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Tony Crabbe
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Busy: How to Thrive in a World of Too Much Hardcover – July 7, 2015

by Tony Crabbe (Author)
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 223 ratings
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Business psychologist Tony Crabbe outlines a unique three-step approach to combating one of the modern life's great problems: being too busy.
 
So many people feel far too busy—unable to work properly on the things that are important to them and stuck in a rut. This book, written by a well-connected business psychologist, puts that feeling in context and provides practical solutions for people to become happier, more motivated and more successful. If you want to take control of your career—and your life—make sure you're not too busy to read to this book.

Today's world is one of too much: too much work to do, too much communication, too much competition, too much uncertainty and too much information. We are striving to keep up, but inevitably we're falling behind, leaving us with a nagging sense of failure that is hard to shake off.

In Busy, Tony Crabbe debunks the myth that satisfaction at work comes from getting everything done.

Instead, he demonstrates that what will enable you to thrive is regaining a sense of mastery over your life, focusing on making an impact, engaging with loved ones and creating the momentum necessary to make changes.
 
Busy is divided into three digestible sections—Mastery, Differentiation, and Engagement—that will teach readers how to switch from managing time to managing attention, how to transition toward a career strategy that doesn't hinge on productivity, how to think differently about success by re-engaging with what matters, and how to create the impetus, energy, and clarity to put all these changes into effect. Crabbe draws on entertaining psychological studies to show why we're getting it wrong at the moment and to develop a fresh new approach to taking back one's life from chaotic outside forces.
Previous page
  1. Print length
    320 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Grand Central Publishing
  4. Publication date
    July 7, 2015
  5. Dimensions
    5.85 x 1.4 x 8.9 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1455532983
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1455532988
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"A life-changing book which reassesses what you are doing, why you are doing it and in what way."―Carol Ann Rice, The Daily Express

"This book has the power to change your life. In this thought provoking guidebook to today's world of "too much", Tony Crabbe destroys the myth of "busyness" and provides practical, thoughtful advice to help individuals (and their organizations) unleash their true potential."
―Dave Coplin, Chief Envisioning Officer, Microsoft UK and author of Business Reimagined

Crabbe presents an array of techniques and tactics to help readers relinquish their busyness and gain control of their lives. Written in short sections with graphical breaks, pullouts and bullet points, BUSY is a very smart, fun and enlightening read.―Success Magazine

"Sound advice, well worth consideration and action."
―Booklist

"For anyone juggling an ever-expanding schedule in or outside the corporate world, this book might be worth fitting in."
―Publishers Weekly

"If you ever feel like you're drowning in a sea of over commitment, organizational psychologist Tony Crabbe throws you a lifeline with BUSY."―Working Mother

"In BUSY, organizational psychologist Tony Crabbe draws on solid psychological research to address one of the great problems of modern life: we're too busy."―Networking Times

"[In BUSY] psychological and business research are translated into practical tools and skills."―Ugly Research Newsletter

"Crabbe draws on entertaining psychological studies to show why we're getting it wrong at the moment and to develop a fresh new approach to taking back one's life from chaotic outside forces."―IN Business Magazine

"The statistics Crabbe cites are truly staggering."―National Post

About the Author

Tony Crabbe is an organizational psychologist who works with multinational companies around the world, including PWC, Microsoft, News International, Disney, and the World Bank. He is also a research fellow in the field of organizational psychology at Birkbeck College, University of London. He lives with his family in Spain, but spends a considerable amount of time consulting in the UK and the US.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Grand Central Publishing (July 7, 2015)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 320 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1455532983
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1455532988
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 14.4 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.85 x 1.4 x 8.9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 223 ratings

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Tony Crabbe

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Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
223 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Thomas W. Riddle
5.0 out of 5 stars Wow -- one of the best books like this that I've ever read!
Reviewed in the United States on July 17, 2016
Verified Purchase
I must say that I've been reading personal effectiveness/improvement and such for decades and this one is simply one of the best. It's simply packed with tons of truly useful advice, explained in a clear and compelling way and backed up by research and other illustrations. While most books of this type are ones where I find myself skimming, this one I couldn't put down and I read every page. I intended to read it again as well as to share it with everyone I care about. Tony Crabbe evidently made a big personal sacrifice to write this book, but I for one am truly appreciative of the valuable insights and advice in this book. Do yourself a favor and read it, then talk about it with friends and family, and practice the lessons of the book.

Busy talks about one of the biggest plagues of modern life and shows the way to deal effectively with its associated issues to improve your personal effectiveness and happiness.
12 people found this helpful
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jarvis redwine
5.0 out of 5 stars A must read (and re-read)
Reviewed in the United States on January 3, 2018
Verified Purchase
This is an instant classic. Perhaps my favorite book ever. I am surprised it is still so little known.

"Busy is Avoidance (Crabbe p152) - The biggest temptation of all isn't goofing off. It's the lure of the small over the complex task. Through being busy, we can feel productive while avoiding the hard work."

"giving in to task switching teaches your brain to never tolerate an absence of novelty. it weakens the mental muscles responsible for organizing the many sources vying for your attention it makes one a sucker for irrelevancy"

"We should think of wealth not in terms of what we have but in terms of what we can do (capabilities). (Crabbe p170)"

"define a good day at work. it should be "you increased your ability" moreso than "you got a lot done"."
7 people found this helpful
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Sam Butler
5.0 out of 5 stars Worth reading if your wondering how to deal with a growing workload...
Reviewed in the United States on October 31, 2014
Verified Purchase
Tverygood summary and collection of thoughts and advice in regards to finding the balance of tasks, priorities and making you stand out from the crowd. A good common sense view, even if most of it is not highl original content
4 people found this helpful
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Rick
5.0 out of 5 stars Great read
Reviewed in the United States on June 20, 2016
Verified Purchase
Lines up with many other works on focusing on the important things above the interruptions of work. Well written, practical and a must for anyone constantly reacting to things at work (or in life).
3 people found this helpful
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Jim Gambrell
5.0 out of 5 stars Not your typical time management book
Reviewed in the United States on October 25, 2016
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This is not your typical time management book. The extensive list of scientific studies referenced is impressive. I've given this book as a gift to my sons and several friends.
2 people found this helpful
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Georgios Ventouratos
1.0 out of 5 stars If they really wanted to help their employees they could simply allow them to work better and less by hiring more people
Reviewed in the United States on December 31, 2014
Verified Purchase
Here is a guy who is paid by the big, global corporations to supposedly suggest ways to improve their employees working lives.
Truth is, these corporations are the modern equivalent of labour camps. If they really wanted to help their employees they could simply allow them to work better and less by hiring more people, not allowing after hours emails etc. You don't need a consultant to tell you that, you just do it. In fact you hire a consultant if you don't want to do anything but want to look good in your annual report.
The dark truth is that these corporations exploit their employees as much as possible because the employment costs are the biggest cost component in most companies accounts and if you are a no good CEO who hasn't got a clue about what to do to improve your sales, you resort to cost cutting and employee exploitation to improve your bottom line.
It is sad though to see that academics and universities are in bed with such corporations.
11 people found this helpful
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Robert
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Read, enjoyed it immensely
Reviewed in the United States on June 14, 2014
Verified Purchase
A well constructed piece of literature, placed in a layman's format, underlining how it is possible to get out from the ever over burdening of modern life. If you look up at night the stars are still there.
4 people found this helpful
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G Dik
5.0 out of 5 stars Finally a book that really gives hands on tips
Reviewed in the United States on July 10, 2016
Verified Purchase
This book is great it Goes beyond the usual books on topics Like this. It's THE First book that helped me getting success while Reading it wirh a profound and lasting change
One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Alessandro
5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting and practical book
Reviewed in Italy on February 28, 2018
Verified Purchase
Very interesting book!!
I suggest to everyone to read it; there are many practical ways to use during our path in order to improve the "business" in general.
I will go deeper with reading other books, as suggested from the author at the end of this book.
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Ian Phillips
5.0 out of 5 stars A life-changer
Reviewed in France on March 22, 2017
Verified Purchase
This book totally changed my life. It gives great advice on how to cope with the overload created by the onslaught of modern technology, how to restructure your life and to prioritise what's important to you. Some of it may be a little repetitive, but there are also lots of references to interesting psychological studies. After 20 years of waking up stressed every morning, I've finally found a sense of serenity. Thank you, Mr Crabbe!
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in Canada on March 2, 2016
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Must-read
One person found this helpful
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Asish
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in India on July 15, 2016
Verified Purchase
It's a brilliant read!!
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5.0 out of 5 stars Reorient yourself
Reviewed in the Netherlands on February 28, 2016
Verified Purchase
Very helpful book, not a sound you'd typically here from a colleague. It really changed the way I work, with bursts of activity and periods of rest. I am going to reread it so that its message really sinks in.
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