Joy at Work: Organizing Your Professional Life

by Marie Kondo, Scott Sonenshein

Overview

Declutter your desk and brighten up your business with this transformative guide from an organizational psychologist and the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up.

The workplace is a magnet for clutter and mess. Who hasn't felt drained by wasteful meetings, disorganized papers, endless emails, and unnecessary tasks? These are the modern-day hazards of working, and they can slowly drain the joy from work, limit our chances of career progress, and undermine our well-being.

There is another way. In Joy at Work, bestselling author and Netflix star Marie Kondo and Rice University business professor Scott Sonenshein offer stories, studies, and strategies to help you eliminate clutter and make space for work that really matters.

Using the world-renowned KonMari Method and cutting-edge research, Joy at Work will help you overcome the challenges of workplace mess and enjoy the productivity, success, and happiness that come with a tidy desk and mind.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780316423328
Publisher:	Little, Brown and Company
Publication date:	04/07/2020
Pages:	256
Sales rank:	275,666
Product dimensions:	5.80(w) x 8.60(h) x 1.20(d)

About the Author

Marie Kondo is a tidying expert, bestselling author, Emmy-nominated star of Netflix's hit show, Tidying Up With Marie Kondo, and founder of KonMari Media, Inc.


Scott Sonenshein is a chaired professor at Rice University and the bestselling author of Stretch. He received his PhD in organizational behavior from the University of Michigan and has written for the New York Times, Time magazine, Fast Company, and Harvard Business Review.

Editorial Reviews

03/09/2020

Kondo (The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up) extends her tidying empire to the workplace with this upbeat collaboration with organizational psychologist Sonenshein (Stretch). The authors contend that tidying one’s workspace is “an epic voyage of self-discovery” and “the first and most effective step toward realizing your vision of a joyful career.” Kondo contributes four chapters and Sonenshein contributes seven, but their voices work well together and the chapters transition seamlessly. First, Kondo instructs readers in tidying their workspace in order to increase efficiency and refocus on their values. (The rule of thumb for stacks of papers: “Discard everything.”) Sonenshein then opines on tidying less tangible matters: digital documents, decisions, and even meetings and teams. Throughout, the recommended method is to view everything at once (nonphysical items should be written on index cards), reflect on what is truly essential or joyful, and strive to eliminate the rest. The authors’ program doesn’t always transfer easily to the complexities of a workplace (most of their advice will only apply to those who work strictly at a desk) and certain topics—such as taming one’s inbox—receive inadequate attention. Even so, any cubicle-dwelling Kondo-phile will appreciate this inviting guide. (Apr.)

Publishers Weekly

"Marie Kondo and Scott Sonenshein are modern-day superheroes — the dynamic duo of office efficiency and satisfaction. Their timely book delivers the tools, questions, and mindsets you need to rid the clutter that's piling on your desk, clogging your calendar, and infiltrating your personal networks. If you want joy in life, the place to begin is Joy at Work."—Daniel H. Pink, New York Times bestselling author of When, To Sell Is Human, and Drive

"Marie Kondo and Scott Sonenshein understand something very important about life and work: many times the key to success comes from subtracting, not adding. For anyone looking to bring more joy and focus to their office and career, Joy at Work is the book you've been waiting for."—Alex Banayan, author of the #1 international bestseller The Third Door

"Finding joy at work isn't magic — it takes work. But it might feel a bit more like play thanks to the practical insights from Marie Kondo and Scott Sonenshein."—Adam Grant, New York Times bestselling author of Originals and Give and Take, and host of the TED podcast WorkLife

"A tidy guide to finding joy at work. Full of psychological wisdom and practical tips — I loved it!"—Angela Duckworth, New York Times bestselling author of Grit

"Joy at Work is a charming antidote to the messiness of organizational life. It will help you be happier, waste less time, and lead others — and is mighty fun to read."
—Bob Sutton, Stanford Professor, organizational psychologist, and author of bestsellers The No Asshole Rule and Good Boss, Bad Boss

From the Publisher

Joy at work? The concept may seem a stretch for many, but as the authors explain, there are concrete ways to bring Marie Kondo’s renowned tidying strategies to the workplace. American actress Brittany Ishibashi performs the segments written by Kondo in a convincing and encouraging tone. Sonenshein’s chapters are narrated by Dan Woren, who is excellent at clearly delivering the recommendations and the theories behind them. Ishibashi chimes in on Woren’s chapters with Kondo’s personal stories. Asking yourself if a work document, email, or task sparks joy may seem silly; nonetheless, listeners may find themselves with a sudden urge to start tidying even while they’re listening. E.Q. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine

MARCH 2020 - AudioFile