📚 Looking for the science to underpin this? Here are six books that help you to change your productivity mindset, slow down and focus, when all you want to do is work harder.
1️⃣ “Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience” by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
One of the most referenced books in the industry – in my experience, this book introduces the concept of ‘flow’, a state of deep focus and engagement where you perform at your best. Csikszentmihalyi explains how finding this balance between challenge and skill leads to not only greater productivity but also more satisfaction and joy in your work. In Positive Intelligence, we call this ‘surfing the wave’
2️⃣ “Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle” by Emily Nagoski and Amelia Nagoski
‘Burnout’ offers a practical guide to understanding and preventing burnout. It emphasizes the importance of completing the stress cycle, resting, and incorporating self-compassion, helping you break free from the “always on” mentality. And there’s a great work book too!
3️⃣ “Positive Intelligence” by Shirzad Chamine
‘Positive Intelligence’ provides a transformative framework for cultivating mental fitness by identifying and overcoming negative thought patterns, empowering you to shift from self-sabotage to resilience and creativity in both personal and professional realms.
4️⃣ “Rest: Why You Get More Done When You Work Less” by Alex Soojung-Kim Pang
This book argues that rest is a key ingredient to high performance and creativity. Pang demonstrates how taking time to rest not only enhances productivity but also improves creativity and problem-solving. Bonus: For those more spiritually minded, ‘Sacred Rest’ by Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith is also a must-read.
5️⃣ “Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less” by Greg McKeown
‘Essentialism’ promotes focusing on what really matters and eliminating distractions. It encourages working smarter by identifying and focusing only on the most essential tasks, which aligns with the idea of avoiding the trap of overworking.
6️⃣ “The Power of Full Engagement” by Jim Loehr and Tony Schwartz
This book focuses on managing energy, not time, for optimal performance. Loehr and Schwartz suggest practical strategies for renewing mental, emotional, and physical energy to stay productive and engaged without burning out.
Have you read any amazing books recently? I’d love to hear from you! 💙
Call, text or WhatsApp me on + 44 (0)7379 149470, or drop me a line on Instagram @workinglifecoach or via cecile@workinglife.co.uk
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