Over Work: Summary Review

What if the way we approach our daily work is the very thing keeping us from living the life we truly want? In Over Work: Transforming the Daily Grind in the Quest for a Better Life, Brigid Schulte explores how the modern obsession with busyness is sabotaging our happiness—and shows a path toward reclaiming meaning, joy, and time.

What is the Book About?

Over Work is a powerful, urgent call to rethink our relationship with work, productivity, and time. Brigid Schulte masterfully captures the emotional exhaustion and constant pressure many feel as they scramble through endless to-do lists, always chasing but never quite catching up. She highlights how societal expectations, cultural myths about work ethic, and outdated systems are draining our creativity, happiness, and sense of fulfillment. More importantly, Schulte challenges the glorification of overwork, presenting inspiring real-world examples and innovative ideas to break free from this trap. Through her engaging narrative, readers are invited to imagine and create a life that prioritizes balance, well-being, and true satisfaction rather than constant hustle.

Drawing on extensive research, personal stories, and conversations with leading thinkers, Schulte paints a vivid picture of a world where work and life can harmoniously coexist. She doesn't merely diagnose the problem; she offers a fresh blueprint for change, grounded in practical strategies and deeply human insights. By weaving together storytelling, science, and solution-oriented frameworks, Over Work empowers readers to step back, rethink their priorities, and reshape the way they approach their everyday lives for a richer and more meaningful existence.

Book Details

Print length: 288 pages
Language: English
Publication date: December 19, 2023
Genre: Self-help / Personal Development

Book Author

Core Theme

At its core, Over Work confronts the deeply ingrained belief that being constantly busy is a badge of honor. Schulte challenges this notion by arguing that the cult of overwork is not only unsustainable but also harmful to our physical, mental, and emotional well-being. She explores how modern society perpetuates unrealistic expectations around productivity and how individuals internalize these pressures, often sacrificing personal happiness and meaningful connection. The book insists that it’s time to rethink what a “successful” life looks like—not one defined by hours worked or achievements collected, but by the depth of our experiences, relationships, and sense of purpose.

Schulte also emphasizes systemic changes needed to support individuals in this shift. She critiques outdated workplace structures that reward long hours over efficiency and creativity, and spotlights innovative companies and communities pioneering new models of work-life integration. Her message is clear: reclaiming a better life isn't about working harder or managing time better—it’s about redefining success itself, both personally and collectively. Through this, Over Work becomes not just a personal guide, but a social manifesto for change.

Main Lessons

A few impactful summary lessons from Over Work: Transforming The Daily Grind In The Quest For A Better Life:

1. Recognize that work culture is deeply broken

Work, which was once a source of purpose and dignity, has increasingly morphed into an overwhelming grind that damages health, relationships, and society itself. Brigid Schulte points out that work today often demands not only endless hours but total mental occupation, creating a state where people feel guilty for resting and yet exhausted by constant labor. This broken system, propped up by outdated measures of success like time spent rather than outcomes achieved, has fueled massive economic inequality and personal misery. Schulte insists it’s time to challenge the deeply ingrained culture that prizes visible busyness over true productivity and demands a radical rethink of how and why we work at all.

2. Understand that long hours do not equal better work

One of the most toxic myths Schulte dismantles is the notion that working longer hours results in higher productivity and greater success. She highlights how countries with longer average work hours actually report lower productivity rates and greater worker dissatisfaction. Overwork leads to burnout, errors, and mental fatigue, making it counterproductive for businesses and devastating for individuals. Instead of glamorizing relentless labor, organizations must shift their focus to the quality and impact of work, encouraging smarter—not harder—approaches that reward efficiency, innovation, and overall well-being rather than simple time served.

3. Focus workplace management on outcomes not presence

Brigid Schulte makes it clear that the outdated model of evaluating workers by how long they sit at a desk is not just inefficient but damaging. Through her research, she champions a new model where priorities are crystal clear, processes are thoughtfully redesigned, and success is measured by the results delivered rather than hours clocked. This approach demands greater trust and communication but leads to higher engagement, better work, and greater equity, especially for workers with caregiving responsibilities. Organizations willing to embrace flexibility and autonomy unleash deeper creativity and foster a truly productive workforce.

4. Create cultures where human wellbeing comes first

A recurring theme throughout Schulte’s work is the immense benefit of putting human needs at the heart of workplace policies. Cultures that encourage rest, respect boundaries, and treat workers as whole people—rather than replaceable parts—experience more innovation, loyalty, and long-term success. Neuroscience shows that true breakthroughs often happen during rest, not endless toil, and companies that respect this basic truth end up thriving. Schulte highlights examples, like Washington state's home care overhaul, showing that when organizations value the wellbeing of every worker, both people and businesses prosper in profound ways.

5. Acknowledge unpaid labor as real and essential work

In a powerful expansion of the idea of work, Schulte challenges us to recognize that unpaid caregiving and community roles are just as crucial to society’s fabric as traditional employment. Yet, because they aren’t financially compensated, these roles are often marginalized or invisible. She calls for a redefinition of work that includes both paid and unpaid contributions, emphasizing that if these essential efforts were counted, GDP would rise dramatically. It’s not enough to squeeze unpaid labor into evenings and weekends; society must honor and accommodate it as an indispensable pillar of human life and well-being.

6. Redesign work environments with trust and transparency

Schulte stresses that successful modern workplaces must abandon rigid command-and-control leadership in favor of trust, transparency, and team-driven innovation. The most transformative organizations empower teams closest to the work to design better ways of operating, trusting them to experiment, gather data, and refine processes. Leaders must move away from micromanagement and instead create a culture where clarity, collaboration, and shared accountability thrive. Trust-based environments not only improve job satisfaction but also drive real, measurable performance improvements across organizations.

7. Challenge old mindsets that fuel overwork and inequity

A major obstacle to real change is the invisible pull of outdated cultural norms that glorify sacrifice and idealize the worker who gives up personal life for professional success. Schulte warns that without questioning these toxic assumptions—like equating weekend work with commitment—organizations will remain trapped in cycles of burnout and inequality. She urges both leaders and workers to reject the "gift theory," where flexible work feels like a favor that must be repaid with extreme loyalty, and instead normalize flexible, humane work as the standard, not the exception.

8. Layoffs and job insecurity undermine organizational strength

While layoffs are often justified as necessary for agility and efficiency, Schulte shows that they typically backfire, damaging morale, reducing productivity, and even harming a company’s long-term success. The societal safety nets in the U.S. are weak, making job loss devastating for individuals and communities. She advocates for leaders to think beyond short-term cost-cutting and instead focus on building resilient, loyal teams that see their employers as partners in their well-being. Leaders must recognize that human beings—not spreadsheets—are their greatest asset and treat workforce stability as an investment, not an expendable cost.

9. Embrace a larger societal role as business leaders

Schulte challenges leaders to think beyond their immediate bottom line and recognize their influence on broader societal structures. She argues that business leaders have a vital role in advocating for policies that support public health, education, and economic fairness. Rather than accepting a divided world of haves and have-nots, she calls on leaders to create systems where success is more broadly shared. True leadership today means helping to shape a future where meaningful work, fair treatment, and human dignity are accessible to everyone, not just a privileged few.

10. Build workplaces around meaning, fairness, and cooperation

Drawing on the historical wisdom that good work is defined by meaning, fairness, and cooperation, Schulte urges organizations to make these principles their north star. Meaningful work gives people a reason to invest themselves fully; fairness ensures that trust is nurtured and maintained; and cooperation fosters environments where everyone can thrive together. Workplaces built on these values not only attract and retain top talent but also become vibrant, resilient communities that can weather any storm and drive lasting positive change.

Key Takeaways

Key summary takeaways from the book:

• The glorification of busyness is a modern cultural myth that often masks deeper issues of identity and value.
• Real, lasting satisfaction comes from balance, not from maximizing productivity at all costs.
• Workplaces must evolve to prioritize results and employee well-being over rigid schedules and excessive demands.
• Personal change requires intentional boundary-setting, mindfulness, and a reevaluation of personal definitions of success.
• Collective action—changing policies and cultural expectations—is crucial to transforming the way we live and work for everyone.

Book Strengths

Over Work shines in its ability to blend compelling storytelling with rigorous research, making complex societal critiques feel personal and accessible. Schulte’s empathetic voice resonates with readers who have felt trapped in the relentless grind, and she offers not only validation but tangible hope. Her real-world examples and practical advice provide a blueprint for individual and collective transformation without feeling preachy or unrealistic.

Who This Book Is For

This book is perfect for anyone who feels overwhelmed by modern life’s demands, as well as readers interested in self-improvement, workplace innovation, and societal change. It resonates especially with professionals, parents, creatives, and activists seeking to reclaim their time, redefine success, and live with greater intention and joy.

Why Should You Read This Book?

If you have ever felt like you're running on a treadmill that never stops, Over Work will speak directly to your experience—and offer you a meaningful way off. Brigid Schulte provides both a mirror to recognize the toll of our current culture and a map toward a better, more fulfilling life. It’s not just a book to read; it’s a call to action to create a life that feels whole, joyful, and truly your own.

Concluding Thoughts.

Over Work stands as a powerful testament to the idea that life is too precious to be spent in a state of constant exhaustion. Schulte’s insights offer not just an intellectual understanding of the problem but an emotional nudge to act—to rethink, to reimagine, and to rebuild a life of balance, meaning, and authentic success.

For anyone tired of the endless race and yearning for something deeper, this book is a breath of fresh air and a catalyst for real change. Its lessons are not only timely but timeless, reminding us that it is possible—and necessary—to live better, not busier.

→  Get the book on Amazon or discover more via the author's website or social channels.

* The publisher and editor of this summary review made every effort to maintain information accuracy, including any published quotes, lessons, takeaways, or summary notes.

Chief Editor

Tal Gur is an author, founder, and impact-driven entrepreneur at heart. After trading his daily grind for a life of his own daring design, he spent a decade pursuing 100 major life goals around the globe. His journey and most recent book, The Art of Fully Living, has led him to found Elevate Society.