Chained to the Desk in a Hybrid World: A Guide to Work-Life Balance

by Bryan E Robinson

A step-by-step guide to reestablishing work-life balance

Americans love a hard worker. The employee who toils eighteen-hour days and eats meals on the run between appointments is usually viewed with a combination of respect and awe. But for many, this lifestyle leads to family problems, a decline in work productivity, and, ultimately, physical and mental burnout. Intended for anyone touched by what Robinson calls “the best-dressed problem of the twenty-first century,” Chained to the Desk in a Hybrid World provides an inside look at the impact of work stress on those who live and work with workaholics—partners, spouses, children, and colleagues—as well as the appropriate techniques for clinicians who treat them.

This groundbreaking book builds on the research included in three previous editions of Chained to the Desk from the best-selling author and widely respected family therapist Bryan E. Robinson. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and the rise of working from home, Robinson finds that the agonies of work stress have only become more challenging. Recent years have seen an unprecedented shift to remote work, which has made it significantly harder to maintain the already delicate work-life balance, weakened as it is by smartphones and other technology. The result is that many workaholics are more stressed and burnt out than ever before in their work, despite being constantly in the presence of family. Chained to the Desk in a Hybrid World both counsels and consoles. It provides a step-by-step guide to help readers spot, understand, and ultimately recover from workaholism.

Genres: Nonfiction

369 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 2, 2023

Reviews

[Chelsea Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am giving this book 4.5 out of 5 stars. "Chained to the Desk: is an excellent book on explaining to any layperson the effects (both clinically and socially) on what workaholism can do to a person, and their loved ones. The book provides substantial information that clearly articulates what the symptoms look like, and what can be done to combat it. The stories in this book from other workaholics prove that anybody can be a workaholic, even celebrities who you would like to have the "perfect life"

Even though overworking is very common in our society, and even encouraged, this book is encouraging in the way that it proves that you don't have to overwork yourself, to be the "best" and that if you are overworking yourself you should consider why, and how to stop it.

With all of that being said the reason this book is 4.5 and not a full 5 stars is that I have read books like this before, which poses the question what makes this book different then the others in this category. If this was the first book that somebody read about overworking and workaholism, then I think it would be a really well round read for somebody, however if somebody had read other books on this topic then it would be a very boring read.

[Sue Fernandez · Rating 4 out of 5]

While we could all agree that being a workaholic isn't a good thing. But it's common now to give, give, give to your employer. We need to stop doing this. We can be successful, even when realizing that at the end of the day our family and friends will be what matters. Not sure you're a workaholic? This book will help you recognize the signs. I thought this book was well done.
Thank you to NetGalley and NYU Press for an e-ARC of this title in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

[Case Face · Rating 3 out of 5]

A textbook take on Workaholism and Self-Care

I loved a little more than half of this book and the other half fell a flat for me. Not because it wasn’t well written, but more so because I’ve read/heard it so many times before. However if you are new to the idea of workaholism and radical self-care then I recommend you start here because the author covers it all! If this isn’t a new topic for you a lot of it may feel more like a refresher with some nice anecdotes from well known celebrity figures.

[Annarella · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thought provoking and informative book about workaholism and how it impacts us. It's an eye opener and a book that challenge a lot of our ideas about work and the role in out life.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine

[Kayla Russell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful book! I felt that the content could be condensed a bit but overall got a lot out of it.