"Work Less and Play More" by Steven Catlin (Kimberlite Publishing)
is a "how-to" guide to working less and playing more.
<BR>
<BR>
It is not an academic discussion of the value of leisure or the
global issues surrounding consumption and overwork.

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<BR>
Rather, it is a guide to how you personally can reduce your consumption,
build up your "Personal Treasury" and end up having more leisure time.
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<BR>

Catlin will challenge you to think about your purchases and decide
how many are truly necessities and how many truly provide pleasure to
you, versus how many are based on Tradition, Guilt or Ego.
<BR>
<BR>

He challenges some of the most sacred "Tradition Purchases", most
notably:
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<BR>

1) Owning a house
<BR>
2) Having children
<BR>
3) Owning a pet (especially a dog)
<BR>
4) Having a dependent (rather than independent) spouse
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<BR>

He does not tell you these are "bad purchases". Instead, he asks you
to take the time to reflect on why you are planning these acquisitions.
If you do, he believes, you may be surprised to find that you would
be happier without some of them. And, the world may be happier without you
having them.
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He repeatedly emphasizes the idea of Consequence Costs: The time and
the money that your possessions extract from you long after they
are paid for. The cost of the dog is not the $50 purchase price, but
the time it takes to walk it and feed it and the money spent on food
and vet bills.
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<BR>

If you truly get pleasure from your dog, your sports car, your boat
or your children, by all means go and have them and count them in
the Pleasure Purchase category. Just be sure to be honest with yourself,
he warns.
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Some of these acquisitions are made early in life. Catlin gives tips
on how to minimize the impact of past mistakes while avoiding future
mistakes.
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He puts less emphasis on the "how-to" of working less than on the
"how-to" of reducing consumption and time thievery.
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The idea is that if one has enough money and investments accumulated
by saving rather than spending, then it is possible to take extended
leaves without pay.
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It is not necessary to quit working altogether, unless that is your goal.
But it is possible to work fewer hours or to take breaks of months
or years at a time at a job or between jobs, with proper planning.
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This book will definitely get you to think about your values and
lifestyle in detail while giving you concrete tips on how to achieve
a lifestyle that lets you truly enjoy the fruits of your labor.
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I recommend this book whether you are looking for more leisure in your
life or just to re-evaluate your current lifestyle.
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The book is available from Amazon.com or directly from the publisher:
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Kimberlite Publishing
<BR>
P.O. Box 6334
<BR>
Ventura, CA 93006
<BR>
For $14 plus $1 shipping.
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<BR>

Robert Bernstein
<BR>
Santa Barbara, CA
<BR>
<img align=middle alt="---" src="robert/graphic/wadd.gif">
<BR>
[Shorter Work Time List Coordinator]
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