance.” — Jessica Livingston
The Book in One Sentence
Founders At Work shows you how to start a successful business based on the principles of the founders of some of the world’s most famous and accomplished startups.
Why should you read it?
If you are looking for a book that is not necessarily a guide, then this book might just be what you are looking for. Containing a collection of interviews with people who are currently living their dream, this book answers all the questions one might have: how it all started and how it is all going. Are you curious to see what makes a startup successful?
Key Takeaways
Starting with an idea is good, but having a talented team is best. Too much investor money can actually hurt a startup initiative. Creating something of real value to others requires listening to your customers.
If you want to learn more, you can read our free four-minute summary or get a copy for yourself.
_____
Best Books on Entrepreneurship Motivation
Favorite Quote
“The starting point of all achievement is DESIRE. Keep this constantly in mind. Weak desire brings weak results, just as a small fire makes a small amount of heat.” — Napoleon Hill
The Book in One Sentence
Think and Grow Rich is a curation of the 13 most common habits of wealthy and successful people, distilled from studying over 500 individuals over the course of 20 years.
Why should you read it?
A worldwide bestseller, this book is not just about ways in which you can become rich, as the title would suggest. It is about learning that each day is a new opportunity and both success and abundance come from how you think. If you want to learn about the ropes of success, this might just be the book for you.
Key Takeaways
Use autosuggestion to build an unshakable belief in yourself. Be stubborn and always stick to your decisions. Join a Mastermind group to cut the learning curve.
If you want to learn more, you can read our free four-minute summary or get a copy for yourself.
_____
Favorite Quote
“In any line of business, there is a steep learning curve. Like a pilgrim, you must climb that mountain with faith and fortitude – there is no ‘helicopter’ service.” — Rashmi Bansal
The Book in One Sentence
Arise, Awake will inspire you to move forward with your entrepreneurial dreams by sharing the inspirational stories of six Indian entrepreneurs and the lessons they learned on the path to success.
Why should you read it?
What would you say is the perfect age to start your own business? Should you be older, or younger? If you are still not convinced about your answer, then this book might give you a little bit of clarity, by presenting you with the stories of six entrepreneurs who have gone against the odds and started something of their own.
Key Takeaways
Pay attention to serendipitous experiences, they are great sources for your entrepreneurial desires to flourish. If your first business idea fails, don’t give up, your experience is vital to making your next venture succeed. Determination combined with thinking outside of the box will help you start your business even when it seems impossible to do.
If you want to learn more, you can read our free four-minute summary or get a copy for yourself.
_____
Favorite Quote
“Most “necessary evils” are far more evil than necessary.” — Richard Branson
The Book in One Sentence
Losing My Virginity details Richard Branson’s meteoric rise to success and digs into what made him the adventurous, fun-loving, daring entrepreneur he is today and what lessons you can learn about business from him.
Why should you read it?
If you are interested in an autobiography, then Richard Branson has written the perfect book for you. A very unusual approach to business has brought Richard a success that many might have doubted: whenever someone said “don’t do it”, he would do it. Filled with major lessons, this book will keep you going, even when things seem impossible to deal with.
Key Takeaways
Don’t feel bad if you haven’t been born and bred as an entrepreneur. Always look out for the next thing, but take it one adventure at a time. The number one skill you should practice is creativity.
If you want to learn more, you can read our free four-minute summary or get a copy for yourself.
_____
Conclusion
We believe that these 20 titles are the best books about entrepreneurship. Start by reading the one most relevant to you, then go from there.
Most of us dream about living a life in which we make our own rules. But are we ready to take responsibility for the things that will go wrong along the way? When you’re an entrepreneur, the buck stops with you. Ultimately, you’re the one in charge. You’ll need commitment and perseverance to make things happen, but even if the road will be rocky in the beginning, that doesn’t mean you should give up.
Do you have what it takes? Whatever you feel might be missing, discover it in one of the books on our list. Learn how to be an entrepreneur, and make your dreams come true!
Other Book Lists by Topic
Looking for more of the best books on various topics? Here are all the book lists we’ve made for you so far:
Other Book Lists by Author
Looking for more books by the world’s most celebrated authors? Here are all of the book lists by the author we’ve curated for you:
Rate this book! This book has an average rating of 5 based on 1 votes.
Last Updated on November 18, 2022
10 Best Books to Read for Career Success
Some of the best books on career success are decades old. Luckily, many of these have been updated and apply the same wisdom to today's digital age.
This list of resources offers professionals new ways to navigate their careers where remote work, mobile lifestyles, frequent career change, and increasing personal and professional pressures are the norm. Read on for the best career development books for the 2020s.
1. Grit: The Power Of Passion and Perseverance By Angela Duckworth
Angela Duckworth is a celebrated researcher and professor. Her early stints in teaching, business consulting, and neuroscience led to her hypothesis about what really drives success. Duckworth argues that talent and intelligence are less important than grit in determining the trajectory of your career path.
What’s grit? Duckworth believes it is tenacity, perseverance, hard work, and goal-setting. Duckworth shares the stories of leaders such as Pete Carrol, coach of the Seattle Seahawks, and Jamie Dimon, CEO of JP Morgan and explores the origins of grit, why it drives success, and how you can nurture it to shape your career.
2. Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts By Brené Brown
Brené Brown is a research professor at the University of Houston and a visiting professor in management at The University of Texas at Austin McCombs School of Business. She has studied courage, vulnerability, shame, and empathy for two decades and given numerous TED talks.
Brown’s career advice is that great leadership skills involve knowing that you don’t have the right answers and staying curious to find solutions. Successful people can share power with others and do not avoid difficult conversations or situations. It takes guts and a willingness to open up to vulnerability.
According to Brown, our culture is defined by scarcity, fear, and uncertainty, which prevents great leaders from emerging. This book is geared toward tomorrow’s brave and daring leaders. This book was number one on the New York Times best-seller list and named one of the best books of 2018 by Bloomberg.
3. The Startup of You: Adapt to the Future, Invest in Yourself, and Transform Your Career By Reid Hoffman and Ben Casnocha
Reid Hoffman is co-founder and chairman of LinkedIn. In his book, Hoffman advises managing your career as if it’s a Silicon Valley startup. The premise is that the entrepreneurs who run startups invest in themselves, are nimble, and build and rely on professional networks as support mechanisms. This career guide explains the best practices of successful startups and how they apply to your career whether you work in a large international corporation, a small business, or are an aspiring entrepreneur with your own business.
This book explains how to gain a competitive edge, respond to industry changes, leverage your network, and make intelligent decisions about your biggest challenges. This book is for those ready to take charge and become the CEO of their career and their future.
4. Do What You Are: Discover the Perfect Career for You Through the Secrets of Personality Type By Paul D. Tieger, Barbara Barron, and Kelly Tieger
Ok. So books on Myers Briggs personality types are so 1980s, but this book brings the philosophy into current times. Paul D. Tieger is an internationally recognized expert on Personality Type. In this book, he offers career guidance based on Myers-Briggs personality types and suggests professions that would be most fulfilling for each type.
But more importantly, Tieger discusses careers in the context of the modern workforce, the ups and downs of the global economy, the digital revolution, and the migration to mobile communication, and remote work and study. This book will lead you through the step-by-step process of determining and verifying your Personality Type, which is so important to understand if you are working in teams or leading them. The book presents real-world case studies and exercises to help you get results quickly. Get to know what makes you tick with Tieger’s “Do What You Are.”
5. What Color Is Your Parachute? 2021: A Practical Manual for Job-Hunters and Career-Changers By Richard N. Bolles
A classic of its time (and this baby is old), this must-read has been revised to reflect today’s workforce. Richard N. Bolles offers timeless advice for job seekers in the age of social media and the mobile lifestyle. It is a timely release considering the shifting economic landscape facing college grads who seek work that pays and inspires. This book also addresses lay-offs for mid-career professionals and those seeking new jobs, work-life balance, or a change in their careers.
Katharine Brooks, EdD, of Vanderbilt University Career Center updated the book for 2022 with advice for job seekers, such as building an online resume, making the most of social media, and acing virtual interviews. The book retains the original wisdom of Bolles and contains the well-known but updated Flower Exercise that lays out the entire job-search process, from writing resumes to interviewing and networking.
6. Designing Your Work Life: How to Thrive and Change and Find Happiness at Work By Bill Burnett and Dave Evans
This audiobook takes a unique look at finding happiness at work and a successful career. Because the perfect job is so hard to find, authors Burnett and Evans suggest making your job the one you want by adjusting your attitudes and behaviors rather than complaining. The book discusses reframing dysfunctional thoughts and resetting your mind to be more productive.
Dysfunctional thought: I'm stuck in a lousy job (and I can’t do anything about it).
Reframe: I'm stuck in a lousy job (but I’m finding the solution).
Bill Burnett and Dave Evans successfully taught graduate and undergraduate students at Stanford University. This book succeeds their best-selling book, Designing Your Life, where the authors posit that designers don't analyze, worry, think, or complain their way forward; they build their way forward. In Designing Your Work Life, Burnett and Evans show readers how design thinking can transform our present jobs and work experience by using a designer mindset amid new technologies, such as artificial intelligence, drones, and robotics. The book also offers advice on how to leave a job amicably when the time comes.
7. So Good They Can’t Ignore You: Why Skills Trump Passion in the Quest for Work You Love By Cal Newport
Another well-worn cliché among career gurus is "follow your passion." Cal Newport offers a refreshing perspective in his book, “So Good They Can’t Ignore You.” Newport, a computer science professor at Georgetown University, career coach, and New York Times best-selling author of seven books, suggests that passions are rare and don’t really correlate with work enjoyment. Moreover, Newport suggests focusing on passion rather than honing skills can lead to anxiety and job-hopping.
Through interviews with people who do enjoy their work—venture capitalists, screenwriters, freelance computer programmers, and organic farmers to name a few—Newport finds the strategies they used and the pitfalls they avoided to find compelling careers. Hint, pursuing passions wasn’t one of them.
Rather, finding true fulfillment in your professional life takes hard work. You have to excel in a role you find extremely valuable or "be so good they can't ignore you." Cal Newport’s book is for those who are frustrated with their current direction and eager to find a clear way to professional happiness.
8. The New Rules of Work: The Modern Playbook for Navigating Your Career By Alexandra Cavoulacos and Kathryn Minshew
Career transition is a recurring theme in the most popular career books. The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the labor market and new technologies has created chaotic career trajectories where people change jobs every few years. Even the way that job seekers apply for positions has changed.
Alexandra Cavoulacos and Kathryn Minshew, founders of the career offer the Muse Method. A step-by-step roadmap to the modern workplace and finding the best career. The guide outlines steps, such as building your personal brand and communicating your value to an employer. It leads you from job interviewing to negotiating an offer. Caloulacos and Minshew’s “New Rules” will help you master the "soft" skills of communication and creating first impressions to find your dream job and thrive in the modern workplace.
9. Pivot: The Only Move That Matters Is Your Next One By Jenny Blake
Jenny Blake also discusses job change in her book “Pivot.” This is a slightly less modern look at career change, but Blake’s advice on how to decide when and how to move is timeless. According to Blake, reaching your full potential is not about big leaps to the next level, but small steps. She advocates using existing strengths as a basis to pivot towards something better. For example, take on side projects to test ideas for your next move rather than expecting to know the full answer upfront.
Blake was a training and career development specialist at Google but now runs her own company as a career and business consultant and speaker. Her philosophy is to use what you know rather than reaching too far and failing to leverage what you have already learned. It made sense in Silicon Valley for lean business advocates, and Blake thinks it will make sense for you.
10. Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us By Daniel H. Pink
Think money is what makes a fulfilling career? Making a difference perhaps, or the camaraderie in the workplace? Daniel H. Pink, five-time New York Times best-selling author, argues that what motivates us is the need to direct our own lives, learn and create new things, and simply to do better. In three words: autonomy, mastery, and purpose.
Pink describes a mismatch between what science tells us and what really happens in business. This book will help you find a deeper understanding of your true motivations, sources of satisfaction, and help you hone your emotional intelligence so that you can find work that you care about and excel in.
The 21 Best productivity books to read in 2023
Reading useful books is always a great way to use your time productively. It not only improves your knowledge but also helps you learn a lot more about certain topics such as productivity and time management.
Billionaires and great entrepreneurs always incorporate reading useful books into their daily or weekly routines. However, the big challenge is to find the best book for productivity that fits your needs.
Searching for the best book for productivity can be overwhelming and time-consuming. Therefore, we have prepared a list of the 21 best books for productivity and time management to help you.
1. Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World by Cal Newport
This book is definitely a good read. It’s considered one of the best books for productivity and time tracking and has already helped a lot of people.
It is an actionable guide that will help you learn how to train yourself to intentionally focus on a world full of distractions battling for your attention.
This book looks at the benefits of a steady work ethic and gives guidelines and training methods for concentration.
It also lays out tips for working more efficiently, including preventing interruptions, dealing with boredom, and blocking out social media to achieve ‘deep work.’
2. The One Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth Behind Extraordinary Results by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan
This book focuses on one thing that yields extraordinary results. It talks about our tendency to divide our attention between different tasks and ideas, not allowing us to fully develop any of them. But if we concentrate all our attention on one crucial thing, we will complete it successfully and move on to the next task.
The book discourages multitasking as it has been scientifically proven that it’s not the best option for the human brain.
To achieve extraordinary results, eliminate all things that are not essential and prioritize the remaining ones by asking yourself, ‘what is the most important?’ It is one of the best books for productivity and time tracking that you can find.
Are you unsure whether you’re wasting your time in low-impact activities?
Dive deep into how you’re using your time. Track it with Timeular. Try free 14 days
3. Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity by David Allen
This is one of the great books on improving time management. The book presents some of the best practices to help readers accomplish more and worry less.
The book insists on handling tasks one after the other to avoid being overwhelmed since the human brain can only store and process restricted amounts of information at a time.
It then presents a GTD system to help you organize workflows and react swiftly to prevent a pile-up.
4. Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown
This book recognizes that we often have many goals in life but hardly ever achieve them. It then helps you realize what really is essential to accomplish them.
In most cases, we don’t make the best use of our resources, especially when it comes to time. According to the author, we can change that by learning how to prioritize and separate essentials from non-essentials.
The book discourages doing many things at the same time to avoid dividing our attention and energy. Instead, we should focus all our energy on one essential matter that will take us furthest to our goal.
It is among the greatest productivity books that encourage readers to focus on essential things only.
5. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change by Stephen R. Covey
It is considered one of the best productivity books. It emphasizes building good new habits to help you stay on track and, most importantly, it encourages you to define priorities and goals.
It highlights practices that distinguish more productive people from others. It teaches readers the art of taking control of every moment to avoid wasting time on inefficient methods.
Keynote: The key is not prioritizing what is on your schedule but scheduling your priorities.
6. How to Stop Procrastinating: A Simple Guide to Mastering Difficult Tasks and Breaking the Procrastination Habit by S.J. Scott
It is one of the top-rated books for productivity for those people struggling with procrastination. It gives a framework for becoming action-oriented, with the author sharing his experience with procrastination and how he overcame it.
Key quote: If you are a person who procrastinates, know that this habit limits your success in many ways, and not addressing the issue means a reduced possibility of achieving your goals.
7. Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear
In this book, the author explains the four steps to creating habits. A habit is created by repetitive behavior. According to this book, you can use the same habit loop to eliminate unwanted habits and create desired ones.
8. Eat That Frog!: 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time by Brian Tracy
The book revolves around the philosophy that if your job is to eat a frog, do it in the morning as the first thing, and if your job is to eat two, you should start with the biggest one.
According to the author, the best way to beat procrastination is by first handling the tasks that are demanding.
The book offers important tips to help readers, such as planning before time, breaking big tasks into smaller parts, being aware of the consequences, and using technology.
Key quote: One of the worst ways to use time is to do something well that didn’t have to be done.
9. The 4-Hour Workweek Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere and Join the New Rich by Timothy Ferriss
It offers a step-by-step guide to help you earn a monthly five-figure income working just four hours a week. This way, you will be able to live the life you want without having to be just an extra.
The author highlights over 50 practical tips to help you live more and work less. It is among the best productivity books that sound too good to be true.
Key quote: An integral part of being a winner is being able to quit things that do not work.
10. 168 Hours: You Have More Time Than You Think by Laura Vanderkam
The book gives a framework for structuring your day to leave more time for what matters to you. The author aims to overrule the myth of time crisis and challenge readers to start time tracking, prioritizing crucial activities, and eliminating non-essential ones.
11. Organize Tomorrow Today: 8 Ways to Retrain Your Mind to Optimize Performance at Work and in Life by Dr. Jason Selk and Tom Bartow
The book outlines the eight most effective ways of optimizing your organization. It would be best to focus on process-oriented goals to allow you to get rid of bad habits and maximize your time.
12. Make Time: How to Focus on What Matters Every Day by Jake Zeratsky and John Knapp
This is among the most appreciated books for time tracking and management. The authors stress the importance of one priority per day and focusing all your available time and energy on it.
It shows how you can take control of your daily attention and avoid non-essential things that are not worth your time.
It describes time management as an individual’s intentional exercise that involves looking at the modern life demands and reducing them to the most essential and meaningful tasks.
13. The 80/20 Principle: The Secret to Achieving More with Less by Richard Koch
It is about using minimal efforts to achieve great results. It asserts that 80% of results come from 20% of the effort.
The logic behind this good read is, being busy is not the determinant of success but rather investing most of your focus and energy in the most essential and meaningful tasks.
The book concludes that reducing time wastage, claiming more free time, and being efficient in all life aspects is actually a good way to improve productivity.
14. Good Habits, Bad Habits: The Science of Making Positive Changes That Stick by Wendy Wood
The author of this book explains how we can develop habits and apply the knowledge to bring desired results and changes in ourselves.
Being a psychology professor, the author explains the necessary conditions for an activity to become a habit by using numerous research.
When we want to change something about ourselves, we should use the extraordinary power of our subconscious mind and not willpower alone.
15. Rest: Why You Get More Done When You Work Less by Alex Soojung-Kim Pang
In the current work environment, success is measured by the number of hours worked, and breaks are seen as a contradiction to work. However, being busy has nothing to do with being productive. Most people can only concentrate and be creative at work for a limited time a day.
According to this book, the brain needs rest to be able to process information and develop new ideas and new connections. For increased productivity, moderated physical activity is also necessary.
16. The Effective Executive: The Definitive Guide to Getting the Right Things Done by Peter F. Drucker
In his book, Peter Drucker shows how one can be an effective manager, whilst developing the motivation of his employees, as well as promoting company success.
The focus of this book is achieving more effectiveness and productivity through self-management, which is an important skill not only for managers but for everyone.
For effectiveness, be clear about focusing your time, energy, resources, and priorities. According to Peter, effectiveness has no innate meaning; it can be learned. The author offers a step-by-step guide to achieving effectiveness, making it one of the best books for productivity.
17. The Productivity Project: Accomplishing More by Managing Your Time, Attention, and Energy by Chris Bailey
The book revolves around creating ideal working conditions. The author carried out several experiments regarding productivity on himself and gained important knowledge about how to effectively manage time, which is what he shares in his book.
The book is a summary of techniques that have been tested that reminds readers that work is all about results and not how much time is spent.
18. Limitless: Upgrade Your Brain, Learn Anything Faster, and Unlock Your Exceptional Life by Jim Kwik
The author of this book is a coach and expert on improving mental performance. His main message is that we all can improve our mental abilities limitlessly and continuously. According to him, we can all be more productive and achieve goals that seem unattainable and hence the life we desire.
It takes 3Ms, that is, methods, mindset, and motivation. The author suggests that we need to replace negative ideas with positive ones and redefine the boundaries we have set for ourselves of what is achievable and not.
The strength of this book is in the step-by-step actionable techniques for performance improvement.
19. First Things First by Stephen Covey
In my opinion, this is among the top productivity books for entrepreneurs. It discusses everything from prioritization and effective time management to organizing tasks and activities.
It is a good read for reducing stress levels and increasing productivity. It helps readers avoid procrastination by being organized and putting first things first.
20. The Checklist Manifesto: How To Get Things Right by Atul Gawande
In this book, the author explains the importance of checklists in managing and organizing complex tasks. A checklist helps you avoid omitting or overlooking tasks essential to achieving your goals.
He explains that we are prone to failure because of the volume and complexity of knowledge surrounding us. For this reason, we all need a checklist. He explains what checklists are and how they will assist you in achieving your set goals.
21. 15 Secrets Successful People Know About Time Management – The Productivity Habits of 7 Billionaires, 13 Olympic Athletes, 29 Straight-A Students, and 239 Entrepreneurs by Kevin Kruse
Finally, in this book, the author asked 200 successful people in different fields the same question ‘what is the secret to your productivity?’ He then analyzed all the results and realized they shared 15 secrets, such as:
Not using a to-do list
Delegating tasks
Doing one thing at a time
Avoid meetings
So what is the best book for productivity after all?
It’s the one that helps you. We can’t choose only one, that is why we suggested 20 books.
Investing a few hours reading a good book will help you learn new productivity tips, skills, and techniques for achieving the desired results.
Productivity and time management are often intertwined. If you effectively manage your time, then productivity is guaranteed.
If you are still struggling with managing your time, these best books for productivity will for sure help you.
Additionally, you may be interested in time tracking, since it’s one of the best ways to improve productivity and time management. You can also use different time tracking software or some of the best time tracking apps to manage your time for productivity effectively.
You might be interested in: