The Joy of Not Working: A Book for the Retired, Unemployed, and Overworked - 21st Century Edition Author: Ernie J. Zelinski | Language: English | ISBN:
B00CSM3DNE | Format: EPUB
The Joy of Not Working: A Book for the Retired, Unemployed, and Overworked - 21st Century Edition Description
This book could change your view of the world forever. "The Joy of Not Working" is all about learning to live every part of your life — employment, unemployment, retirement, and leisure time alike — to the fullest.
You too can join the thousands of converts and learn to thrive at both work and play, while enjoying life like never before. This classic has sold over 250,000 copies and has been published in seventeen languages for a reason.
Illustrated by eye-opening exercises, thought-provoking diagrams, and lively cartoons and quotations, "The Joy of Not Working" will inspire you to:
* Be more productive at work by working less.
* Discover and pursue your life’s passions.
* Gain the courage to leave your corporate job if it is draining life out of you.
* Pursue interesting leisure activities that make a difference in your physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.
* Vanquish any guilt you may have about not working long and hard hours
* Be financially independent with less money.
* Forget about security and focus on opportunity.
* Regularly indulge in a good measure of creative loafing.
* Put more effort into simplifying your life and less into complicating it.
* Live your life on your own terms and not someone else’s.
The latest edition of this book includes over thirty inspirational letters from readers detailing how the book helped them improve the variety, tone, and quality of their lives.
"The Joy of Not Working" is a provocative, entertaining, down-to-earth, and tremendously inspiring book that will help you get more joy and satisfaction out of everything you do.
“What a wonderful title: 'The Joy of Not Working'.
Ernie Zelinski’s basic message, no matter your
career stage, is get a well-balanced life and
quit relying on your job to define who you are.
It’s hard to quibble with Zelinski’s
live-life-to-the-fullest message. Those who have
drafted a resignation letter in their heads a
thousand times may be motivated to
finally quit an unfilling job.”
— Michelle Archer, "USA TODAY"
- File Size: 8877 KB
- Print Length: 240 pages
- Publisher: Visions International Publishing; 21st Century Edition edition (December 2, 2013)
- Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
- Language: English
- ASIN: B00CSM3DNE
- Text-to-Speech: Enabled
X-Ray:
- Lending: Enabled
- Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #56,534 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)
- #23
in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Business & Money > Personal Finance > Retirement Planning - #91
in Books > Business & Money > Personal Finance > Retirement Planning
- #23
in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Business & Money > Personal Finance > Retirement Planning - #91
in Books > Business & Money > Personal Finance > Retirement Planning
"The Joy of Not Working" is a welcome antidote to the workaholic mentality. A former engineer, Mr. Zelinski dropped out of the corporate rat race in favor of "The Life of Riley." He does what he loves (consulting, speaking, and writing) to make a living, and indulges in leisure the rest of the time. That doesn't mean he loafs around all day watching TV or playing video games. He discourages such empty distractions in favor of well-rounded activities like learning another language and volunteering at a homeless shelter.
Mr. Zelinski makes an excellent case for living a full life free of regret. I liked his positive attitude and constant motivation towards discovering and embracing my passions. His examples of persons who left a dreary job in favor of pursuing their dream occupation might be just the prodding some folks need to make their own leap (a similar book had that effect on me, and earned my eternal gratitude). Overall, the book's lighthearted tone and numerous applicable quotes were uplifting, and every chapter brightened up a break or lunchtime at work (although displaying a book with this title on your desk might upset a Bill Lumbergh-type manager). My favorite part was his short section on becoming an author. Every aspiring or discouraged writer should keep it handy as a pick-me-up.
However, the Life of Riley is a subjective thing, and finding your version of it might take some time and testing. Yes, it would be ideal to immediately discover and make a living in one's passion twenty hours a week. However, it may take awhile to actually discern your calling and develop it into a viable occupation. Until then, having a decent job that provides time and funds for investigating potential passions off-hours doesn't suck.
Believe it or not, I have the soul of a lazy person. I have enjoyed time off from 6 weeks to a year. I've enjoyed freedom in my work, especially now. So I totally understand the joy of Not Working.
Zelinski's book has many things going for it. For example:
(a) Too many of us are workaholics.
(b) We need structure, purpose and a sense of community, with or without a job.
(c) Work smart, not hard ("peak performance").
(d) The checklist on page 54 can be a wake-up call.
(e) We can gain several hours a week if we give up television.
But as a career consultant I am concerned about the book's core advice. Page 55: "The first day your job does not nourish and enthuse you is the day you should consider leaving. Indeed, I advise you to quit."
Pretty strong stuff! In my experience, few jobs provide daily nourishment and enthusiasm every day or even every week. I would say, "If you've outgrown your job, begin a search for alternatives. Don't do anything until you have a plan."
People do miss their jobs - even jobs they hated. I have never seen statistics, but my experience suggests at least 50% of those who quit without another job regretted the decision. One discussion list posted a note from a 40-something woman who had chosen enjoyable, low-paying jobs in the personal growth field. Now she was ready to move on, with no nest egg to fund a career transition.
Job dissatisfaction actually can be a misleading signal. Many people who seek a career change actually need to relocate geographically or work on relationships.
My biggest criticism of the book is the potentially misleading presentation of information.
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