Rest

Why You Get More Done When You Work Less

By: Alex Soojung-Kim Pang

Narrated by: Adam Sims

Length: 6 hrs and 57 mins

Publisher's Summary

"Rest is such a valuable book. If work is our national religion, Pang is the philosopher reintegrating our bifurcated selves." (Arianna Huffington, New York Times Book Review)

Overwork is the new normal. Rest is something to do when the important things are done - but they are never done. Looking at different forms of rest, from sleep to vacation, Silicon Valley futurist and business consultant Alex Soojung-Kim Pang dispels the myth that the harder we work the better the outcome. He combines rigorous scientific research with a rich array of examples of writers, painters, and thinkers - from Darwin to Stephen King - to challenge our tendency to see work and relaxation as antithetical. "Deliberate rest," as Pang calls it, is the true key to productivity, and will give us more energy, sharper ideas, and a better life. Rest offers a roadmap to rediscovering the importance of rest in our lives, and a convincing argument that we need to relax more if we actually want to get more done.

©2016 Alex Soojung-Kim Pang (P)2017 Hachette Audio

Critic Reviews

"In his important new book, Pang calmly and meticulously shows us how the best, most creative work, and the most meaningful and joyful lives, are built on the skills, not of mindless busyness, but of deliberate rest, deep play, and taking time to think. A game-changing book for the weary modern world." (Brigid Schulte, award-winning journalist and author of the New York Times best-selling Overwhelmed: Work, Love, and Play When No One Has the Time)

"[Pang] argues convincingly that the focus on work, often measured in long hours spent at the workplace, is a modern construct." (Nilanjana Roy, Financial Times)

take naps

there I saved you some time. take naps and live longer. the reader is monotone. should of spent my coins on some other fiction book

Best productive advice

This is a very interesting in counterintuitive book. It is some of the best advice I have ever read regarding active rest and its affect on productivity. I would highly recommend it to almost every one.

Lots of talking but nothing is said

3 chapters in and I have no clue what the purpose of this book is. despite talking for 45 minutes, nothing has been said. Not going to waste more of my time listening to the rest.

Good, but....

I thoroughly enjoyed the book and was able to get a lot out of it, but I fear that most of the advice isn't applicable to my life or most people who don't have the freedom to set their own schedules.

as a business owner who is constantly stressed out and busy, it definitely has changed the way I think about my life and I am excited about the changes I can implement.

also felt like it was bogged down with a few too many examples. Other than that I recommended if you are feeling like you need a change in your life to stay sane

Great Reference for an improved life.

This book contains many helpful tips on how to live a more balanced, productive and fulfilling life. The concepts all require customization for each individual’s life demands.

Terrible Book, I want my money back!

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

If the author related the topic to everyone, not just famous artists and scientists. The author continually referred to great men and great male artists. I don't believe there was a single mention of any great women and they attitudes on rest and sleep.
How the rich and famous rest is all well and good, but how does that relate to a guy who digs ditches for a living . . . it doesn't. Very elitist attitude and the title should have reflected who the target audience is.

What do you think your next listen will be?

Steven Pinker's newest book.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

I didn't care for the narrator, his voice sounded like he was always a bit sarcastic or something.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

Nor much.

Any additional comments?

The author simply cobbled together a bunch of facts and anecdotes about famous artists. I didn't find anything original here. Very disappointed.

What You Think Is Resting Is Probably Wrong

Great summary of ways to rest to optimize brain development, health over time, long careers, and fulfilling life.

It’s also got pointers on what is and is not restful for you - and it’s likely not going to line up with what you do to rest.

A lot of the book are things you know you should be doing already - daily exercise - but maybe you don’t quite appreciate or know the full extent. The decades long impact on brain health from daily work outs in your thirties and forties is incredible.

My gripe with the book is you will not get a single suggestion on how to implement these things.

Sabbaticals seem great - but you have to be in a field or independently wealthy where you can do that. The overwhelming majority of people can’t simply leave work for three months. They’d lose their houses, their families would lose dental.

It’s still a great read and listen, and not overly long. I’ve made some changes in my daily routines since starting this that have yielded benefits, and I look forward to more.

informative, maybe not practical

this was a very interesting book to hear information regarding rest using both scientific data and exemplars of famous individuals. Some of the information may be applicable to Everyday Life, but most would take a serious change for implementation.

A good overview about why we should rest more

It was a good book(audiobook) to know more about rest and how it can enhance our work, there are plenty of examples and maybe too plenty to be honest. Some of the stories or examples are redundant for me.

Rest for success

The concepts of active rest and mind wandering gave me more than I expected. I'd recommend it to all because there is something for everyone. The exercise chapter (17)was another pleasant surprise. Thanks