Customer Reviews

Downshifting: How to Work Less and Enjoy Life More

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Drake clearly accomplishes his goal. In an easy-to-read, logical, step-by-step progression he helps the reader overcome doubts and fears, and then provides a wide range of downshifting actions-some risky; some involving little risk. I was impressed by his understanding of the corporate arena and the dangers that accompany cutting back at work. The clincher is his description about how to use any newfound time for increasing personal happiness.

I am writing this review because, on a personal level, it had a great impact on me. For years I've thought about finding a better work/life balance, but did nothing about it. This book brought me into action. Downshifting addressed two fears I had-lower income and less security. It helped me plan around these concerns and cope with the tradeoffs I have to make. I was most impressed with how the book's "enjoying life more" portion introduces concepts that have already improved my close relationships and how I feel about myself. I recommend it to anyone who has ever thought about a better balance in his or her life.

If you are on the fence, Downshifting will get you to move. Great psychological and spiritual insights to help live a more peace filled life.

While this book is focused on people who are in paid jobs, I found it provides unbelievable help to me as a near-full-time-volunteer who works for love. Drake has helped me see ways to slow down, do volunteer work more effectively, get rid of feelings of resentment that build up from over-involvement, and truly get back to enjoying life more.

The author consulted with readers trying to slow down the hectic paces of their professional lives. He helped them cut back on work and downshift by offering real-life anecdotes. The tone of this book is serious; the advice seems solid.

Jack Drake has provided an easy to read, road mapped dialogue that is very important in today's work scenario. He recognizes the need to communicate with the thirty somethings and emphasize the importance of personal, as opposed to material, life. Well Done! The self help format should allow everyone to evaluate their individual needs. There is life after work!!

While this book is focused on people who are in paid jobs, I found it provides unbelievable help to me as a near-full-time-volunteer who works for love. Drake has helped me see ways to slow down, do volunteer work more effectively, get rid of feelings of resentment that build up from over-involvement, and truly get back to enjoying life more.

I got a lot out of this book. If the author is reading these reviews I would like to thank you personally for writing this book. Sometimes it was spooky how much it seemed like it was written directly to me. Thanks to this book I have already started downshifting. For the first time in YEARS I have not worked on the weekend for four weeks and counting. I feel much more relaxed and I am looking forward to spending more time with my wife and daughter this summer. For those of you interested in downshifting there is another book that is excellent as well and I recommend it 110%. The title of that book is "Your Money or your Life" by Viki Robin. If you feel like you are on a treadmill that keeps spinning faster and faster and you don't know how to get off, or at least slow it down a little, these two books will help.

Having accomplished my own downshifting more than ten years ago I can attest that John Drake has developed a solid grasp of the needs and concerns of those thinking about a change/reduction in their work schedule. Very insightful and helpful thinking.

I guess it would be a perfect book for someone working in corporation, as it offers a lot of advices on how to deal with corporate culture. However, at my place of work (I work at the university) a lot of ways to downshift discussed in this book are already available for me. The only chapter that was interesting for me was the last one, about the ways to enjoy life more.

to truly live a meaningful life it is time to downshift. pick this up and read Simple Life and create purpose and meaning - why not add the four-hour work week to the mix. you can do this. you can live better. simply. beautifully. -beth
Simple Grace: Living a Meaningful Life