Finding balance these days seems to be some sort of unattainable fantasy. There’s always something more to be doing, something more sophisticated to be dedicating our time to. Then there are all the distractions: social media, pop culture, household chores, etc. And we all deserve time for self-care and fun, too. While it might seem like a daunting task, there are ways to find a balanced, fulfilled lifestyle that doesn’t require working like a dog. Here are 5 books to read that will inspire motivation to find balance, focus, happiness, and productivity.
Rest: Why You Get More Done When You Work Less by Alex Soojung-Kim Pang
Read that title and then read it again. You. Deserve. Rest! Not just falling asleep at the desk, though. By stepping away from our work deliberately, our mind is able to come up with sharper ideas and be more energized. Through a combination of scientific research and human anecdotes, Alex Soojung-Kim Pang proves that rest and work can go hand in hand.
How to Work Without Losing Your Mind by Cate Sevilla
Are you tired of self-help books that just tell you to ‘want it’ and ‘find joy everywhere!’? If so, this book recommendation is for you. In this book, Cate Sevilla delves into the day-to-day issues that leave you feeling burnout through personal anecdotes and tips. Sure, finding a job you like is one thing. But when you’re in the trenches of a ridiculously tough and bizarre work situation, it’s helpful to know a way forward. Cate Sevilla has seen it all and can console you, motivate you, and make you laugh along the way.
Out of Office: The Big Problem and Bigger Promise of Working from Home by Anne Helen Petersen and Charlie Warzel
If there’s one thing that’s certain about the last few years, it’s that the way we work has forever changed. So whether this book applies to your current job, your future job, or just a memory of the past, it still provides an interesting insight into how ‘work from home’ has affected the working class and corporate life for years to come. With interviews, reports, and anecdotes, this book questions how to make work, and life, more enjoyable in the modern age.
Eat That Frog!: 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time by Brian Tracy
This book is a straightforward, actionable guide for when you just need direct tips and tricks to get more done. The title refers to a hypothetical situation in which if you eat a frog the first thing in the morning, everything else that day will seem easy in comparison. Essentially, by completing your ‘worst’ task first each day, you will be able to complete other tasks. Whether that sounds helpful or not, it’s at least a gentle reminder to not let that frog (or daunting task) get caught in your throat.
How to Get Sh*t Done: Why Women Need to Stop Doing Everything so They Can Achieve Anything by Erin Falconer
Unlike traditional productivity books, How to Get Sh*t Done factors in the cultural stigma women face. Within the book, Falconer teaches readers how to zero in on certain aspects of life and stop caring about the things that just don’t matter. While it may not be a perfect solution for everyone, this book is still one to check out.
Hopefully, these books help you to find balance and peace within crazy circumstances. If self-help books aren’t your jam, check out these fiction recommendations!