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Slow At Work: How to work less, achieve more and regain your balance in an always-on world
The way we work has changed. We need new tools to help navigate this world of work – not only to achieve career success, but to stay sane while doing so – and this book can be one of them. Our jobs can become such an important part of our identity that we walk the treacherous line between loving our work and speeding towards burnout. An always-on culture, the cult of busyness and blurred boundaries mean that work and life can become seriously out of balance. So if you are burnt out, anxious, feel like an imposter or caught in a cycle of procrastination, this life-changing book contains all the advice you need to restore your balance and get back on track. 'The definitive guide for those who want to be more organised, mindful and productive at work – without sacrificing their personal life' Thejournal.ie 'This is a wonderful idea' Dr Ciara Kelly, Newstalk 'Packed with genuinely workable tips on how to slow down to get ahead.' Sunday Business Post 'McElwain’s book reads like a manifesto for the new era, a manual for finding balance between work and productivity and the equally important play and rest.' IMAGE Magazine
- GenresBusiness
246 pages, Hardcover
Published December 9, 2017
16 people are currently reading
112 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
April 8, 2019
The author travels around and speaks to privileged people about their happy lives, each of whom gets a one-sentence quote. The book covers a broad range of topics related to "slowing down". Each chapter ends with a brief list of takeaways and further books.
The tone of the book was friendly but two things in particular frustrated me:
1) The privilege of it all. Describing an exclusive two-to-three day artists' retreat with sentences like "We have often asked students to be mindful and still while sipping woodland tea made over campfire in the quiet of the forest" pushes it too far into the privilege/pretentiousness zone for me.
2) The repeated use of the word "craic". The author is Irish and it's obviously a natural word for her, but it becomes really grating if you're not used to it. I rolled my eyes at "craictose intolerant", which probably proves that I am without craic. Also, how is it "craic" to boo at joggers in a park? The book tells us to exercise more, then to mock people exercising? It's odd.
The tone of the book was friendly but two things in particular frustrated me:
1) The privilege of it all. Describing an exclusive two-to-three day artists' retreat with sentences like "We have often asked students to be mindful and still while sipping woodland tea made over campfire in the quiet of the forest" pushes it too far into the privilege/pretentiousness zone for me.
2) The repeated use of the word "craic". The author is Irish and it's obviously a natural word for her, but it becomes really grating if you're not used to it. I rolled my eyes at "craictose intolerant", which probably proves that I am without craic. Also, how is it "craic" to boo at joggers in a park? The book tells us to exercise more, then to mock people exercising? It's odd.
January 14, 2025
Wonderful life lessons and one of those books I couldn't put down
April 17, 2019
Lots of helpful strategies for being more in control of your working and non-working life.
Relatable and identifiable, and written by someone who it seems is still figuring it all out themselves.
One problem is that there's perhaps too much advice in the book - so really it's best approached by looking at particular chapters from each section, and trying to incorporate some advice into your life. You'd go mad trying to do it all. But this is preferable to someone telling you exactly what to do. There's no one size fits all approach to all of this.
It also perhaps applies more to people who are self employed or work in creative industries where they are able to change some aspects of their working environment or schedules. But that's just my impression. I'm glad I've taken the time to read it, and will refer back to a couple of chapters.
Relatable and identifiable, and written by someone who it seems is still figuring it all out themselves.
One problem is that there's perhaps too much advice in the book - so really it's best approached by looking at particular chapters from each section, and trying to incorporate some advice into your life. You'd go mad trying to do it all. But this is preferable to someone telling you exactly what to do. There's no one size fits all approach to all of this.
It also perhaps applies more to people who are self employed or work in creative industries where they are able to change some aspects of their working environment or schedules. But that's just my impression. I'm glad I've taken the time to read it, and will refer back to a couple of chapters.
January 15, 2018
This book I sensed was very much a personal journey for the author and allowed her to work through some of her own issues.
For me and my issues(!) it provided a starting point and some good ideas, but never discussed anything in depth enough to make a real difference to me. I would have to go and read some other books (which the author recommends)!
Also, as the author is self employed there was a lack of understanding from her, of the demands of the workplace. But, I did enjoy it, I especially liked the chapter on core values and found some good tips online to help me understand my values .
Nice read, but just skims the surface of a lot of issues
For me and my issues(!) it provided a starting point and some good ideas, but never discussed anything in depth enough to make a real difference to me. I would have to go and read some other books (which the author recommends)!
Also, as the author is self employed there was a lack of understanding from her, of the demands of the workplace. But, I did enjoy it, I especially liked the chapter on core values and found some good tips online to help me understand my values .
Nice read, but just skims the surface of a lot of issues
June 26, 2022
It was a good book about how to enhance productivity through making lifestyle adjustments.
Lots of examples were used and also lots of references made to books by other authors, and these books may be useful also.
However, I felt it went off topic when the subject of sustainability and living cheaply came up. Whilst useful information, I feel they would be better placed in a different book on those subjects.
Lots of examples were used and also lots of references made to books by other authors, and these books may be useful also.
However, I felt it went off topic when the subject of sustainability and living cheaply came up. Whilst useful information, I feel they would be better placed in a different book on those subjects.
June 25, 2020
I had to skip the chapter on food because I found the shaming of sugar to be problematic and deducted a star for that- cut throat, I know. The rest is pretty good. It is VERY bougie and I'm very NOT but most of the stuff I could relate to and I took quite a few notes. The pompodoro technique mentioned has already changed my working day!
June 2, 2020
Some of the ideas were a bit lofty, but I really appreciated the spirit and intent of this book.
April 1, 2022
Loved this on audio!
February 23, 2024
Great to listen to this
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews