Time management is hard. Between work, personal life, and everything in between, it’s easy to feel like there’s never enough time in the day.

In this list, I’ll share five time management books that work. These books teach you to prioritize, stay focused, and stop wasting time.

These are full of practical tips you can use right away. Each one will help you make the most of your day.

5 Best Time Management Books

Let’s explore these books and discover how to take control of your time.

1. “Getting Things Done” by David Allen

“Getting Things Done” (GTD) by David Allen is a must-read if you want to take control of your time.

The GTD method breaks everything down into five steps:

• capturing
• clarifying
• organizing
• reflecting
• engaging

Capturing

• Dump ALL tasks out of your brain.
• Use a notebook, app, or voice memo
• Get it OUT of your head and INTO a system

Clarifying

Ask yourself what needs to be done for each task.

If something takes less than two minutes, do it right away. For bigger tasks, break them into smaller steps. If a task isn’t for you to handle, delegate it.

Organizing

Group your tasks into categories like “Work,” “Home,” or “Errands.” Use tools like folders, tags, or lists to keep things sorted.

Prioritize within each group so you know what to tackle first.

Reflecting

Review your tasks regularly. David Allen suggests doing a weekly review.

This is when you update your lists, check your progress, and make sure nothing is slipping through the cracks.

Engaging

Finally, get things done. Look at your list and choose tasks based on your context and available time.

For example, handle work-related tasks when you’re at the office and save household chores for when you’re at home.

2: “Deep Work” by Cal Newport

Deep work is about learning how to focus deeply on challenging tasks.

Deep work means giving your full attention to tasks that require serious mental effort. It’s about working without distractions, so you can dive into complex problems and solve them efficiently.

This is very different from shallow work, which includes easier, routine tasks. Shallow work is often interrupted—like responding to emails, attending meetings, or scrolling through social media.

How to Practice Deep Work

Schedule Focused Blocks

Set aside specific times each day to work on one important task. For example, you can block out 90 minutes every morning to focus on a big project. During this time, don’t check emails or social media.

Eliminate Distractions

Create a workspace that’s free from interruptions. Turn off your phone notifications and mute alerts on your computer. Work in a quiet spot, or use noise-canceling headphones if needed.

Increase Focus Gradually

If focusing for long periods feels hard, start small. Begin with 30-minute sessions of deep work. Once that feels easier, slowly increase the time.

Try the 4DX Framework

Cal Newport suggests using the “Four Disciplines of Execution” (4DX) to stay on track. Here’s how it works:

• Set a clear goal for your work.
• Measure your progress as you go.
• Keep a simple scoreboard to track your results.
• Hold yourself accountable for staying focused.

Build a Routine

Make deep work part of your daily schedule. Pick a specific time each day for focused work. A routine builds the habit and improves your ability to concentrate over time.

3: “Do It Today” by Darius Foroux

In Do It Today, Darius Foroux shares practical advice to beat procrastination and take action.

The book focuses on simple, effective strategies to help you manage your time better and work toward your goals.

Key Lessons from Do It Today

Focus on Today

• Concentrate on what you can achieve today instead of worrying about long-term goals.
• Tackle immediate tasks to make progress and build momentum.

Adopt an Action-Oriented Mindset

• Prioritize taking action over endless planning or overthinking.
• Break through inertia by focusing on small, manageable steps.

Simple Strategies to Beat Procrastination

• Use practical, straightforward techniques to avoid delaying tasks.
• Incorporate these methods into your daily routine to boost productivity.

4. “Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones” by James Clear

In Atomic Habits, James Clear explains how small changes can lead to big improvements in your life.

His book focuses on building good habits and breaking bad ones through tiny, consistent steps.

If you’re looking to improve your habits and achieve long-term success, Atomic Habits provides the tools and strategies to make it happen.

Key Ideas from Atomic Habits

The 1% Rule

James Clear highlights the power of small changes. By improving just 1% each day, you can achieve incredible results over time.

These tiny, consistent adjustments build momentum and lead to long-term success.

The Habit Loop

Clear explains that every habit follows a loop with four parts: cue, craving, response, and reward.

For example:

• Cue: A reminder, like setting out your workout clothes.
• Craving: The desire for a healthier lifestyle or feeling good.
• Response: The action you take, such as exercising.
• Reward: The endorphin boost or sense of accomplishment afterward.

By tweaking each part of this loop, you can build new habits or break old ones.

Environment Design

Clear emphasizes the importance of shaping your environment to support your goals. Make good habits easier to follow and bad habits harder to stick with.

For example:

• Place healthy snacks in a visible spot to encourage better choices.
• Hide distractions like your phone during focused work sessions.
• Rearrange your space to reduce friction for positive behaviors.

5: “Singletasking: Get More Done One Thing at a Time” by Devora Zack

In Singletasking, Devora Zack challenges the modern fixation on multitasking. She argues that trying to do multiple things at once actually lowers productivity and increases stress.

Zack’s solution is simple: focus on one task at a time. This approach not only helps you work more efficiently but also improves the quality of your results.

Key Principles

• Focus on one task at a time and avoid distractions.
• Prioritize your task based on their importance.
• Use single-tasking techniques such as the
• Allocate specific time blocks for single tasks. For instance, set aside 60 minutes every morning to work on a major project.

How to Put These Time Management Techniques into Action

Stop trying to follow someone else’s perfect system.

Instead:

1. Diagnose Your Challenges: What’s truly blocking your productivity?
2. Pick 2-3 Strategies: Don’t overhaul everything at once
3. Experiment and Adjust: Your system should evolve with you

Conclusion

Laura Vanderkam said:

“You have the same amount of hours in the day as Beyoncé.” Make the most of them!

Time management isn’t about being busy, it’s about making your life better. By using the tips from these five books, you can stop wasting time and start taking control of your schedule.

Key Takeaways:

1. Focus on Important Tasks: Prioritize what truly matters. Spend more time on tasks that give the most results.
2. Delegate and Automate: Offload repetitive tasks and use tools to make your life easier.
3. Track Your Time: Keep an eye on how you spend your hours.
4. Build Good Habits: Make small, positive changes to your routines for lasting improvement.
5. Work One Task at a Time: Avoid multitasking. Focusing on one thing at a time leads to better results and less stress.