The Store
The original and still the best. Getting Things Done is the 'GTD' in GTDInbox, and the book gives you the foundations to really get the most from the software as well as other parts of your life.
The newer of David Allen's books, 'Reading For Anything' is more practical - and more easily digested - than the theory in the original Getting Things Done; giving fresh perspectives and a refined view of the GTD world.
If you use any ProductiveFirefox software then chances are you know of Lifehacker.com, it is a staple of the online productivity world. The title - a 'life hack' is a way of transforming obtuse software or other inefficient tools in your life into highly effective tools for achievement. The book is very practical, and while not designed for the computer novice, everything is accessible.
Tim Ferriss and his book began to create a stir in the tech community in early 2007 following a great introduction at the SXSW Festival in Austin, Texas. The title is a little crass, but it leaves no doubt as to what the book is about: off-loading as much of the mundane aspects of your life as possible, freeing up time for either leisure of success. Praised by CEOs, cubicle workers and the self-employed a like, it went on to be a (well deserved!) 2007 best-seller.
'Your Best Year Yet' is different to other productivity books in that it doesn't prescribe a methodology to be more productive, aiming instead to help you understand your goals and how to achieve them while overcoming your 'limiting paradigms'. It feels like a personal life coach, and sets objectives from the micro (weekly) to the macro (annual).
A little bit of a wild-card in this roundup, Founders at Work is in no way a guide to better productivity. However, it is a fascinating read for anyone in the technical world. Jessica Livingston has managed to draw real insights during her interviews with the people who founded the products that have changed the world (Yahoo, Craigslist, PayPal, Lotus and even Firefox & Gmail). What really stood out is how down to earth everyone was at the start - no amazing powers or insights - just honest hard-work. It's a refreshing - almost inspirational - look at what can be achieved with focus, a lot of effort & a little luck.
A multi-vitamin and an omega 3 capsule form the basic supplementary makeup of your day. Studies have repeatedly shown Omega3 to be a key aide to focus and learning in our younger years, and for supporting long-term memory in our later years. Personally, it's easier to spot the days where I haven't taken any supplements, when fatigue sets in early and focus is noticeably more difficult. However, I would always advocate trying to use a varied diet to get your vitamins, minerals and fatty acids where possible.
Ginseng and gingko bilbao are far less common supplements, making them a potential competitive advantage. Ginseng - specifically Korean root ginseng - is known to help stress management and to increase energy. Gingko bilbao, meanwhile, is used as a memory and concentration enhancer. Quality and dose counts, so do check out the reputation of whatever source you use. Personally, I use the supplement sporadically and normally around mid-afternoon. The effect is not pronounced like a cup of coffee, but it produces a sensation of rising mental clarity that lasts for the rest of the day. Unlike caffiene, there is no crash, and it can even clear out the scattered-mind & inability to focus that comes with too much caffiene. Certainly, it becomes noticeably easier to focus over long periods and solve more complex problems - i.e. to get work done.