Marcus Aurelius's timeless insights into human behaviour show that 2000 years on, not much has changed in the workplace and we could all do well if we focus on what we can control and worry less about things we can't.
As head of the Roman empire, he encountered his fair share of difficult people, frustrating situations and political infighting. In his Stoic philosophy bible, Meditations, Marcus Aurelius encouraged us to accept other people's inevitable shortcomings, make the most of our short life, resist the temptations of fame and flattery and, when things get too much, take a cosmic perspective of our existence.
Stoic at Work is for anyone with a job, applying ancient wisdom to the modern workplace set out in 49 rules, such as: think less; suck up but don't suck up; avoid irrelevant meetings; and remind yourself that work happiness sits somewhere on the spectrum between fear and boredom. These will help you manage the mind games, the meltdowns and the numbing reality that most of us must work until we die, transforming your experience of work from a place of irritation to a place of joy. Or one that is a bit more tolerable, at least.
By:
Annie Lawson
Imprint: Murdoch Books
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions:
Height: 185mm,
Width: 132mm,
Weight: 215g
ISBN: 9781922616739
ISBN 10: 1922616737
Pages: 224
Publication Date: 29 August 2023
Audience:
General/trade
,
ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active
Introduction RULE 1 Accept that people are annoying RULE 2 Accept that even bosses can be annoying RULE 3 Don't use corporate flubber RULE 4 Don't deliberately confuse audiences RULE 5 Be prepared for things to go off the rails RULE 6 Think less RULE 7 Abandon irrelevant meetings RULE 8 Beware technology in meetings RULE 9 Do something. Anything RULE 10 Do nothing RULE 11 Don't procrastinate RULE 12 Care, but don't care RULE 13 Suck up, but don't suck up RULE 14 Don't freak out RULE 15 Jolly others (and yourself) along RULE 16 Pretend to be disciplined RULE 17 Don't complain RULE 18 Don't weaponise CC RULE 19 Double-check emails before sending RULE 20 Don't eat pretzels on the toilet RULE 21 Use empty platitudes to cushion negative feedback RULE 22 Don't get caught slagging people off RULE 23 Make a decision RULE 24 Have a purpose RULE 25 Don't shag the boss RULE 26 Check whether casual Fridays are actually casual RULE 27 Don't get (too) drunk at work events RULE 28 Use deodorant RULE 29 Don't be upset by constructive criticism RULE 30 Train like an athlete to tackle approvals RULE 31 Don't resist change RULE 32 Have a side project RULE 33 Take a cosmic perspective RULE 34 Don't squander time RULE 35 Say no RULE 36 Keep expectations low to avoid disappointment RULE 37 Listen more RULE 38 Don't employ toxic people RULE 39 Embrace team-building days (no matter how excruciating) RULE 40 Keep expectations low with presentations and spreadsheets RULE 41 Don't boast about work on social media RULE 42 Minimise desk clutter RULE 43 Remember, work happiness lies between fear and boredom RULE 44 Eat with caution RULE 45 Be likeable, but not too likeable RULE 46 Bring yourself to work, but not your whole self RULE 47 Manage your ego RULE 48 Resign well RULE 49 Win Lotto Notes Acknowledgements
Annie Lawson is a former journalist who has had a diverse career, from wrangling a clown on roller skates on a live television show and interviewing Kiss legend Gene Simmons to writing about China, technology and climate change for corporations and advocacy groups. Even though the work differed, Annie found some common threads, whether it be people who are annoying, meetings that are pointless and language that makes no sense. She consulted friends who worked in travel, health, resources, technology, emergency services, retail and financial services for inspiration and combined their advice with the ancient wisdom of Stoic philosopher and Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius.
Reviews for Stoic at Work: Ancient Wisdom to Make Your Job a Bit Less Annoying
'I need to schedule a Zoom meeting with the whole world to tell them how good this book is.' CHRIS TAYLOR, The Chaser 'Life and work were never meant to be easy, but they should be fun. And the best way to make them fun, perhaps paradoxically, is to become a Stoic. Annie's superb guide takes you there.' SIR ANDREW MACKENZIE, Chair Shell, former CEO BHP
