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How to Work Without Losing Your Mind
A painfully honest and practical book for women who are struggling to survive - let alone thrive - in the modern workplace
How to Work Without Losing Your Mind is a painfully honest, hilarious and relatable guide to surviving the hell of the nine to five.
It will help you navigate the real, messy, stressful and sometimes bizarre side of work that everyone experiences but no one talks about, whether at home or in the office. Whether you're drowning in a toxic working environment, battling burnout, recovering from redundancy or furlough, or just struggling to figure out what you actually want from your career, Cate Sevilla is here to help coach you through the shittiness of your working day, and help you shift your relationship with your career.
Cate opens up about the good, the bad and the ugly situations she’s found herself in at work. Cate also interviews an array of women from different industries (therapists, scientists, HR professionals, teachers and writers like Viv Groskop and Daisy Buchanan), to create an encouraging, funny and practical guide to the demands, expectations and horrors of modern work.
Packed full of hilarious, relatable stories as well as practical tools to help you move forward, Cate Sevilla is the fabulous career guide you never knew you needed!
How to Work Without Losing Your Mind is a painfully honest, hilarious and relatable guide to surviving the hell of the nine to five.
It will help you navigate the real, messy, stressful and sometimes bizarre side of work that everyone experiences but no one talks about, whether at home or in the office. Whether you're drowning in a toxic working environment, battling burnout, recovering from redundancy or furlough, or just struggling to figure out what you actually want from your career, Cate Sevilla is here to help coach you through the shittiness of your working day, and help you shift your relationship with your career.
Cate opens up about the good, the bad and the ugly situations she’s found herself in at work. Cate also interviews an array of women from different industries (therapists, scientists, HR professionals, teachers and writers like Viv Groskop and Daisy Buchanan), to create an encouraging, funny and practical guide to the demands, expectations and horrors of modern work.
Packed full of hilarious, relatable stories as well as practical tools to help you move forward, Cate Sevilla is the fabulous career guide you never knew you needed!
336 pages, Paperback
Published April 1, 2023
58 people are currently reading
1118 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
February 18, 2021
The antithesis of Lean In, et al. Cate gets down to the nitty gritty of work, the day to day crap that leaves you pissed off or mentally exhausted. Stacks of practical, actionable advice that will, frankly, help you care less about work. I know I know most of this stuff already... but reminders are useful and her personal anecdotes are fun and shocking.
August 21, 2023
needs more marxism
March 23, 2023
De titel is Laat je niet gek maken door je WERK. Niet door je BREIN.
April 10, 2021
I enjoyed this book. I found it helpful and would recommend it. The core, connected messages are excellent and distinctive in the self-help genre. Some of these core messages include: professionalism is essential, many difficult work situations can be tricky but managed with some discompfort, our jobs are not our identities. There are plenty of good ideas for taking action on these core messages. The first 2/3 of the book is funny and tightly argued, but it then trailed off until it picked up in the conclusion.
What I found off-putting about this book is the language of 'must.' Despite stressing the plurality of work and individual circumstances, in making suggestions Sevilla used the language of 'you must X.' As an academic, lots of her recommendations were not applicable. More importantly, though, the language of 'must' was anithetical to the book's project. The book does an excellent job of stressing the importance of diversity, but that made the prescriptiveness of the suggestions especially off-putting for me. On balance, though, I found it useful, entertaining, and well-written. Recommend!
What I found off-putting about this book is the language of 'must.' Despite stressing the plurality of work and individual circumstances, in making suggestions Sevilla used the language of 'you must X.' As an academic, lots of her recommendations were not applicable. More importantly, though, the language of 'must' was anithetical to the book's project. The book does an excellent job of stressing the importance of diversity, but that made the prescriptiveness of the suggestions especially off-putting for me. On balance, though, I found it useful, entertaining, and well-written. Recommend!
November 17, 2020
Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin General UK for an advance copy of this book.
How to Work Without Losing Your Mind is a fantastic foray into the world of work. I really enjoyed the honest and authentic narrative that Cate writes with.
I liked how much of the book was told through a feminist lens and was inclusive of gender from the get-go. The most useful chapters for me were about burnout and bringing your whole self to work.
It’s also great for tips on planning and how to work out what your interests are. I feel like it’s a book I would return to again at different points in my career.
Overall I really liked the book and would definitely recommend it to friends.
How to Work Without Losing Your Mind is a fantastic foray into the world of work. I really enjoyed the honest and authentic narrative that Cate writes with.
I liked how much of the book was told through a feminist lens and was inclusive of gender from the get-go. The most useful chapters for me were about burnout and bringing your whole self to work.
It’s also great for tips on planning and how to work out what your interests are. I feel like it’s a book I would return to again at different points in my career.
Overall I really liked the book and would definitely recommend it to friends.
December 14, 2024
this book fell into my lap at the perfect time, I recently started my new job at work and was recovering from a traumatic job loss. Cate delves into a lot of topics, such as job loss, setting boundaries, parenting while working, etc. There were some chapters I felt were not really relevant to me currently, but were interesting nonetheless. I was intrigued by the female lens that Cate took, but I didn't agree with all her gendered points. Overall, a helpful and timing read!
March 21, 2024
⭐⭐⭐.25
Some helpful tips, but sections were too focused on the corporate world/office culture, which isn't all work environments.
Some helpful tips, but sections were too focused on the corporate world/office culture, which isn't all work environments.
July 5, 2023
I really enjoyed the first half of the book. After that the chapters didn't apply to me and I had a hard time picking up the book and actually finishing it. I do think this book is mostly for people working in some kind of office. For me, working in health care, a lot of the tipps didn't really work.
Overall a selfhelp book with no new tipps but good reminders for everyday worklife.
Overall a selfhelp book with no new tipps but good reminders for everyday worklife.
October 1, 2025
Synopsis:
Many of us are struggling in the workplace due to unreasonable expectations/bosses and a lack of work-life balance. In this book, Cate Sevilla offers practical advice on how to navigate the corporate world.
This book has a very specific target audience, which is millennial women working in an office environment. If that applies to you - and it does to me - you'll find most things in the book relatable, relevant and helpful.
Cate comes across as the genuine, helpful work bestie many wish they had: she strikes the right tone between brutally honest, giving some tough love where appropriate and gentle - as well as handing out helpful, actionable advice.
My most important take-aways were to set boundaries at work, in the form of "time blocking" or choosing "Do not Disturb" if you are trying to be productive. She also explained that sometimes we transfer our childhood traumas to the workplace and inadvertently treat out boss like our mother and that our upbringing colours the way we see our work environment.
She also suggests to have difficult conversations, because sometimes it's better to be uncomfortable than to let things fester. I've definitely been guilty of this, so I will now try to address any issues straight away.
Among other topics - and there were many as this is a very comprehensive book - Cate Sevilla explained what a good manager vs. a bad manager constitutes, the struggles of motherhood and fertility, navigating unemployment and job interviews, and that we should not equal our identity to our job because: what if we lose it? Then who are we?
I also found the concept of giving only 75% at work to have some remaining energy left insightful. As someone who feels drained like a vampire's victim every single time, this is really helpful.
The author also addressed the unique challenges women face in the workplace, from fiercer competition among each other to having a second job outside of work (i.e. the household, emotional labor, children), to being put to a different standard than men.
All in all, I felt seen, and heard and I took some of the advice and applied it to my daily life. I always like it when I learn something I haven't known or thought of before and it improves my life. This book did the job for me.
Many of us are struggling in the workplace due to unreasonable expectations/bosses and a lack of work-life balance. In this book, Cate Sevilla offers practical advice on how to navigate the corporate world.
This book has a very specific target audience, which is millennial women working in an office environment. If that applies to you - and it does to me - you'll find most things in the book relatable, relevant and helpful.
Cate comes across as the genuine, helpful work bestie many wish they had: she strikes the right tone between brutally honest, giving some tough love where appropriate and gentle - as well as handing out helpful, actionable advice.
My most important take-aways were to set boundaries at work, in the form of "time blocking" or choosing "Do not Disturb" if you are trying to be productive. She also explained that sometimes we transfer our childhood traumas to the workplace and inadvertently treat out boss like our mother and that our upbringing colours the way we see our work environment.
She also suggests to have difficult conversations, because sometimes it's better to be uncomfortable than to let things fester. I've definitely been guilty of this, so I will now try to address any issues straight away.
Among other topics - and there were many as this is a very comprehensive book - Cate Sevilla explained what a good manager vs. a bad manager constitutes, the struggles of motherhood and fertility, navigating unemployment and job interviews, and that we should not equal our identity to our job because: what if we lose it? Then who are we?
I also found the concept of giving only 75% at work to have some remaining energy left insightful. As someone who feels drained like a vampire's victim every single time, this is really helpful.
The author also addressed the unique challenges women face in the workplace, from fiercer competition among each other to having a second job outside of work (i.e. the household, emotional labor, children), to being put to a different standard than men.
All in all, I felt seen, and heard and I took some of the advice and applied it to my daily life. I always like it when I learn something I haven't known or thought of before and it improves my life. This book did the job for me.
January 29, 2023
This book was my return to business/work books in audio format as we go into 2023. Overall, the book was well thought out, well researched, and organized in a digestible format.
For those thinking about picking up this book, the one warning I have, is despite the title and description this book is intended for a female audience. Does that mean the information is not valuable to all people? No. But know when you are starting the book there are going to be some topics which might not be relevant for a non-female reader.
For a bit of encouragement to read the book, consider this. The way the book is written is from the standpoint of an employee. So if you are in a similar situation the book has great advice. However, if you are an employer, manager, or supervisor the book is also relevant as it provides a different perspective on the job place.
Overall, the book is worth a listen (or read).
For those thinking about picking up this book, the one warning I have, is despite the title and description this book is intended for a female audience. Does that mean the information is not valuable to all people? No. But know when you are starting the book there are going to be some topics which might not be relevant for a non-female reader.
For a bit of encouragement to read the book, consider this. The way the book is written is from the standpoint of an employee. So if you are in a similar situation the book has great advice. However, if you are an employer, manager, or supervisor the book is also relevant as it provides a different perspective on the job place.
Overall, the book is worth a listen (or read).
January 21, 2024
An insightful book delivered in a humorous way! I made lots of notes for myself because it really forces you to reflect on what's stopping you from thriving and feeling fulfilled at work. I love the advice from the different interviews, so you get to hear from different voices, including black women, mothers and employees with diagnosised anxiety and depression which stood out for me. If I were to takeaway three things it would be the chapters on why you can't bring your whole self to work, your organisation is not your family and managing the 'boss baby' when senior leaders suddenly start acting helpless. I haven't felt this positive about my career in years, this book made a lot of things click for me. Even outside of work, the part about writing two eulogies, for the life you're living now and the one you want! That was very impactful for me. Of course everyone's different!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 8, 2023
The Boss Baby description / concept is funny. Enjoyed that.
There is evidence of some actual research and reading in parts of the field (management and wellbeing), which is nice!
Post-girlboss ideas presented in the style of The Ladies Book of Etiquette.
The book touches on some good ideas and concepts, but never for long and is filled with many lists of things you should and should not do that aren't always consistent across chapters — e.g. if you're a boss, do this, if you're an employee do that...
If you're going to be working in the corporate or corporate adjacent world, this book has some good starting points to go explore, relatable experiences, and is a fair first attempt at unpacking all the weird rules and norms that can end up developing in organisational cultures.
There is evidence of some actual research and reading in parts of the field (management and wellbeing), which is nice!
Post-girlboss ideas presented in the style of The Ladies Book of Etiquette.
The book touches on some good ideas and concepts, but never for long and is filled with many lists of things you should and should not do that aren't always consistent across chapters — e.g. if you're a boss, do this, if you're an employee do that...
If you're going to be working in the corporate or corporate adjacent world, this book has some good starting points to go explore, relatable experiences, and is a fair first attempt at unpacking all the weird rules and norms that can end up developing in organisational cultures.
July 15, 2023
I really hope I will love this book. But I didn't.
I was intrigued by the title, so I started to read it in order to see how the author would help me. As the pages go by, I think it was not written for me. There's a thing that I cannot explicitly say, but it annoys me.
If I can give an analogy, it's like when I was with my mom and her friends chit-chatting when I was a kid. I tried to understand and join the conversation, but I was ignored because of my age.
One message: the title should be specific if the target is not general.
I DNFed this book.
I was intrigued by the title, so I started to read it in order to see how the author would help me. As the pages go by, I think it was not written for me. There's a thing that I cannot explicitly say, but it annoys me.
If I can give an analogy, it's like when I was with my mom and her friends chit-chatting when I was a kid. I tried to understand and join the conversation, but I was ignored because of my age.
One message: the title should be specific if the target is not general.
I DNFed this book.
October 5, 2023
When will I learn to stay away from millennial women self help books? Who told them that somehow their *literature* was not self help? Why do they feel so entitled to shit on self help WHILE OFFERING SELF HELP. I always feel like I am in some sort of 3D movie where I am the only one who took my glasses off and am living in a completely different reality than everybody else. Self help is self help is self help. Just because "live laugh laugh" didn't work for you, doesn't mean "embrace the discomfort" will sound any less like a platitude to somebody else.
December 16, 2020
I've known Cate for a long time and gained so much valuable information and picked up so many strategies by reading this book. It's one of those books where you find yourself photographing pages to share with your friends. Hugely practical and empathetic. I think it has the possibility of being THE BOOK that all working women have on their shelves.
May 30, 2021
A bit of everything. Some parts I absolutely loved, some okayish. It is a good one time read and you can always look up to the highlighted parts. It is written from a women point of view, but that adds to its value. Nice read!
January 23, 2023
Written from the perspective of how to survive as a female in todays modern working well. Gives some good perspectives and advice. Ideal if you’re an Imposter Syndrome sufferer!! Clearly batched into topics, great insight and relatable.
December 11, 2020
I enjoyed this book and I could identify with many of its points and with many of and testimonies of the interviewees. I found very useful practical advice like having a self care daily list and I found particularly insightful the reflections on bringing your whole self to work. The author is very honest and candid, with a sometimes dark and sarcastic sense of humour. While I don't agree with all of her opinions and some advice was not relevant to me I appreciate that this is a book that touches on many moments of one's career and I can see myself returning to it.
February 18, 2021
I’m going to read this again and again.
February 28, 2021
Geen slecht boek, maar hier staat echt niets in dat je nog niet wist/ergens anders gelezen hebt.
November 19, 2021
Good reference for times when you're about to lose your mind and need a refresher. Also includes some tips on the job search process and landing a more suitable job.
February 11, 2022
Read this for work but really enjoyed it. The book is filled with lots of practical tips and sound advice for navigating various work situations and challenges. Thoroughly recommend for any new people managers or anyone considering people management at some point in their career
September 6, 2022
I threw it in the trash
March 15, 2023
Some useful nuggets to stop me losing my brains
October 7, 2023
Not for me. It is neither funny nor helpful. If you were expecting comedy, this falls short for being too whiny. If you needed genuine advice on corporate success- pick up something else from the Business section.
August 20, 2021
I listened to this as an audiobook. Very relatable with good tips on how to improve your working life.
August 7, 2021
3 stars ⭐️
One of my goals this year is to read a few work related books. I had a credit on Audible and was browsing through the new releases and ‘How to work without losing your mind’ jumped out at me.
The first few chapters was what I expected the book to be. I enjoyed the chapters about showing your true self, competition, unbearable colleagues and setting social boundaries. I was left with some practical takeaways and I will be reviewing these chapters in the near future.
The last third of the book seems to be for white collar business people only. Sadly, in my job in the education sector job interviews, negotiation for pay ect is not relatable.
For those who don’t enjoy name dropping whilst reading, this book isn’t for you. If you like a hilarious book with great metaphors. This is your book.
I really enjoyed the author’s narration. I always like it when the narrator is the author.
Thanks for sharing your knowledge.
One of my goals this year is to read a few work related books. I had a credit on Audible and was browsing through the new releases and ‘How to work without losing your mind’ jumped out at me.
The first few chapters was what I expected the book to be. I enjoyed the chapters about showing your true self, competition, unbearable colleagues and setting social boundaries. I was left with some practical takeaways and I will be reviewing these chapters in the near future.
The last third of the book seems to be for white collar business people only. Sadly, in my job in the education sector job interviews, negotiation for pay ect is not relatable.
For those who don’t enjoy name dropping whilst reading, this book isn’t for you. If you like a hilarious book with great metaphors. This is your book.
I really enjoyed the author’s narration. I always like it when the narrator is the author.
Thanks for sharing your knowledge.
April 3, 2021
A lot of useful and constructive pointers especially for women at the modern workplace on how we can manage our energy wisely and keep our sanity. Cate's tips are not revolutionary - we have heard them and we know them, but she has managed to pack them in this light read which will give you a good kick on the ass and remind you of what is most important.
December 16, 2021
Aanrader! Geen boek met hysterische stappenplannen of inspirerende rolmodellen, maar juist met relativerende en herkenbare verhalen. Ik heb regelmatig hardop zitten lachen.
Cate is ruim tien jaar jonger dan ik en heeft werkervaring in de Verenigde Staten en Engeland en ik vond het echt verrassend dat het arbeidsklimaat dat zij beschrijft niet zoveel verschilt van dat in Nederland.
Cate is ruim tien jaar jonger dan ik en heeft werkervaring in de Verenigde Staten en Engeland en ik vond het echt verrassend dat het arbeidsklimaat dat zij beschrijft niet zoveel verschilt van dat in Nederland.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews