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Do Nothing

ebook / ISBN-13: 9780349422237

Price: £11.99

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We work feverishly to make ourselves happy. So why are we so miserable? This manifesto helps us break free of our unhealthy devotion to efficiency and shows us how to reclaim our time and humanity.

‘This book is so important and could truly save lives . . . 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, bestselling author of Big Magic and Eat, Pray, Love

Despite our constant search for new ways to ‘hack’ 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. 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.

The key lies in embracing what makes us human: our creativity, our social connections (Instagram doesn’t count), our ability for reflective thought, and our capacity for joy. Celeste’s strategies will allow you to regain control over your life and break your addiction to false efficiency, including:

-Increase your time perception and determine how your hours are being spent.
-Stop comparing yourself to others.
-Invest in quality idle time. Take a hot bath and listen to music.
-Spend face-to-face time with friends and family

It’s time to recover our leisure time and reverse the trend that’s making us all sadder, sicker, and less productive.

What's Inside

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Reviews

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
<b>Jared Yates Sexton, author of <i>The Man They Wanted Me to Be</i></b>
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
<b>Adam Grant, <i>New York Times</i> bestselling author of <i>Originals</i> and <i>Give and Take</i>, and host of the chart-topping TED podcast WorkLife</b>
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
<b>Elizabeth Gilbert, author of <i>Big Magic</i> and <i>Eat, Pray, Love</i></b>
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
<b>Brigid Schulte, author of the <i>New York Times</i> bestselling <i>Overwhelmed</i>, and director of The Better Life Lab at New America</b>
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
<b>Nataly Kogan, author of <i>Happier Now</i></b>
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
<b>Laura Vanderkam, author of <i>Off the Clock</i> and <i>I Know How She Does It</i></b>
Do Nothing is a welcome antidote to our toxic hustle culture of burnout. Through deep research and evocative storytelling, Celeste Headlee shows us how to break free from constant pressure and live the life we truly want
<b>Arianna Huffington, founder and CEO of Thrive Global</b>