Description
Book SynopsisMarcus 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.
Trade Review'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
Table of ContentsIntroduction
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
