We’re well into 2019 and you’ve run out of ideas on what to read, yet you’re a high achiever and you won’t read just any book that comes to hand.
Knowledge matters to you, not only because you can cash it in, but because it helps you gain transferable skills that make you grow personally.
That’s exactly why we’ve pulled together a list of career books you can get on Book Depository for a bargain. We’ve listed them in reverse order from 10 to 1, according to their Goodreads ratings.
Check out the list, take your pick and get down to action. Download the checklist below so you can come back and keep reading.
Now, brace yourself for the countdown!
Top 10 Career Books #10: When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing by Daniel H. Pink
Rating on Goodreads: 3.78/5 Timing is everything. And if you’re struggling with time management, Pink’s book is nothing short of appropriate. It unlocks the scientific secrets that will divert you from making ill-timed decisions so you can leave the guesswork out of your daily scheduling.
“Pink has written a gem of a how-to book that cites and summarizes a huge amount of research on how to get things accomplished more efficiently, despite basic biological/organizational challenges like afternoon lulls and beginning-of-project chaos.”
– Source: Goodreads
Top 10 Career Books #9: The One Minute Manager by Kenneth Blanchard and Spencer Johnson M.D.
Rating on Goodreads: 3.88/5 This book is geared toward young managers, but even seasoned professionals will gain some true inspiration if they get their hands on it. A howling success for decades, the book comes in a revised edition and brings forward some fresh ideas, and it’s more relevant NOW than ever. Want to hit a homerun even when the toughest managerial trials come your way? This is the book to read.
“The book takes solid managerial info and gives it to the reader handily in the form of three ‘secrets’. Managers should cast clear vision and expectations, commend good work, and correct mistakes.”
– Source: Goodreads
Top 10 Career Books #8: Presence: Bringing Your Boldest Self to Your Biggest Challenges by Amy Cuddy
Rating on Goodreads: 3.94/5 It’s not enough to dress for success! You need a strong authentic presence if you mean to finally take your life and career where you want them to be. The first impression can either promote you or blow your chances at a job interview. The same goes for when you’re giving a talk or shooting for a promotion. In this book, Harvard professor Amy Cuddy explains you have the power to affect the way others see you. Not only that, but you have the key to changing your own chemistry by the mere change of your body language.
“Amy Cuddy writes a story-filled book on how to build yourself up before any challenging conflict so that you can be present and put your best effort into whatever challenge may arise.”
– Source: Goodreads
Top 10 Career Books #7: The Execution Factor: The One Skill That Drives Success by Kim Perell
Rating on Goodreads: 3.97/5 Kim Perell is a seasoned startup entrepreneur, angel investor, and executive. This book is a personal journey that will give you an insider’s view of building a successful and lucrative career. According to Perell, building success is an uphill battle, which isn’t necessarily grounded in a high IQ, an advanced degree or even a great idea. However, it is grounded in a set of resolute steps toward your set goals!
“In The Execution Factor, Kim Perell shares what she learned in her journey as an entrepreneur, starting her first company from her kitchen table after she had been laid off and was broke. The advice is practical, easy to follow and relevant for everyone, no matter the stage of your career.”
– Source: Goodreads
Top 10 Career Books #6: Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World by Cal Newport
Rating on Goodreads: 4.12/5 Want to ditch the terrible habit of allowing yourself endless modern-life distractions? Be it your smartwatch, computer, the cell phone, you name it, allowing the digital world to rule over your life is NOT without consequences. But how do you strike a balance between using the digital world to stay informed and educated? This book will provide the answers. Once you taste the benefits of Cal Newport’s “less is more” philosophy, you’ll be more than fine with abandoning your old ways.
“Digital Minimalism removes low impact distractions from your personal life in search of meaningful high-quality analog activities.”
– Source: Goodreads
Top 10 Career Books #5: Outliers: The Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell
Rating on Goodreads: 4.14/5 Gladwell’s book will change the way you think about the world – for good. It examines success stories and debunks common misconceptions about success. By splitting open the world of extreme overachievers, this book offers a few useful hacks on how to produce a successful outcome in a rapidly changing world.
“Gladwell argues that success is tightly married to opportunity and time on task. He states that it takes approximately 10,000 hours to master something and that gives me comfort.”
– Source: Goodreads
Top 10 Career Books #4: Atomic Habits: An Easy and Proven Way to Build Good Habits and Break Bad Ones by James Clear
Rating on Goodreads: 4.33/5 Do you get bogged down in details, costing you valuable time? Having trouble waking early? Do you obsess about your weight but do nothing about it? Then this book will speak to you. Clear says success is NOT about thinking big. The key is in small everyday wins. Waking up five minutes early, doing two push-ups a day, or holding a single short phone call. These are the so-called atomic habits. Those minute, atomic changes hold the massive potential to truly revolutionise your life.
“Habits do not restrict freedom. They create it. Building habits in the present allows you to do more of what you want in the future.”
– Source: Goodreads
Top 10 Career Books #3: Building a StoryBrand: Clarify Your Message So Customers Will Listen by Donald Miller
Rating on Goodreads: 4.36/5 Want to earn BIG points with your target audience and drive customer purchases? First, you’ll need to make dramatic changes in how you connect with your customers. This New York Times bestselling author’s book will let you in on how to do this by using 7 universal story points that all people respond to.
“One of the best branding and messaging books I’ve read. Miller shows how to use storytelling to make your messaging and branding simpler and more effective. I like the straightforward, common sense approach.”
– Source: Goodreads
Top 10 Career Books #2: Never Split the Difference: Negotiating as if Your Life Depended on It by Chris Voss
Rating on Goodreads: 4.40/5 Do you know what it’s like when it’s a life-and-death situation and you should be able to resolve it by mere rhetoric skill? If not, you’ll find out firsthand in this book by a professional hostage negotiator. But why on earth should you do it at all? The answer is simple: Life is a series of negotiations. You need negotiation skills when getting a new home, making decisions with your partner or when you want to earn some authority in the office. This book will help you stay ahead in any discussion.
“A very practical, easy to read book on the various psychological tricks and techniques you can use in persuading people to see things your way.”
– Source: Goodreads
Top 10 Career Books #1: Keep Going: 10 Ways to Stay Creative in Good Times and Bad by Austin Kleon
Rating on Goodreads: 4.45/5 If you feel your creativity is stifled by day-to-day pressures, this book is for you. Austin Kleon offers ten simple rules to follow to construct fulfilling and creative life you crave. After you’re finished reading the book, nothing will be able to deter you from this goal, whether it’s a personal burnout or countless life distractions.
“Austin says he wrote this book because he needed to read it. He is certainly not the only one; this book is an inspiration to any of us who want to live a creative life and let, well, life get in the way. ”
– Source: Goodreads
Future-Proof Your Career
Take a pick from the list and start your reading journey! Our top 10 career books will help you rack up a more productive life and create a new baseline.
They’ll help you outdo yourself each and every time and future-proof your career, as well as the way you manage your business.
The key to success is often putting minor problems aside and focusing on high-priority tasks, As well as shaving off unnecessary expenses so you can grow your business to an entirely new level.
Credit from Freepik
