The Way Were Working Isnt Working

“The way we're working isn't working—for individuals or for organizations, ” write Tony Schwartz and Jean Gomes. The relentless cultural focus on “more.
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The Way We're Working Isn't Working

In some senses it takes the ideas of a book like '7 Habits of Highly Effective People' and applies them to the corporate and organisation worlds. The authors take each of e. The book then becomes an exploration of how an individual in an organisat This is a 'summary of the field' of current thinking about productivity and management. The book then becomes an exploration of how an individual in an organisation can meet these needs and flourish. The book is full of much general wisdom. Perhaps none of it controversial - but is good to see some common assertions backed up by evidence.

Sleep more, exercise well, work in 90 min bursts - we are not machines It is strongest in the areas where researchers can define and measure. Regretfully the fourth area spirituality is deemed too subjective to follow through with this method. The book is notable for summarising all the key conclusions in 20 pages at the back.

The way we're working isn't working: Tony Schwartz at TEDxMidwest

I can see why the publishers wanted a more positive title. But the first title is a better summary than the over-promising 'Be Excellent at Anything. Dec 13, Calin Biris rated it it was amazing Shelves: I frequently recommend this book, even though I haven't been able to implement the techniques.

Thoroughly appreciated the wealth of wisdom, research and concepts that went into this book. Though it was directed toward a corporate entity, I could readily apply the same concepts toward my family and other spheres of involvement. These concepts were most helpful: Stress reduces our self-regulatory reserves. Most of us spend more energy than we adequately renew. The higher the demand we are facing, the greater and more frequent the need for renewal. We oscillate every ninety minutes from a lower to higher level of arousal and alertness.

Too little movement, like too little sleep, weakens and diminishes us in all dimensions of our lives. Food is our primary source of glucose, and it fuels our bodies and our brains. The more aware of what we are feeling, the more power we have to influence those feelings. We are wired to sense danger, and we experience triggers every day to greater and lesser degrees. The more our value is at risk, the more energy we spend defending it and the less energy we have available to create value.

A story is something we create to make sense of the facts. We can't change the facts, but we do have a choice about what we make of them. It feels better not to blame ourselves for disappointments, but the victim role undermined our power to influence our circumstances. Avoid all devaluing emotions such as anger, intimidation, disparagement, and shame. Our spiritual challenge is to put those skills in the service of something beyond your immediate self-interest.

Jun 28, Claire rated it really liked it Shelves: Not everything in this book is revolutionary, but this book does bring some fundamental topics together and frame them in a good way that is easy for everyone to read. There are so many 'meat' to digest in this book and it is difficult to integrate them at one set. The biggest take-away for me after reading this book is that I have a framework to understand how corporate can support its people to make them more energetic and work better from working on four aspects - physical, emotional, mental, Not everything in this book is revolutionary, but this book does bring some fundamental topics together and frame them in a good way that is easy for everyone to read.

The biggest take-away for me after reading this book is that I have a framework to understand how corporate can support its people to make them more energetic and work better from working on four aspects - physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual. I can later get back for details in the future when needed.

Great Information - I've lived it. This book successfully navigates how to work toward balance in all of these energies as an employee and an employer.

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Seems so easy, yet it is a great challenge. Most often the person who stands in our way is ourself. Well worth the time and energy. Sep 10, Kris rated it really liked it Shelves: I appreciate the chapter recaps toward the end to refresh. We spend too much time trying to do too many things at once. Multitasking zaps our energy and keeps us from fully engaging and learning. However, people will continue to do busy work, multitask and continue living in a way that is never whole, but anything less is not accepted in corporate business.

Feb 20, Carol rated it liked it. Would highly recommend for someone a few years in to their career. Jun 16, Cara rated it really liked it Shelves: I'd be hard-pressed to identify any differences. But, since I "read" that one on audio, I never felt like I fully absorbed it, so I've been meaning to read it again anyway. The premise is simple: That happens by working in sprints followed by breaks; getting enough sleep; eating well; exercising; helping ourselves find ways to feel safe, accepted, and secure; focusing deeply when we're working; allowing time for big-picture thinking and inspiration; and working in harmony with our values and higher sense of purpose.

It's really good stuff. I've been so burned out, when I read the description of burnout mode, I cried. I know I get more done if I take care of myself. More importantly, I love my life if I get enough sleep and hate it if I don't. Yet, I still stay up late a lot of the time. I guess it's just that I've used up all my self-discipline by the time it's time to go to bed? Anyway, this is a great book. So many companies do the opposite of applying these principles--that's one thing that frustrated the hell out of me about my last job.

This stuff is free, it's the right thing to do, it's better for the employees, and it's better for the company! Everybody wins, so why do so many places seem so determined to do the opposite? Working for myself, I have the flexibility to do as much of this as I want.

Book Insights: The Way We’re Working Isn’t Working

I'm determined to implement this stuff and be a fantastic employer for myself. I love what I do; it's a waste to let how I work turn it into drudgery. What do you want? What does 2 buy you? Define the big assumption behind the 3 stuff? Afternoon walk or nap can give you a whole 'nother chunk of work day that's as awesome as the morning. In a meta-analysis of stress-related studies, the researchers Margaret Kemeny and Sally Dickerson found that the highest rises in cortisol levels--the most extreme fight-or-flight responses--are prompted by 'threats to one's social self, or threat to one's social acceptance, esteem, and status.

Maslow defined belongingness as the most important need after safety--almost as compelling a need as food.

Book Insights: The Way We’re Working Isn’t Working

Stockdale was a prisoner of war for seven years, tortured, kept in solitary confinement, etc. You must never confuse faith that you will prevail in the end--which you can never afford to lose--with the discipline to confront the most brutal facts of your current reality, whatever they might be. That's kind of what I've been doing by accident--maybe do it on purpose to take advantage of knowing a break is coming? Sep 30, Denys Sergushkin rated it it was amazing. This is a must read for anyone and everyone. Schwartz puts life back into perspective then gives the reader the tools to empower their own unique and successful destiny.

This is year where I'm making a big push to thrive in all aspects in my life - and I'm just beyond delighted to have chanced upon this book. Tony Schwartz offers practical tips on how to best manage our personal and professional lives - substantiated with empirical evidence and case studies through his work with companies such as Visa - to really be able to excel at anything we set our minds on. There are solid action steps at the end of each chapter which is great for helping to crystallize a This is year where I'm making a big push to thrive in all aspects in my life - and I'm just beyond delighted to have chanced upon this book.

There are solid action steps at the end of each chapter which is great for helping to crystallize and bring together the key ideas that were discussed. In particular, I loved the sections on left and right-brain differentiation and how we can best tap into the creative side of our brain so that we can see the big picture. Also, the chapter that makes us deeply reflect on how we're spending our energies vs. You'd either be surprised by how your actions actually don't reflect your values or how strategic and purposeful you have been living your life.

Definitely worth your time. Highly recommended for anyone who needs a perk-me-up book with useful tips on how to transform your life for the better. Dec 10, Jenny rated it it was amazing Recommended to Jenny by: Examines workplace cultures and how to make them more sustainable. But it's written for a more corporate environment, or for folks who may not already believe in sustainability as a value in its own right. Video is unrelated to the product.

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There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later. Be Excellent at Anything by Tony Schwartz is an all purpose self-help that fundamentally is advising balance in life as a means for happiness, success, and overall life satisfaction. Balance is to be achieved by acknowledging the distinct aspects of the human condition and its attendant biology and psychology, namely: The numerous examples of individuals and organizations which both have aspects of these elements as well as a requirement to foster opportunities in these areas for employees generally all have to do with the classic workaholic mentality of nonstop quantity over quality.

Much of the advice is either obvious don't neglect your family or simplistic get enough sleep. The overall striving for balance is straightforward, although the idea that a vacation is a time for renewal, rather than a slackening of effort is largely in the hands of corporate senior leadership and the company "culture.

On the other hand, although only 7 years since publication, other concepts and advice are rapidly becoming dated likely due to the act that much of the thinking underlying the book goes back much further. For example, email is regarded as mere distraction to be relegated to a low point in the day as an opportunity for clearing all the junk spam. In fact, internal and external communications have evolved away from snail mail and phone conversations redefining how businesses operate. In addition, with global activities, timeframes for interactions may be narrow and cannot be arbitrarily set.

Some of the diet advice is also dated with an emphasis on grazing behavior to maintain a steady, even blood sugar.

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Ironically, the concept of working in spurts with breaks seems in opposition to the dietary advice. While the overall theme of balance is certainly reasonable, there is a bit too much expectation on senior leadership paying for the author's services so that the advice will trickle down to the rank and file along with realignment of corporate culture to allow for sufficient implementation to make a difference. I bought this book after reading "The Accidental Creative," which mentions it.

Together, they're a dynamic duo! This book really brought home the importance of pacing yourself. Like many people, I tend to think that -- if I have an extra hour or two -- it's okay to fill every moment with work. Whether or not it's actually a productive use of that time This book recommends balance in your life. That's easy enough to say. Plenty of books do. What make this book different and better are the many clear and detailed of routines that work and don't work for other busy people.

I'm still struggling to apply all of Schwartz's suggestions. I'm adding one new one every couple of weeks. However, if you're "tired and wired," and need to find a better answer to work- and time-management routines, this is essential reading.

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I loved this book so much that I purchased additional copies for my key managers. Understanding how to get the most of our your employees without burning them out along with other great lessons in this book make it a must read. The theory that everyone works best in 90 minute increments and then needs a few minute break is so true.

All the health and wellness tips in this book are so important. I read a great deal of leadership and personal excellence related material. Originally titled, "The Way We Work Isn't Working," it makes a strong scientific case for getting more sleep, making time to meditate daily and how to focus during meditation and working in 90 minute bursts for maximum effectiveness. But the book does more than provide logic as to why to adjust, but also how. The author shares stories of others, which makes the idea of change more real and accessible.


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I found the entire book compelling and very useful. Are you working over 10 hours a day non-stop in an effort to be more productive? Then you are fooling yourself. We are not machines and as humans we pulse. We take energy in we expend energy, we work we rest, we are awake, we sleep. On Monday, I got an email from my publisher. My book makes a very simple argument: We're in a new kind of energy crisis - and this one's personal. Demand is overwhelming our capacity. We're running as fast as we can, but it's inexorably burning us down. Consider this striking statistic: According a Towers Perrin now Towers Watson poll of some 90, employees across eighteen countries, conducted just before the recession, only 20 percent felt fully engaged at work.

Fully forty percent were actively disengaged. In all likelihood, those numbers are even worse today given the fierce pressure, on everyone who's still got a job, to do more with less. To test whether that assumption is accurate, we've created the Energy Project poll to better assess how the way you're working is working. We've posed a short series of questions about your experience in the workplace.

I'll be blogging about the results over the next several weeks. Human beings aren't meant to operate as if they're computers: But that's exactly what we're doing. Our most basic survival need is to spend and renew our energy - to inhale and to exhale. Watch this video to see how you can make this happen in just 30 seconds. Nearly every system in our body - brain, heart, blood pressure, body temperature, hormone levels -- pulses when it's healthy.