Welcome back to the Tranquility du Jour virtual book club! From one bibliophile to another, let’s read stories that move us, make us think, and open up important conversations.

Together we’ll read and discuss in our TDJ Insider’s Facebook group and hopefully in person someday soon. You in? Hope so!

Introducing Our May Book
Description

From the New York Times bestselling author of the million-copy bestseller Essentialism comes an empowering guide to achieving your goals, Effortless by Greg McKeown. It all starts with a simple principle: not everything has to be so hard.

Do you ever feel like:  

  • You’re teetering right on the edge of burnout?
  • You want to make a higher contribution, but lack the energy?
  • You’re running faster but not moving closer to your goals?
  • Everything is so much harder than it used to be?

As high-achievers, we’ve been conditioned to believe that the path to success is paved with relentless work. That if we want to overachieve, we have to overexert, overthink, and overdo. That if we aren’t perpetually exhausted, we’re not doing enough.

But lately, working hard is more exhausting than ever. And the more depleted we get, the harder it is to make progress. Stuck in an endless loop of “Zoom, eat, sleep, repeat,” we’re often working twice as hard to achieve half as much.

Getting ahead doesn’t have to be as hard as we make it. No matter what challenges or obstacles we face, there is a better way: instead of pushing ourselves harder, we can find an easier path. Effortless offers actionable advice for making the most essential activities the easiest ones, so you can achieve the results you want, without burning out.

Effortless teaches you how to:  

  • Transform tedious tasks into enjoyable rituals
  • Prevent future frustrations by solving problems before they arise
  • Set a sustainable pace instead of powering through
  • Make one-time choices that eliminate many future decisions
  • Simplify your processes by removing unnecessary steps
  • Make relationships easier to maintain and manage
  • And much more

Why I Chose It

I wanted to choose something to help us navigate the world as it reopens. As mentioned in my Life Lately post, I want to avoid returning to habits of overscheduling and am hopeful I can keep some of my pandemic lifestyle during this transition. Namely, more blank space, a slower pace, and deeper appreciation for things like live music, in-person time, and traveling. Also, I loved Essentialism and want to work smarter, not longer and make downtime a priority. For more insights, enjoy this interview in Vice. I hope you’ll join me!

How to Join

Join us over on the TDJ Insider’s Facebook group. Look for the pinned post in our Facebook group. I’ll share a few thoughts and prompts mid-month and welcome you to share favorite quotes and takeaways throughout the month.

Want a physical copy of the book? Here’s a list of Black-owned bookstores. Or download the book via an e-reader or Audible (use this link for a free 30-day trial and first book).