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The Joy of Not Working: 21st Century Edition-A Book for the Retired, Unemployed, and Overworked [Paperback]

Ernie J. Zelinski (Author)
4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (35 customer reviews)

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Book Description

Release Date: Sep 1 2003
Ernie Zelinski could change your view of the world forever. He has already taught more than 150,000 people what THE JOY OF NOT WORKING is all about: learning to live every part of your life-employment, unemployment, retirement, and leisure time alike-to the fullest. With this completely revised and expanded edition, you too can join the thousands of converts and learn to thrive at both work and at play. Illustrated by eye-opening exercises, thought-provoking diagrams, and lively cartoons and quotations, THE JOY OF NOT WORKING will guide you to:Be more productive at work by working less.Discover and pursue your life'¬?s passions.Gain the courage to leave your corporate job if it is draining life out of you.Pursue interesting leisure activities that make a difference in your physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.Vanquish any guilt you may have about not working long and hard hours.Be financially independent with less money.Plus, new to this edition are inspiring letters from readers detailing how the book helped them improve the variety, tone, and quality of their lives.A revised and updated edition of the classic guide to living life to its fullest.Previous editions have sold more than 150,000 copies in 14 languages.

Product Details

Product Description

From Booklist

An odd mix of amateur psychology and self-help is offered by this engineer happily and creatively unemployed for 14 years. His clear-as-a-bell message is that making the most of leisure involves knowing yourself inside and outside of work. And that, for most overworked and undersatisfied Americans, amounts to an overwhelming task. To some extent, Zelinski tames the process with a combination of humor, cartoons, quotes from the famous (and the not so), fan mail excerpts, and a host of exercises to try. Explored in depth are the nature of boredom (complaining is one sure sign), the value of work, inner passions and goals, and the potential maleficence of money. None of these thoughts are new; Abraham Maslow, for one, advocated the stages toward healthy humanity. Nor are the statistics, remarks, or observations unique. But the notion of how to enjoy free time is finally geared to a mass market. Barbara Jacobs --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Review

"The message is that leisure, not work, is critical to happiness. . . . Zelinski points out that no one'¬?s dying words have ever included, '¬´I wish I had worked more.'¬? "-Financial Post"Ernie Zelinski helps others find time to live."-Boston Herald"[Is the] key to success and keeping life meaningful."-Contra Costa Times
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Customer Reviews

Most helpful customer reviews
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Be careful what you wish for... Feb 26 2002
By Justin Onstot
Format:Paperback
Mr. Zelinski's book is dangerous stuff. I was warned by the people who recommended the book to me... don't read it unless you are ready to make a change. I bought the book, and managed to pull myself away from my 4 hours of evening television one night last summer. I finished the book, and I've never looked back. Ernie's book helped me to figure out what it is that I am really passionate about. And from the book I gained the courage to leave the Corporate job that was sucking the life from me. I now have a whole list of active, engaging activities from which to choose. No more vegging in front of the tube. No more letting my career be the defining pillar of my life. Do yourself a favor, and read The Joy of Not Working. But be warned, you'll never look at TV the same way again...
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Maybe you are working too hard Nov 28 2005
By Gail H.
Format:Paperback
This is a fantastic book for anyone who is going to die in the next 100 years. In other words - it is time to wake up and realize that you don't have forever to get a life. If you don't have time today - when will you?
This book will get you thinking about what you really want in life. It might be more than money, stuff and a job title. Maybe you don't have to work quite so hard (according to Zelinski, even 8 hours a day is too much). If you are unemployed or retired maybe you could be enjoying your time more.
I recommend this book to just about anyone. It if full of life changing material, but at the same time is easy to read and entertaining. It is the type of book you will want to read more than once.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars A very helpful book. Mar 17 2004
By Steven Page
Format:Paperback
My brother and I just spent a year on a sabbatical. When we were planning our time off, I searched the Internet for ideas and articles on the subject. I came across Ernie's book and went to Amazon to look it up. The description intrigued me and I ordered a copy. I am glad I did! The Joy of Not Working is a very helpful and funny book. The chapters on Zen and Money are my favorite. I have reread them several times. It is full of wit and wisdom with some funny cartoons to keep you laughing. I enjoyed in immensely and recommend it for anyone planning a sabbatical or about to enter retirement.
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Most recent customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars Will be revisiting this book after 18 years
I was caught in a corporate downsizing crunch in the early 90's at age 32. My whole identity was wrapped up in that job and when the carpet was pulled out from under, I was bereft... Read more
Published on Feb 5 2011 by Karen Betzema
5.0 out of 5 stars Just what I needed!
A friend sent me this book that coincided with the day I quit my very, very stressful job. After I finished sleeping for a month, I picked up the book and was amazed! Read more
Published on Aug 24 2010 by Brenda Thompson
3.0 out of 5 stars Light and fun reading
The author repeats himself from his other book about Retiring happy, but, still he has an interesting perspective and writes with an easy and humourous style. Read more
Published on Jun 14 2010 by D. Davies
5.0 out of 5 stars The Joy of Reading Ernie J. Zelinski
Warning: You will see the world and your place in it differently after reading this book. If you want things to stay the same, go bark up another tree. Read more
Published on April 4 2009 by Oliver Luke Delorie
5.0 out of 5 stars A must read
I picked up this book just because I liked the title. It wasn't what I thought it would be about, but I was pleasantly surprised when I read it. Read more
Published on Jun 16 2004 by grumpydan
5.0 out of 5 stars A very helpful book.
My brother and I just spent a year on a sabbatical. When we were planning our time off, I searched the Internet for ideas and articles on the subject. Read more
Published on Mar 17 2004 by Steven Page
2.0 out of 5 stars Good, but not worth the price
This book is interesting and had some very good points, but not worth the price I paid. It is more philosophically orientied than practically - bad. Read more
Published on Mar 11 2004 by Robert R.
5.0 out of 5 stars You Go Ernie!!
I lost my job awhile back when my company relocated. While perusing the Want Ads one Sunday, I noticed an interesting review of this book in the newspaper books section. Read more
Published on Mar 9 2004 by Robin G
5.0 out of 5 stars Living every moment of your life
If your feeling over-worked, under-worked, bored, unsure, tired, depressed- whatever your feeling, Ernie Zelinski just might be able to get you to take a step back. Read more
Published on Feb 7 2004 by Nuria
2.0 out of 5 stars OK, but Loses a Star in the Canadian-to-US Exchange Rate
The biggest liability this book has for many still-working American readers is the fact that Americans _must_ work in order to have health insurance. Read more
Published on Feb 6 2004 by biz_buzz
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