Do Nothing Audiobook By Celeste Headlee cover art

Do Nothing

How to Break Away from Overworking, Overdoing, and Underliving

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Do Nothing

By: Celeste Headlee
Narrated by: Celeste Headlee
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About this listen

“A welcome antidote to our toxic hustle culture of burnout.” (Arianna Huffington)

“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.

©2020 Celeste Headlee (P)2020 Random House Audio
Career Success Personal Development Personal Success Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Social Psychology & Interactions Social Sciences Time Management Suspenseful Inspiring Thought-Provoking

Critic reviews

"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." (Arianna Huffington, founder and CEO of Thrive Global)

"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 best-selling author of Originals and Give and Take, and host of the chart-topping TED podcast WorkLife)

What listeners say about Do Nothing

Highly rated for:

Insightful Perspective Thought-provoking Ideas Excellent Narration Well-researched Content Practical Advice
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good research

overall good book with good points and research on how to spend more time not being productive. also some interesting history.

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Life-Changing & Inspiring

This was by far one of the best books I’ve ever read and was thoroughly enjoyable to listen to. Celeste is a great narrator and I found so many things in this book to be eye opening and transformative. I feel like this book empowered me to start living my life to the fullest in every aspect of who I am, not just my job title. Thank you so much to Celeste Headlee for writing this book, you have made the world a better place by sharing this with the world. With much gratitude from a fellow musician.

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It’s pretty good

I think it’s focus on statistical data can make it hard listen at times, but it definitely adds substance. This makes it less opinionated and more genuine content for self reflection. I recommend the listen.

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Must read.

This is an exceptional book to start rethinking how and WHY you work. Changed my perspective in important and enjoyable ways.

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Great Read.

This has helped me simply do, nothing when doing everything has been my daily struggle.

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reality of life

I like the speakers voice very clear. content is interesting and keeps me listening. could of been much shorter book too much speaking .

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good but kind of redundant.

good principles and storytelling but kind of redundant. I think this could have been a lot shorter and still got the point across but I enjoyed it.

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Will help you reevaluate your time.

Curious about this title since I often have feelings of guilt when trying to enjoy a ‘relaxing’ activity. Really appreciated how they did a deep drive explaining why so many others feel the same as well as issues that have risen since the Industrial Revolution all the way to modern day technological dependency. Well written and thought out. Very worthwhile real.

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Required reading for the “working world”

I loved this book. Reading it during a pandemic and a large layoff, while considering making some big life changes - this book couldn’t have come at a better time. It has helped me already to refocus my energy and goals for whatever is next in life.

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Wonderful read for busy people

loved it! super important read for the doers amongst us. great insight and excellent narrator!

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