Finally on track to better productivity!

Read twice in one day. set up my tools and system the next day. very practical and easy to follow plan for better organization. 5000 in my inbox now down to zero with a place for everything from now on.

5 people found this helpful

Reasons and Guide on being productive

“Do More Better: A practical guide to productivity” is a book written by Pastor, blogger, and teacher Tim Challies and the audiobook is superbly narrated by Lloyd James. It is a rather short book covering the subject of productivity at just over one hundred pages with the audiobook edition coming in at almost three hours. Everyone one of us is given the same amount of time per day of our lives, and we have to be able to know, understand, and prioritize our activities needing to be accomplished; including both work, family, and free time.

The book is a quick practical guide from a Christian perspective on how and why you should be doing more and doing it better. It is not a book designed to pressure or push you to do more. Nor is it a book that take you down a path saying that productivity is the only solution to all your problems in life; like some others I have read. Instead, it simply shares with you many of the obstacles each of us faces when it comes to productivity and how many of us like to take the easier road of not being productive which never ends well for anyone involved. Not being productive is not an option.

I have never been disappointed with anything I have previously read by Mr. Challies, and this book is no exception. I will say that for someone who is already leveraging technology or is tech savvy in the way the book describes in its latter chapters, you will still get something out of reading the first half. You may also be surprised and learn something new in the second half. The same can be said for those weak with the more modern tools able to assist with productivity, or for those looking to answer the more practical question of; “what can I do to get started being more productive?” You will get most of the practical aspects covered in the latter half of the book along with some good suggestions and tutorials on various technologies or tools to assist with productivity. If you are a connoisseur of productivity books or methods, Challis shares nothing entirely new or innovative; which is a good thing. He does not claim to have a silver bullet or technology that you can buy from him that will take care of your productivity issues. He focuses more on why productivity is important, who it is directed at, and how one can begin setting up a plan to be more productive. All of this is very good if you do not already have a system in place. Both parts of the book are important, and even the author himself says that he recommends you not skip ahead to the more practical parts without first having a foundation and right thinking around productivity.

The author does a good job in the first few chapters discussing why productivity is important and the reason we should strive to be productive. Productivity is not simply doing more for one’s own selfish desires or to receive praise from your boss or co-workers. Not at all. There is a more significant reason productivity is important and that is what is covered right at the beginning of the book. Simply put, productivity is about how you can serve and do good to others by doing what is right and necessary. This can only be achieved by having a method and tools to assist and permit you to be successful.

Regarding the narration of the audiobook by Lloyd James. What more can I say than it was professionally produced and the reading was clean and clear. There were no issues I could recall while listening and the pacing was at a speed that seemed good. I did listen to the book a bit faster than the standard setting (1.5x), but this was more so I could fit it into the window I had to complete it. Mr. James is a veteran when it comes to audiobook narration with over two-hundred and fifty other titles on Audible. He also narrates a wide variety of genres, so I’m sure there may be others you would find by him.

In summary, if you are looking for a well-written book from a Christian perspective on why productivity is important along with some great examples of tools and practical methods getting you started down this road, I would recommend this book for you. If you already have a good productivity plan that works for you, the first half of this book still be something you would be interested in.

4 people found this helpful

Great book, but consider buying it in print

What made the experience of listening to Do More Better the most enjoyable?

The content was full of practical tips and information to help improve personal productivity. It provides step by step walkthroughs of generating a solid outline for your day, the tools you use, and how to use them. I am already benefitting from this.

What other book might you compare Do More Better to and why?

Four Hour Workweek (Ferriss) and What's Best Next (Perman)

Any additional comments?

The audio version is a bit of a challenge, because the book has several "Action Steps" where you will want to stop the audio, and go do the step. While it is only a couple hours long, it took a few hours more than that to get through, because of actually following the book's instruction. In other words, this isn't a book you'll want to listen to on your work commute or while jogging, but rather while you're at a computer following the "steps". If that is a problem for you, then I would highly recommend the print format instead.

3 people found this helpful

Excellent book, well read

So glad I got this book and listen to it. It is full of extremely helpful information. The narrator is excellent. Get it and apply it.

3 people found this helpful

Most Organized I've Ever Been

What did you love best about Do More Better?

I recently changed jobs and decided I needed to get more organized with all the information that comes my way. After listening to and implementing Challies' recommendations, I find myself telling others, "I'm more organized than I've ever been in my life," and "I feel more in-control of my life--and my info--than ever before." I highly recommend this book, and more importantly, implementing his system. Once that's done, tweak it as necessary, and do more...better.

1 person found this helpful

Basic but to the point!

Basic but powerful tips for people who are looking to get life going.
Very good purchase.

1 person found this helpful

Know they audience

This is reasonable organizational advice wrapped in a bunch of god bothering claptrap. Other sources have the same info with less preaching.

Tremendously Helpful

I have been using Tim's productivity system for about three years now and I have been greatly helped by it. I have revisited this book every new year and I get more out of it each time (it's amazing how much you forget). I like having both the audiobook and the E-Book; the audiobook isn't quite sufficient on it's own. When you get to the task portion of the book you really need to see what he is talking about. All in all, a very helpful work. S.D.G.

Very practical

The advice from this book is very practical. It was explained well and is simple.

Excellent and Simple

This was excellent, very helpful, an short and simple and to the point. No wasted words. Highly recommended!