During the course of our lives we may spend around 90,000 hours in the workplace. That's a lot of hours.
This book/zine is a collection of thoughts, stories, poems and ideas about living a good (work) life.
The title for the zine came from a friend of mine called Colin. You will meet him in the book.
He never really took a day off. Even when he wasn’t working, he was checking email, thinking about work and solving problems about work in his mind.
Then one day he had a heart attack. Don’t worry, he survived. He fondly recalls the moment clarity struck, as he was being wheeled into theatre.
He realised it wasn’t worth it.
The career ladder, the long days, the late nights, the worry and stress. It wasn’t worth it. He wished he’d taken more time off, done more creative projects, spent more time with his family and worried less about work.
This zine is about taking a day off, thinking critically about our current work culture and ignoring the siren call to follow the masses.
Take a Day Off - The Zine
This printed zine/book is a collection of thoughts, stories, poems and ideas about living a good work life.
You'll meet Colin, who never took a day off until his body forced him to. Also Malcolm and his unfortunate encounter with some seagulls. And of course Prickles, the cat that had people clearing up after him.
Malcolm, Seagulls, The Slipping Man and Prickles The Cat
You’ll also meet Malcolm who got some bad Karma from some seagulls, The Slipping Man who was helped to his feet and Prickles the Cat who liked to poop in next door’s garden.
There are a couple of poems about communication and The Manager.
There are also plenty of straight forward ideas, concepts, insights and advice on a variety of work / life topics - all geared around living a good and effective work life.
All of the photos and posters are also taken, or designed, by myself. This really was a labour of love. 9 months of hours after hour fighting with publishing tools. It was worth it. I am very proud of this book.
It’s a collection of thoughts, poems, stories and insights into how to be successful in work, think critically, ignore the masses and build amazing workplaces where your career shines.
The zine also contains original artwork by yours truly. There are two posters to accompany each chapter. One poster is a designed poster. The second is an urban graffiti poster.
BUY THE ZINE
Take a Day Off - The Zine
This printed zine/book is a collection of thoughts, stories, poems and ideas about living a good work life.
You'll meet Colin, who never took a day off until his body forced him to. Also Malcolm and his unfortunate encounter with some seagulls. And of course Prickles, the cat that had people clearing up after him.
Chapters
Here are the chapter titles in the book/zine.
- Take a day off
- Identifying problems doesn’t get rid of them
- Bland
- Communication Expert
- Show, don’t tell
- No mask can be worn forever
- We all fall
- Round and Round
- Your productivity output is not your value as a person.
- Meetings
- Work makes us
- The grass isn’t always greener
- We need to feel like the job develops us
- Joy is a barometer
- What are others missing?
- What are we saying “No” to?
- What did they give up?
- Dear Manager
- Effectiveness and efficiency are not the same thing
- Be selfish, in a good way
- What happened to get to here?
- Widen your awareness
- You see what you want to see, you hear what you want to hear
- Enhance
- Earn Respect
- COIK is Simple
- Don’t complain
- Don’t do or say anything that requires an apology
- Company Values
- Overconfident
- Data driven, or it doesn’t exist
- A reflection of you
- Karma – Malcolm and the seagulls
- We’re all connected
- Accentuate your strengths
- Don’t seek out drama
- Don’t criticise others
- Everybody you meet makes you who you are
- Gaining knowledge
- A thousand cats
- Be a wonderful asset to others
- Mistakes are learning
- Recognition belongs to those who do the work
- Thick Skin
- This is it
- People choose to follow a leader
Take a Day Off - The Zine
This printed zine/book is a collection of thoughts, stories, poems and ideas about living a good work life.
You'll meet Colin, who never took a day off until his body forced him to. Also Malcolm and his unfortunate encounter with some seagulls. And of course Prickles, the cat that had people clearing up after him.