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Today Was Fun: A Book About Work
A refreshing and unconventional take on the world of work.
Perfect for fans of Brené Brown and Cal Newport, Today Was Fun challenges the notion that professionalism means being buttoned up and overworked and provides seven key rules for better days at work and in life.
Bree Groff weaves together personal anecdotes, research, humor, and practical wisdom, outlining a compelling vision of modern workplaces that make people feel human and alive. Groff provides concrete strategies for implementation, from Do Nothing Days for inducing brilliant work to building a Portfolio Life that ensures work remains only one of many fulfilling things we do.
An irreverent guide for a rising generation of leaders, Today Was Fun is poised to spark vital conversations about how we spend our days and to drive real change in organizations―promoting a fuller, more joyful life both in and out of the office.
Perfect for fans of Brené Brown and Cal Newport, Today Was Fun challenges the notion that professionalism means being buttoned up and overworked and provides seven key rules for better days at work and in life.
Bree Groff weaves together personal anecdotes, research, humor, and practical wisdom, outlining a compelling vision of modern workplaces that make people feel human and alive. Groff provides concrete strategies for implementation, from Do Nothing Days for inducing brilliant work to building a Portfolio Life that ensures work remains only one of many fulfilling things we do.
An irreverent guide for a rising generation of leaders, Today Was Fun is poised to spark vital conversations about how we spend our days and to drive real change in organizations―promoting a fuller, more joyful life both in and out of the office.
276 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 15, 2025
132 people are currently reading
1043 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
August 4, 2025
I was not a fan of this book. I wanted to be, but I just wasn’t. The author was just way to quirky for my liking. It wasn’t just her writing style, either; it was her outlook on the professional setting. Like, imagine if Zoey Deschanel’s character Jessica from New Girl wrote a book about the work place. That’s what Bree Groff sounds like in this book.
I get what the author was going for, but it’s ridiculously unrealistic. If you want to know what I mean about the New Girl analogy, at one point she literally tells a story about thanking a coworker for covering for her on a zoom call because she “just had to take a cute picture of her cat”...
A lot of the book is what the workplace “should” be like. She discusses how we “should” communicate, what we “should” be able to wear to work and all these other things. I believe she’s a consultant or something like that. So maybe I’m just not the target audience. I’m sure she’s convinced some small, millennial startups to adjust their work culture to be quirky, but it’s just not the world we live in. It might as well have been an 8 year old writing, “And every day when you come to work, your boss should hand you an ice cream cone and let you play video games!” It was just very hard to take most of the book seriously.
I will say that this is one of the very rare books where the second half was much better than the first half. In the latter half of the book, she dives into a lot of stuff about work-life balance and other good topics that are a bit more realistic and insightful.
I get what the author was going for, but it’s ridiculously unrealistic. If you want to know what I mean about the New Girl analogy, at one point she literally tells a story about thanking a coworker for covering for her on a zoom call because she “just had to take a cute picture of her cat”...
A lot of the book is what the workplace “should” be like. She discusses how we “should” communicate, what we “should” be able to wear to work and all these other things. I believe she’s a consultant or something like that. So maybe I’m just not the target audience. I’m sure she’s convinced some small, millennial startups to adjust their work culture to be quirky, but it’s just not the world we live in. It might as well have been an 8 year old writing, “And every day when you come to work, your boss should hand you an ice cream cone and let you play video games!” It was just very hard to take most of the book seriously.
I will say that this is one of the very rare books where the second half was much better than the first half. In the latter half of the book, she dives into a lot of stuff about work-life balance and other good topics that are a bit more realistic and insightful.
July 18, 2025
What I love about this book is how it acknowledges that most of us actually want to do good work - we're just operating in systems that make it unnecessarily hard. Bree provides both the permission and the tools to create something better. Her advice on building cozy teams that do brilliant work isn't just idealistic; it's backed by real experience and practical wisdom. Started doing 'Do Nothing Days' after reading this and my creativity has never been better.
July 13, 2025
Bree has a way of seeing the world for all its complexity, yet speaking to the simple truths and pure joys that surround us in a way that feels like the wisdom of an old friend.
I find myself continually re-reading her work to find new layers of insight each time, and each time delighted by the experience.
This book is a keeper—and a sharer!
I find myself continually re-reading her work to find new layers of insight each time, and each time delighted by the experience.
This book is a keeper—and a sharer!
July 13, 2025
Bree Groff delivers in so many different ways in Today Was Fun. She's insightful and compelling, but also so funny - I laughed out loud reading this book! - while also being vulnerable and grounded. The book is playful without being childish or saccharine. It has grief paired with its joy. It's aspirational and practical all at once.
This book changed so much about how I think about work and how I think all people should relate to their work. It convinced me that work is just as much a human experience as the rest, and which needs to be seen as one part of our lives among many, all of which we deserve to enjoy (most days!). Work should not be just the financial engine of what little joy we allow ourselves on the side. We spend too much of our time working to give up on it!
This book changed so much about how I think about work and how I think all people should relate to their work. It convinced me that work is just as much a human experience as the rest, and which needs to be seen as one part of our lives among many, all of which we deserve to enjoy (most days!). Work should not be just the financial engine of what little joy we allow ourselves on the side. We spend too much of our time working to give up on it!
July 27, 2025
What if work could be fun? What if it *should* be fun? I was inspired to listen to stories from Bree Groff and was happy to take away ideas that I'm eager to try out in my own professional life. It's surprising to realize work does occupy about a third of our life, and yet somehow we have come to accept something that takes up this much of our life doesn't need to feel joyful!
Bree offers actionable takeaways and delightful stories throughout her book. I highly recommend listening to the audiobook as the sound design makes it one of the best I've ever listened to. This was such a fun listen, and the love of the author for her work really shows.
Some of my fave snippets:
"What job do you hire your job to do for you?"
"You are more important than you think to those who love you. You are less important than you think to those who employ you."
"When I overwork, I do not just think, 'I work late a lot.' I also think, 'Arden's mom works late a lot.'"
(Arden is the author's child)
The Portfolio Life: Diversify your joy. Don't let a bad day of work define the rest of your day. This means finding new sources of joy like puzzles, relationships, blankets, movies, running, conversations, books, writing, music albums and playlists, a feel good anime episode. (from my own notes)
Bree offers actionable takeaways and delightful stories throughout her book. I highly recommend listening to the audiobook as the sound design makes it one of the best I've ever listened to. This was such a fun listen, and the love of the author for her work really shows.
Some of my fave snippets:
"What job do you hire your job to do for you?"
"You are more important than you think to those who love you. You are less important than you think to those who employ you."
"When I overwork, I do not just think, 'I work late a lot.' I also think, 'Arden's mom works late a lot.'"
(Arden is the author's child)
The Portfolio Life: Diversify your joy. Don't let a bad day of work define the rest of your day. This means finding new sources of joy like puzzles, relationships, blankets, movies, running, conversations, books, writing, music albums and playlists, a feel good anime episode. (from my own notes)
September 3, 2025
I picked this up not realizing it is intended for "knowledge workers." If you aren't one of those, 95% of this book will read as out-of-touch, and I would recommend you avoid it to spare yourself the extreme frustration I experienced as someone living paycheck-to-paycheck with out-of-touch managers in a company that doesn't give a shit about me. I needed a book that acknowledged that, for most of us, work actually sucks and offered some tips on how to manage that. Instead, this felt like listening to someone from another planet giving work advice based on their experience as CEO of a rainbow factory. A very privileged planet of white folks who say things like "This one time in Tuscany."
November 22, 2025
This book is a new perspective on something that has been in books and discussed ad nauseam for years. It's refreshing and feels practical. Not everything in here will be 100% actionable, as it relies on having a work environment that supports it (e.g., you can't just show up to work in stretchy pants if you're not the leader setting the policies). But, I think a lot of leaders would benefit from reading this book, and even non-leaders can still get valuable advice (like the reminder that work isn't everything).
Unlike some other books on this type of topic, I would actually enjoy working for the author, versus some of the other books that feel like corporate propaganda and I would be miserable talking to the author IRL, let alone working for them.
Unlike some other books on this type of topic, I would actually enjoy working for the author, versus some of the other books that feel like corporate propaganda and I would be miserable talking to the author IRL, let alone working for them.
November 8, 2025
This book was completely out of touch. One reviewer described it as if Jess from New Girl wrote the book. And I would agree. Very naive suggesting that things like wearing yoga pants to the office and sharing pictures of cat with your co-workers can fix the current issues with workplaces. The last couple of chapters are what elevated this from 1 to 2 stars for me so I am glad I listened to the end.
November 9, 2025
Loved this book! The author shares tons of simple, practical ways to bring more lightness into our professional lives ; from playful rituals to mindset shifts that help us reconnect with what makes work meaningful.
+ it’s filled with clever jokes that make the book even more fun, inspiring and unique to read.
+ it’s filled with clever jokes that make the book even more fun, inspiring and unique to read.
August 5, 2025
THIS BOOK WAS FUN ✨
I’ve spent the most recent years of my career telling the story of a strong workplace culture — of what makes work worth it, and who makes our time there meaningful. Bree Groff’s Today Was Fun is the handbook for how to build that kind of culture; for how to enjoy the work you do (most days) and the people you do it with.
Bree’s book is so creative and helped me so much of how I approach work in new ways — she reconnected me with my inner child’s “Can I try?” instinct, helped me reflect on what I “hire” my job to do for me, and encouraged me to think of myself as a “brain athlete” — training accordingly.
The book is full of clever, smartly coined aphorisms and truly original questions — like this gem I immediately shared with a colleague at the top of a meeting: “Do I want that prize?” (Might’ve redirected my career ambition a few times if I’d stopped to ask myself that question!)
Bree makes the human case for business things (YES), applies Esther Perel’s definition of eroticism to work (don’t worry, it’s SFW), and offers a refreshing take on what professionalism actually looks like — a leadership philosophy that models non-conformity, as just one example.
The whole book is brilliantly interactive, too — packed with QR codes that lead to playlists, worksheets, and delightful photo surprises. And Bree is the most engaged, interactive author too! On pub day, I sent her a photo of her book featured prominently at my local bookstore, and she sent me the coolest swag kit in return. 💛
Today Was Fun is by far the best business/career/leadership book I’ve read (and I’ve read a somewhat embarrassing amount). I especially appreciated this gorgeous reminder — and the heart of the book — inspired by Bree’s final earthside days with her mom: “Sometimes it takes sitting in the waiting room at a cancer center with beautiful humans yearning for more days to see the absurdity of wishing them away.”
Give it a read. It’ll be fun.
I’ve spent the most recent years of my career telling the story of a strong workplace culture — of what makes work worth it, and who makes our time there meaningful. Bree Groff’s Today Was Fun is the handbook for how to build that kind of culture; for how to enjoy the work you do (most days) and the people you do it with.
Bree’s book is so creative and helped me so much of how I approach work in new ways — she reconnected me with my inner child’s “Can I try?” instinct, helped me reflect on what I “hire” my job to do for me, and encouraged me to think of myself as a “brain athlete” — training accordingly.
The book is full of clever, smartly coined aphorisms and truly original questions — like this gem I immediately shared with a colleague at the top of a meeting: “Do I want that prize?” (Might’ve redirected my career ambition a few times if I’d stopped to ask myself that question!)
Bree makes the human case for business things (YES), applies Esther Perel’s definition of eroticism to work (don’t worry, it’s SFW), and offers a refreshing take on what professionalism actually looks like — a leadership philosophy that models non-conformity, as just one example.
The whole book is brilliantly interactive, too — packed with QR codes that lead to playlists, worksheets, and delightful photo surprises. And Bree is the most engaged, interactive author too! On pub day, I sent her a photo of her book featured prominently at my local bookstore, and she sent me the coolest swag kit in return. 💛
Today Was Fun is by far the best business/career/leadership book I’ve read (and I’ve read a somewhat embarrassing amount). I especially appreciated this gorgeous reminder — and the heart of the book — inspired by Bree’s final earthside days with her mom: “Sometimes it takes sitting in the waiting room at a cancer center with beautiful humans yearning for more days to see the absurdity of wishing them away.”
Give it a read. It’ll be fun.
Read
September 17, 2025In "Today Was Fun: A Book About Work (Seriously)" by Bree Groff, the author challenges the widespread notion that exhaustion is a mark of success and that busyness is synonymous with productivity. Modern workplaces often glorify long hours, constant connectivity, and relentless output as signs of dedication. Yet this mindset does not lead to excellence; instead, it undermines creativity, health, and relationships. Groff presents an alternative vision of work - one where joy, connection, and self-care become the foundation for meaningful and high-quality results. Rather than viewing work as something to endure, she invites us to see it as a space for contribution, play, and fulfillment, provided we learn to shed harmful habits and replace them with practices that actually support human flourishing.
Groff emphasizes that joy is not just a nice-to-have but central to the value of work itself. Too often, workplaces are weighed down by unnecessary rituals - pointless meetings, rigid procedures, or approval hierarchies - that strip away the inherent pleasure of creating and solving problems. When these distractions are removed, the core of work remains: the act of doing something others appreciate. By reframing the question of why we show up each day into 'What did I hire my job to do for me?', she encourages people to see employment not as punishment for a paycheck but as a vehicle for growth, creativity, or camaraderie. Even the smallest contributions, such as lightening a colleague’s day, can be profoundly meaningful. This perspective undermines the myth that only world-changing accomplishments give value to work. As she points out, teaching, nursing, or parenting may not touch millions at once, but they often transform lives in lasting ways. True meaning is found not in scale but in the human-sized impact that enriches everyday life.
Equally significant are the people we share our workdays with. While career advice often urges individuals to chase passion, money, or growth, Groff suggests a simpler but more transformative question: do you enjoy the people you spend your days with? Colleagues shape the emotional climate of work, and even monotonous tasks become bearable, even fun, when shared with supportive teammates. Research backs this up, showing that friendships at work boost creativity, engagement, and even efficiency. Simple practices like beginning meetings with a quick check-in - where everyone shares their mood on a scale - cultivate trust and inclusion. These rituals remind us that colleagues are not faceless roles but human beings with lives beyond the job description. When genuine care exists within a team, stress is diffused, burdens are shared, and even the hardest projects feel lighter. Groff makes clear that choosing to work alongside people you like may be one of the most powerful career decisions anyone can make.
Another pillar of her argument is the recognition that the body is the most important instrument for all work, yet it is often the most neglected. Exhaustion, skipped meals, and ignored illnesses are treated as normal in many offices, but these habits degrade performance rather than enhance it. Lack of sleep, for example, diminishes focus, patience, and creativity, while also straining collaboration and leadership. A depleted body simply cannot perform at its best. Many organizations attempt to address burnout superficially through perks like gym memberships or mindfulness apps, but these do little if the workload and culture themselves remain unsustainable. Groff argues that meaningful change comes from reducing unnecessary strain, whether by trimming targets, lightening schedules, or trusting employees with more autonomy. On a personal level, she urges individuals to treat their bodies as carefully as they would a precision tool, protecting sleep, rest, and recovery as seriously as they would protect a vital client meeting. Far from indulgent, this approach is strategic: a well-cared-for body sustains creativity, leadership, and resilience.
Groff also reflects on what it means to do brilliant work. At its best, work is one of the most energizing human experiences - the chance to dream up an idea, bring it into being, and witness its impact on others. This kind of work is not just about fulfilling a job description but about putting a unique stamp on the world. However, the greatest threat to brilliance is not failure but busyness. Endless tasks, unnecessary meetings, and constant interruptions create a fog that prevents deep thinking and creativity. Busyness can be seductive because it looks like productivity and feeds the ego, but it leaves no space for insights to emerge. Groff argues that the solution is to protect time and space for focus, to eliminate tasks that do not matter, and to trust the people doing the work. Only then can organizations and individuals create the breathing room needed for extraordinary contributions.
To make space for brilliance, Groff encourages choosing projects that inspire excitement or spark a little fear. Fun, in this context, means pursuing meaningful work that you actually want to do. Fear, meanwhile, often signals opportunities for growth and innovation. Playing it safe to avoid mistakes only produces predictable and forgettable results. Instead, bold ideas, risky pitches, and untested approaches are the ones that leave lasting impact. Leaders, too, must learn not to smother vision with process. Strategic planning has its place, but without genuine excitement, even the most well-planned initiatives lack energy. A useful practice she describes is the 'Do Nothing Day,' where teams intentionally step away from execution to reflect, question assumptions, and reimagine their direction. While such pauses may seem countercultural in productivity-obsessed environments, they often lead to the breakthroughs that months of frantic activity cannot deliver.
Underlying all of these lessons is the conviction that less but better work should be the aim. Doing fewer things with more intention creates stronger results than scattering energy across endless obligations. Protecting time for reflection, following excitement, leaning into fear, and caring for the body and relationships all contribute to work that is more fulfilling and impactful. Groff presents a vision where work is not merely endured but embraced as a space for creativity, joy, and connection. By shifting away from the myth of busyness and recognizing that the true measure of productivity is not hours logged but value created, we can begin to reshape our workplaces and our lives.
In conclusion, "Today Was Fun: A Book About Work (Seriously)" by Bree Groff is both a critique of the unhealthy norms that dominate modern work culture and a guide to reclaiming joy, meaning, and humanity in our professional lives. She shows that joy is not a distraction but the essence of valuable work, that colleagues matter as much as tasks, that caring for the body enhances performance, and that brilliance requires space free from the tyranny of busyness. By doing less but better and choosing projects that energize or challenge us, we not only produce better outcomes but also craft lives worth living. The book argues persuasively that work can be fun, not in a shallow sense, but in the deeper recognition that when we create, connect, and care with intention, we transform both our jobs and ourselves.
Groff emphasizes that joy is not just a nice-to-have but central to the value of work itself. Too often, workplaces are weighed down by unnecessary rituals - pointless meetings, rigid procedures, or approval hierarchies - that strip away the inherent pleasure of creating and solving problems. When these distractions are removed, the core of work remains: the act of doing something others appreciate. By reframing the question of why we show up each day into 'What did I hire my job to do for me?', she encourages people to see employment not as punishment for a paycheck but as a vehicle for growth, creativity, or camaraderie. Even the smallest contributions, such as lightening a colleague’s day, can be profoundly meaningful. This perspective undermines the myth that only world-changing accomplishments give value to work. As she points out, teaching, nursing, or parenting may not touch millions at once, but they often transform lives in lasting ways. True meaning is found not in scale but in the human-sized impact that enriches everyday life.
Equally significant are the people we share our workdays with. While career advice often urges individuals to chase passion, money, or growth, Groff suggests a simpler but more transformative question: do you enjoy the people you spend your days with? Colleagues shape the emotional climate of work, and even monotonous tasks become bearable, even fun, when shared with supportive teammates. Research backs this up, showing that friendships at work boost creativity, engagement, and even efficiency. Simple practices like beginning meetings with a quick check-in - where everyone shares their mood on a scale - cultivate trust and inclusion. These rituals remind us that colleagues are not faceless roles but human beings with lives beyond the job description. When genuine care exists within a team, stress is diffused, burdens are shared, and even the hardest projects feel lighter. Groff makes clear that choosing to work alongside people you like may be one of the most powerful career decisions anyone can make.
Another pillar of her argument is the recognition that the body is the most important instrument for all work, yet it is often the most neglected. Exhaustion, skipped meals, and ignored illnesses are treated as normal in many offices, but these habits degrade performance rather than enhance it. Lack of sleep, for example, diminishes focus, patience, and creativity, while also straining collaboration and leadership. A depleted body simply cannot perform at its best. Many organizations attempt to address burnout superficially through perks like gym memberships or mindfulness apps, but these do little if the workload and culture themselves remain unsustainable. Groff argues that meaningful change comes from reducing unnecessary strain, whether by trimming targets, lightening schedules, or trusting employees with more autonomy. On a personal level, she urges individuals to treat their bodies as carefully as they would a precision tool, protecting sleep, rest, and recovery as seriously as they would protect a vital client meeting. Far from indulgent, this approach is strategic: a well-cared-for body sustains creativity, leadership, and resilience.
Groff also reflects on what it means to do brilliant work. At its best, work is one of the most energizing human experiences - the chance to dream up an idea, bring it into being, and witness its impact on others. This kind of work is not just about fulfilling a job description but about putting a unique stamp on the world. However, the greatest threat to brilliance is not failure but busyness. Endless tasks, unnecessary meetings, and constant interruptions create a fog that prevents deep thinking and creativity. Busyness can be seductive because it looks like productivity and feeds the ego, but it leaves no space for insights to emerge. Groff argues that the solution is to protect time and space for focus, to eliminate tasks that do not matter, and to trust the people doing the work. Only then can organizations and individuals create the breathing room needed for extraordinary contributions.
To make space for brilliance, Groff encourages choosing projects that inspire excitement or spark a little fear. Fun, in this context, means pursuing meaningful work that you actually want to do. Fear, meanwhile, often signals opportunities for growth and innovation. Playing it safe to avoid mistakes only produces predictable and forgettable results. Instead, bold ideas, risky pitches, and untested approaches are the ones that leave lasting impact. Leaders, too, must learn not to smother vision with process. Strategic planning has its place, but without genuine excitement, even the most well-planned initiatives lack energy. A useful practice she describes is the 'Do Nothing Day,' where teams intentionally step away from execution to reflect, question assumptions, and reimagine their direction. While such pauses may seem countercultural in productivity-obsessed environments, they often lead to the breakthroughs that months of frantic activity cannot deliver.
Underlying all of these lessons is the conviction that less but better work should be the aim. Doing fewer things with more intention creates stronger results than scattering energy across endless obligations. Protecting time for reflection, following excitement, leaning into fear, and caring for the body and relationships all contribute to work that is more fulfilling and impactful. Groff presents a vision where work is not merely endured but embraced as a space for creativity, joy, and connection. By shifting away from the myth of busyness and recognizing that the true measure of productivity is not hours logged but value created, we can begin to reshape our workplaces and our lives.
In conclusion, "Today Was Fun: A Book About Work (Seriously)" by Bree Groff is both a critique of the unhealthy norms that dominate modern work culture and a guide to reclaiming joy, meaning, and humanity in our professional lives. She shows that joy is not a distraction but the essence of valuable work, that colleagues matter as much as tasks, that caring for the body enhances performance, and that brilliance requires space free from the tyranny of busyness. By doing less but better and choosing projects that energize or challenge us, we not only produce better outcomes but also craft lives worth living. The book argues persuasively that work can be fun, not in a shallow sense, but in the deeper recognition that when we create, connect, and care with intention, we transform both our jobs and ourselves.
August 17, 2025
what an incredible perspective - this book found me exactly at the right time.
November 5, 2025
The job I hire my job to do for me = connect me to others and grow skills.
This was a fun business book. For real, I didn't know I could have this much fun reading this material in comparison to "Red Rising". This one is for the recovering (and not so much yet) workaholics.
I really loved the advice on the portfolio life and "Do I want that prize?". How many times in our lives do we ask ourselves what we want? Not enough, let alone prioritizing it. Delayed gratification is great... until you inadvertently strip all joy and think that's the best of life. This book argues for the opposite of that, especially in work. Here's some other tidbits I loved:
-> 10 minute Workday Tip: Start your day with the one thing only you can get done, or need to get done.
-> "Up and not crying"
That's my new catchphrase. Go Norwegians! I've been there, in that slump and misery of a terrible fit job. When you enter the doors and feel your soul go to die. Let's try not to repeat that experience.
Thank you to LFPL for having on hand for me to read!
Favorite Quotes:
"I am not optimizing my impact. (Though that doesn't mean we don't make profound impact.)
I am not optimizing my income. (Though that doesn't mean I'm not making a good income.)
I am not optimizing my growth. (Though that doesn't mean I'm not learning daily.)
I am not even optimizing the meaning of my work. (Though that doesn't mean I don't feel it.)
I am optimizing good laughs with good people. Full stop. Because that's what I believe matters in the end, and I'm not afraid to want it." -Chapter 1: Most Work, Most Days, Should Be Fun, Page 15
"Instead, brilliant work is about having the bravery to not start with what is known, but to start with what you aren't quite sure of yet but are excited to discover, invent, and share with the world." -Chapter 4: Make brilliant work—don't let busyness and conformity sabotage you, Page 112
"I decided I had one strategy, and that was to leave all my love on the table. To hold nothing back. It was tiring, yes, but not a drain, and there's a difference." -Chapter 5: Keep it cool—we're all in it together, Page 150
This was a fun business book. For real, I didn't know I could have this much fun reading this material in comparison to "Red Rising". This one is for the recovering (and not so much yet) workaholics.
I really loved the advice on the portfolio life and "Do I want that prize?". How many times in our lives do we ask ourselves what we want? Not enough, let alone prioritizing it. Delayed gratification is great... until you inadvertently strip all joy and think that's the best of life. This book argues for the opposite of that, especially in work. Here's some other tidbits I loved:
-> 10 minute Workday Tip: Start your day with the one thing only you can get done, or need to get done.
-> "Up and not crying"
That's my new catchphrase. Go Norwegians! I've been there, in that slump and misery of a terrible fit job. When you enter the doors and feel your soul go to die. Let's try not to repeat that experience.
Thank you to LFPL for having on hand for me to read!
Favorite Quotes:
"I am not optimizing my impact. (Though that doesn't mean we don't make profound impact.)
I am not optimizing my income. (Though that doesn't mean I'm not making a good income.)
I am not optimizing my growth. (Though that doesn't mean I'm not learning daily.)
I am not even optimizing the meaning of my work. (Though that doesn't mean I don't feel it.)
I am optimizing good laughs with good people. Full stop. Because that's what I believe matters in the end, and I'm not afraid to want it." -Chapter 1: Most Work, Most Days, Should Be Fun, Page 15
"Instead, brilliant work is about having the bravery to not start with what is known, but to start with what you aren't quite sure of yet but are excited to discover, invent, and share with the world." -Chapter 4: Make brilliant work—don't let busyness and conformity sabotage you, Page 112
"I decided I had one strategy, and that was to leave all my love on the table. To hold nothing back. It was tiring, yes, but not a drain, and there's a difference." -Chapter 5: Keep it cool—we're all in it together, Page 150
July 18, 2025
Inspiring, actionable ideas about how to make life less about work and how to enjoy work when you’re doing it. Honestly this was exactly the book I needed right now. Can’t recommend it enough for anyone who feels like they need help becoming the master of their own fate when, especially if work is dragging you down.
September 19, 2025
As an audiobook lover, this is by far the BEST performed, edited and produced audiobook I have ever listened to. The tone and excitement of the author, the sound effects, my musical accessories, all create a really fun listen I can't recommend enough!
September 27, 2025
Simply a wonderful book, so optimistic and full of hope, even when you're having a really bad day at the office. The advice in the book is both helpful and effective.
There are many personal stories that add a significant layer to the plot. Overall, I enjoyed it very much and came away with life insights, perhaps the most important being: it's important to enjoy and love your job, it's important to make a living, and it's also important to take a breath and understand that it's just a job. Our lives are here and now, and they are what's important.
There are many personal stories that add a significant layer to the plot. Overall, I enjoyed it very much and came away with life insights, perhaps the most important being: it's important to enjoy and love your job, it's important to make a living, and it's also important to take a breath and understand that it's just a job. Our lives are here and now, and they are what's important.
July 21, 2025
Genuinely felt inspired by this book, and came away with some exciting ideas to bring more enjoyment into my work-life. Also loved the formatting of the book. It was clever and such a FUN (!) read.
October 14, 2025
This book is an incredible read, and about as delightful as I can imagine a book about work being! Bree Groff makes it seem possible to find so much more joy in my life. Will definitely re-read it in years to come!
August 6, 2025
I highly recommend this book for anyone, and especially those people going through a reset of how they address work as a leader, team member or the self employed… or even not employed. Bree’s insight is shockingly brilliant because it reflects a kindness and humanity that undoubtably improves the quality of both the work experience and the work we do, but is all too often left out of most work places. I’ve had the pleasure of speaking with her and I can attest that the delightful person behind the book practices the passion and kind-hearted practicality and reasonableness found within the pages. It is actively helping me understand what I want to make out of a midlife career shift.
TLDR; Buy book. Read book. Improve life. It’s a good one.
TLDR; Buy book. Read book. Improve life. It’s a good one.
August 23, 2025
An airport impulse purchase that ended up being the exact book I needed at the exact time!
November 25, 2025
Finally. A leadership book by someone I share “demographic data” with - who brilliantly argues for the compatibility of meaningful work and life. The black-and-white, it’s one-or-the-other philosophies never made sense to me…and they don’t reflect my own experiences in my highest-performing AND MOST FUN teams. My thanks to Bree for writing down what so many are thinking. Now let’s put it into practice!
September 15, 2025
Yeah… this changed the way I think about work and how my life should feel about work. Big fan of unlearning how work and life ought to be.
October 11, 2025
if you hate your job like I hate my job, run don't walk to get this book. This was the wakeup call I needed because I've totally forgotten that work can be enjoyable and you can go into it everyday without an overwhelming sense of dread.
October 11, 2025
might be my fav book so far this year bc of how much i resonated with it 😊
July 18, 2025
An absolutely delightful book that I'm convinced everyone needs to read. (It helps that the human who wrote it is equally as delightful!)
September 27, 2025
Most work, most days, should be fun
Practical Mindset Shift: Adopt a "most things, most days" motto to manage expectations and avoid perfectionism; not every task (e.g., expense reports) will be fun, but explore ways to enhance enjoyment, such as changing environments (e.g., writing reviews in a park) or collaborating with friends, while recognizing work as one enjoyable element in a fuller life.
Broader Implications: Encourages rebellion against joyless routines by prioritizing intent in daily activities; while some days won't be fun due to external factors, fostering fun most days sustains energy for personal growth and contributes to healthier workplaces and lives overall.
Your brain works whether you're wearing a suit or stretchy pants
Challenging Traditional Professionalism: The chapter critiques the cultural equation of "professionalism" with rigid attire and grooming (e.g., suits and polished appearances), arguing that these are superficial markers that don't correlate with intelligence, productivity, or effectiveness at work.
Prioritizing Authentic Well-Being: True brilliance and cognitive performance stem from being well-rested, well-fed, well-exercised, and genuinely happy, rather than from performative or exhausting efforts to appear "put-together." Comfortable clothing like stretchy pants allows for mental freedom and focus.
Practical Advice for Individuals and Leaders: Encourage environments where comfort enhances output, such as flexible dress codes or wellness-focused policies. This shifts the focus from "looking professional" to feeling empowered, leading to more sustainable and joyful workdays.
Shoveling shit it fun if you like your co-shovelers
The Critical Role of Relationships in Work Satisfaction: The chapter emphasizes that while job tasks and compensation matter, the people you spend your workday with have an even greater impact on overall happiness and productivity—poor colleagues can sabotage even the best role, turning it into a draining experience.
Choosing Your Work "Family" Intentionally: Groff urges readers to treat team selection like personal relationships, prioritizing environments with kind, supportive, and fun individuals over prestige or pay alone;
Make brilliant work
Prioritize Meaningful Engagement Over Busyness: Work should be stimulating and purpose-driven, not a place where you’re mentally disengaged or overwhelmed by pointless tasks. Groff warns against letting busyness—endless meetings or trivial tasks—drain energy and sabotage creative output.
Resist Conformity for Authentic Brilliance: Conformity to rigid workplace norms (e.g., outdated processes or excessive formality) stifles innovation. Groff encourages embracing your unique strengths and perspectives to produce brilliant, authentic work rather than conforming to "how things are done."
Align Work with Personal Purpose: Find roles or tasks that connect to your intrinsic motivations and values. Meaningful work, even if simple, fuels enthusiasm and prevents the mental "napping" caused by monotony or misalignment, leading to higher-quality output.
Keep it cool - emotional intelligence
Building Empathy and Support Networks: Encourage open communication and mutual support among team members to navigate tough projects or setbacks. By "keeping it cool," teams can maintain perspective, using humor and vulnerability to diffuse stress and strengthen bonds.
Practical Strategies for Everyday Application: Implement rituals like team check-ins or "cool-down" debriefs after high-pressure moments to reinforce solidarity. Groff advises individuals to seek out allies who share the "we're in this together" mindset, leading to more fun and effective workdays.
You are the defender of date nights
Prioritizing Personal Well-Being Outside Work: Groff emphasizes that your health—mental, physical, and emotional—is foundational to thriving at work and in life. Protecting time for personal joys like date nights, hobbies (e.g., crossword puzzles), and self-care is critical to maintaining energy and preventing burnout.
Practical Strategies for Individuals and Leaders: Individuals should schedule and protect time for personal passions and health (e.g., exercise, relationships, or hobbies) as fiercely as work commitments. Leaders are urged to model and support work-life balance by respecting employees’ personal time and encouraging wellness practices, creating a culture where health and joy enhance work performance.
Get good at life, not just work
Don't delay the fun.
1. Work should be fun
2. It should feel human
3. We should do it with friends
4. And make brilliant things
5. With a sense of perspective
6. As one joyful part
7. of a big, beautiful life
Practical Mindset Shift: Adopt a "most things, most days" motto to manage expectations and avoid perfectionism; not every task (e.g., expense reports) will be fun, but explore ways to enhance enjoyment, such as changing environments (e.g., writing reviews in a park) or collaborating with friends, while recognizing work as one enjoyable element in a fuller life.
Broader Implications: Encourages rebellion against joyless routines by prioritizing intent in daily activities; while some days won't be fun due to external factors, fostering fun most days sustains energy for personal growth and contributes to healthier workplaces and lives overall.
Your brain works whether you're wearing a suit or stretchy pants
Challenging Traditional Professionalism: The chapter critiques the cultural equation of "professionalism" with rigid attire and grooming (e.g., suits and polished appearances), arguing that these are superficial markers that don't correlate with intelligence, productivity, or effectiveness at work.
Prioritizing Authentic Well-Being: True brilliance and cognitive performance stem from being well-rested, well-fed, well-exercised, and genuinely happy, rather than from performative or exhausting efforts to appear "put-together." Comfortable clothing like stretchy pants allows for mental freedom and focus.
Practical Advice for Individuals and Leaders: Encourage environments where comfort enhances output, such as flexible dress codes or wellness-focused policies. This shifts the focus from "looking professional" to feeling empowered, leading to more sustainable and joyful workdays.
Shoveling shit it fun if you like your co-shovelers
The Critical Role of Relationships in Work Satisfaction: The chapter emphasizes that while job tasks and compensation matter, the people you spend your workday with have an even greater impact on overall happiness and productivity—poor colleagues can sabotage even the best role, turning it into a draining experience.
Choosing Your Work "Family" Intentionally: Groff urges readers to treat team selection like personal relationships, prioritizing environments with kind, supportive, and fun individuals over prestige or pay alone;
Make brilliant work
Prioritize Meaningful Engagement Over Busyness: Work should be stimulating and purpose-driven, not a place where you’re mentally disengaged or overwhelmed by pointless tasks. Groff warns against letting busyness—endless meetings or trivial tasks—drain energy and sabotage creative output.
Resist Conformity for Authentic Brilliance: Conformity to rigid workplace norms (e.g., outdated processes or excessive formality) stifles innovation. Groff encourages embracing your unique strengths and perspectives to produce brilliant, authentic work rather than conforming to "how things are done."
Align Work with Personal Purpose: Find roles or tasks that connect to your intrinsic motivations and values. Meaningful work, even if simple, fuels enthusiasm and prevents the mental "napping" caused by monotony or misalignment, leading to higher-quality output.
Keep it cool - emotional intelligence
Building Empathy and Support Networks: Encourage open communication and mutual support among team members to navigate tough projects or setbacks. By "keeping it cool," teams can maintain perspective, using humor and vulnerability to diffuse stress and strengthen bonds.
Practical Strategies for Everyday Application: Implement rituals like team check-ins or "cool-down" debriefs after high-pressure moments to reinforce solidarity. Groff advises individuals to seek out allies who share the "we're in this together" mindset, leading to more fun and effective workdays.
You are the defender of date nights
Prioritizing Personal Well-Being Outside Work: Groff emphasizes that your health—mental, physical, and emotional—is foundational to thriving at work and in life. Protecting time for personal joys like date nights, hobbies (e.g., crossword puzzles), and self-care is critical to maintaining energy and preventing burnout.
Practical Strategies for Individuals and Leaders: Individuals should schedule and protect time for personal passions and health (e.g., exercise, relationships, or hobbies) as fiercely as work commitments. Leaders are urged to model and support work-life balance by respecting employees’ personal time and encouraging wellness practices, creating a culture where health and joy enhance work performance.
Get good at life, not just work
Don't delay the fun.
1. Work should be fun
2. It should feel human
3. We should do it with friends
4. And make brilliant things
5. With a sense of perspective
6. As one joyful part
7. of a big, beautiful life
October 11, 2025
Bree Groff’s Today Was Fun is a spirited manifesto for reimagining what it means to work well and live fully. Blending humor, behavioral research, and personal storytelling, Groff challenges the traditional equation of professionalism with exhaustion and performance with worth. Her central thesis is simple yet radical: work should feel human, joyful, and alive—and it should be only one of many sources of joy in life.
Groff begins by dismantling the normalized pain of modern work—the skipped meals, the missed doctor appointments, the sidelined relationships. “It’s not normal to not eat all day,” she writes. Nor is it normal to see family as distractions or to value productivity over happiness. We’ve been taught to equate busyness with virtue, but Groff argues that the pain of overwork is optional. Work should be a space of creativity, camaraderie, and contribution—not self-neglect.
Central to Groff’s philosophy is the conviction that joy belongs at work. Through anecdotes and playful exercises, she encourages readers and teams to recall when they’ve felt most “alive”—using psychotherapist Esther Perel’s definition of eroticism as vitality, curiosity, and spontaneity. She categorizes “joy in the making, joy in the people, joy in adventure,” and more—inviting organizations to name, share, and cultivate the types of joy that make their culture thrive. Fun isn’t frivolous; it’s fuel for brilliance.
In Groff’s view, great leadership is less about vision statements and more about emotional reliability—the ability to remain calm, honest, and hopeful even amid uncertainty. “Your emotions are contagious,” she reminds leaders. Those who can share truth with empathy and optimism create psychological safety and trust. Leadership, then, becomes an act of steady presence and perspective—“stoicism as the domestication of emotion, not its elimination.”
Groff identifies four root causes of busyness—mathematical, strategic, power-related, and psychological—and argues that “normal work is never brilliant.” Her remedy: the Do Nothing Day. Borrowing from creative practices like Brian Eno’s Oblique Strategies, she recommends teams set aside time to think expansively, play, and move their “rocks”—those small inefficiencies that drain energy. “If you are a knowledge worker,” she quips, “thinking is your job.” Doing nothing, paradoxically, allows for the emergence of everything that matters.
Throughout the book, Groff insists that overwork isn’t noble—it’s costly. “When you overwork, you underlive.” She urges readers to ask, Who pays the price when I overwork?—and to recognize that the true measure of success lies in balance, not burnout. Her “portfolio life” framework reframes time allocation as a reflection of values: your calendar shows what you truly prioritize. In other words, put your time where your values are and design a life you don’t need to escape from.
Groff celebrates friendship and trust as the cornerstones of great teams. “The best teams are cozy teams,” she says—those that laugh together, check in as humans first, and see each other as capable, caring adults. Through practices like “user manuals” (where teammates share how they work best) and “daily check-ins,” she offers simple rituals that keep workplaces connected and compassionate. Fun beats mandates every time, and friendship, she argues, is good for business.
In the book’s closing reflections, Groff zooms out to the wider view: time is the new currency, balance is the new badge of honor, and joy is a serious business advantage. Quoting Maya Angelou—“My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive”—Groff leaves readers with a call to live deliberately. “This life is no dress rehearsal,” she reminds us. “If you’re going to get good at anything, get good at life.”
Groff begins by dismantling the normalized pain of modern work—the skipped meals, the missed doctor appointments, the sidelined relationships. “It’s not normal to not eat all day,” she writes. Nor is it normal to see family as distractions or to value productivity over happiness. We’ve been taught to equate busyness with virtue, but Groff argues that the pain of overwork is optional. Work should be a space of creativity, camaraderie, and contribution—not self-neglect.
Central to Groff’s philosophy is the conviction that joy belongs at work. Through anecdotes and playful exercises, she encourages readers and teams to recall when they’ve felt most “alive”—using psychotherapist Esther Perel’s definition of eroticism as vitality, curiosity, and spontaneity. She categorizes “joy in the making, joy in the people, joy in adventure,” and more—inviting organizations to name, share, and cultivate the types of joy that make their culture thrive. Fun isn’t frivolous; it’s fuel for brilliance.
In Groff’s view, great leadership is less about vision statements and more about emotional reliability—the ability to remain calm, honest, and hopeful even amid uncertainty. “Your emotions are contagious,” she reminds leaders. Those who can share truth with empathy and optimism create psychological safety and trust. Leadership, then, becomes an act of steady presence and perspective—“stoicism as the domestication of emotion, not its elimination.”
Groff identifies four root causes of busyness—mathematical, strategic, power-related, and psychological—and argues that “normal work is never brilliant.” Her remedy: the Do Nothing Day. Borrowing from creative practices like Brian Eno’s Oblique Strategies, she recommends teams set aside time to think expansively, play, and move their “rocks”—those small inefficiencies that drain energy. “If you are a knowledge worker,” she quips, “thinking is your job.” Doing nothing, paradoxically, allows for the emergence of everything that matters.
Throughout the book, Groff insists that overwork isn’t noble—it’s costly. “When you overwork, you underlive.” She urges readers to ask, Who pays the price when I overwork?—and to recognize that the true measure of success lies in balance, not burnout. Her “portfolio life” framework reframes time allocation as a reflection of values: your calendar shows what you truly prioritize. In other words, put your time where your values are and design a life you don’t need to escape from.
Groff celebrates friendship and trust as the cornerstones of great teams. “The best teams are cozy teams,” she says—those that laugh together, check in as humans first, and see each other as capable, caring adults. Through practices like “user manuals” (where teammates share how they work best) and “daily check-ins,” she offers simple rituals that keep workplaces connected and compassionate. Fun beats mandates every time, and friendship, she argues, is good for business.
In the book’s closing reflections, Groff zooms out to the wider view: time is the new currency, balance is the new badge of honor, and joy is a serious business advantage. Quoting Maya Angelou—“My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive”—Groff leaves readers with a call to live deliberately. “This life is no dress rehearsal,” she reminds us. “If you’re going to get good at anything, get good at life.”
October 3, 2025
I was initially a bit skeptical about Bree Groff's premise that 'most work, most days should be fun."
Before reading this book, my thoughts were, "doesn't everything worth doing require struggle and sacrifice" and "it's not realistic to enjoy our work most of the time. that's why it's called 'work'".
Thankfully, Bree Groff addresses these and other traditional views about work in her opening chapter. Using a combination of research, case examples, and her own 30+ years of experience working with organizations to create a world of work that is both human-centered and performance focused.
Groff's heart-warming story of her own journey and examples from her clients made me a believer: that yes, it is possible to enjoy your work most of the time. "Today Was Fun" goes beyond most works on this topic by providing clear strategies and tools to help individuals identify new ways of working and mindsets that can be immediately implemented so you're not white-nailing it into the weekend.
I initially bought this book as an ebook, then convinced my husband to listen to it on audiobook. Then I bought two printed copies so we could work through it together one chapter at a time. It's highly conducive to a book club discussion and provides ample self reflection exercises for individuals to go through on their own. I think it could also be a great resource for mentors, life coaches, and parents. Or honestly, anyone who has wondered if it's possible to enjoy the work that occupies their days.
Before reading this book, my thoughts were, "doesn't everything worth doing require struggle and sacrifice" and "it's not realistic to enjoy our work most of the time. that's why it's called 'work'".
Thankfully, Bree Groff addresses these and other traditional views about work in her opening chapter. Using a combination of research, case examples, and her own 30+ years of experience working with organizations to create a world of work that is both human-centered and performance focused.
Groff's heart-warming story of her own journey and examples from her clients made me a believer: that yes, it is possible to enjoy your work most of the time. "Today Was Fun" goes beyond most works on this topic by providing clear strategies and tools to help individuals identify new ways of working and mindsets that can be immediately implemented so you're not white-nailing it into the weekend.
I initially bought this book as an ebook, then convinced my husband to listen to it on audiobook. Then I bought two printed copies so we could work through it together one chapter at a time. It's highly conducive to a book club discussion and provides ample self reflection exercises for individuals to go through on their own. I think it could also be a great resource for mentors, life coaches, and parents. Or honestly, anyone who has wondered if it's possible to enjoy the work that occupies their days.
July 18, 2025
Di tengah perbincangan tentang karier dan produktivitas, sebuah karya baru hadir untuk mengubah pandangan kita tentang apa artinya “bekerja” dan menemukan sukacita di dalamnya. Buku yang provokatif ini mengajak pembaca untuk merenungkan kembali esensi pekerjaan, menantang persepsi konvensional bahwa pekerjaan adalah beban yang harus ditanggung, alih-alih sebagai sumber potensi dan pemenuhan diri.
Melalui buku ini, kita akan diajak untuk menemukan perspektif yang menyegarkan tentang bagaimana kita dapat mendekati tugas sehari-hari dengan lebih banyak kreativitas, fokus, dan bahkan bersenang-senang dalam bekerja.
Dengan gaya yang cerdas dan penuh insight, Today Was Fun mendorong eksplorasi mendalam tentang motivasi pribadi, lingkungan kerja yang ideal, dan cara mengintegrasikan nilai-nilai personal ke dalam kehidupan profesional. Karya ini sangat cocok bagi para pekerja, manajer, entrepreneur, mahasiswa, atau siapa pun yang ingin mengubah hubungan mereka dengan pekerjaan dari kewajiban menjadi sebuah pengalaman yang bermakna dan memuaskan.
https://blog.periplus.com/2025/07/07/...
Keywords: Personal Growth, Work Ethic, Job Satisfaction, Career Development, Professional Fulfillment, Productivity, Mindfulness At Work, Business Philosophy, Self-help, Meaningful Work, Workplace Culture, Human Resources, Management, Inspiration, Well-being, Positive Psychology, Creative Work, Entrepreneurship, Skill Development, Life Balance
Melalui buku ini, kita akan diajak untuk menemukan perspektif yang menyegarkan tentang bagaimana kita dapat mendekati tugas sehari-hari dengan lebih banyak kreativitas, fokus, dan bahkan bersenang-senang dalam bekerja.
Dengan gaya yang cerdas dan penuh insight, Today Was Fun mendorong eksplorasi mendalam tentang motivasi pribadi, lingkungan kerja yang ideal, dan cara mengintegrasikan nilai-nilai personal ke dalam kehidupan profesional. Karya ini sangat cocok bagi para pekerja, manajer, entrepreneur, mahasiswa, atau siapa pun yang ingin mengubah hubungan mereka dengan pekerjaan dari kewajiban menjadi sebuah pengalaman yang bermakna dan memuaskan.
https://blog.periplus.com/2025/07/07/...
Keywords: Personal Growth, Work Ethic, Job Satisfaction, Career Development, Professional Fulfillment, Productivity, Mindfulness At Work, Business Philosophy, Self-help, Meaningful Work, Workplace Culture, Human Resources, Management, Inspiration, Well-being, Positive Psychology, Creative Work, Entrepreneurship, Skill Development, Life Balance
July 13, 2025
If, like me, you've ever felt your job takes too much of your life instead of helping you live richly, then read Today Was Fun (Seriously). It is a funny, honest, and original take on how us knowledge workers can reclaim our time, creativity, and agency (our humanity!) with practical advice on how to make work genuinely fun and joyful.
I both laughed out loud and faced profound existential questions about how all of our relationships with work need to change for the sake of our families, our friends, and our longevity. This goes beyond the tired advice of "wellness culture" to really challenge the profit-over-people corporate culture we've come to accept as normal.
After reading TWF(S) I felt like I had the down-and-dirty therapy session I've needed for years to reset my attitude about the role of work in my life. It should be required reading for all corporate leaders, but it is a book we all need to read if we truly want to get better at living.
I both laughed out loud and faced profound existential questions about how all of our relationships with work need to change for the sake of our families, our friends, and our longevity. This goes beyond the tired advice of "wellness culture" to really challenge the profit-over-people corporate culture we've come to accept as normal.
After reading TWF(S) I felt like I had the down-and-dirty therapy session I've needed for years to reset my attitude about the role of work in my life. It should be required reading for all corporate leaders, but it is a book we all need to read if we truly want to get better at living.
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