Three Zoom calls in one day. Kids that aren’t keen on “personal space.” A dog that barks at anything that moves in the front yard. Yes, working from home throughout the pandemic has been… challenging, to say the least.
So if you’re feeling fed up and burned out from the challenges of working remotely, we’ve put together a short list of books for you. Don’t worry, reading them won’t feel like yet another obligation to slog through. On the contrary, you might enjoy spending time with writers who understand your predicament—and have a few tips that could help.
Do Nothing: How to Break Away from Overworking, Overdoing, and Underliving
By Celeste Headlee
For those of us who work from home, the line between work and life has blurred, or disappeared entirely. While work tries to worm its way into every waking moment, award-winning journalist Celeste Headlee reminds us that we can and should set some time aside for ourselves. In other words, it really is okay to sit back and do nothing. View Our “Book Bite” Summary
Drop the Ball: Achieving More by Doing Less
By Tiffany Dufu
A lesser-known consequence of the pandemic is that women are now doing even more chores and housework than before. And for women who are working from home as well, the pressure to “do it all” is mounting. Fortunately, consultant Tiffany Dufu shows how we can all shrink our to-do lists, leverage help from others, and refocus on what matters most. View on Amazon
When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing
By Daniel Pink
It has never been this tempting to take a nap in the middle of the workday—our bed is just down the hall! But would that just make us more tired, or maybe mess up our sleep schedule? In When, world-renowned business thinker Daniel Pink draws on cutting-edge research to explain when and how we should exercise, pitch a new idea to our boss, and yes, take the perfect nap. View on Amazon
Laziness Does Not Exist
By Devon Price
For too many of us, our self-worth has become a function of our productivity. In other words, we only feel good about ourselves by working harder and harder, even from the couch. But social psychologist Devon Price is here to explain why what we call “laziness” isn’t just natural—it’s something we should all strive to embrace. View Our “Book Bite” Summary
Joyful: The Surprising Power of Ordinary Things to Create Extraordinary Happiness
By Ingrid Fetell Lee
Nothing cures burnout like unfiltered joy, but contrary to popular wisdom, joy is not purely a matter of attitude and perspective. In fact, science shows that our surroundings have a measurable effect on our mood, creativity, and productivity. So in Joyful, designer Ingrid Fetell Lee puts that science in your hands, to help your design the perfect workspace—even if it’s occasionally disturbed by the family dog. View on Amazon
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