Too often, books about productivity or finding a better work/life balance end up being aspirational rather than practical. We read them in hopes of change, then life sucks us back into our usual patterns. For me, those patterns include self-imposed stress, a feeling of being scattered, and too little time spent on meaningful writing.
Despite the title, the book is less about productivity and more about claiming a new relationship with work. And paradoxically, by slowing down, we get more done. Perhaps not more tasks, but more meaningful work.
Reading this book has helped me change the way I approach my work. I will revisit it regularly.
'Brilliant and timely' - Oliver Burkeman, author of Four Thousand Weeks
From the New York Times bestselling author of Digital Minimalism and one of the world's top productivity experts, a groundbreaking philosophy for creating great work at a sustainable pace.
Hustle culture. Burnout. Quiet quitting. Today we're either sacrificing ourselves on the altar of success or we're rejecting the idea of ambition entirely. But it doesn't have to be all or nothing. There is a way to create meaningful work as part of a balanced life, and it's called 'slow productivity'.
This book gave me a new perspective into the role that book and newspaper editors play in shaping the language—although they cannot stand unmoved against the strong currents of usage changes. And, I enjoyed discovering how words and usage trends have shifted in my own lifetime without my noticing: for example, how the verb sneak gained a new, irregular past tense (snuck). That snuck up on me!
Curzon’s voice is warm and witty rather than professorial—like a true “word nerd” friend.
Reading this makes me feel better about my own word foibles.
Hey, if enough people do them and people understand what I mean, they’re legit—even if they make the grammarians cranky. (And, I love an author who uses the adjective cranky, as Curzon does. It takes the wind out of contentious debate.)
A kinder, funner usage guide to the ever-changing English language and a useful tool for both the grammar stickler and the more colloquial user of English, from linguist and veteran professor Anne Curzan
“I was bowled over, page after page, by the author’s fine ear for our language and her openhearted erudition. I learned a lot, and I couldn’t have enjoyed myself more.”—Benjamin Dreyer, New York Times bestselling author of Dreyer’s English
Our use of language naturally evolves and is a living, breathing thing that reflects who we are. Says Who? offers clear, nuanced guidance that goes beyond “right” and…
Few people may be born super communicators — but we can all become better at having meaningful and productive conversations. This book offers invaluable guidance.
One of the key points I take from it is the importance of recognizing the kind of conversation you’re having. Are you talking about what’s going on? Or is it a conversation about emotions, or identity? Mismatches here undoubtedly lead to many of life’s frustrations.
The book has inspired me to recognize and inhabit different kinds of conversations.
From the author of the global bestseller, The Power of Habit
'This is not just a riveting read about how to understand others better. It's also a revealing look at how to be understood.' - ADAM GRANT
If you want to improve your communication skills at work and in life, this book is the place the start.' - ARTHUR C. BROOKS Professor, Harvard Business School, and #1 New York Times bestselling author ___________________________________________________________
Who and what are supercommunicators? They're the people who can steer a conversation to a successful conclusion. They are able to talk about difficult topics without giving…
Writing to Be Understood is a guide to the art and science of writing nonfiction. If you write about complex or abstract topics, you’ll learn how to make your subjects more accessible to readers, sparking their curiosity and using analogies to aid understanding. To understand “What Works,” the book gathers advice from authors and writing pros. For the “Whys,” it dips into cognitive science and other research. You’ll find strategies and approaches to broaden your reach and resonate more deeply with your audience.
