Other Good Time Management Books?

[Rogaine Warrior]

Other than David's "Getting Things Done," what other time management books do you think are the best for boosting personal productivity?

[Bryan]

Glad to suggest a few!

Covey: First Things First. (It's funny that on other GTD boards, "Franklin" is synonymous with "Evil". I think that's from the old Franlin ABC-123 daily priority lists. So to be clear, here's the disclaimer. I make a distinction between Franklin's ABC-123 system and Covey's original works...I realize they're one company, but Covey focuses on broader strategic perspectives.) 7 Habits and Principle-Centered Leadership are both great as well.

Winton: The Organized Executive; a *classic* of years gone by, recently reissued. Many similar ideas to GTD.

The On-Purpose Person (author temporarily escapes me): Written in the vaguely dippy story format of the One-Minute Everything books, it's still a neat summary and blend of both the operational and strategic levels. Incidentally, it's very list-based which enhances GTD compatibility. And it's ridiculously short and easy to read. (Takes an hour, tops.)

I'll be interested in seeing others' recommendations, too!

Cheers!
-Bryan

[Anonymous]

If you're like me you'll have all you can do to get the GTD system implemented.

I think that you should focus on that first (if you havent) and once you have your local lists up to speed start on the big picture stuff.

[Anonymous]

This is not strictly a time management book, but it can boost your productivity: "The Effective Executive" by Peter Drucker. Time management to me generally equals self management.

[Frank Buck]

My vote is for Time Power by Dr. Charles Hobbs. For those who use a paper planner a Day-Timer or Franklin planner, it's a must read and the best guide available on how to use a paper planner.

For those who use a PDA, the vast majority of the book is still very applicable. The chapter on creative procrastination is exceptional (and sounds alot like GtD as talks about putting all of your calls in a list and making them all at one time).

[earlofmar11]

Here is another one I liked when I came across it some years ago: "PEP (Personal Efficiency Program)" by Kerry Gleeson. There also, quite some ideas I found back in GTD. The one most important phrase is "Do It Now", which -if you read what's behind it- comes fairly close to the 2 minute rule and some other aspects of the workflow diagram. Recommended.

[tallmarvin]

There is a paperback out, don't know if it's still in print,

'No BS Time Management' By Dan Kennedy

He's pretty hardcore. I like what he has to say about being on time (something I have struggled with all my life).

A second:

'How to have a 48 Hour Day' by Don Aslett

Like all Aslett's books, you should read carefully, and pick/choose the tips that apply to you, but still highly recommended.

M

[kkirksey]

Other than David's "Getting Things Done," what other time management books do you think are the best for boosting personal productivity?

The personal productivity "trinity" that's always in arm's reach on my desk:

Getting Things Done
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People - Stephen Covey
The Time Trap - Alec Mackenzie

[billjw]

Wow! After reading the posts on this subject I realise I have around 80% of the books! Now just to get organised to read and implement!

Bill

[Anonymous]

an awful lot are not readily implemented and have no self-repair feature--they make people feel terrible--GTD has many self-repair features--that is, if it is not working you can put the failure into the system and work on it's cause or understanding it and fixing it. This community is a gret help in that, too. That being said, I feel that most ideas in time mangement books are worth trying for a few times with some attention to why they do or do not work for a given person with a given challenge in a particular setting. I also think it is important to have a system that you can implement a part at a time. As I am going through a truly monumental in-to-empty I am also doing weekly reviews and I would say I am at least 30% more productive in a happy way. I would also say that managing time is a misleading concept but work analysis and related concepts are more accurate way to focus. The author whom I truly love is Lillian Gilbreth (the mother in the movie Cheaper by the Dozen)--she was an industrial psychologist and mother of 12--she and her husband really launched ergonomics and work analysis. I also love Pam Young and Peggy Jones but all their books will probably not seem readily applicable to the corporate or office world. For another web site of interest see worksimp.com.