As graphic designers, we’re often very busy.

Contending with tight deadlines, fifth-round logo edits, and endless virtual meetings, we need to make the most of our time.

Because of this, it’s key to have as many processes and systems in place to help you remain productive and efficient as possible.

You may or may not know that I’m a huge fan of books – like a HUGE fan – so I’ve read quite a few on the subject of productivity. I wanted to put together a list of books that I’ve found very helpful in helping me be more productive.

Check them out below:

Atomic Habits

Atomic Habits has quickly become the go-to book on all things productivity, efficiency and self-improvement.

In this book, James Clear clearly lays out how small habits – tiny changes in your daily routine – can go on to have a huge impact on your life years down the line.

For me, this was helpful because it allowed me to understand the psychology behind building good habits and breaking bad ones.

Eat That Frog

You may have seen the term “eat the frog” online before. Essentially it means getting the hardest thing out of the way as soon as you can. You don’t want to eat the frog, but knowing you have to will become the main focus of the day. So you may as well eat it and get it over with.

In Eat That Frog, Brian Tracey explains 21 key principles for productivity – detailing each one, how they can help you, and how to integrate them into your life.

What I found most helpful about this book was the section in which Tracey explores what exactly it is we’re each accountable for. He explains the importance of identifying results that are absolutely, 100% needed to achieve success and working toward them at all times.

Deep Work

Deep work is the term used to describe being in a “flow state” when working. For many of us, myself included, getting into this state of deep work is very difficult.

Surrounded by distractions, annoying noises, and cluttered desks, we find it difficult to maintain any form of deep work.

In this book, Cal Newport provides actionable tips to help you achieve this flow state of work, including things like limiting social media use, scheduling your entire day, the importance of rest, and much more.

Conclusion

There are so many books out there that claim to help us be more productive and get more done. And the three books mentioned here are by no means exhaustive, and in fact, aren’t even the only books I’ve personally read on the subject.

What I wanted to do is make a list of books that actually helped me to be more productive and efficient with my work. I could have just filled up this list with any productivity book to make it as long as possible – but that just wouldn’t feel right.

Each of the books in this list – Atomic Habits, Eat That Frog, and Deep Work, have helped me immensely in my professional life, and I hope that, should you decide to read them, they’ll do the same for you.

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