December 1, 2020
Readers may balk at the title, but social psychologist Price creates a compelling case to support it, adeptly scrutinizing the propagation of the "laziness lie," particularly in the U.S. The myth of laziness can be traced back to Puritan times and eventually morphed into the persistent sentiment that one must pull oneself up by one's bootstraps. We are always striving to do more and therefore feel pressured to work longer hours and always have a side hustle while also packing our schedules with social activities. In fact, humans were not built for the standard work week, and eight hours a day of intense mental output is not actually possible. Price examines the main tenets of the "laziness lie," seamlessly weaves vignettes into the 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.
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