Discover the 23 Game-Changing Books That Will Skyrocket Your Organization Skills!
A Done-for-You Reading List for When You’re Ready to Change What No Longer Works for You
Disclaimer: Today, I have my sassy pants on for some tough love, but it’s because I care too much to let you settle anymore.
Whether it’s in the form of a physical book, ebook, or audio book there’s never been an easier time to consume life-altering messages and applications into your life. Gone are the days of the limiting belief that you are what you’re dealt and that it wasn’t “meant for you.” That some people just get “lucky breaks” or have a “natural gift” that wasn’t gifted to you in a similar way, and that’s why you’re not where you want to be.
I love you, but that’s just the lie you tell yourself.
Again I dare say, it’s never been an easier time to consume information that will help us change what no longer serves us. However, no matter how much easier modern times makes it for us, one thing remains the same: you have to put in the effort. Effort into knowing you are worth more than your circumstances. Effort into leaning more into what you want and not the excuses that act as a crutch to justify taking the easier road. Effort into raising the bar, wanting more, and doing something about it. Effort into trying, failing, pivoting, and trying again.
Because the truth is, you are worth it.
I challenge you, in the days where cutting corners feels easier, that you choose your future self over your current one. I challenge you, in the days where naming the blame game as the reason why someone else is living the life you want makes you, remind yourself that it’s you against you. I challenge you, because I know that it’s possible. But in the same breath, I know it’s not easy.
It was just a couple years ago where I had a pivotal shift in my mindset and the actionable footsteps that followed. I decided that I could sit here and live in the comfort of denial that my future had already been designed for me, because of the generations that had gone before me, or I could be the one to break generational curses and create the life I had longed to live. Now you may be pausing to think if I’m even still talking about organization at this point, and to be honest the switch that was flipped for me had nothing to do with the sorts. What it did have to do with though was something I wasn’t naturally gifted or given. It was something that I knew would cause a lot of mental obstacles, failing, and having to try again through the discomfort of something unfamiliar.
You see, we all have strengths and weaknesses. However, the blessing in this commonality is the relatability that can be applied regardless of the situation. I believe we’re all called to share our strengths with others and that we can meet people where they’re at, in their struggles, if we allow them the transparency to see into ours.
And while my natural weaknesses may not be building good habits that actually stick, maintaining sustainable systems that make life easier, and using my organization skills to not only create the environment I want to live in but to celebrate those I love in life, I’m here to help you if you do.
But the truth is, as much as I want to make this as easiest as possible for you…that won’t help you in the long run. You have to put in the sweat equity and know that you won’t see the results right away. However, there’s so much beauty in the struggle and the results make everything leading up to it worth while. (Talking from experience of course.)
When it comes to organization, or any other natural weakness, we must realize for the great desire of real life change we cannot expect to do one thing, one time and be an expert at it. Instead, we must be willing to create good habits and be committed to weaving them into our lifestyle. Just like you wouldn’t go to the gym for a month or eat nutritious food for a week with the expectations of having the mental and physical overhaul you’re craving, organization is the exact same way. Organization has the ability to impact every corner of your life and ripple effect into your mindset, environments, habits, relationships, and mental health when you create sustainable building blocks that work and serve you time and time again.
But ultimately it’s up to you.
Once you decide and become self aware enough to accept and be ready for the help, come back to this list, choose a book that sticks out to you, and start reading.
Make Your Bed by Admiral William H. McRaven
Stop Overthinking by Nick Trenton
Atomic Habits by James Clear
This one book changed my entire life. I know that sounds heavy, but believe me when I say that James Clear quite literally connected neural pathways in my brain that I never knew existed. The amount of “ah-ha” moments I had while reading this is absolutely bananas and allowed me to have some of my biggest personal breakthroughs. To be more specific, I have struggled (and I mean strugggggled) with overcoming the habitual addiction of biting my nails. And since seemingly coming out of the womb, we tried everything: the bitter nail polish, lectures over the bacteria under my nails, having to get a procedure done because there was damage done to my nail quick, getting fake acrylic nails on for months at a time. You name it, we tried it, and the biting continued anyway. That was until I read this book, and yes I’m serious. There are endless stories, just like mine, on how this book has been so pivotal in the lives of many, and it’s a no brainer that it’s one of the top selling self-help books on the market.
Organize Tomorrow Today by Dr. Jason Selk and Tom Bartow
The 5 AM Club by Robin Sharma
If I had to pick one book to reread for the rest of my life, it would be this one. And yes, I just said that about a self-development book. Robin Sharma has a pure born, natural gift and talent in his way with words as he so eloquently intertwined an entire story line within this self-help book. If you struggle with personal development books because you feel as though they are boring and lack an actual, tangible storyline with characters, romance, mystery, and danger, you need to read this book. Packed with wisdom, heartfelt guidance, and tangible steps towards improving one’s life, hear me when I say I felt every emotion as I stayed in bed reading this praise-worthy novel for hours on end. Put shortly, this will be a hard one to beat.
The Art of Saying No by Damon Zahariades
Designing The Mind by Ryan A. Bush
Organizing For The Rest of Us by Dana K. White
Calling all my over-analysis-paralysis friends! If you are someone who needs a helping hand to have tunnel-vision focus on moving the needle in your life, this book is for you. I know the overwhelming feeling of not knowing where to start decluttering and organizing because everywhere you turn there are piles of clutter and chaos within the halls and walls of your home, but you don’t have to do it alone. This book is PACKED with short, mini chapters that provide tangible and actionable steps that you can do starting today. I love the way that Dana offers guidance and advice while also empathetically being relatable and never leaving the reader feeling shame for their current circumstance. If you are craving simplicity and structure in your home but need a nudge of advice to keep you accountable, buy this book and thank me later!
How To Keep House While Drowning by KC Davis, LPC
Unf*ck Your Habitat by Rachel Hoffman
Order From Chaos by Jaclyn Paul
The Clutter Connection by Cassandra Aarssen
Beyond Tidy by Annmarie Brogan and Marie Limpert
Eat That Frog by Brian Tracy
This tiny but mighty self-help book really packs a punch without all the fluff. Brian Tracy has mastered the ability to condense information and wisdom into bite-sized pieces for every reader to consume and then take immediate action - hence the name. If you love short chapters that teach you, motivate you, and don’t take up too much of your time in your already busy day life, snag this book and get ready to understand what the title means. It’s a good one!
Think Like a Monk by Jay Shetty
Simply put, Jay Shetty is a national treasure and should be protected at all costs. For a man I’ve never formally met, he provides such a genuine and authentic layer of transparency and transformation in this book, as well as his podcast and social channels. As he so intricately and intentionally pulls back the curtain on life, mindset, and the details of our daily choices, Jay and his mentor show us just how different our lives can be by diving deeper into ourselves and environments. While letting go of what doesn’t ultimately serve him, this binge-worthy book allows us to ruminate on Jay’s walk into adulthood and how we too can strip off the shell of our former selves to reveal a new and improved version that brings true peace and purpose. If you are craving a life changing book from a pure point-of-view, immediately add this to the top of your reading list.
The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg
A jaw dropping read! Forget scratching the surface, Charles Duhigg rolled up in a trencher - ready to dive extremely deep into the inner-workings as to why we, as humans, do what we do in life and business. Hear me when I say, you will never be the same again after reading this book. If you like concrete examples and science-backed research that doesn’t sound bland and dry, you’re going to LOVE this book as it connects the dots on how our habits, routines, and addictions came to be in ourselves, in business organizations, and society as a whole. My mind was blown away by the easy read yet thorough education on the habitual nature we all take on regardless of our race, gender, or ethnicity. Simply put, it’s a must-read.
The Productivity Project by Chris Bailey
Declutter Your Mind by S.J. Scott and Barrie Davenport
The Happy Inbox by Maura Nevel Thomas
Healthy Boundaries by Chase Hill
Finish What You Start by Peter Hollins
Do the Hard Things First by Scott Allan
From To-Do to Done by Maura Nevel Thomas
There you have it! Your journey towards clutter-free bliss and productivity paradise lies within the pages of these life changing books. Don't just dream about a more organized life, make it your story! Wanna see more? Click here to see my running must-read book list, and let's get reading!
Have a book you recommend? Write it in the comments and we’ll add it to our list!
