Laziness Does Not Exist

Laziness Does Not Exist

  • Downloads：2087
  • Type：Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
  • Create Date：2021-01-08 04:19:47
  • Update Date：2025-09-06
  • Status：finish
  • Author：Devon Price Ph.D.
  • ISBN：9781982140106
  • Environment：PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle

Editor Reviews

What a breath of fresh air。 This is the book we all need right now！ We are burnt out。 We are operating under subconscious beliefs about productivity and busyness and worth that are depleting us daily。 And we are making ourselves sick and miserable in the process- but there's a better way。 This book will help you understand "laziness" and look at yourself （and others） with compassion， and create a more sustainable and joyful life。”—Caroline Dooner， author of The F*ck It Diet

“Price examines the main tenets of the “Laziness Lie，” seamlessly weaves vignettes into their narrative， and offers tips to help mitigate the pressure we all feel to push ourselves beyond what is healthy or necessary。 The ultimate goal is letting go of guilt and increasing happiness。 With particular impact for those in managerial positions， Price's important and eye-opening book will benefit every reader。”—Booklist

"Overload should be a sign that you have a problem， not a source of pride。 Devon Price offers hope to the chronically busy: there's a better， more human way to live。" — Cal Newport， New York Times bestselling author of Digital Minimalism and Deep Work

From the Publisher

Reviews

BessieTaliaferro ，

This is a life-changing book。 The author， a social psychologist and professor， describes how Puritanical values and capitalism produced the notion of "laziness，" and how it continues to impact us today。 They offer examples of individuals who are affected by shame or guilt around their "lack" of "productivity。" Price shares their personal story， including how focusing obsessively on work impacted their health。 Some ideas are familiar， others are new/unusual， but overall， the breadth is pretty astounding。 The author describes how the laziness lie manifests itself in relationships， such as couples， friendships， and roommates。 Not doing "emotional labor，" many believe， is "LAZY！" WOW。 Price also talks practically about activism， suggesting readers pick specific causes to work on， and to mourn what we cannot fix。 They also includes helpful suggestions on how to quell our fixation on work。 After reading， I'm actively examining my day-to-day decisions and I'm very grateful for this book！

Annette ，

So good！

Sheena ，

RTC

Bookish Boshemian ，

I thoroughly enjoyed this as my first non-fic read of the year。Thanks Atria for sending me an ARC and giveaway copy。 I enjoyed this in October ‘20 and felt it was a great way to start 2021 with。Dr。 Devin Price is a social psychologist; and they examine the “Laziness Lie” - a belief system rooted in slavery， industrialization and capitalism。 This lie filters through so many outlets we come in daily contact with; culturally programming us to believe:-our work is our productivity-we arent doing eno I thoroughly enjoyed this as my first non-fic read of the year。Thanks Atria for sending me an ARC and giveaway copy。 I enjoyed this in October ‘20 and felt it was a great way to start 2021 with。Dr。 Devin Price is a social psychologist; and they examine the “Laziness Lie” - a belief system rooted in slavery， industrialization and capitalism。 This lie filters through so many outlets we come in daily contact with; culturally programming us to believe:-our work is our productivity-we arent doing enough-we are incapable of trusting our feelings and establishing boundaries。This isnt your typical self-help book; its fresh and very timely considering the state of society’s climate。 Dr。 Price integrates their own personal experiences， discusses ways to combat burnout; and shares tools for establishing the strength to not take on the pressures of society。 They also emphasize the recognition of the societal conditioning that instigates self shame; thus perpetuating the lie that we arent being productive。 I love that they endorse self care and reminding readers less can actually be more。I also love the reminder that having compassion for whats percieved as laziness can actually propel us even further in the act of self love。This will potentially challenge many thought processes and has many hidden jewels if read with an open mind。 。。。more

Victor Matthew ，

I love this book！ This book provides readers with the much needed sociological imagination of modern capitalism。 Dr。 Price's discussion of the Laziness Lie is the perfect intersection between personal and economic wellness。 Laziness Does Not Exist is a must read for everyone: artists， academics， young professionals， blue-collar workers， entrepreneurs， and business tycoons - both aspiring and experienced。 Dr。 Price helps readers understand our role in living a healthy life in a healthy economy by I love this book！ This book provides readers with the much needed sociological imagination of modern capitalism。 Dr。 Price's discussion of the Laziness Lie is the perfect intersection between personal and economic wellness。 Laziness Does Not Exist is a must read for everyone: artists， academics， young professionals， blue-collar workers， entrepreneurs， and business tycoons - both aspiring and experienced。 Dr。 Price helps readers understand our role in living a healthy life in a healthy economy by explaining research across multiple fields of study， including individual psychology， industrial psychological， and economics in a digestible， friendly， and relatable way。 。。。more

Bessie Taliaferro ，

This is a life-changing book。 The author， a social psychologist and professor， describes how Puritanical values and capitalism produced the notion of "laziness" and how it continues to impact us today。 They offer examples of individuals who are affected by shame or guilt around their "lack" of "productivity。" Price shares their personal story， including how focusing obsessively on work impacted their health。 Some ideas are familiar， others are new/unusual， but overall， the breadth is pretty asto This is a life-changing book。 The author， a social psychologist and professor， describes how Puritanical values and capitalism produced the notion of "laziness" and how it continues to impact us today。 They offer examples of individuals who are affected by shame or guilt around their "lack" of "productivity。" Price shares their personal story， including how focusing obsessively on work impacted their health。 Some ideas are familiar， others are new/unusual， but overall， the breadth is pretty astounding。 The author describes how the laziness lie manifests itself in interpersonal relationships， including as couples， friendships and roommates。 Not doing "emotional labor，" many believe， is "LAZY！" WOW。 Price also talks practically about activism， suggesting readers pick specific causes to work on， and to mourn what we cannot fix。 They also includes helpful suggestions on how to quell our fixation on work。 I'm now actively examining my day-to-day decisions and I'm very grateful for this book！ 。。。more

Shaun Shepard ，

A thoughtful and timely argument for being kinder to ourselves and others。 This books reminds us that our worth is not defined by our productivity - and that we should be mindful of judging others for their perceived “laziness” as well。 Overall， I enjoyed this book。 The message resonated with me strongly。 That said， I did feel like the second half in particular touched on a broad range of issues that would have benefited from a more in-depth discussion。 I came away from this read with a renewed A thoughtful and timely argument for being kinder to ourselves and others。 This books reminds us that our worth is not defined by our productivity - and that we should be mindful of judging others for their perceived “laziness” as well。 Overall， I enjoyed this book。 The message resonated with me strongly。 That said， I did feel like the second half in particular touched on a broad range of issues that would have benefited from a more in-depth discussion。 I came away from this read with a renewed promise to myself: to let myself rest when needed， without judgment。 。。。more

Diana Newberry ，

The drive to want to be productive no matter the cost is deeply rooted in our society。 We are all on a hamster wheel between the demands of work， family and friends， media， and the desire to change the world。 All of these things can lead to burnout and we need to "take time to smell the roses" sometimes。 This book really embraces that we really aren't lazy if we take that time to enjoy life。 We need to embrace our own shortcomings and have compassion for the shortcomings of others （they don't re The drive to want to be productive no matter the cost is deeply rooted in our society。 We are all on a hamster wheel between the demands of work， family and friends， media， and the desire to change the world。 All of these things can lead to burnout and we need to "take time to smell the roses" sometimes。 This book really embraces that we really aren't lazy if we take that time to enjoy life。 We need to embrace our own shortcomings and have compassion for the shortcomings of others （they don't really make us lazy）。 This book surprisingly gave me a new prospective that I wasn't expecting！ 。。。more

Megan ，

This book took me a little time to work my way through。 It's challenging， and it didn't tell me what I wanted to hear， but I needed to read it and I deeply grateful I had the opportunity to do so。 Price addresses the culture of overwork in a way that is compassionate， and realistic。 They break down the history of American work culture and discuss the way social media and the internet have changed the way we receive information。 As someone who has struggled for years to do "enough" this book was This book took me a little time to work my way through。 It's challenging， and it didn't tell me what I wanted to hear， but I needed to read it and I deeply grateful I had the opportunity to do so。 Price addresses the culture of overwork in a way that is compassionate， and realistic。 They break down the history of American work culture and discuss the way social media and the internet have changed the way we receive information。 As someone who has struggled for years to do "enough" this book was reaffirming， and comforting。 I recommend this book 100%！ If you're going to cross one thing off your list， make it this， and remember to have compassion for yourself as you work your way through。 :） 。。。more

Alicia Bayer ，

Ironically， this book took me a really long time to get through。 ;） I really enjoyed the read though， and it was very thought provoking。 Price challenges everything about the lazy stereotype， and does so very convincingly。 The author is a non-binary college professor and the book is filled with examples of people who appeared lazy but were in fact exhibiting absolutely appropriate behavior。 They point out that our modern work ethic was very strategically designed to support slavery and capitalis Ironically， this book took me a really long time to get through。 ;） I really enjoyed the read though， and it was very thought provoking。 Price challenges everything about the lazy stereotype， and does so very convincingly。 The author is a non-binary college professor and the book is filled with examples of people who appeared lazy but were in fact exhibiting absolutely appropriate behavior。 They point out that our modern work ethic was very strategically designed to support slavery and capitalism， that is supports completely false beliefs about hard work， that it makes us all actually less productive and unhealthy， and that it keeps us from treating each other （or ourselves） with compassion。 This is a fantastic read and one that should be on everyone's must-read list for 2021。 You may not agree with it all （I didn't at the start， but got it by the end）， but it is likely to make for some great discussions and personal realizations。I read a digital ARC of this book for review。 。。。more

Erin Nigh ，

“When we stop measuring our worth by how many items we check off of a to-do list， we can finally begin to seek out the activities that truly matter to us。 When we set priorities based on our real feelings rather than society’s ‘should，’ we feel a greater sense of authenticity。 And when we savour our free time and work to move at a slower， lazier， more intuitive pace， we begin to repair the damage that years of overwork has done。” I can’t say enough about this book。 For me it was the perfect m “When we stop measuring our worth by how many items we check off of a to-do list， we can finally begin to seek out the activities that truly matter to us。 When we set priorities based on our real feelings rather than society’s ‘should，’ we feel a greater sense of authenticity。 And when we savour our free time and work to move at a slower， lazier， more intuitive pace， we begin to repair the damage that years of overwork has done。” I can’t say enough about this book。 For me it was the perfect mix of highlighting the issues with our culture of productivity， the way the policing of our time affects our lives， and how we can work to fight against it。 Price uses both qualitative and quantitative research to appeal to everyone， and the writing made it easy to read。 I’ve been working on fighting this laziness lie within myself， but a strong case is made for the ways that those who are most vulnerable in society are trapped even more by this system that treats people as a means towards greater productivity。 And none of us really benefit because we can never do or be enough。 It takes a lot of work to undo these “shoulds” in our minds， but this book is a great place to start。The ARC of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review。 。。。more

Albert Willem Mordhort ，

Very interesting book。 I agree so much， laziness does not exist。 This will help you focus on the positive， but then again laziness is created by society。

Ayelet Reiter ，

I expected this to be mostly capitalist criticism （which I am super into）， as it turns out it was that but mostly self-help。 Still， it definitely deviates from most self-help books just by virtue of being anti-capitalist and presenting the somewhat radical idea presented in its title。 Basically， it's anti-capitalist enough for your lefty comrades to enjoy but self-help enough that you could gift it to your liberal friends and family and they wouldn't be too scandalized。Personally， even as someon I expected this to be mostly capitalist criticism （which I am super into）， as it turns out it was that but mostly self-help。 Still， it definitely deviates from most self-help books just by virtue of being anti-capitalist and presenting the somewhat radical idea presented in its title。 Basically， it's anti-capitalist enough for your lefty comrades to enjoy but self-help enough that you could gift it to your liberal friends and family and they wouldn't be too scandalized。Personally， even as someone who has criticized rugged individualism and the American obsession with productivity for many years， I still learned a lot and had many of my viewpoints challenged by this book。 Who knew accepting laziness could be so much work？ Some of my favorite sections included the history of how America's aversion to laziness was built （spoiler alert: it's a whole lot of white supremacy） and the conclusion， which focused on how compassion towards what we perceive as others' laziness will help us love ourselves more。What I connected less to were the copious descriptions of burnout， even though there were definitely times in the past when I could relate。 I think this is mostly because there have been at least a handful of books and thousands of think pieces written about burnout in the last few years， so those didn't really feel like anything revolutionary compared to other parts of the book。 It's pretty hard to argue with the notion that burnout is bad both for the capitalist machine and for actual human beings， and reading descriptions of people experiencing burnout is never a good time （Price even acknowledges how much of a toll these interviews took on their own health）， so I wish this took up less of the book。The other thing that peeved me was the most of the advice for dealing with burnout and "the laziness lie" at work assumed that the person reading （a） has a white-collar job which is salaried and probably provides benefits， （b） that their supervisor is understanding and flexible， （c） that they have enough power and say in their job to enact changes to it， （d） that they won't lose their job by enacting those changes or saying "no" to their assigned tasks and （e） that dropping a few of their job responsibilities won't cause them to be unable to pay for basic living expenses。 These all seem like pretty rare privileges at any time but especially during COVID times。 Still though， I would recommend this book， and think it would make a great gift to any friends who need a little compassion in their lives or for book clubs to discuss。 。。。more

Kalyn ，

I cannot tell you how much I needed to read this book！ I kept seeing myself in all of the author's descriptions of how people end up berating themselves for being "lazy" when actually the problem is the way society demands too much of us。 I see a lot of this same thinking in my students （juniors and seniors in high school， who are overburdened with trying to create the perfect resume and transcript for college applications）， and it breaks my heart to see how society is twisting their minds。 Read I cannot tell you how much I needed to read this book！ I kept seeing myself in all of the author's descriptions of how people end up berating themselves for being "lazy" when actually the problem is the way society demands too much of us。 I see a lot of this same thinking in my students （juniors and seniors in high school， who are overburdened with trying to create the perfect resume and transcript for college applications）， and it breaks my heart to see how society is twisting their minds。 Reading this book opened my eyes to the ways in which society has conditioned us to believe that we are only worthy when we are being actively productive; that is， doing something to earn earn approval from others， rarely ourselves。 Dr。 Price helped me see that doing less was actually better for me， since it allowed my poor brain to take a break and for me to rest and energize myself to tackle the things in life that really matter。 。。。more