I’ve been studying workplace performance for about a decade or so as I’ve worked to get better at what I do and as I’ve worked to better align my actions with my values. These are some of my favorite books and tools.

Read this immediately. We say “yes” to far too many things, and “the disciplined pursuit of less” is far more difficult than it might appear at first given that it *seems* easy to say “no.”

My favorite book on workplace performance.

I’m one of the authors’ clients. This is an excellent and brief guide with lots of useful exercises that will help you get started when you’re stuck.

This is a pretty good workbook for getting better at doing what you say you’re going to do, when you say you’re going to do it.

One of the best books in the genre. Allen puts together the best *system* I’ve seen, and even if you only stick to it kind of loosely it’s still way better than what you’re probably doing now.

I have an old edition, but this is a classic in the genre that’s worth keeping on your shelf.

A great refresher for people already in this space, a great intro for people new to it. It’s especially salient for academics as Newport is an academic in addition to an author of popular books and blogger.

The message of hope: willpower is a muscle that can be exercised and strengthened.

You don’t need all that physical, mental, social, and spiritual clutter. A little woo-woo at times, but an engaging read.

One of the best books I’ve ever read for something that will get you very clear, very quickly.

This is one of the best books I’ve read in the last few years. The problem most professionals and students face is not a lack of opportunity but *too much opportunity*. McKeown takes us on a journey that will help us learn to say “no” to good things so we can say “yes” to great things.

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