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The Underachiever's Manifesto: The Guide to Accomplishing Little and Feeling Great
by
Ray Bennett
Lower the bar. Turn it down a notch. Get off the Stairmaster. The Underachiever's Manifesto is the playfully persuasive pocket guide to living life to the least and loving it. With sharp humor and genuine wisdom, this welcome little book extols the fabulous benefits of underachievement in our overextended society. A witty introduction makes the case for the right amount of...more
Hardcover, 96 pages
Published
April 27th 2006
by Chronicle Books
(first published 2006)
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Pessimistic and silly as it sounds, this book expounds some serious advice. It mirrors principles of Buddhism -- be happy with where you are, what you are, rather than always trying to improve that little bit of yourself that is imperfect. We are all imperfect. Perfection is a myth. An unattainable goal. This isn't to say don't do what you enjoy -- just don't kid yourself about becoming "THE" best.
The best way to compete is not to compete.
I could keep writing, but it defeats the purpose. Go find...more
The best way to compete is not to compete.
I could keep writing, but it defeats the purpose. Go find...more
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This is a good book for perspective.
Don't try to be the best, being good enough is good enough. The effort needed to get from good to great exceeds the reward. Spend more time with your family and more time relaxing. There are billions of people on the planet and 99% of them don't care how much money you make or what kind of house you live in.
Don't try to be the best, being good enough is good enough. The effort needed to get from good to great exceeds the reward. Spend more time with your family and more time relaxing. There are billions of people on the planet and 99% of them don't care how much money you make or what kind of house you live in.
Aug 28, 2007
Rick Muir
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Everybody who works too hard at anything.
I was going to write a review of this book but that would be too much work. It "changed my life". But not too much.
I think this book was maybe supposed to be funny, only it ended up making a hell of a lot of sense.
So, why did I read this book?
Two reasons.
One, I am known to be an overachiever (and after reading this book, this is not something to be proud of, really.)
Two, I hate self-help books and I thought it would be funny to read a book that subtly made fun of all of them at once.
Am I going to start being an underachiever? Probably not. But it did give me perspective. Never be too depressed because you didn't achieve as much as you wanted, because, truth is... you'll never stop wanting to achieve m...more
Two reasons.
One, I am known to be an overachiever (and after reading this book, this is not something to be proud of, really.)
Two, I hate self-help books and I thought it would be funny to read a book that subtly made fun of all of them at once.
Am I going to start being an underachiever? Probably not. But it did give me perspective. Never be too depressed because you didn't achieve as much as you wanted, because, truth is... you'll never stop wanting to achieve m...more
Olen alisuorittaja ja ylpeä siitä! Tavallaan olen kai vaistonnut sen aina, mutta tämä pikku kirjanen vahvisti tunteen ytimekkäällä tavallaan. Alisuorittaminenhan ei ole tekemisen välttelyä, vaan panostamista itselle oikeasti tärkeisiin asioihin oikean määrän, oikeaan aikaan. Vai haluatko muka kulkea läpi elämäsi yrittäen saavuttaa epämääräistä menestystä, kun sen joku muu kuitenkin tekee sinua paremmin? Todellisena alisuorittajana luin tietysti helpoimman kautta suomeksi.
A little bit jest, but chalk full of wisdom such as: good enough is good enough, and the family that underachieves together stays together. Love it! I liked the Pablo Picasso quote: "You must always work not just within, but below your means. If you can handle three elements, handle only two. If you can handle ten, then handle only five. In that way, the ones you do handle, you handle with more ease, more mastery , and you create a feeling of strength in reserve."
This book is definitely a fresh of breath air amongst all of the 'self-help' books that my school has been adding to our summer reading lists. It really gives you a chance to step back and realize that life doesn't have to be as complicated as you make it. Sometimes it's OKAY to accept things for what they are, instead of constantly being over stressed. I will be recommending this to a few friends of mine in the future haha.
Quick easy read with some interesting perspectives to leave you with. The book was good, not great, and that's the whole idea. Although I read it in no time at all, I plan to leave it on the coffee table for a long while.
You'll either laugh your way through this book and then carry on with your life pretending like you never read it, or it will change you... And you'll wonder how something so small and flippant could be so meaningful.
A cute little (underachiever, remember) book about the glories of underachieving. More than somewhat tongue in cheek, it still has some thought-provoking ideas about our world.
If your life is out of control, you need to read this book. Live the life of an underachiever and you just might live a happier life. Loved it!
This book was entertaining. At first I thought, "is this guy for real?", then I realized how enlightening it was.
This book was so great. a quote from it says "By now you should be completely confident that underachievement is the keyt o happiness in your life and for everyone else around you, so stop worrying about not being perfect. Dedicate yourself to the pleasure and benefits of mediocrity"! Love it.. Its a book about being ok with NOT BEING THE BEST OUT THERE AT EVERYTHING. it was a good laugh and a nice LOOK at it from another angle. "Don't try to be the best, being good enough is GOOD ENOUGH" perfec...more
May 09, 2009
Emma
is currently reading it
"Think globally; underachieve locally." Ha! Excellent advice for a chronically, neurotically competitive type like me.
A quietly competent and moderately achieved book on being okay with not reaching perfection.
All of my life's mantras in a neat little package.
I live by this.
This is an excellent little book. I found it when I was on vacation and I bought several copies to give to friends that would also appreciate the idea of the book.
The basic premise of the book is to stop trying to one up yourself and everyone else so much. Stop striving so much and enjoy your life. Your just stressing yourself out and making everyone else envious by doing what your doing. There are some things you can accept as good enough and thats fine.
The basic premise of the book is to stop trying to one up yourself and everyone else so much. Stop striving so much and enjoy your life. Your just stressing yourself out and making everyone else envious by doing what your doing. There are some things you can accept as good enough and thats fine.
Funny little book with pearls of wisdom on doing less, and why you should. Too short for me, but then, that follows the idea that less is best.
the author does an amazing job pointing out some of the obvious absurdities of our goal oriented society and tries to explain the basic principle of "sometimes, good enough is good enough". this book has some valuable lessons that can teach anyone to not beat themselves up over not living up to the unrealistic expectations they set for themselves.
Nov 16, 2007
Oi Yin
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
YOU!
Shelves:
to-tickle-the-funny-bone,
self-enrichment
I've always been afraid of being ordinary...being mediocre...be just another face in the crowd. But no more, after reading this little gem, I've realized the advantages of underachieving and they vastly outweigh the advantages of the crazed, overachieving maniacs you find on Wall Street. Yes, I do believe I've found my calling: to be ordinary. ;-)
This is a great book for an insight into understanding yourself, and being happy with where you are. We are always trying to do a little more, get a little further ahead. This book helps you to slow down, and reminds you to appreciated what's going on around you.
I bought this as a joke — on myself. If you're depressed by how little you've achieved in your life (and who isn't?), this tiny book is a tonic. It will make you laugh out loud, it's cheaper than therapy — and it's actually wise.
I really needed this. It's like a pep talk with a mentor not focused on getting you up the corporate ladder, but rather on getting you to enjoy the life you are living today.
"Remember, underachievement isn't about doing absolutely nothing. It's about the right effort at the right time, in the right place. And not one bit more."
A funny parody on self-improvement guides. The point: just relax and enjoy life. You can't be everything and beat everybody, so just take it down a notch and relax.
Started well but seemed to run out of fresh ideas to present in the 2nd half of the book. Seemed more like a parody then.
wow eerily similar to my real life...although I don't entirely agree that you should settle in the love department
Jun 06, 2008
Gawaind
added it
Perhaps by helping me rid myself of perfectionism, it might allow me to accomplish what I can reasonably do.
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“The tallest blade of grass is the surest to be cut.”
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