Laziness Does Not Exist

Written by Devon Price

Narrated by Em Grosland

From social psychologist Dr. Devon Price, a conversational, stirring call to “a better, more human way to live” (Cal Newport, New York Times bestselling author) that examines the “laziness lie”—which falsely tells us we are not working or learning hard enough.

Extra-curricular activities. Honors classes. 60-hour work weeks. Side hustles.

Like many Americans, Dr. Devon Price believed that productivity was the best way to measure self-worth. Price was an overachiever from the start, graduating from both college and graduate school early, but that success came at a cost. After Price was diagnosed with a severe case of anemia and heart complications from overexertion, they were forced to examine the darker side of all this productivity.

Laziness Does Not Exist explores the psychological underpinnings of the “laziness lie,” including its origins from the Puritans and how it has continued to proliferate as digital work tools have blurred the boundaries between work and life. Using in-depth research, Price explains that people today do far more work than nearly any other humans in history yet most of us often still feel we are not doing enough.

Filled with practical and accessible advice for overcoming society’s pressure to do more, and featuring interviews with researchers, consultants, and experiences from real people drowning in too much work, Laziness Does Not Exist “is the book we all need right now” (Caroline Dooner, author of The F*ck It Diet).

• Language: English
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
• Release date: Jan 5, 2021
• ISBN: 9781797120591

Devon Price

Dr. Devon Price is a social psychologist and professor at Loyola University of Chicago’s School of Continuing and Professional Studies. His work has appeared in Slate, Business Insider, Financial Times, HuffPost, Psychology Today, and on NPR and PBS. He lives in Chicago, Illinois.

Reviews for Laziness Does Not Exist

[Alpha Lim · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A book with a very important premise: the fact that feelings of laziness are an emotional signal that something's not right with our well-being and that we should seek to heal what's lacking instead of just putting powering through.

I have to give it one star less, though, because I feel it's quite imbalanced. Healing what's lacking is a very important message for our world today, but the book is quite lax on building up what's missing in ourselves.

In other words, it doesn't show a path of growth, only of accepting where you are.

Great start, but ultimately incomplete.

Interestingly, I listened to the audiobook Self-Compassion right after this, and I felt like I had a square meal after an appetiser that left me wanting.

[Joshua Coleman · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I loved it. If you've been to a good therapist, you probably heard a lot of what's in here. It did point out a lot of biases that I can work towards reducing, which I really appreciate. I would recommend. The middle was a little dry to me, but I think there is value in the whole book. I would recommend.

[Marissa Rose · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

If you looked at the title and thought that's ridiculous! Then you should definitely read. Loved this book!

[Nat · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

More of a 3.75, but really not a 4. There seems to be many privileged takes and is more geared toward white collar workers. The lists of questions presented are helpful, but the book ironically caused me to have more stress than usual when some of the things I genuinely enjoy doing for fun e.g. Duolingo were kind of shamed. Not everyone is as sensitive to criticism, implications, or reminders from others. However, perhaps I wasn’t the target audience?

[Kestrel Raven · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book has changed my life in such a positive way. I, no longer, feel alone in the experiences of anxiety and depression that I've had. Thank you.

[Mat C · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

One of the few hook talking truth about the current system and also a gentle reminder to take it easy some times.

[Hayley · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Probably one of the most important books to come out in the last 20 years. A powerful manifesto and much-needed challenge to the cult of toxic productivity.

[Victoria · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A must listen! Good for everyone to hear. Strongly recomend

[Bill Knueven · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Unless you are on the far left of the political spectrum this book is not for you. While there is some good ideas and information in this book, the author cannot refrain from making his biases obvious and his disdain for those outside his political ideology obvious. Pretty ironic considering his field of study. Stress shitting over who was named Education Secretary? His problems are way deeper than working too much or asking too much from himself.

[Amy Aube · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I don’t know what I was expecting when I picked it up, but I experienced a roller coaster of emotions while listening. There was everything from comfort to tears, while I listened trying to grapple with how overworking and laziness are framed in this book. I got a lot out of it and I think many other people can too.

[Liesbeth Jongkind · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Interesting and stimulating to do less and enjoy more. Recommended!

[Little Arcia · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I think I've read enough to understand what the writer is saying. In the end, it challenges my usual way of thinking but it also confirms it. It left me somewhat jaded.

[Marie Larroque · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is the kind of life-changing books we all need to read, the sooner the better.

[Mark Modesti · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

It's almost laughable that this book suggests people who forget to eat because they're working so hard know something about laziness. Aren't there far more people who don't work hard enough? And wouldn't they have much more of a leg to stand on by claiming they're lazy?

[Jonni R Luke · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Thank you Dr. Devon Price for helping us outline our values. As a therapist and coach, I have been collaborating with my clients to reduce their guilt (shame) for being themselves, valuable folx who are being who they are, not for what they do or how much they can do in a day. This book validates that work. There is also an important element of engaing in empathetic communication and setting healthy boundaries while learning what you WANT to do with your life while also doing what you must do to survive. This is a review of the audio book which was well narrated and easy to listen to.

[Elsa Reads · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I don't usually read self-help books so keep in mind that might affect this review.

I don't think this book is bad. I just think it needed more. I liked the stories of different people used in this book. I also enjoyed the second half that covered burn outs with activism and important causes.

The first half of the book felt disjointed from the second half. There was a lot of repetitiveness in the first half . The second half of the book, that I feel had more original fresher ideas/thoughts, doesn't feel like it explores them enough.

Overall, lukewarm for me.

[Alex Ho · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

An excellent examination of the Laziness Lie from so many perspectives. Devon Price does a fantastic job of communicated how the lie is the root for so many issues of our day and how it is a result of systems that run our country.

[Antonio Escamilla · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What an amazing book. Everyone should read this and consider their relationship to “laziness” and productivity.

[Sandra Leigh · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book is educational and compassionate. I've recommended it to friends in multiple fields who face burnout or are just generally super high achieving people who struggle at times. Like the author, I faced an illness that changed the pace of my life recently. It has been hard to adjust, but reading this was like hearing, "It's okay" from a really smart, cool friend. I will be buying this to highlight and keep on my bookshelf.

[Gaby Medina Valle · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A thoughtful, provoking and compassionate book to question our relationship to work, rest, achievement and capitalism.

[ErinNantais · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is an amazing book. Well worth listening (and probably re-listening) and reading. Makes you think about how you can challenge the social norms to live a healthier and more authentic life.

[Edward Sernas · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book focuses an why being lazy is Okay. It helps peace together all of the symptoms that you’re probably overworking yourself. The examples are definitely picked to highlight the authors main point, that it’s okay to be lazy if your work ethic is hurting you. “How is my work ethic hurting me?”, she uses stories from other peoples lives that high light her point. I would argue that the stories the author uses are from poorly disciplined humans that don’t understand the fundamental reasons as to why they life there lifestyle, and really it’s the intrinsic characteristics of person that make up why you work hard at anything. If there are things you need to work on yourself, this book makes it very clear that you need to set time aside from “work” and fix yourself, because you can’t run a marathon with a sprained ankle.

[Karen Rodríguez · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Absolutely life changing. Would recommend to anyone searching for comfort in this punishing and demanding society.

[Becki Tovey · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Summary: surprisingly a bit triggering for mental illness but generally okay and some nice insights/advice.

I really liked the concept of this book and strongly believe in the message, but it fell short for me in some ways.

The book is mostly anecdotal with stories from the writer and their circle of friends, speaking about the idea of laziness. There’s some interesting stuff certainly, but it doesn’t feel definitive enough to convince anyone who doesn’t already believe that laziness doesn’t exist.

I also had a problem with one of the chapters speaking about friendships/relationships and seemingly advocating cutting out people who rely on you for support. For myself as a person that struggles with mental illness and requires connections to help me survive, I found it quite triggering, and others in a similar situation might as well. I felt that this chapter was perpetuating the idea that mentally ill (especially suicidal) people are a burden to their friends and loved ones (taking their time and energy) and shouldn’t rely on them. After reading, I certainly felt more of a burden and less able to reach out to loved ones when I was in a bad place, which I know is very unhealthy for me.

Very sad to think the book might encourage people to cut off loved ones who are ill.