Work Simply: Embracing the Power of Your Personal Productivity Style

Work smarter, not harder, is a common piece of advice, and productivity expert Tate has her own take on how to do that. She looks at guilt, which can hold people up, and the “locus of control,” or to what degree a person feels in control of his or her own life. Overcoming obstacles, according to Tate, clears the path to life changes, particularly the transformation of a reactive person into an active one. The bulk of the book is devoted to different personal productivity styles, highlighting tried-and-tested ways for making each approach work. Tate offers a 28-item quiz she calls the Productivity Style Assessment, a self-awareness tool designed to help readers determine whether they are prioritizers, visualizers, planners, or arrangers. She defines the characteristics of each, like strengths, pet peeves, and communication and decision-making styles. She also explores key strategies for achieving productivity, such as time management, strategically focusing your attention, and setting priorities. Much of her advice can be found elsewhere, but those seeking advice on this topic for the first time will find Tate to be a good guide. (Jan.)