Just Don’tThe Art of Doing Nothing

Johan Anderberg

From the author of The Herd comes a new book about the art of doing nothing – an acute and timely guide to not acting

In our time of striving for ever faster efficiency, where productivity is hailed above everything else, we make so many decisions a day that the risk of decision fatigue is both overhanging and real.

We lift up those who can work, react, fight and, most of all, never give up as true heroes, while the losers of the world are those either too afraid or reluctant to make a

decision and just act.

A large study from Harvard University in 2014 shows that if people are sat down in a room with nothing to do for between six to fifteen minutes, a majority would rather give themselves an electric shock than do nothing.

Why is it so difficult for us to be still with our own thoughts? And why is it so important that we learn this skill?

With examples ranging from antiquity to Coca-Cola’s failed marketing strategies, we learn about the art of doing nothing.

Johan Anderberg takes us through the history of inaction, from Homer to Warren Buffett, through Buddhism, stoicism, among the romans and today’s thinkers about the values and results of not acting, doing nothing, and even effectually giving up.

Just Don’t is as perfect for the readers of Daniel Kahneman, Malcolm Gladwell or Michael Lewis, as it is for the first time non-fiction reader, and Anderberg has found an accessible and enthusiastic style which makes this book endlessly

quotable, readable and fun.