Do Nothing
How to Break Away from Overworking, Overdoing, and Underliving
by Celeste Headlee
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Pub Date Mar 10 2020 | Archive Date May 25 2020
Crown Publishing | Harmony
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Description
“This book is so important and could truly save lives.”—Elizabeth Gilbert
“A clarion call to work smarter [and] accomplish more by doing less.”—Adam Grant
We work feverishly to make ourselves happy. So why are we so miserable?
Despite our constant search for new ways to optimize our bodies and minds for peak performance, human beings are working more instead of less, living harder not smarter, and becoming more lonely and anxious. We strive for the absolute best in every aspect of our lives, ignoring what we do well naturally and reaching for a bar that keeps rising higher and higher. Why do we measure our time in terms of efficiency instead of meaning? Why can’t we just take a break?
In Do Nothing, award-winning journalist Celeste Headlee illuminates a new path ahead, seeking to institute a global shift in our thinking so we can stop sabotaging our well-being, put work aside, and start living instead of doing. As it turns out, we’re searching for external solutions to an internal problem. We won’t find what we’re searching for in punishing diets, productivity apps, or the latest self-improvement schemes. Yet all is not lost—we just need to learn how to take time for ourselves, without agenda or profit, and redefine what is truly worthwhile.
Pulling together threads from history, neuroscience, social science, and even paleontology, Headlee examines long-held assumptions about time use, idleness, hard work, and even our ultimate goals. Her research reveals that the habits we cling to are doing us harm; they developed recently in human history, which means they are habits that can, and must, be broken. It’s time to reverse the trend that’s making us all sadder, sicker, and less productive, and return to a way of life that allows us to thrive.
Advance Praise
“This book is so important and could truly save lives. Despite working harder than ever, people have never been more depressed, anxious, and unhappy. Without a doubt, our modern way of life is not working. In fact, it’s killing us. But what is to be done? With intelligence and compassion, Headlee presents realistic solutions for how we can reclaim our health and our humanity from a technological revolution that seems hell-bent on destroying both. I’m so grateful to have read this book. It delivers on its promise of a better life.”—Elizabeth Gilbert, author of Big Magic and Eat Pray Love
“Celeste Headlee makes a powerful case that productivity is not an inherent virtue—if you’re not careful, it can become a vice. If you’ve ever felt compelled to work harder, this book is a clarion call to work smarter instead. Sometimes you accomplish more by doing less.”—Adam Grant, New York Times bestselling author of Originals and Give and Take, and host of the chart-topping TED podcast WorkLife
“At a time when so many people are feeling overworked, overwhelmed and addicted to busyness, work, and ever-present technology, Celeste Headlee offers a pathway out. Drawing on extensive research and her own experience, Do Nothing is a powerful reminder that taking the time to stop, connect with others, and forge real bonds is vital for building community, fostering empathy, and ultimately leads to joy.”—Brigid Schulte, author of the New York Times bestselling Overwhelmed, and director of The Better Life Lab at New America
“I needed this book. And chances are you need it, too. Celeste Headlee does something amazing in Do Nothing. She battles this hectic, stressful time and highlights the things that makes our lives better. Connection. Experience. Self-care. And, above all, she reminds us to get busy living.”—Jared Yates Sexton, author of The Man They Wanted Me to Be
“In this thought-provoking, well-researched book, Celeste invites readers to push back against the I’m-too-busy narrative and discover what it means to be truly successful.”—Laura Vanderkam, author of Off the Clock and I Know How She Does It
“This book is honest, heartbreaking, and hopeful. It's that kind of gem that you read and know you need to hear, know you need to embrace, even if it's challenging. Incredibly well-researched and yet never preachy or dull, this book will help us all reclaim a bit of our humanness if we allow it.”—Nataly Kogan, author of Happier Now
Available Editions
| EDITION | Other Format |
| ISBN | 9781984824738 |
| PRICE | $25.00 (USD) |
| PAGES | 288 |
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews
Alicia G, Reviewer
I loved this book, it makes you take a step back and reevaluate how you are spending your life and energy and puts things in perspective. I think our country out so much importance on working hard but people are forgetting how to live purposefully and this book addresses that exactly.
Theresa J, Reviewer
Do Nothing is an excellent, well-researched interrogation on our culture’s obsession with overwork and efficiency, and the ways it stifles creativity and actual productivity and leads to a lower quality of life.
Headlee gives a great historical foundation and context for how American culture came to be so obsessed work and busyness. She also cites study after study on how working longer hours actually leads to decreased productivity. More importantly, and perhaps more surprising, she cites loads of research that shows how harmful this can be to our physical and mental health. It’s not just about not having enough time to go to the gym after work — it’s also about simply perceiving that you don’t have enough time to go for a fifteen minute coffee break without your phone.
She also gives concrete solutions that are more comprehensive than just taking a technology break, but acknowledges that the real solution is in a cultural shift. It’s kind of depressing, but also she gives us historical precedent: Einstein and many other people we hail as geniuses only worked like four hours a day.
Overall an excellent read for 2020.
Abby S, Reviewer
I loved this book brilliant ideas how to stop doing going working take a deep breath connect with life people quiet time,The author shares her own personal experiences give us ideas what steps to take to do nothing a great concept.Perfect for discussion in a book club ,classroom ,friend to friend.#netgalley#crown
Susie S, Book Trade Professional
This was a title that grabbed my attention as I’m someone who has to always be doing something, even in my leisure time whether it’s hiking, reading, cooking or even a puzzle. So I wanted to learn more on the concept of “doing nothing”. This book brings home the value of down time or leisure time and how it contributes to a healthier way of managing stress. It includes studies to back it up. So instead of feeling guilty about that “one more chapter” or “just chillin”, I will actually feel productive.
Rachel R, Reviewer
I like the concept of this book. I'm a bit underemployed by choice. This is all about making human connection and not feeling the pressure of our hustle culture. Lots of research but still an easy read.
Mallori L, Reviewer
I’ve never considered myself to be obsessed with work or to be somebody who snubs idle time. However, I can also admit that I have absolutely used my busy-ness and lack of free time as a sort of humble brag. ‘Look at me! I’m important enough to have every moment of my life spoken for. Should have asked me to hangout months ago!’
Do Nothing takes a deep dive into humankind’s relationship with work and our developed obsession with being busy. Headlee covers everything from the history of the 8 hour work day to how technology and social media are affecting our work and home lives. Which she backs up with an insane amount of science and research! Do Nothing is thoughtful, extremely well researched and eye-opening af!
The best part was that Headlee is never preachy! She presents her findings in a very straightforward and clinical way. She acknowledges that the changes she suggests making are tough, like not checking email every second, but she offers insight on how she went about tackling some of the changes and admits when she had trouble sticking to her goals. It made it all seem relatable and doable.
Do Nothing inspired me to delete my work email from my phone, to delete any apps that I hadn’t used in the last month, to stop notifications on all but my essential apps and to take some more leisure time.
I would highly recommend Do Nothing for anybody, but especially if you're one of the following: if you’ve claimed to be ‘too busy’ more times than you can count, if you work more than 50 hours a week, if you have any sort of anxiety revolving around your productivity (or lack thereof), or if you’re just a rebel looking for a cause (fight that 12 hour work day). In fact, I’ve already told my (workaholic) boss that he’ll be getting a copy as soon as it’s released!
Allison A, Librarian
I haven't stopped talking about this book since I started it! Every person I know could benefit from this book. Incredibly well researched from start to finished with practical solutions for improving our over scheduled, stressed out lives. Having implemented several of the suggestions for creating boundaries for a better work/ life separation has benefited me tremendously in a short amount of time. Grateful for the opportunity to read this timely and important work before its release.
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