The best books to reclaim your focus and work smarter without burnout

I'm a Cal Newport fan.

As a performance coach and speaker, I find his research relevant and doable. After Deep Work, I incorporated many of his findings into my business.

With Digital Minimalism, the content and strategies—along with the reasons why we need to minimize our digital world—were presented in a relatable and realistic way. Newport doesn’t say we should throw our phones away and never go online again. He’s practical, with examples of people seeking more solitude and less noise.

It’s the ultimate guide to focus in an era of distraction and a foundation for any sustainable productivity practice.

SO. MUCH. GOOD. STUFF.

I've quoted this book to anyone who would listen and have used the phrase Extreme Ownership over and over again. I love Jocko’s take on leadership—how leading Navy SEALs and leading in business might look different, yet are grounded in the same principles.

When my assistant doesn’t do something correctly, I look at myself: Did I explain it clearly? Did I delegate well? If I allow it to continue, that’s on me. It all comes down to the leader.

Leadership accountability at its finest—simple, tough, and transformative.

My biggest takeaway from this book was completing the stress cycle.

I often have to practically beg clients—especially women—to take a break from their computers at lunch and go for a walk or at least eat screen-free. It was affirming to hear from the Nagoskis how beneficial this truly is for managing microstressors.

It’s the perfect blend of science, story, and humor that makes emotional health actionable and essential—not optional.

Everyone would benefit from reading this book.

Before I even finished, I had changed some of my email templates and newsletter and signed up for a demo. This book brilliantly teaches how to deliver powerful messages concisely and clearly—cut the clutter!

The authors provide actionable tips and real-world examples, making implementation easy. Whether you're writing emails, reports, or social media posts, Smart Brevity will help you make every word count.

Clear communication saves time, reduces stress, and boosts productivity—skills every professional needs.

I hope to gain one or two new ideas from a book in my industry—but throughout Everyone Wants to Work Here, I kept thinking, "This is the book I wish I had written!" 

Maura Thomas captures leadership challenges in the post-pandemic era of hybrid and remote work with such accuracy that it both affirmed and validated the strategies I train my clients on. 

I don’t often read many others in my space to avoid unintentionally copying them, but this book mirrored so many of my own philosophies and analogies that I laughed out loud at the similarities.

It’s an easy, insightful read for any manager, leader, or team. It’s a masterclass in building teams where focus, trust, and well-being thrive—exactly what modern workplaces need.