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The Joy of Working: The 30 Day System to Success, Wealth, and Happiness on the Job

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From the author of the global bestseller The Psychology of Winning…

Embark on a 30-day journey to rediscover success, wealth, and happiness in your work with The Joy of Working by renowned motivational experts Denis Waitley and Reni L. Witt. This empowering guide offers a practical, step-by-step system designed to bring satisfaction and meaning to every workday. Each chapter is a concise, actionable lesson that builds on self-esteem, goal-setting, perseverance, and more—unlocking the potential to thrive professionally and personally.

Whether you’re seeking greater motivation, clarity of purpose, or a renewed sense of achievement, this book is your daily companion to cultivating excellence and enjoyment in your career. With inspiring insights and actionable strategies, The Joy of Working proves that true success comes from embracing both the challenges and rewards of the job you do.

Start today to transform your work from mere obligation into a source of joy and fulfillment—one day at a time.
 

288 pages, Paperback

First published March 20, 1985

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2236 people want to read

About the author

Denis Waitley

164 books136 followers
Denis E. Waitley was an American motivational speaker, consultant, and best-selling author known for shaping the personal development movement. He rose to prominence with the audio program The Psychology of Winning, which sold widely and influenced audiences worldwide, along with books such as Seeds of Greatness and The Winner’s Edge. A former naval aviator and graduate of the United States Naval Academy, he later became involved in public relations and nonprofit fundraising before developing his success training programs. He served on advisory groups including the U.S. Olympic Committee’s Sports Medicine Council. He was inducted into the International Speakers Hall of Fame.

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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
Profile Image for Brandon Turner.
14 reviews
March 25, 2025
Reading The Joy of Working by Denis Waitley and Reni Witt is like getting a 30-day crash course in owning your work life. This 1985 gem dishes out timeless lessons that hit hard in 2025. Here’s the rundown:

Mindset Mastery: Flip the switch from dreading Mondays to thriving every day with practical attitude shifts.

Goal Power: Set targets that stick, turning vague dreams into concrete wins.

Self-Worth 101: Build unshakable confidence to tackle challenges and seize opportunities.

Risk Smarts: Take calculated leaps that pay off without crashing and burning.

Time Hacks: Squeeze more out of your hours with disciplined, no-fluff strategies.

Joy as Fuel: Find purpose in the grind, making work a source of energy, not exhaustion.

Chapter Summary Snapshot

The book’s 30 chapters unfold like a daily bootcamp: Days 1-5 kick off with self-esteem and motivation, laying the foundation. Days 6-15 dig into goal-setting and communication, sharpening your focus and influence. Days 16-25 tackle risk, resilience, and productivity—think of it as the “get stuff done” phase. The final stretch, Days 26-30, ties it all together with purpose, teamwork, and long-term success hacks. Each day’s a bite-sized lesson, building a system to transform how you work.

It’s a playbook for anyone ready to stop surviving their job and start crushing it. Short, sharp, and loaded with wisdom—perfect for today’s hustle.
Profile Image for Aved.
179 reviews1 follower
October 13, 2025
This is a productivity book, or it tries to be one. The good part of the book is that it is split into different "days" with each day focusing on a different aspect to help improve your productivity at work. The idea is that you read a chapter a day, implement it and keep building from that.

Where they lost me, is that the lesson they try to impart is not very actionable at all. It gives "don't be sad, be happy" energy. A lot of the chapters seem to be pure filler and there is some repetition involved, which I am not sure is the author's intention. I found a lot of content similar to Eat That Frog!: 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time, only less actionable.

Overall it is an easy book to read.

I would like to thank the publishers and Goodreads giveaways for providing me with a copy of this book.
Profile Image for Heath.
87 reviews19 followers
October 14, 2020
It took me more than two years to read this, 31 non-consecutive days, but it's a wonderful introduction to and reminder of themes and topics we should keep in mind in terms of productive, rewarding work. Topics include self-talk, goal-setting, perseverance, adaptability, purpose, and others. A book I'll return to. Each chapter is an area of inquiry the reader can choose to explore further in greater detail.
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