Is Your Work Worth It?
How To Think About Meaningful Work
Christopher Wong Michaelson & Jennifer Tosti-Kharas | Now available! | Order here
Order your copy of Is Your Work Worth It? today!
What is work that’s worth doing in a life worth living? A revealing exploration of the questions we ask and the stories we tell about our work.
According to recent studies, barely a third of American workers feel “engaged” at work, and for many people around the world, happiness is lowest when earning power is highest. After a global pandemic that changed why, how, and what people do for a living, many workers find themselves wondering what makes their daily routine worthwhile.
In Is Your Work Worth It?, two professors – a philosopher and organizational psychologist – investigate the purpose of work and its value in our lives. The book explores vital questions, such as:
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Should you work for love or money?
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When and how much should you work?
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What would make life worth living in a world without work?
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What kind of mark will your work leave on the world?
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This essential book combines inspiring and harrowing stories of real people with recent scholarship, ancient wisdom, arts, and literature to help us clarify what worthy work looks like, what tradeoffs are acceptable to pursue it, and what our work can contribute to society.
Media coverage and events related to Is Your Work Worth It?
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Magers & Quinn book event, Minneapolis, MN, January 2025
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Barnes & Noble book interview, Edina, MN, November 2024
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Northwestern University Alumni Association book talk, virtual, October 2024
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Navigate Forward book talk, Minneapolis, MN, October 2024
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University of St. Thomas Racial Justice Initiative After Class, Minneapolis, MN, September 2024
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Summit of Minds “Literature Live” conversation, Chamonix, France, September 2024
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Fortune on the perils of finding work that you love, August 2024
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Boston Business Journal book review, July 2024
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Marketwatch on “quiet vacationing,” July 2024
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Twin Cities Business book interview, June/July 2024
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Annie Duke book interview, June 2024
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Hubert Joly “The 7 books I have endorsed so far this year,” June 2024
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Marketwatch on “mouse jigglers,” June 2024
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Next Big Idea Club book bite using soap opera titles, June 2024
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“Second City Works Getting to ‘Yes And’” book interview, June 2024
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Behavioral Scientist “Summer Book List 2024,” June 2024
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Forbes on legacy, June 2024
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Success on purpose, June 2024
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“Something You Should Know” book interview, June 2024
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Wellesley Bookstore book signing, Wellesley, MA, June 2024
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Barnes & Noble book signing, Minneapolis, MN, June 2024
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Guthrie Theatre and University of St. Thomas Skeleton Crew panel, June 2024
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University of Notre Dame “Purpose, Work, and Well-Being” panel, June 2024
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Fast Company on technological unemployment, May 2024
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NPR’s Academic Minute on work worth loving, May 2024
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KERA Think book interview, May 2024
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The Conversation on new college graduates, May 2024
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“Psychologists Off The Clock” book interview, May 2024
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Porchlight Books book interview, May 2024
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Twin Cities Business book preview, April/May 2024
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University of St. Thomas Delta Sigma Pi keynote, April 2024
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Temple University Dental School ethics symposium keynote, April 2024
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University of South Florida “Life Worth Living” initiative keynote, April 2024
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WCCO TV book interview, April 2024
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WCCO radio book interview, April 2024
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Business Insider on the shape of happiness, March 2024
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Publishers Weekly book review, March 2024
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Next Big Idea Club, “May 2024 Must-Read Books,” March 2024
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Nature on science careers, February 2024
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University of Notre Dame Law School conference paper, February 2024
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King's Business School on wealth or work, June 2023