15 Best-Rated Time Management Books (& How to Choose!)
Welcome, time seekers and productivity enthusiasts! If you’ve been feeling short on time lately and you’re sick of the clock-chasing-you-anxiety, I’m so glad you’re here. I’ve curated 15 of the best published time management books out there.
As someone who has personally burned out as a student and professional, time became a concept really important to me.
Now 10 years later, as a Holistic Time Coach, I see and work with time a little differently than most other time management coaches out there. You’ll already likely notice this in the list below as I include novels, workbooks, and books that emphasize holistic well-being.
No matter if you read a single book from this list or not, I just want you to know it’s possible to melt that anxiety away, start getting things done much easier, and experience real peace in your life. I see it happen every day.
If you’re ready to feel better, take good care of yourself, and have more time for the things you love, keep reading!
How to Choose What to Read First
There are a lot of books on this list, some are more traditional and some are more unconventional (like me!). It’s impossible to read all of them, especially when you’re already short on time. How will you choose which one to read first?
Here’s what I’d recommend: Skim through this list and see which books call out to you.
Whether it’s a stirring in your gut, an excitement, a small whisper, or a loud calling, start with one of those. Trust yourself. And if you pick up that book but it something isn’t resonating, that’s okay. Put it down and choose a different one. No biggie.
I’d also like to mention here, please do not expect a book to solve all your unique time management struggles overnight.
Many books, especially time management books, are written for white, neurotypical, middle to upper-class people. On top of that, time management isn’t easy for anyone. We’re all out here trying to do our best with the minutes we have in a day. Please, be gentle with yourself and your expectations. Take everything with a grain of salt.
Want to know why time management books haven’t helped you manage your time better in the past? Read my thoughts about it here.
1. Atomic Habits by James Clear
Amazon Rating: 4.8 out of 5 stars (118,417 ratings)
Goodreads Rating: 4.4 out of 5 stars (727,402 ratings)
James Clear sprinkles unique and magical insights on tiny habits throughout his book, Atomic Habits. He shows and proves to our sometimes stubborn brains how seemingly insignificant actions can create powerful, positive changes in our lives. Personally, I haven’t read this one but I can vouch for it from my clients and students, plus look at that high rating! If you want to go on a journey through the science of habits and personal stories from Clear, this is the book for you.
You might guess I love me a nature analogy. One of my favorite quotes from the book: “All big things come from small beginnings. The seed of every habit is a single, tiny decision. But as that decision is repeated, a habit sprouts and grows stronger. Roots entrench themselves and branches grow. The task of breaking a bad habit is like uprooting a powerful oak within us. And the task of building a good habit is like cultivating a delicate flower one day at a time.”
2. The Alchemist: A Fable About Following Your Dream by Paulo Coelho
Amazon Rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars (143,756 ratings)
Goodreads Rating: 3.9 out of 5 stars (2,906,911 ratings)
You probably won’t see many or any, novels on your typical best time management book list. I, however, love fiction and often take in more learnings through captivating stories than non-fic. The Alchemist is a poetic fable (that made me cry!) that follows the journey of Santiago, a shepherd who embarks on a quest to fulfill his personal legend. Through a series of encounters and challenges, the novel imparts profound wisdom about pursuing one's dreams, listening to the heart, and understanding the interconnectedness of the universe. Something totally aligned with how I think about time. Coelho's narrative is both inspirational and philosophical, urging readers to discover their own paths and embrace the transformative power of self-discovery.
There are so many good quotes from this book so I have to share my two favorites.“The simple things are also the most extraordinary things, and only the wise can see them” and “Don't give in to your fears. If you do, you won't be able to talk to your heart.”
3. Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World by Cal Newport
Amazon Rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars (30,468 ratings)
Goodreads Rating: 4.2 out of 5 stars (144,865 ratings)
Need some support around creating concentrated, undistracted work time? Deep Work is for you. Newport claims that the ability to engage in deep, focused work is a rare and valuable skill that can lead to exceptional success. The book provides actionable strategies for cultivating deep work habits, eliminating distractions, and structuring your work environment.
“What we choose to focus on and what we choose to ignore—plays in defining the quality of our life.” I know this is true in my life!
4. Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown
Amazon Rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars (18,203 ratings)
Goodreads Rating: 4.1 out of 5 stars (105,224 ratings)
Essentialism is a manifesto for a simpler, more purposeful life. McKeown advocates for the relentless pursuit of what truly matters, urging readers to focus on their highest priorities and eliminate non-essential distractions. He encourages us to make a shift from the "more is better" mentality to a mindful approach of doing less but better. Something I am all about. I mean, just read this quote:
“Only once you give yourself permission to stop trying to do it all, to stop saying yes to everyone, can you make your highest contribution towards the things that really matter.”
5. Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman
Amazon Rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars (8,459 ratings)
Goodreads Rating: 4.2 out of 5 stars (65,989 ratings)
Four Thousand Weeks is a thought-provoking book that challenges conventional approaches to time management (LOVE). Burkeman argues that our obsession with productivity and efficiency often leads to stress and dissatisfaction. Instead, he encourages readers to embrace the limitations of their 4,000-week lifespans and focus on meaningful and fulfilling experiences.
Honestly, this quote says it all:
“Productivity is a trap. Becoming more efficient just makes you more rushed, and trying to clear the decks simply makes them fill up again faster. Nobody in the history of humanity has ever achieved “work-life balance,” whatever that might be, and you certainly won’t get there by copying the “six things successful people do before 7:00 a.m.” The day will never arrive when you finally have everything under control—when the flood of emails has been contained; when your to-do lists have stopped getting longer; when you’re meeting all your obligations at work and in your home life; when nobody’s angry with you for missing a deadline or dropping the ball; and when the fully optimized person you’ve become can turn, at long last, to the things life is really supposed to be about. Let’s start by admitting defeat: none of this is ever going to happen. But you know what? That’s excellent news.”
6. Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle by Emily Nagoski and Amelia Nagoski
Amazon Rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars (7,889 ratings)
Goodreads Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars (47,944 ratings)
Burnout is rampant in our fast-paced society and authors Emily and Amelia Nagoski delve into it in their book. Here you’ll learn the concept of the "stress cycle" and how it impacts your physical and mental health. Using scientific research and personal stories, you’ll be able to better understand and manage your stress, ultimately leading to a more balanced and healthier life. Read this great quote from the book:
“It’s true that rest makes us more productive, ultimately, and if that’s an argument that helps you persuade your boss to give you more flexibility, awesome. But we think rest matters not because it makes you more productive, but because it makes you happier and healthier, less grumpy, and more creative. We think rest matters because you matter. You are not here to be “productive.” You are here to be you, to engage with your Something Larger, to move through the world with confidence and joy. And to do that, you require rest.”
Things a time management book can’t do?
Give you guidance that’s made for you.
I’m here to help motivate and support you so you can integrate mindset shifts and skills
necessary for real change. Book a no-cost exploration call to chat about working together.
7. Rest Is Resistance: A Manifesto by Tricia Hersey
Amazon Rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars (668 ratings)
Goodreads Rating: 4.1 out of 5 stars (6,048 ratings)
Making time for ourselves, specifically taking time to rest, is one of the most challenging things to do. Tricia Hersey, founder of The Nap Ministry, is here to save us from exhaustion and the guilt we feel when we take time off. I can’t say it better than the book summary, “Rest Is Resistance is a call to action, a battle cry, a field guide, and a manifesto for all of us who are sleep deprived, searching for justice, and longing to be liberated from the oppressive grip of Grind Culture.” Personally, it’s my bible and a book that I recommend to all of my clients when we talk about rest. Just read this beautiful quote:
“You were not just born to center your entire existence on work and labor. You were born to heal, to grow, to be of service to yourself and community, to practice, to experiment, to create, to have space, to dream, and to connect.”
8. The Ultimate Time Management Toolkit: 25 Productivity Tools for Adults with ADHD and Chronically Busy People by Risa Williams
Amazon Rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars (40 ratings)
Goodreads Rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars (20 ratings)
Written by a clinical therapist, this book offers practical methods and easy-to-use techniques to help you feel more motivated, achieve what you want, and feel less stressed about time (even if you have ADHD or feel too busy). Many of the strategies are based on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), mindfulness, and narrative therapy. As someone who is a mental health advocate and proud regular therapy attendee, I can vouch that therapy is one of the biggest reasons I was able to start spending my time how I wanted to.
9. Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity by David Allen
Amazon Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars (9,315 ratings)
Goodreads Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars (154,985 ratings)
"Getting Things Done" is a well-known guide to creating a productivity system that organizes tasks, projects, and commitments. The biggest thing I appreciate most about this book is encouraging a clear and clutter-free mind. The system he emphasizes goes like this: capture and clarify all responsibilities, then organize and prioritize them systematically. If you’re looking for a system, this may be the book that does it for you.
Also, this quote totally cracks me up: “I am rather like a mosquito in a nudist camp; I know what I want to do, but I don’t know where to begin.” I know I’ve felt like that mosquito before, and I know many of my clients have too.
10. When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing by Daniel H. Pink
Amazon Rating: 4.4 out of 5 stars (3,863 ratings)
Goodreads Rating: 3.8 out of 5 stars (29,663 ratings)
“When” is all about the science behind timing in our daily lives and decision-making processes. Pink delves into the complex and naturally fluctuating human biological clock and circadian rhythms in relation to our effectiveness. The book provides practical advice on how to align our activities with our natural daily rhythms to make the most of our time and life. His exploration of these somewhat science-y topics is thoughtful and engaging.
You can probably guess that my engineering, Virgo brain loved this book and how specific he got. He shares things like, “The typical worker reaches the most unproductive moment of the day at 2:55 p.m.”
11. Laziness Does Not Exist by Dr. Devon Price
Amazon Rating: 4.4 out of 5 stars (691 ratings)
Goodreads Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars (7,458 ratings)
One of the most common things I hear from clients when we start working together? “I’m lazy! I waste so much time! I’m a procrastinator!” Those who share these thoughts with me, I always send this book their way. Dr. Devon Price, a fellow recovering overachiever, challenges the common notion of laziness and offers a fresh perspective on it. They argue that what is often labeled as laziness is, in fact, a result of complex factors, including mental health, social pressure, and environmental conditions. The book emphasizes the importance of self-compassion and understanding one's own needs and limitations, advocating for a more supportive approach to personal and societal expectations. Here’s a fab quote:
“The Laziness Lie is a deep-seated, culturally held belief system that leads many of us to believe the following: Deep down I’m lazy and worthless. I must work incredibly hard, all the time, to overcome my inner laziness. My worth is earned through my productivity. Work is the center of life. Anyone who isn’t accomplished and driven is immoral.”
12. The Time Paradox: The New Psychology of Time That Will Change Your Life by Philip Zimbardo
Amazon Rating: 4.4 out of 5 stars (309 ratings)
Goodreads Rating: 3.8 out of 5 stars (2,680 ratings)
How we think and feel about time drastically impacts our behavior and how we spend it, therefore shaping our entire lives. Phillip Zimbardo speaks right to this. Backed by recent research, he shares that people can have 3 "time perspectives"; they can be past-oriented, present-oriented, or future-oriented. Using this framework, he explores how different time perspectives impact decision-making, relationships, and overall well-being.
One of my favorite quotes from this book is, "Our ability to reconstruct the past, to interpret the present, and to construct the future gives us the power to be happy.”
13. How to Stop Time: A Novel by Matt Haig
Amazon Rating: 4.3 out of 5 stars (29,341 ratings)
Goodreads Rating: 3.8 out of 5 stars (157,805 ratings)
Another novel disguised as a time management book! "How to Stop Time" by Matt Haig is a captivating novel that revolves around a guy named Tom Hazard, who ages at an extremely slow pace, living through centuries of history. As Tom navigates the challenges of immortality, the novel explores themes of identity, belonging, and the transient nature of time. Haig's narrative is both poignant and thought-provoking, inviting readers to reflect on the beauty and complexity of life through the lens of an extraordinary protagonist.
A quote from Matt’s book: “That's the thing with time, isn't it? It's not all the same. Some days - some years - some decades - are empty. There is nothing to them. It's just flat water. And then you come across a year, or even a day, or an afternoon. And it is everything. It is the whole thing.”
14. How to Not Always Be Working: A Toolkit for Creativity and Radical Self-Care by Marlee Grace
Amazon Rating: 4.1 out of 5 stars (208 ratings)
Goodreads Rating: 3.4 out of 5 stars (1,509 ratings)
“How To Not Always Be Working” is a compassionate guide for those who want to work less, and create and take care of themselves better. They share unique tools and insights to break free from the constant hustle, encouraging us to embrace more rest and reflection. The book emphasizes the importance of self-care (Of which I’m a huge believer in) as a vital component of the creative process. Marlee Grace's toolkit serves as a gentle reminder that sustainable productivity is deeply intertwined with intentional and nurturing practices for both the mind and body.
As an online business owner, I extra-loved this quote: “Remembering to go outside and not document every moment has been, for me, the key to not burning out and not always working.”
15. Saving Time: Discovering a Life Beyond Productivity Culture by Jenny Odell
Amazon Rating: 4.1 out of 5 stars (156 ratings)
Goodreads Rating: 3.6 out of 5 stars (2,337 ratings)
Jenny Odell, the author of the New York Times bestseller How to Do Nothing, just released Saving Time. In it, she explores the detrimental impact of the concept ‘Time is money’ and other harmful beliefs about time. In this book, we are offered other ways than current-day norms to experience time in order to live a more humane existence.
“If time management is not simply an issue of numerical hours but of some people having more control over their time than others, then the most realistic and expansive version of time management has to be collective: It has to entail a different distribution of power and security. In the realm of policy, that would mean things that seem obviously related to time - for example, subsidized childcare, paid leave, better overtime laws, and 'fair workweek laws', which seek to make part-time employees' schedules more predictable and to compensate them when they are not. Less obviously related to time - but absolutely relevant to it - are campaigns for a higher minimum wage, a federal jobs guarantee, or universal basic income.”
Best Time Management Book For New Parents
Time to Parent: Organizing Your Life to Bring Out the Best in Your Child and You by Julie Morgenstern
Amazon Rating: 4.4 out of 5 stars (100 ratings)
Goodreads Rating: 3.9 out of 5 stars (480 ratings)
Although I’m not a parent, I’ve worked with many parents with newborns all the way to adult children. The common theme? Parenting is HARD. That’s what I love about this book, Julie is honest about how hard parenting can be. This book gives you the tools you need to take the constant stress about the busyness of life and your child’s needs away.
A quote from the book, “Organizing the job gives parents the chance to create the time, confidence, and clarity required to give our kids the all-important fit of undivided attention.”
Best Time Management Book For Students
Time Management Workbook for Students by Dr. Emily Schwartz
Amazon Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars (2 ratings)
Goodreads Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars (1 rating)
I picked this book over any other time books for students out there (which there aren’t that many!) because it’s a workbook, not a book. Students particularly need tangible exercises and tools that they can implement immediately. Also, it’s written by a woman with K-12, University, and corporate teaching experience and draws from doctoral research in motivation and success attributions. She says this workbook is, “Everything I wish my students knew.” If you’re a high school or college student looking to have more time, this workbook may be for you!
Best Time Management Book For Business Owners & Entrepreneurs
No B.S. Time Management for Entrepreneurs: The Ultimate No Holds Barred Kick Butt Take No Prisoners Guide to Time Productivity and Sanity by Dan S. Kennedy
Amazon Rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars (269 ratings)
Goodreads Rating: 4.1 out of 5 stars (912 rating)
We, entrepreneurs, have a unique experience when it comes to time. We wear a ton of different hats and we’re almost completely in control of our schedules, and that freaks a lot of people out! Especially when coming from a corporate background. Dan S. Kennedy time management isn’t my typical style, I believe that we’re all already too hard on ourselves and the answer isn’t more rigidity. However, sometimes we do need a kick in the butt. That’s what this book delivers.
As an entrepreneur who grew up with a dad and grandpa
who owned businesses, I know the impact of working all the time.
I’d love to help you find a way to make time for everything that matters to you–in a way that works for
your unique life, brain, and business. Book a no-cost exploration call to chat with me about working together.
Best Time Management Book For Busy 9 to 5ers
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Steven R. Covey
Amazon Rating: 4.8 out of 5 stars (12,253 ratings)
Goodreads Rating: 4.2 out of 5 stars (715,306 rating)
One of the first time management books I ever read? The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. My engineering day job had a professional development workshop, and this was the book we reviewed. While I wouldn’t be jumping to recommend this to my clients (read the books above!), if you’re a professional, this book will give you a common language with your co-workers which is so important. Plus it’s been read and reviewed a ton, so we know it hits home for many. The thing that I do extremely appreciate and agree with is aligning our time and life around our core values. That’s what Covey shares how to do here.
If you’ve ever heard, “Start with the end in mind,” this book is where it’s from.
