In today’s busy world full of distractions, mastering focus has become the golden key guiding our productivity and peace of mind. Here Inside this collection of 17 books on focus, you’ll find tons of helpful tips and tricks to help you concentrate better.
Think of these books as your personal guides—they’re like treasure maps helping you through all the chaos to find your focus. They’re written by people who really know their stuff, and they want to share their secrets to help you focus better on a positive mindset even when life gets crazy.
These books cover all sorts of cool ideas, from ancient tricks that have stood the test of time to brand-new strategies based on how our brains work. They’re like a big toolbox filled with different ways to help you train your brain to pay attention when you need it most.
They’re not just books about concentrating—they’re like your own secret hideout, a place where distractions fade away, and you can really zone in on what you’re doing. Whether you’re trying to tune out all the noise from phones and computers or just want to be better at getting things done, these books have your back.
So, jump into these books and start exploring. They’re like an adventure waiting to happen, helping you learn how to handle all the distractions and find focus. Take in all the cool stuff they share, and you’ll come out with a superpower—a focused mind that can do amazing things.
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| 17 Books on Focus | Author | |
| 1. | The power of focus | Jack Canfield, Mark Hansen |
| 2. | Focus: The Hidden Driver of Excellence | Daniel Goleman |
| 3. | The 80/20 Principle | Richard Koch |
| 4. | Resilient | Rick Hanson, Ph. D. |
| 5. | Getting things done | David Allen |
| 6. | Indistractable | Nir Eyal |
| 7. | Deep Work | Cal Newport |
| 8. | Master Your Focus | Thibaut Meurisse |
| 9. | What to Say When You Talk to Your Self | Shad Helmstetter, PhD |
| 10. | Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less | Greg McKeown |
| 11. | The Productivity Project | Chris Bailey |
| 12. | Your Brain at Work | Dr. David Rock |
| 13. | Set Boundaries, Find Peace | Nedra Glover Tawwab |
| 14. | You Are Your Best Thing | Tarana Burke and Brené Brown |
| 15. | Hyperfocus | Chris Bailey |
| 16. | The one thing | Gary Keller, Jay Papasan |
| 17. | Make Time: How to Focus on What Matters Every Day | Jake Knapp, John Zeratsky |
17 Books on Focus
Author – Jack Canfield, Mark Hansen
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If you find it difficult to achieve your goals like running a marathon. Super successful business folks are like the marathon pros—they’ve got a secret weapon: focus. This book, “The Power of Focus,” is like their training manual.
Les Hewitt, Jack Canfield, and Mark Victor Hansen express 11 game-changing strategies to keep you going strong toward your goals. They’re like different training exercises that help you build up your “focus muscles.” They cover everything from creating habits that work for you, boosting your confidence so you feel unstoppable, to using what you’re best at to your advantage. Plus, they’ve got tricks to make decision-making a whole lot easier, like having a trusty roadmap for your journey.
The book aims to empower readers with practical advice and actionable steps to develop their focus, productivity, and ultimately, their success.
2. Focus: The Hidden Driver of Excellence
Author – Daniel Goleman
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“Focus: The Hidden Driver of Excellence” is one of the famous books on focus— Daniel Goleman talks about three types of focus inner, other, and outer focus. He uses examples from various fields like sports, education, arts, and business to show why successful people rely on all three types of focus. Moreover, he reveals how smart practices like mindfulness, specific preparation and recovery techniques, positive emotions, and tools that help in improving habits and acquiring new skills contribute to sustained success.
This book explains that having good focus is really important to achieve great things and gives tips on how attention impacts our performance and happiness.
He uses real stories and science to show ways to become more aware, control yourself better, and be a more organized leader. Overall, it’s a guide that helps train your brain to pay attention better in anything you do and make sure your actions match your goals.
Author – Richard Koch
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This book teaches how you spend most of your time—are those things really worth it? It’s like a roadmap for figuring out what truly matters when it comes to your goals and what you focus on.
Richard Koch talks about the 80/20 principle, related to the Pareto Principle in Economics, revealing that 80% of output often stems from just 20% of input. But here, he shows you how to use this idea in real life to pick what’s most important and be way more productive.
The big idea? You’re likely spending a lot of time, about 80%, on things that don’t really make a big difference. But when you zero in on that crucial 20%, that’s where the magic happens—success, a more focused life, and feeling happier.
It’s not just theory—this book gives you practical guidance to figure out what really matters in your life, work smarter, handle your time better, change how you think, and organize your tasks in a way that makes the most sense.
4. Resilient: How to Grow an Unshakable Core of Calm, Strength, and Happiness
Author – Rick Hanson, Ph. D. with Forrest Hanson
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In a world where things are uncertain, it’s important to boost your inner strengths, like grit, kindness, and compassion. These strengths aren’t just for the tough times—they help you handle everyday stuff, like work stress or family things.
Dr. Rick Hanson, a bestselling writer, mixes brain science with mindfulness to talk about twelve inner strengths wired into your brain. They help you handle stress better, take on challenges confidently, and stay cool when dealing with life.
This guide is full of neat tips, real stories, and cool brain facts. It’s making you better and building your relationships stronger.
Dr. Hanson’s way is about rewiring your brain for good vibes—kicking out negative thoughts and bringing in self-love, joy, and calmness. It’s like your own superhero training for the adventure of life.
Author – David Allen
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Today’s world demands new approaches; old methods just won’t work anymore. In “Getting Things Done,” David Allen, a coach, shares game-changing techniques for stress-free productivity that he’s taught to thousands of people.
Allen’s idea is straightforward: our productivity links to how relaxed we are. When our minds are clear and organized, that’s when we can truly be productive and tap into our creative side.
In this book, Allen explains practical steps:
- Keep your eye on your goals even when things change
- Get projects moving and unstuck
- Deal with overwhelm and confusion
- Be okay with what you choose not to do without guilt.
From simple rules to proven tips, “Getting Things Done” changes how you work. It’s like a guide that helps you speed up without burning out, making work more manageable and maybe even a bit more enjoyable.
6. Indistractable: How to Control Your Attention and Choose Your Life
Author – Nir Eyal
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Ever had those days where you plan to crush some work but end up scrolling through your phone or chatting with colleagues? It’s like your goals take a backseat, right?
Imagine if you could stick to your plans and push through distractions. What could you achieve? Nir Eyal, a tech expert and bestselling author, tackles this in “Indistractable.”
He digs into why we get distracted—it’s not just about banning devices, that don’t work. Instead, Eyal unveils a four-step plan, backed by research, to help us finally do what we intend to.
Here’s what you’ll find:
- Why workplace distractions hint at bigger problems and how to fix them.
- The real deal behind human behavior and why managing time is like managing pain.
- How your connections (yes, even your love life) link to staying focused.
- Tips on raising kids in today’s distractible world.
“Indistractable” is like unlocking secrets to living the life you truly want.
7. Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World
Author – Cal Newport
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“Deep Work” by Cal Newport offers a remedy. It’s all about this superpower-like ability called deep work— when you focus intensely on hard tasks without distractions. Imagine mastering complex stuff faster and nailing better results in less time—that’s deep work.
Newport’s book teaches us to focus without distractions; Divided into two parts, he first shows how deep work can massively boost your career. Then, he gives you a sort of “training plan” with four rules to transform your habits and mind.
- Dive into Deep Work
- Welcome boredom
- Cut Back on Social Media
- Get Rid of Superficial things
But this isn’t just a boring lecture; it’s a mix of cool stories—like Carl Jung building a tower in the woods for focus—and straightforward advice. Newport’s bold suggestions? Most pros should quit social media, and being bored isn’t a bad thing.
“Deep Work” is like your guide to kicking distraction’s butt and finding success in a crazy, distracted world.
Author – Thibaut Meurisse
Feeling like your efforts are all over the place and not getting the results you want? It’s time to focus and start making real progress toward what truly counts in your life.
Thibaut Meurisse, an author and coach, is all about helping you grab that focus back. His latest book is like a step-by-step guide to help you nail your big projects and hit those major goals.
“Master Your Focus” is all about getting things done. It shows you how to concentrate on tasks and actually finish them—no more moving around from one thing to another.
Inside, you’ll learn:
- Understanding real productivity means and how to master it
- Enhancing each of the three focus types for better concentration.
- How to stop the constant jumping around and finally check off those important tasks
- The secrets to learning faster and better
- How to do more by doing less
- Seventeen simple strategies to boost your focus
If you’re into straightforward tips, practical exercises, and no-fuss advice, this one’s for you.
9. What to Say When You Talk to Your Self
Author – Shad Helmstetter, PhD
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We all have a little chat with ourselves, often without even noticing. But guess what? Most of it is negative and not so helpful, preventing us from enjoying a fulfilled and successful life
Shad Helmsetter’s Five Levels of Self-Talk (from being negative to affirming greatness) can change that. It’s like getting the reins back on your life with a simple but powerful method.
This book is packed with new info for today’s world. It teaches you how to have a different conversation with yourself, sparking a big change in everything you do. So, wave goodbye to “I can’t” and welcome a confident “Yes, I can!” with “What to Say When You Talk to Yourself!”
10. Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less
Author – Greg McKeown
Buy it here
Ever felt like you’re pulled in a million directions? You’re busy but not really getting anywhere? Or maybe you’re constantly pulled into other people’s plans?
If any of these sound familiar, there’s a solution—it’s called Essentialism.
Essentialism isn’t just about managing time. It’s a smart method to figure out what truly matters and ditch everything else. It’s about making a big impact where it counts the most.
By focusing on what truly matters, Essentialism gives us the power to take charge of our time and energy. It’s not just a small change; it’s a whole new approach to everything we do. Doing less but doing it better—in every part of our lives. Essentialism—it’s time for a smarter way of living.
Author – Chris Bailey
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Looking for a practical guide to boost your focus? Look no further!
Chris Bailey didn’t just write “The Productivity Project”. He spent a whole year diving into research and testing out methods to boost productivity, documenting what really worked.
Inside, Chris spills some incredible productivity hacks, like using caffeine smartly, spending less time on important tasks, slowing down to work more mindfully, letting go of unnecessary stuff, and even embracing imperfections. And that 20-second rule for dealing with distractions. It’s pure genius!
His approach is a cool mix of science, real-life experiments, and expert advice, all designed to help you handle your time, attention, and energy like a pro. This isn’t your usual productivity book—it’s practical wisdom to supercharge your focus.
Author – Dr. David Rock
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“Your Brain at Work” is a fascinating journey that follows Emily and Paul through their whirlwind of work and family life. David Rock shares their experiences to uncover why we struggle to focus, handle emotions, and make decisions.
If you’re not mindful of your habits, they’ll limit your brain’s potential, keeping you from reaching your peak.
In this compelling story, Rock describes the enigma of concentration, offers ways to navigate our feelings, and dishes out strategies to safeguard and supercharge our mental abilities.
This book isn’t just about brain science—it’s a journey into human behavior and how we can tap into our full potential. Get ready to explore the complexities of the mind and discover ways to carve your path toward success.
13. Set Boundaries, Find Peace: A Guide to Reclaiming Yourself
Author – Nedra Glover Tawwab
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How can we speak up for ourselves confidently, say “no” when needed, and assert ourselves without causing tension? Developing healthy boundaries means putting up barriers to keep life in balance—whether it’s managing work and personal time, dealing with tricky situations, or building important relationships. But what’s the real deal with “healthy boundaries”?
Nedra Glover Tawwab, a respected voice in therapy, tackles this complex topic in a relatable and approachable way. In her book, “Set Boundaries, Find Peace,” she shares simple yet powerful methods to set boundaries in all areas of life. Using insights from the latest research and practical tips from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), these techniques help us express our needs clearly and confidently. They also dig deep into issues like codependency, power struggles, anxiety, depression, and burnout, offering ways to address and overcome them.
Author – Daniel Kahneman
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Are you curious about how your brain gets the job done?
Think of your brain like a two-speed engine: one part is quick, relying on gut feelings, subconscious, and emotions (that’s System 1), while the other part is slower, thinking things through logically (System 2). Understanding how these two systems work is like uncovering the secret codes behind why we make certain choices.
In this book, Kahneman takes us on a thrilling journey into our minds, showing us when to trust our instincts and when to doubt them. He spills the beans on how our brain messes up, affecting everything from big business decisions to where we go on vacation.
Plus, he provides smart ideas and tricks to dodge those mental potholes, the art of trusting or questioning your instincts, shedding light on how humans think. He also offers advice on making thoughtful decisions, empowering you to sharpen your attention on what really counts.
15. Hyperfocus: How to Manage Your Attention in a World of Distraction
Author – Chris Bailey
“Hyperfocus” is one of the best books on focus improvement. Using brain science and studies to help you become super productive. Divided into two parts, it talks about two cool focus modes: hyperfocus (when you’re super focused) and scatterfocus (when your mind is all creative and full of ideas).
We get it—multitasking isn’t our brain’s best friend, yet we pack every moment with distractions. This book focuses on understanding these mental powers, brilliant thinking, and intentional living.
16. The one thing
Author – Gary Keller, Jay Papasan
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“The ONE Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth Behind Extraordinary Results” is a total game-changer for life and work. Gary Keller and Jay Papasan share the insider know-how to cut through chaos, get top-notch results in less time, dial down stress, and achieve your goals.
Inside this book, you’ll discover:
- Finding simple secrets to extraordinary results
- The game-changing question: “What’s the ONE thing you can do to make everything else easier or unnecessary?”
- Three key commitments for achieving your ONE thing
- Building a habit of focusing on your ONE thing
- Proven tricks to stay on track and avoid distractions
17. Make Time: How to Focus on What Matters Every Day
Author – Jake Knapp, John Zeratsky
Buy it here
In a world where we’re constantly bombarded with info and it feels like a mad rush to react to everything, feeling distracted has become the norm. But imagine if being crazily busy wasn’t a must-do. What if you could actually take back control of your time and focus? That’s what this book is all about.
Jake and John, the brains behind Google Ventures’ famous “design sprint,” have helped tons of teams solve big problems by changing how they work. Drawing from their success with tech giants like Gmail and YouTube, they spent years tinkering with their own routines to find ways for people to boost their energy, focus, and time management. They’ve packaged their best strategies into a simple four-step plan that anyone can use.
“Make Time” is a collection of tips and tricks that can fit into anyone’s life. If you’ve ever wished for more hours in a day, “Make Time” is your useful to stop being dragged around by life’s demands.
Conclusion
Books on Focus come in many different views, each with its own special way of helping you out. Studies suggest that the average attention span of people today clocks in at a mere eight seconds. With the internet and mobile devices offering a continuous flow of information, there’s a constant urge to stay connected and updated.
Books on focus can help you reduce distractions, develop willpower and mental discipline, and achieve more without feeling overwhelmed. It also nurtures mindfulness and concentration, which significantly impact overall peace and happiness.
Reading a book holds little value if you don’t apply its teachings to action. So, why not make a commitment to read some of these books. See how their insights might positively transform your life.
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