Do Nothing

How to Break Away from Overworking, Overdoing, and Underliving

By: Celeste Headlee

Narrated by: Celeste Headlee

Length: 7 hrs and 41 mins

Publisher's summary

“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

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)

good research

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

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.

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.

Must read.

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

Great Read.

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

Good conclusion, messy arguments

I really wanted to love this book. The things it argues for are things that I believe in and that we desperately need as a society. But it could have used some more editing, especially around points of science.

You are normal; you are enough

Do nth is not about doing nth; it’s about letting your guilt go and see that you are enough

Wow

Complete eye opener. I’ve already made some changes suggested and wow… I’m self employed so this reminded me how important it is to keep boundaries. Reading this book again now lol!

Do Nothing

I enjoyed the overall message of the books and the narrator was great. I think many of us are always looking to improve and build ourselves and forget to just "Be" sometimes.

Good book.

The best book I've experienced in years

This book challenged every aspect of my hyper, achieving, time-maximizing personality and I needed it.

I encourage you to read it listen if you feel lost in our world over achievement, if you don't know how to "rest" or if you feel like your tank is always empty.

Bravo, Celeste.