“If you are going to achieve excellence in big things, you develop the habit in little matters. Excellence is not an exception, it is a prevailing attitude.” – Colin Powell
I want to let you in on a secret.
The easiest way to improve your life is to read. I don’t mean reading just anything, I mean reading books that will transform your life. The most transformative books are not the ones that tell you how to live but the ones that become the foundation of your life. These books help you build systems, design your days, and shift the way you think. They introduce you to the kind of work that doesn’t just make you more productive—but more thoughtful.
And the best part? You don’t need to block off hours in your schedule to read them. I read these books that I’ll be talking about below digitally, right on my phone. Yes, my phone—the device that most people claim is ruining our lives and attention spans. Instead of being a source of distraction, it’s become my tool for consuming some of the most impactful books of my life. So, without further ado, here’s a selection of transformative books that have changed my approach to work, creativity, and personal development.
1. Deep Work by Cal Newport
Let’s start with Cal Newport’s Deep Work. It’s a book for anyone who feels like they’re always busy but rarely productive. In this book, Newport explores the power of focused, undistracted work in a world that’s obsessed with multitasking and superficial tasks. Deep Work is a manifesto for the modern knowledge worker (if I dare say so). Newport argues that the ability to focus without distraction is a superpower. And in this book, he doesn’t just tell you what’s wrong with our current work culture; he gives you actionable strategies to carve out time for what matters.
What stood out for me is that Newport isn’t advocating for hustle culture. Instead, he’s showing us that by organising our work around long periods of focused effort, we not only become more productive but also live more fulfilling lives. I started incorporating these lessons by reading the book on my phone during those “in-between” moments—waiting for my pot of boiling rice to get ready, waiting for my daughter to get exhausted from running around the compound—turning time that would’ve otherwise been spent doing ‘nothing’ into deep learning sessions.
2. So Good They Can’t Ignore You by Cal Newport
Another Newport gem, So Good They Can’t Ignore You, flips conventional career advice on its head. I have lost count of how many times I’ve been told to follow my passion. In fact, “Follow your passion” is often heralded as the key to professional happiness, but Newport makes a compelling argument that passion is often a byproduct of mastering a skill. Instead of chasing passion, we should focus on becoming so good at something that people can’t help but take notice.
This idea resonated with me because, like many of you, I’ve been tempted by the allure of “doing what I love”. Oh, my good old late-2010s. But Newport’s research shows that building rare and valuable skills leads to more autonomy and satisfaction in your work. This is a great read if you need a reminder that craftsmanship beats passion every time.
3. Slow Productivity by Cal Newport
Newport again? Yes, but hear me out. I love his books. He captures research-backed principles and applies them to real-life scenarios in ways that intrigue them. In fact, his idea of Slow Productivity could be the antidote to the stress many of us feel about juggling too much. It’s all about working at a sustainable pace and accomplishing meaningful work without burning out. The concept resonates deeply in our culture, where we’re trained to think that fast always equals better. Newport’s philosophy of Slow Productivity teaches us to optimise for quality over quantity.
I’ve used this mindset to rethink my approach to both reading and work. Instead of racing through books, I’ve made it a habit to slowly digest them, one digital page at a time. And for work, instead of planning to get to the moon in 2 months, I pace myself so that I can go at a reasonable rate. That’s why my challenge to improve my life focuses on just 2 areas, my health and my craft (writing). This change in pace has helped me focus on getting the best out of whatever I put my mind to.
4. Show Your Work by Austin Kleon
Austin Kleon’s Show Your Work speaks directly to the creative soul. In this book, Kleon argues that the world doesn’t need more people who keep their work hidden until it’s “perfect.” Instead, we should share our creative process with the world. Whether unfinished projects, half-baked ideas, or works-in-progress, showing your work attracts people who resonate with your journey.
What’s brilliant about this book is how Kleon makes sharing feel not only possible but necessary. And his approach is something I’ve adopted in my own life. As I work through achieving the goals of my challenge to improve my health and writing, I’ve started sharing the key insights and takeaways with my network on Instagram. Instead of waiting until I’ve mastered a concept or achieved a result, I share the process itself.
5. Atomic Habits by James Clear
Finally, there’s Atomic Habits by James Clear. If Newport’s books are about work philosophy, Atomic Habits is about behavioural change. Clear’s book is one of the most practical guides you’ll ever read on how small habits can lead to massive outcomes. Whether you’re looking to write more, exercise regularly, or build a reading habit, Clear breaks down how to make it happen by focusing on the tiniest behaviours that compound over time.
Here’s the kicker: I built my reading habit by starting with just five minutes on my phone each day. Five minutes turned into ten, and ten into thirty. Now, I’m devouring books and applying what I learn to my work and life. Atomic Habits doesn’t just teach you about habits—it becomes the blueprint for how to approach every goal you set for yourself.
Overall, these books have gone beyond just titles on a shelf that I check off as ‘read’, they’ve shaped my philosophy on productivity, creativity, and personal growth. Reading them has helped me achieve a path to clarity and focus.
So, the next time you’re tempted to scroll through social media, open up one of these books instead. You’ll be surprised at how much your life can change by reading just a few pages a day.
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