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 lifes 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.
Amy52
Posted May 10, 2010
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It gives a lot insight into being retired, being unemployed or being overworked and how to handle leisure time. This is definitely insprirational for anyone not in the working world which is where I intend to be in a couple of years! I am looking forward to putting a lot of what is in this book to practice. Many of my friends have also expressed an interest in reading this book. They are also looking forward to being retired! Thank you for your insight
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Ussi-Indy
Posted May 6, 2010
The Joy of Not Working by Ernie Z.
The book shows us ways to work smart, to enjoy life, to help others and to become financially secured by not-working for corporations. The book is written in a down-to-earth, clear, and fun style. Ernie connects to his readers by being honest. Behind the stories, there is a real man who is intelligent, kind, and caring.
The Joy of Not Working should not be mistaken as The Joy of Being Lazy. Ernie found his own voice after being forced out of the cooperate world; he became an accomplished author. When we do not work for others, we have the freedom to create our own lives and have an access to unlimited income working for ourselves.
I wish to thank Ernie for showing us that making a living by not-working an ordinary 9-5 jobs is not only possible but also rewarding. To the frustrated employees (or ex-employees), The Joy of Not Working is truly a pioneer work.
Ussi-Indy
Indianapolis, USA
Anonymous
Posted September 14, 2006
I bought this book when I was downsized from a management position in corporate America last year. I was pretty down in the dumps and really found it challenging to get through this hefty book. I never did finish it. A friend bought me 'Unemployment Boot Camp: Tactics for Surviving and Thriving in the 21st Century,' by R.A. Long. It was sharp, quick and right on target with my frame of mind. The boot camp strategy is so appropos for getting you back on track after getting the boot from any job. I looked for it on bn.com and found it by putting in the first part of the title, Unemployment Boot Camp. Oh, and it's half the price of The JOy of Not Working.
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted May 8, 2006
Ernie Zelinski's 'The Joy of Not Working' should be required reading for anyone in the workforce who has ever questioned whether they are doing what they should be doing with their lives. It is also a must-read book for those who are contemplating retirement and especially for those who find themselves without work at a certain point in their careers. Because 'The Joy of Not Working' was a book I enjoyed reading so much, I would schedule reading periods when I knew I would have a chance to relax and take it all in. It allowed me to ponder the meaning of life and how I was or was not using my talents. It also helped me to think about time away from work in more creative ways. Prior to reading the book, I had spent roughly a year and a half as a management consultant - both as an employee of an IT management consulting firm and self-employed (read 'chased contracts and/or considered new employment opportunities constantly'). As I read the book, I found that I could identify with the thoughts and ideas suggested in the book about how I could use the valuable time in between contracts to great personal advantage. I am currently employed in the Canadian federal government in a senior policy development position which requires, amongst other things, that I organize national consultation sessions or roundtables on the topic of the ageing workforce. As such, Zelinski's books have been thought-provoking and have helped me focus on my own end of career choices (in addition to furthering ideas germane to my work file). This book will be greatly appreciated by people in any of these situations or mindsets: facing choices about the kind of things they want to do after leaving a full-time career contemplating whether they devote too much of their lives to being enslaved to their work considering whether it makes sense to walk away from a secure full-time job despite longing to do so. In short, the book provokes self-examination and assessment of a kind that few will deny is highly practical and beneficial. There is little doubt that this book - which I recommend to many of the people I meet or speak to about work or retirement - will provoke the reader to consider his or her own circumstances and to seek greater meaning in their lives. Whether or not an individual will treat it like 'reading candy' as was my case, really depends on the individual. I liked the sayings and a lot of the cartoons, although I must admit to questioning some of the provocative statements about retiring early and working through the financial challenges. Overall though, I cannot imagine anyone reading this book without feeling that it was an extremely pleasant and useful read. Personally, I do not recall ever reading a book that I enjoyed more or that brought me as much satisfaction.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted March 5, 2006
I bought the first edition of this book just about the time I decided to quit the corporate rat race in the very early 90's. I was then forty three years old. Since then, I have found it - in fact, I have reread it several times - to be a very provocative, entertaining, down-to-earth, and tremendously inspiring book. It also strikes a common chord with me: Like the author, I was trained as an engineer. I simply love the author's personal philosophy as expressed in his wonderful book: We work so hard - and over-value work so much - that we have forgotten how to just live! Life is short! - go and enjoy it all! I highly recommend this book to all corporate rats who are longing or aspiring to pursue their dreams, to work more productively (by working less), to be financially independent (with less money), embrace enjoyable leisure and pursue 'creative unemployment.' For the uninitiated, 'creative unemployment' is living a rewarding and fulfilling life through plorking i.e. playing and working!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted November 28, 2005
This book is not about saving up for a cushy retirement. Nor is it about dropping out of society. It is about how to work (much) less and have a happier and more meaningful life right now, regardless of your age or occupation. I have been a homemaker and student and not received a paycheque for the last 20 years, but reading this book has made me realize that I had been working way too many hours. Life is too short not to be enjoying every day of it. While the book presents profound ideas it is very entertaining and easy to read. I found the chapter 'Financial Independence on Less Than $20 a Day' very inspiring. Most people wouldn't want to live on so little, but the fact that it is possible opens up the idea of more moderate possibilities such as a leave of absence or part time work. Other great sections of the book are: 'Give solitude a chance', 300 activities for a full life and the whole section on being happy now rather than waiting for tomorrow. I highly recommend this book for anyone who is working 8 (or more) hours a day. Also anyone who is retired or unemployed and not enjoying life to the fullest. In fact I recommend this book for anyone who is not already enjoying 'the joy of not working'.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted January 8, 2005
This book opened my eyes even wider to the negative impact being apart of the rat race has on one's mental and physical health. Zelinksi's advice on engaging in recreational activites and minimizing debt is worth following. However, what this book lacks is in depth knowledge about 'how to' really survive or live on very little money when one has given up the rat race for self discovery in the meantime. Many Americans believe that this 'Life of Riley' way of living is impossible to achieve because a lot of money is required for everything here, especially healthcare! I used to think the same way until I read the following book... 'Living Well on Practically Nothing' by Edward Romney is a true instruction manual for people who either don't make enough money from their jobs, are retired or unemployed. An excellent book! The title really says it all.
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Posted June 6, 2010
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Overview
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 ...