Why am I passionate about this?

I’m Michael Cupps, author of Time Bandit and creator of a framework that helps people take back their time through prioritization, habit building, and aligning their actions with what matters most. I’ve spent decades leading sales and operations teams in high-pressure environments, and I’ve seen how time either slips away or gets owned. I’m passionate about helping people cut through the noise, focus on what really matters, and build lives filled with purpose, not just productivity.


I wrote...

Time Bandit

By Michael Cupps ,

Book cover of Time Bandit

What is my book about?

This is the ultimate guide for those looking to leave behind chaotic and unmanageable to-do lists that dominate their days.…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

The books I picked & why

Book cover of Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less

Michael Cupps Why I love this book

This book gave language to something I had long practiced intuitively: doing less, but better. McKeown’s concept of “the disciplined pursuit of less” is critical in a world where distractions are disguised as opportunities. It reminds us that focus isn’t just a tactic—it’s a strategy.

I often recommend this book to leaders and individuals who feel overwhelmed and are struggling to regain control of their time.

By Greg McKeown ,

Why should I read it?

12 authors picked Essentialism as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

The life-changing international bestseller that started a global movement - now updated with the new 21-Day Essentialism Challenge and an exclusive excerpt from EFFORTLESS

Have you ever found yourself struggling with information overload?

Have you ever felt both overworked and underutilised?

Do you ever feel busy but not productive?

If you answered yes to any of these, the way out is to become an Essentialist.

In Essentialism, Greg McKeown, CEO of a Leadership and Strategy agency in Silicon Valley who has run courses at Apple, Google and Facebook, shows you how to achieve what he calls the disciplined pursuit of…


Book cover of Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones

Michael Cupps Why I love this book

No book makes the science of habit formation more accessible or practical. Clear’s method of stacking habits to build lasting change perfectly aligns with how I coach clients to align their actions with values.

It’s an essential read for anyone who wants to stop time from slipping through the cracks of inconsistency.

By James Clear ,

Why should I read it?

39 authors picked Atomic Habits as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

The #1 New York Times bestseller. Over 4 million copies sold!

Tiny Changes, Remarkable Results

No matter your goals, Atomic Habits offers a proven framework for improving--every day. James Clear, one of the world's leading experts on habit formation, reveals practical strategies that will teach you exactly how to form good habits, break bad ones, and master the tiny behaviors that lead to remarkable results.

If you're having trouble changing your habits, the problem isn't you. The problem is your system. Bad habits repeat themselves again and again not because you don't want to change, but because you have the…


Ad

Book cover of Gifts from a Challenging Childhood: Healing the Legacy of Childhood Trauma

Gifts from a Challenging Childhood by Jan Bergstrom,

Learn to understand and work with your childhood wounds. Do you feel like old wounds or trauma from your childhood keep showing up today? Do you sometimes feel overwhelmed with what to do about it and where to start? If so, this book will help you travel down a path…

Book cover of Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World

Michael Cupps Why I love this book

Newport's book changed how I think about focus in the modern age. In a noisy world, the ability to engage in deep, undistracted work is a true superpower. I appreciate how this book connects productivity not with doing more, but with doing more meaningfully.

It’s a mindset shift every knowledge worker needs.

By Cal Newport ,

Why should I read it?

12 authors picked Deep Work as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Many modern knowledge workers now spend most of their brain power battling distraction and interruption, whether because of the incessant pinging of devices, noisy open-plan offices or the difficulty of deciding what deserves your attention the most. When Cal Newport coined the term 'deep work' on his popular blog, Study Hacks, in 2012, he found the concept quickly hit a nerve. Most of us, after all, are excruciatingly familiar with shallow work instead - distractedly skimming the surface of our workload and never getting to the important part. Newport began exploring the methods and mindset that foster a practice of…


Book cover of The ONE Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth Behind Extraordinary Results

Michael Cupps Why I love this book

This book drills down into the power of clarity. By continually asking, “What’s the ONE thing I can do such that by doing it everything else will be easier or unnecessary?”, it teaches ruthless prioritization.

I’ve found this question to be one of the most powerful tools in my daily practice—and in coaching others.

By Gary Keller , Jay Papasan ,

Why should I read it?

13 authors picked The ONE Thing as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

YOU WANT LESS. You want fewer distractions and less on your plate. The daily barrage of e-mails, texts, tweets, messages, and meetings distract you and stress you out. The simultaneous demands of work and family are taking a toll. And what's the cost? Second-rate work, missed deadlines, smaller paychecks, fewer promotions-and lots of stress. AND YOU WANT MORE. You want more productivity from your work. More income for a better lifestyle. You want more satisfaction from life, and more time for yourself, your family, and your friends. NOW YOU CAN HAVE BOTH-LESS AND MORE. In The ONE Thing, you'll learn…


Ad

Book cover of Gifts from a Challenging Childhood: Healing the Legacy of Childhood Trauma

Gifts from a Challenging Childhood by Jan Bergstrom,

Learn to understand and work with your childhood wounds. Do you feel like old wounds or trauma from your childhood keep showing up today? Do you sometimes feel overwhelmed with what to do about it and where to start? If so, this book will help you travel down a path…

Book cover of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

Michael Cupps Why I love this book

This classic set the foundation for how many of us approach time, responsibility, and personal leadership. Covey’s principle-centered approach influenced my own values-first framework in Time Bandit.

I still return to his quadrant model (urgent vs. important) and have expanded on it in my own work with the Eisenhower Matrix.

By Stephen R. Covey ,

Why should I read it?

19 authors picked The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

New York Times bestseller - over 25 million copies sold
The No. 1 Most Influential Business Book of the Twentieth Century

"[Thirty] years after it first appeared, the wisdom of The 7 Habits is more relevant than ever. On an individual level people are burning out, and on a collective level we are burning up the planet. So Dr. Covey's emphasis on self-renewal and his understanding that leadership and creativity require us to tap into our own physical, mental, and spiritual resources are exactly what we need now." Arianna Huffington

One of the most inspiring and impactful books ever written,…


Explore my book 😀

Time Bandit

By Michael Cupps ,

Book cover of Time Bandit

What is my book about?

This is the ultimate guide for those looking to leave behind chaotic and unmanageable to-do lists that dominate their days. Through this easily digestible book, learn how to prioritize tasks effectively, identify the barriers (“time bandits”) to productivity, develop a holistic view of goals, and eliminate distractions to ultimately reclaim time and live a more balanced and productive life. 

Whether busy professionals trying to manage their own workload or their team’s, students looking to optimize their schedule, or busy parents trying to juggle personal commitments, this book enables people to become productive Time Bandits, reduce stress, and generate more time for the things that matter most.

Book cover of Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less
Book cover of Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones
Book cover of Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World

Share your top 3 reads of 2025!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,210

readers submitted
so far, will you?

5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in success in life, decision making, and cognition?

Success In Life 279 books
Decision Making 95 books
Cognition 41 books