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The Good Enough Job: Reclaiming Life from Work
"Superb."—Oliver Burkeman
A challenge to the tyranny of work and a call to reclaim our lives from its clutches.
From the moment we ask children what they want to “be” when they grow up, we exalt the dream job as if it were life’s ultimate objective. Many entangle their identities with their jobs, with predictable damage to happiness, wellbeing, and even professional success.
In The Good Enough Job , journalist Simone Stolzoff traces how work has come to dominate Americans’ lives—and why we find it so difficult to let go. Based on groundbreaking reporting and interviews with Michelin star chefs, Wall Street bankers, overwhelmed teachers and other workers across the American economy, Stolzoff exposes what we lose when we expect work to be more than a job. Rather than treat work as a calling or a dream, he asks what it would take to reframe work as a part of life rather than the entirety of our lives. What does it mean for a job to be good enough?
Through provocative critique and deep reporting, Stolzoff punctures the myths that keep us chained to our jobs. By exposing the lies we--and our employers--tell about the value of our labor, The Good Enough Job makes the urgent case for reclaiming our lives in a world centered around work.
A challenge to the tyranny of work and a call to reclaim our lives from its clutches.
From the moment we ask children what they want to “be” when they grow up, we exalt the dream job as if it were life’s ultimate objective. Many entangle their identities with their jobs, with predictable damage to happiness, wellbeing, and even professional success.
In The Good Enough Job , journalist Simone Stolzoff traces how work has come to dominate Americans’ lives—and why we find it so difficult to let go. Based on groundbreaking reporting and interviews with Michelin star chefs, Wall Street bankers, overwhelmed teachers and other workers across the American economy, Stolzoff exposes what we lose when we expect work to be more than a job. Rather than treat work as a calling or a dream, he asks what it would take to reframe work as a part of life rather than the entirety of our lives. What does it mean for a job to be good enough?
Through provocative critique and deep reporting, Stolzoff punctures the myths that keep us chained to our jobs. By exposing the lies we--and our employers--tell about the value of our labor, The Good Enough Job makes the urgent case for reclaiming our lives in a world centered around work.
272 pages, Hardcover
First published May 23, 2023
About the author
Simone Stolzoff
1 book63 followersSimone Stolzoff is a writer and designer from San Francisco. A former design lead at the global innovation firm IDEO, his work has been featured in The New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, The Atlantic, and many other publications. He is a graduate of Stanford University and the University of Pennsylvania.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 680 reviews
September 6, 2023
This book is super hard for me to rate. I need this message, yet I can’t see myself in any of the examples which leads me to wonder whether the problem is the book or the problem is me. Maybe both?
How do you detach your self worth from your job when your job helps perform a public good AND is open to the public, so you can’t just leave willy nilly? How do you detach from your job when without it, you couldn’t survive because you’d nosedive into poverty? How do you separate yourself from the thing that puts food in your family’s mouths? How do you become someone outside your job when you live in a small town? How do you put more effort into the rest of your life when the livelihoods of other people depend on your work to keep them afloat? I don’t know. None of these questions are answered in this book.
The examples in this book are almost wholly wealthy people who were able to quit their jobs and make changes because they had already created enormous nest eggs (in banking, at Google, etc.) which would float them while they figured out what they wanted to do next - and for some of them, next was the commodification of their hobby which feels like the exact opposite message of this book, yet, there it is.
The author argues that the responsibility for creating work-life boundaries is on the employer. But what about when you ARE the employer? As the boss, how do I create these boundaries for myself without destroying my sense of self and push my workplace forward? I don’t know if I can, no matter how much I want to.
Work is a transaction, yes. But you try letting work be merely transactional when there’s no way to turn it off. Separating your intrinsic self from your job is a privilege.
How do you detach your self worth from your job when your job helps perform a public good AND is open to the public, so you can’t just leave willy nilly? How do you detach from your job when without it, you couldn’t survive because you’d nosedive into poverty? How do you separate yourself from the thing that puts food in your family’s mouths? How do you become someone outside your job when you live in a small town? How do you put more effort into the rest of your life when the livelihoods of other people depend on your work to keep them afloat? I don’t know. None of these questions are answered in this book.
The examples in this book are almost wholly wealthy people who were able to quit their jobs and make changes because they had already created enormous nest eggs (in banking, at Google, etc.) which would float them while they figured out what they wanted to do next - and for some of them, next was the commodification of their hobby which feels like the exact opposite message of this book, yet, there it is.
The author argues that the responsibility for creating work-life boundaries is on the employer. But what about when you ARE the employer? As the boss, how do I create these boundaries for myself without destroying my sense of self and push my workplace forward? I don’t know if I can, no matter how much I want to.
Work is a transaction, yes. But you try letting work be merely transactional when there’s no way to turn it off. Separating your intrinsic self from your job is a privilege.
May 31, 2023
Read: May 2023
Rating: 5/5 stars, best of 2023
I read this book at exactly the right time in my life, as I am on maternity leave and considering what to do career and life-wise when it is time for me to go back to work. For some reason, the many notes and highlights I made on my kindle haven't linked to Goodreads, so I'll just list some of the quotes I found the most meaningful/ thought-provoking from the book.
"The modern ideology of workism asks two distinct pursuits - money and inner fulfilment - to coalesce. These pursuits are not always aligned, and yet we increasingly look to our jobs to satisfy both." (p. 14)
"When we give all of our energy to our professional lives, we deprive the other identities that exist within us - spouse, parent, sibling, neighbour, friend, citizen, artist, traveller - of the nutrients to grow" (p. 21)
"It wasn't just about my job, it was about my identity. It was about how I'd answer the question 'What do you do?' which I took to mean, 'Who the hell are you?' It didn't feel like I was choosing between two jobs; it felt like I was choosing between two versions of me." (p. 50)
"The problem with this gospel - your dream job is out there, so never stop hustling - is that it is a blueprint for spiritual and physical exhaustion...it is a diabolical game that creates a prize so tantalising yet rare that almost nobody wins, but everybody feels obligated to play forever." (p. 57)
"At the end of the day, a job is an economic contract. It is an exchange of labour for money. The more clear-eyed we can be about that, the better." (p. 179)
"On the other side of deprioritising work is prioritising life." (p. 186)
Rating: 5/5 stars, best of 2023
I read this book at exactly the right time in my life, as I am on maternity leave and considering what to do career and life-wise when it is time for me to go back to work. For some reason, the many notes and highlights I made on my kindle haven't linked to Goodreads, so I'll just list some of the quotes I found the most meaningful/ thought-provoking from the book.
"The modern ideology of workism asks two distinct pursuits - money and inner fulfilment - to coalesce. These pursuits are not always aligned, and yet we increasingly look to our jobs to satisfy both." (p. 14)
"When we give all of our energy to our professional lives, we deprive the other identities that exist within us - spouse, parent, sibling, neighbour, friend, citizen, artist, traveller - of the nutrients to grow" (p. 21)
"It wasn't just about my job, it was about my identity. It was about how I'd answer the question 'What do you do?' which I took to mean, 'Who the hell are you?' It didn't feel like I was choosing between two jobs; it felt like I was choosing between two versions of me." (p. 50)
"The problem with this gospel - your dream job is out there, so never stop hustling - is that it is a blueprint for spiritual and physical exhaustion...it is a diabolical game that creates a prize so tantalising yet rare that almost nobody wins, but everybody feels obligated to play forever." (p. 57)
"At the end of the day, a job is an economic contract. It is an exchange of labour for money. The more clear-eyed we can be about that, the better." (p. 179)
"On the other side of deprioritising work is prioritising life." (p. 186)
June 10, 2023
D.W. Winnicott's ideology of "good enough parent," which I discovered through The School of Life, is a refreshing take on parenting. My impression of this concept of a "good enough parent" is not to over-index on being perfect, but being present with one's imperfections and vulnerabilities, holding space for the kid, and letting them self soothe. More importantly, a parent doesn’t lose themselves in kids’ emotions/tantrums but still love them. When I learned about this book that looks at work through the lens of "good enough", I was naturally curious.
Maybe it's my middle-class upbringing or my financially not well-off environment with deep-seated patriarchy; I have never questioned "work or career." In all my school and college days, the highest priority has been for "career" and getting settled in a good enough job, making good money, and getting "settled" in life. But now that I have spent a couple of decades in the job market I tend to believe this - “If your identity was defined by your job, you never really had a real identity.”
So the approach of looking at the job as something good enough to do is pretty compelling. One of Esther Perel's quotes hit a nerve with me - "Too many people bring the best of themselves to work and bring the leftovers home." This is a good summary of how and where we need to stack rank work in our life. This book is a good enough exploration of this concept through various lenses - passion, purpose, perks, and general wealth.
It resonated well with me; give it a try.
Maybe it's my middle-class upbringing or my financially not well-off environment with deep-seated patriarchy; I have never questioned "work or career." In all my school and college days, the highest priority has been for "career" and getting settled in a good enough job, making good money, and getting "settled" in life. But now that I have spent a couple of decades in the job market I tend to believe this - “If your identity was defined by your job, you never really had a real identity.”
So the approach of looking at the job as something good enough to do is pretty compelling. One of Esther Perel's quotes hit a nerve with me - "Too many people bring the best of themselves to work and bring the leftovers home." This is a good summary of how and where we need to stack rank work in our life. This book is a good enough exploration of this concept through various lenses - passion, purpose, perks, and general wealth.
It resonated well with me; give it a try.
July 31, 2023
"The Good Enough Job: Reclaiming Life from Work" by Simone Stolzoff is a quick and easy read that explores the concept of work-life balance through the experiences of high-earning individuals who have chosen to work less. While the book's messaging aligns with my beliefs, I found it lacking in its attempt to engage readers with differing perspectives.
The selection of interviewees, primarily high earners, offered intriguing insights into their choices and experiences. However, the book's focus on this specific group left me longing for a more comprehensive exploration that included voices from various socioeconomic backgrounds and career stages. As someone from the middle class and at the beginning of my career, I felt disconnected from the narratives presented.
Stolzoff's messaging, centered around the importance of prioritizing personal passions and lives over work, resonates with me. Yet, I couldn't help but feel that the book lacked a robust effort to present persuasive arguments to those who may not already share these beliefs. The book seemed to assume a level of agreement from its readers, rather than engaging in meaningful discussions to broaden its impact.
Moreover, while some statistics were included, the book tended to lean more heavily on the perspectives of the author and interviewees, leaving the overall message feeling incomplete and selective. I had hoped for a more balanced approach that built a strong case for its central points, rather than relying on personal anecdotes and perspectives. This contributed to the overall impression of "cheesy motivational pop psychology" rather than a comprehensive and inclusive exploration of work-life balance.
In conclusion, "The Good Enough Job: Reclaiming Life from Work" offers some thought-provoking ideas about the importance of finding fulfillment beyond monetary gains. However, its narrow focus on high earners and failure to engage in meaningful discussions or encompass diverse perspectives left me feeling unsatisfied with the book's overall content. While it may resonate with readers who already share the author's beliefs, those seeking a more balanced and comprehensive examination of work-life balance may find themselves underwhelmed. Personally, I read this book with a sense of curiosity but found myself yearning for a more impactful and inclusive exploration of the subject matter.
The selection of interviewees, primarily high earners, offered intriguing insights into their choices and experiences. However, the book's focus on this specific group left me longing for a more comprehensive exploration that included voices from various socioeconomic backgrounds and career stages. As someone from the middle class and at the beginning of my career, I felt disconnected from the narratives presented.
Stolzoff's messaging, centered around the importance of prioritizing personal passions and lives over work, resonates with me. Yet, I couldn't help but feel that the book lacked a robust effort to present persuasive arguments to those who may not already share these beliefs. The book seemed to assume a level of agreement from its readers, rather than engaging in meaningful discussions to broaden its impact.
Moreover, while some statistics were included, the book tended to lean more heavily on the perspectives of the author and interviewees, leaving the overall message feeling incomplete and selective. I had hoped for a more balanced approach that built a strong case for its central points, rather than relying on personal anecdotes and perspectives. This contributed to the overall impression of "cheesy motivational pop psychology" rather than a comprehensive and inclusive exploration of work-life balance.
In conclusion, "The Good Enough Job: Reclaiming Life from Work" offers some thought-provoking ideas about the importance of finding fulfillment beyond monetary gains. However, its narrow focus on high earners and failure to engage in meaningful discussions or encompass diverse perspectives left me feeling unsatisfied with the book's overall content. While it may resonate with readers who already share the author's beliefs, those seeking a more balanced and comprehensive examination of work-life balance may find themselves underwhelmed. Personally, I read this book with a sense of curiosity but found myself yearning for a more impactful and inclusive exploration of the subject matter.
June 1, 2023
The idea is cool and inspiring but this is a blog post, not a book.
May 5, 2023
I was grateful to receive an advance copy of The Good Enough Job and only have good things to say about it in return! This should be read by all who are either questioning their relationship with work, stressed about climbing a corporate ladder, and/or, like myself, interested in alternative ways to have perceived value to society. Definitely recommend.
Read
May 29, 2023how do I get one of these jobs that people are apparently so eager to reclaim their lives from?
March 10, 2024
I learned an incredible amount from this book and it unlocked so many new thought patterns in my brain! I particularly loved the different personal stories that the author included, which were each well chosen and relevant.
Specific quotes that blew my mind...
◘ "I spent my life searching for a vocational soulmate." 💯
◘ "Too many people bring the best of themselves to work and bring the leftovers home." 💥
◘ "Churches can get books banned From libraries, but they can't make all the Google results fit their narrative."
◘ "The politicization of religion." 👏
◘ "Turning one's passion into a career is simply not attainable for most. For example, in journalism entry level positions Do not pay a living wage. And. Go to those who can afford to live off the low-wage and may have their rent subsidized by their parents. Following your passion works best for folks with The privilege to manage the inherent risk of doing so." This just blew my mind. Chapter 3, 32% in. 🤯
◘ Also, this next bit about employers such as Starbucks screening employees for passion..."Even when passion isn't necessary to do the job well. So the expectation that you perform passion while you do that job is additional labor beyond the immediate act of making the coffee."
◘ "When you are a worker in a system where you are only ever rewarded for outworking your peers it can create a really unhealthy understanding of your place in the power structure." 💣💥
Specific examples or stories that blew my mind...
◘ Davia's work story and experience was very hard-hitting.
◘ The ancient Greek saw work as a curse?!. I had no idea, but I'm so interested!
◘ Fobazi library story, again very Hard-hitting The personal stories from people that the author has included in this book are all really good and also really on topic. I just think that it was smart to include them.
◘ LOVVVVVEEEE the small part about play and play being the antidote to work! I really like the example given of having goals outside of work. For example, Training for a marathon Or having a goal of how many books you read in the year and the quote goes on to say: "Through all of our quantified ambition we lose sight of the joy of play."
◘WOWWWW the whole story about Kickstarter (Chpt. 5) was crazy I had no idea that had happened!!!! I don't care what they say about it but any company or organization that would discourage their employees from creating a union is so transparently a company that does not truly care about its workers.
◘ There are broadly 2 types of workers: integrators vs segmenters. Very insightful segment!!!
Specific quotes that blew my mind...
◘ "I spent my life searching for a vocational soulmate." 💯
◘ "Too many people bring the best of themselves to work and bring the leftovers home." 💥
◘ "Churches can get books banned From libraries, but they can't make all the Google results fit their narrative."
◘ "The politicization of religion." 👏
◘ "Turning one's passion into a career is simply not attainable for most. For example, in journalism entry level positions Do not pay a living wage. And. Go to those who can afford to live off the low-wage and may have their rent subsidized by their parents. Following your passion works best for folks with The privilege to manage the inherent risk of doing so." This just blew my mind. Chapter 3, 32% in. 🤯
◘ Also, this next bit about employers such as Starbucks screening employees for passion..."Even when passion isn't necessary to do the job well. So the expectation that you perform passion while you do that job is additional labor beyond the immediate act of making the coffee."
◘ "When you are a worker in a system where you are only ever rewarded for outworking your peers it can create a really unhealthy understanding of your place in the power structure." 💣💥
Specific examples or stories that blew my mind...
◘ Davia's work story and experience was very hard-hitting.
◘ The ancient Greek saw work as a curse?!. I had no idea, but I'm so interested!
◘ Fobazi library story, again very Hard-hitting The personal stories from people that the author has included in this book are all really good and also really on topic. I just think that it was smart to include them.
◘ LOVVVVVEEEE the small part about play and play being the antidote to work! I really like the example given of having goals outside of work. For example, Training for a marathon Or having a goal of how many books you read in the year and the quote goes on to say: "Through all of our quantified ambition we lose sight of the joy of play."
◘WOWWWW the whole story about Kickstarter (Chpt. 5) was crazy I had no idea that had happened!!!! I don't care what they say about it but any company or organization that would discourage their employees from creating a union is so transparently a company that does not truly care about its workers.
◘ There are broadly 2 types of workers: integrators vs segmenters. Very insightful segment!!!
November 12, 2023
Super fucking priviledged. Easy to "reclaim your life from work," have hobbies, and travel if you're a millionaire or have considerable savings.
September 29, 2023
I learned about overworking the hard way.
When I was a fresh graduate, I worked in a unicorn startup which they advertised as fast-paced, high pressure environment. Work was always there, the team definitely should have more people, and it was difficult to catch a breath. When I was working, it was as if the success depended on me and I should make no mistakes. But when I was away, I was ensured that I am replaceable.
The younger me knew nothing about boundaries. When the group chat notification came at midnight and my boss requested for a revision, I quickly grabbed my laptop despite I was going to sleep after working for 10 hours. Lucky me, my manager forbid. "If you say yes, work will always be there."
I never knew that making "Good Enough" was an option. For someone who claimed as an over-achiever, I always made sure the work that I produced embodied my identity. It was a huge mistake, when work should not, ever be, our sole identity.
The Good Enough Job is not a book that tells you to decrease your work quality. The interviews with people with various jobs and background who learned about having identity outside work is as important as the work itself. It will remind you to define what's enough for you, when to stop, and to prioritize life. “When you hit the bottom and you aren’t producing or contributing in any of the ways society expects and capitalism demands, you look around and ask: Do I have value?”
I like how the author realized that there is no one size fits all answer. Our boundaries with work will forever be personal, and we have the freedom to choose how much time and effort we invest in them. But I adore how the book reminded me that working culture is not a individual responsibility. In order to have a life outside work, you have to be in a place that allows you to do that.
If you are wondering how to reclaim your life from work, define your own good enough, or just willing to hear from the people who learned it the hard way, this book might be for you. You'll meet software engineers, bankers, chef, and other jobs struggling with the same thing. They wont tell you what to do, because that's up to you to figure it out.
When I was a fresh graduate, I worked in a unicorn startup which they advertised as fast-paced, high pressure environment. Work was always there, the team definitely should have more people, and it was difficult to catch a breath. When I was working, it was as if the success depended on me and I should make no mistakes. But when I was away, I was ensured that I am replaceable.
The younger me knew nothing about boundaries. When the group chat notification came at midnight and my boss requested for a revision, I quickly grabbed my laptop despite I was going to sleep after working for 10 hours. Lucky me, my manager forbid. "If you say yes, work will always be there."
I never knew that making "Good Enough" was an option. For someone who claimed as an over-achiever, I always made sure the work that I produced embodied my identity. It was a huge mistake, when work should not, ever be, our sole identity.
The Good Enough Job is not a book that tells you to decrease your work quality. The interviews with people with various jobs and background who learned about having identity outside work is as important as the work itself. It will remind you to define what's enough for you, when to stop, and to prioritize life. “When you hit the bottom and you aren’t producing or contributing in any of the ways society expects and capitalism demands, you look around and ask: Do I have value?”
I like how the author realized that there is no one size fits all answer. Our boundaries with work will forever be personal, and we have the freedom to choose how much time and effort we invest in them. But I adore how the book reminded me that working culture is not a individual responsibility. In order to have a life outside work, you have to be in a place that allows you to do that.
If you are wondering how to reclaim your life from work, define your own good enough, or just willing to hear from the people who learned it the hard way, this book might be for you. You'll meet software engineers, bankers, chef, and other jobs struggling with the same thing. They wont tell you what to do, because that's up to you to figure it out.
June 28, 2023
I am not having a work crisis. I feel pretty good about my work/life integration and have lots of outside interests and support systems. While my work is meaningful and can fall victim to “work awe,” I’m pretty aware of the limitations of passion careers.
THAT SAID- I listened to this author on one of my fave podcasts (Work Appropriate) and had a chance encounter with him at an airport flying back from a conference where I was thinking about how better to support faculty leaders. So- I had to read the book! And I devoured it! It was well-written, funny, smart, and thought-provoking. I really liked the format of the book and the diversity of careers represented.
THAT SAID- I listened to this author on one of my fave podcasts (Work Appropriate) and had a chance encounter with him at an airport flying back from a conference where I was thinking about how better to support faculty leaders. So- I had to read the book! And I devoured it! It was well-written, funny, smart, and thought-provoking. I really liked the format of the book and the diversity of careers represented.
October 23, 2023
From a young age we are asked, "what do you want to be when you grow up?" and then "what do you do?" as adults. American culture is so entrenched in workism that it can be hard to separate one's identity from one's job. When we prioritize work , we deprioritize life and "deprive the other identities that exist within us." To help you reexamine your relationship to your work, Stolzoff tackles common myths, including we are what we do, dream jobs, your work is your worth, a workplace can be family, more hours lead to better work, and more.
This book really resonated with me, and I will definitely be revisiting it.
This book really resonated with me, and I will definitely be revisiting it.
May 30, 2023
I usually avoid nonfiction books because the writing is dense and academic. This book is the opposite. Simone wrote about a subject that touches all of our lives in a way that can be understood by everyone. This book helped me reflect on my own journey as a recovering workist through the personal stories of chefs, engineers, and journalists. It also reminded me that there are so many meaningful parts of our lives, why let a job consume them all.
September 28, 2023
I liked the main concepts (your job does not define you; it’s what you do, not who you are; work shouldn’t get in the way of life etc etc) but I don’t think he could have picked less relatable or compelling case studies.
November 4, 2023
4.5 rounded up
I thought this was a really interesting book, and it feels particularly relevant today. A lot of this resonated for me, both personally and in terms of conversations I've had with friends. I appreciated that there were no easy answers, but it's really meant to get you thinking.
I thought this was a really interesting book, and it feels particularly relevant today. A lot of this resonated for me, both personally and in terms of conversations I've had with friends. I appreciated that there were no easy answers, but it's really meant to get you thinking.
Read
May 23, 2023An excellent book for anyone looking to develop a healthier relationship with work.
April 3, 2024
This book spoke to my soul. “The good enough” job is language that resonates so much with me as I’m exploring my relationship to work these days: how can I find a job that gives me some sense of fulfillment (since we’re at work for so much of our time) and also not lean on work to give me ‘my fulfillment,’ ya know? Super tough balance, and finding the Good Enough Job just feels right. So anyway, I highllllllly recommend you read this book if you too are on the same journey as me.
September 28, 2023
Really liked this book :) helped w my mindset of needing to have a perfect job that I’m obsessed w and relieved some pressure
November 22, 2023
2 - 2.5 stars
The Good Enough Job: Reclaiming Life from Work is a well-written book, however, for me, this was an "ok" read.
My suspicions were correct...this book was not written for me, an utter non -workist. I left a "good" and "prestigious" job in NYC and ended up working at a Kinko's in Philadelphia, laying out resumes and fliers.
Did people judge me? Probably.
Did customers dismiss me as an idiot clerk? Absolutely.
Did I give one single f*#k? Not one.
I clocked in, did my work, chatted with coworkers and customers, and I clocked out. I loved it!
And while I have spent my entire adult life chasing the illusion of work that matters, work that means something more than a paycheck (but that still pays well) and access to more affordable and better quality health insurance, having a nearly zero-pressure job always trumped a more "prestigious" job that always brought pressure, expectations, and development goals.
While Stolzolff mentions the "meaningful" job, the people he interviewed still entwine themselves with their meaningful job. More stories focus on those who either walked away from or had their dream/prestigious/enviable job yanked away and then struggled with feeling lost, not contributing to society, etc.
For me, this is another book that feels a bit like spitting into an ocean. How do we stop the workist madness at the root? How do we strip away the Calvinist ideals that have meshed with Capitalist greed? Reprogramming a few thousand people to revise their relationship to work does not unseat the larger cultural programming and pressure.
The Good Enough Job: Reclaiming Life from Work is a well-written book, however, for me, this was an "ok" read.
My suspicions were correct...this book was not written for me, an utter non -workist. I left a "good" and "prestigious" job in NYC and ended up working at a Kinko's in Philadelphia, laying out resumes and fliers.
Did people judge me? Probably.
Did customers dismiss me as an idiot clerk? Absolutely.
Did I give one single f*#k? Not one.
I clocked in, did my work, chatted with coworkers and customers, and I clocked out. I loved it!
And while I have spent my entire adult life chasing the illusion of work that matters, work that means something more than a paycheck (but that still pays well) and access to more affordable and better quality health insurance, having a nearly zero-pressure job always trumped a more "prestigious" job that always brought pressure, expectations, and development goals.
While Stolzolff mentions the "meaningful" job, the people he interviewed still entwine themselves with their meaningful job. More stories focus on those who either walked away from or had their dream/prestigious/enviable job yanked away and then struggled with feeling lost, not contributing to society, etc.
For me, this is another book that feels a bit like spitting into an ocean. How do we stop the workist madness at the root? How do we strip away the Calvinist ideals that have meshed with Capitalist greed? Reprogramming a few thousand people to revise their relationship to work does not unseat the larger cultural programming and pressure.
June 25, 2023
I bought this book within 15 minutes of reading a summary on LinkedIn.
As someone who wants to love what they do while maintaining a boundary between work and life, the stories, advice, and revelations in these pages were received with gratitude.
I love how each chapter orbits around an author-interviewed individual and their personal work-life story. It was a refreshing departure from the stereotypical nonfiction format.
Of particular note:
- On choosing a career that is at once fulfilling and financially secure: “The key is to craft a personal definition of success that takes into account what you value and what the market values…to figure out where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.”
- Those with the healthiest relationships to work have a strong sense of who they are when they’re not working. There is genuine freedom in creating boundaries that others are too scared or too conditioned to make. The risk of not making those boundaries is huge: “…when you don’t take an active role in determining what you value, you inherit the values of the system around you.”
- On the repercussions of people abandoning traditional methods of community-building (via religion, neighborhoods, book clubs) for “family” at work: “Our desks were never meant to be our altars…expecting a job to deliver transcendence creates a massive opportunity for disappointment.”
As someone who wants to love what they do while maintaining a boundary between work and life, the stories, advice, and revelations in these pages were received with gratitude.
I love how each chapter orbits around an author-interviewed individual and their personal work-life story. It was a refreshing departure from the stereotypical nonfiction format.
Of particular note:
- On choosing a career that is at once fulfilling and financially secure: “The key is to craft a personal definition of success that takes into account what you value and what the market values…to figure out where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.”
- Those with the healthiest relationships to work have a strong sense of who they are when they’re not working. There is genuine freedom in creating boundaries that others are too scared or too conditioned to make. The risk of not making those boundaries is huge: “…when you don’t take an active role in determining what you value, you inherit the values of the system around you.”
- On the repercussions of people abandoning traditional methods of community-building (via religion, neighborhoods, book clubs) for “family” at work: “Our desks were never meant to be our altars…expecting a job to deliver transcendence creates a massive opportunity for disappointment.”
September 26, 2023
I know some of my friends appreciate my recommendations, so here goes. I found this book very helpful, even for those of us in nonprofit work who believe our work is our calling (and we’ve done this work for a long time, knowing we gave up higher pay for work that brings us joy or purpose). Most of us have felt some level of burnout over the last four years, and this book is helpful in thinking through other models of how to work. I did some thinking on my sabbatical of what I wanted my life to look like, and this is yet another tool as I continue in that practice. There were some fantastic nuggets here, like “On the other side of deprioritizing work is prioritizing life,” and “What’s one small change you can make to elevate your non-work self?” Also, I’m going to re-read Four Thousand Weeks, as this book reminded me how much I liked that book, too.
June 9, 2023
I’ve been wanting to find some type of sociology-ish book that looks at the world of work as it is today: Increased remote work; post-Great Resignation; etc. These last few years have brought so much change in my own life, and I wanted something to help contextualize that within broader societal trends.
This book definitely offered what I was looking for. A great read!
This book definitely offered what I was looking for. A great read!
June 20, 2023
Tell me where you’re at in your career without telling me.
February 23, 2024
This year, I've made it an intentional goal to channel my inner creative again. I find that while my job is great and the company I work for takes great care of its people, I don't get to use my brain in super creative ways like I have been able to in the past, which has caused this spark to diminish.
I normally don't reach for books like these because, "idk, my life is fine, I don't need help," but I will say that this is worth picking up for anyone who feels too tired after work to take up a hobby or use their brain in a different way than they do at work. It begs the question, "What would you do if you didn't have to work to live?" and provides vignettes on folks in various sectors who have experienced varying levels of burnout. Their stories were inspiring (and frankly, made me want to take a VERY long vacation...maybe forever)!
So many of the points in this book validated my need for play and trying new things without any incentive at the end. So, I'm telling you all, find a new hobby (or revisit an old one), and do it not for competition, not for money, and not because there is a reward for your work. This book made me want to get my hands dirty, create, and say "fu*k it" to capitalism (even more than I already do). And for the love of god, USE YOUR PAID TIME OFF.
I normally don't reach for books like these because, "idk, my life is fine, I don't need help," but I will say that this is worth picking up for anyone who feels too tired after work to take up a hobby or use their brain in a different way than they do at work. It begs the question, "What would you do if you didn't have to work to live?" and provides vignettes on folks in various sectors who have experienced varying levels of burnout. Their stories were inspiring (and frankly, made me want to take a VERY long vacation...maybe forever)!
So many of the points in this book validated my need for play and trying new things without any incentive at the end. So, I'm telling you all, find a new hobby (or revisit an old one), and do it not for competition, not for money, and not because there is a reward for your work. This book made me want to get my hands dirty, create, and say "fu*k it" to capitalism (even more than I already do). And for the love of god, USE YOUR PAID TIME OFF.
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April 26, 2024I appreciated the main concepts—such as "your work doesn’t define you," "work is a transaction," and "work is what you do, not who you are" and liked that this isn’t a typical "how to love your job" guide. It's more of a collection of stories from which you can draw inspiration and information that applies to you. Despite many examples being from privileged contexts and not always relatable, I still found it compelling and it prompted me to reevaluate my relationship with work.
December 18, 2023
3.5/5 rounded up
"From the moment we ask children what they wanna "be" when they grow up, we exalt the dream job as if it were life's ultimate objective."
Enlightening and inspiring, yet somewhat lacking. This book was obviously written for a specific audience- the high-flyers, privileged, successful workers who have already made a name for themselves. IMO it is a kind of privilege to be able to label yourself as a 'world class chef', 'xxx prize winner journalist', 'insert giant tech company's strategist'. Examples inserted in the book are all people who were already rich/ successful enough to NOT be working anymore. Hence, advices given here aren't really applicable to those non-workists who continue to be caught in the capitalist loop to keep working like a donkey for measly pennies due to the greed of the rich. With that being said, there were some genuinely good insights in the book hence I'm giving it a rather high rating.
Highlights in the book: How companies take advantage of "passion" to under compensate their workers, the concept of vocational awe, the idea that working longer hours shouldn't be conflated with working hard, the illusion of a 'dream job', the false sense of camaraderie in companies that market their culture as "a family" and most importantly, how modern people place their self worth purely based on how successful their career is.
"From the moment we ask children what they wanna "be" when they grow up, we exalt the dream job as if it were life's ultimate objective."
Enlightening and inspiring, yet somewhat lacking. This book was obviously written for a specific audience- the high-flyers, privileged, successful workers who have already made a name for themselves. IMO it is a kind of privilege to be able to label yourself as a 'world class chef', 'xxx prize winner journalist', 'insert giant tech company's strategist'. Examples inserted in the book are all people who were already rich/ successful enough to NOT be working anymore. Hence, advices given here aren't really applicable to those non-workists who continue to be caught in the capitalist loop to keep working like a donkey for measly pennies due to the greed of the rich. With that being said, there were some genuinely good insights in the book hence I'm giving it a rather high rating.
Highlights in the book: How companies take advantage of "passion" to under compensate their workers, the concept of vocational awe, the idea that working longer hours shouldn't be conflated with working hard, the illusion of a 'dream job', the false sense of camaraderie in companies that market their culture as "a family" and most importantly, how modern people place their self worth purely based on how successful their career is.
August 31, 2023
My experience with this book was such a great reminder for why you shouldn’t make decisions based on reviews from others (and yes, I’m telling you to do the same with me). I’ve wanted to read this book for a while, and while I usually don’t read reviews, I saw one on Amazon that said this one was disconnected and highlighted privileged people who were able to have flexible jobs. I can tell you that this was 100% false, and Simone did an amazing job with this book.
I typically don’t like books with a lot of stories and interviews, but I binged this book in one sitting. Each chapter has a great lesson about managing our relationship with the work place. I absolutely loved the chapter about how work isn’t our family as well as the chapter on how we chase status. These are all things that I’ve learned and like to read about, but Simone killed it with writing about it and combining stories with scientific research.
Whether you have an unhealthy relationship with work or want to ensure it doesn’t happen in the future, you need to read this book.
I typically don’t like books with a lot of stories and interviews, but I binged this book in one sitting. Each chapter has a great lesson about managing our relationship with the work place. I absolutely loved the chapter about how work isn’t our family as well as the chapter on how we chase status. These are all things that I’ve learned and like to read about, but Simone killed it with writing about it and combining stories with scientific research.
Whether you have an unhealthy relationship with work or want to ensure it doesn’t happen in the future, you need to read this book.
February 12, 2024
Great book, and boils down the essence of why I am pursuing a 'work optional' life as well as taking on responsibilities outside of work.
Some of my favourite quotes from it:
"The pressure to work all the time runs deep— and it’s reinforced by our government, our institutions, and our own minds."
"I found that those with the healthiest relationships to their work had one thing in common: they all had a strong sense of who they were when they weren’t working."
"Even if you are passionate about what you do, the urge to climb the career ladder’s endless rungs can taint the intrinsic rewards of what drew you to a particular line of work in the first place."
"...developing a healthier relationship to work starts with defining what you want that relationship to be. If not, your employer will happily define the relationship for you."
"If your job is your identity, and you lose your job, what’s left?"
“I know my price,” she said. “Because I developed my identity outside of work, there’s a cost that if work cuts into it— if it ever costs me a larger part of my identity and my life— I know it’s not worth it.”
"Work will always be work. Some people work doing what they love. Other people work so that they can do what they love when they’re not working. Neither is more noble.”
Some of my favourite quotes from it:
"The pressure to work all the time runs deep— and it’s reinforced by our government, our institutions, and our own minds."
"I found that those with the healthiest relationships to their work had one thing in common: they all had a strong sense of who they were when they weren’t working."
"Even if you are passionate about what you do, the urge to climb the career ladder’s endless rungs can taint the intrinsic rewards of what drew you to a particular line of work in the first place."
"...developing a healthier relationship to work starts with defining what you want that relationship to be. If not, your employer will happily define the relationship for you."
"If your job is your identity, and you lose your job, what’s left?"
“I know my price,” she said. “Because I developed my identity outside of work, there’s a cost that if work cuts into it— if it ever costs me a larger part of my identity and my life— I know it’s not worth it.”
"Work will always be work. Some people work doing what they love. Other people work so that they can do what they love when they’re not working. Neither is more noble.”
May 13, 2024
my first finished book after a long reading hiatus from moving and starting a new job woo
(3.5) Overall, this was an enjoyable read. I definitely go back and forth a lot trying to figure out what kind of relationship I want work to have in my life and reading this book was a nice reminder to intentionally invest in figuring out what kind of person you are without the label of an occupation. Felt like I could have gotten the impact of this through an article rather than an entire book, but enjoyed reading it nonetheless.
(3.5) Overall, this was an enjoyable read. I definitely go back and forth a lot trying to figure out what kind of relationship I want work to have in my life and reading this book was a nice reminder to intentionally invest in figuring out what kind of person you are without the label of an occupation. Felt like I could have gotten the impact of this through an article rather than an entire book, but enjoyed reading it nonetheless.
November 17, 2023
It’s a counterintuitive view on the workplace. Everybody keeps pushing for more. More work, more money, more success. It’s not often discussed about the downsides of overreaching without having goals in mind that are tethered to your foundational values. In personal finance it’s brought up that you should spread your earnings/spending out over time to avoid regret. For working it can be viewed as similar. Think about what’s important outside of work and make sure that gets its due attention. The book tells a few stories of people working too hard, some burning out, and then re-evaluating what their values are. It also mentions that people have trouble turning off that mode of needing to work. If you have a corporate job it’s very easy to relate. Overall while it’s very one sided and has a clear agenda, it makes some great points along the way and the stories are cool to hear about. Worth the read.
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