The Underachiever's Manifesto

Product Description

Lower the bar. Turn it down a notch. Get off the Stairmaster. The Underachiever's Manifesto is the playfully persuasive pocket guide to living life to the least and loving it. With sharp humor and genuine wisdom, this welcome little book extols the fabulous benefits of underachievement in our overextended society. A witty introduction makes the case for the right amount of effort a lot less than we've been led to believe. Ten principles of underachievement establish the basics (#8: The tallest blade of grass is the surest to be cut); and practical applications show how mediocrity is the key to happiness at work, in relationships, dieting, exercise, investment, and more. Devilishly enlisting examples from philosophy, economics, science, and good common sense, The Underachiever's Manifesto is a lighthearted, life-changing rallying call for those who dare to do less and enjoy more.

Top Reviews

A Life Saver
by Kindle Customer (5 out of 5 stars)
January 28, 2018

Ray Bennett's Underachiever's Manifesto stopped me in my I'm not good enough yet' tracks. I love this book and share its wisdom often.

Madness prevailed in my life when I moved to New Zealand, had a third baby and spent his first year doing 4 post grad nursing papers.

I saw the light about 10 papers and qualifications bursting out of my CV and regained my sense of humour realising that no one in the health services gives a monkey's uncle how much I've studied to be the best child health nurse I can be.

It only increases the frustration to recognise the possibilities for improvement and not be able to achieve them.

I once had a performance review and on asking my displeased manager to spell out the sins I'd committed was told three things.

The first two would only be understood by Maori. The third sun was ' Barbara, you are just far too enthusiastic '.

At age 56 and my first ever management role of 4 years and 3 months now six months behind me, I feel finally relieved of any further requirement in my life to strive for overachievement.

Thankyou Dr Bennet!
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Essential Reading For Americans
by Christopher George (5 out of 5 stars)
August 22, 2019

This book and "The Conspiracy Against The Human Race" ought to be required reading for all Americans. A little perspective on how ridiculous we really are. This book truly is a little gem and have the hard copy and digital. Highly recommend and have gifted to friends. Over all, it's a good reminder for putting life in perspective, a view of the forest and not just a tree (if you will afford me the cliche.)
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I wish everyone could feel this laidback about constantly striving for more success
by diann dunkley (5 out of 5 stars)
April 20, 2014

after reading this book I realized that I didn't have to get my poetry published to love my poems. I get to send them to people who enjoy them and go to

coffee houses and do the open mike thing. I'm exploring the idea of going back to work after having been disabled for quite awhile. I was a department secretary and later an office manager. Whoo the stress. I have decided to reenter the business world as an office clerk. I don't have to worry about where I work because even though I might lose my social.security check for a couple years, I'll keep my retirement check and great state insurance. it will even be more money than I had as an office manager who constantly was supposed to make miracles happen. I sure am glad I'm not the great deity. anyway the book was good medicine. thanx
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Good reminders to help you through your day
by Josephine Dixie (5 out of 5 stars)
May 7, 2014

I really enjoyed this book, after I was done with it I even gave it to my old boyfriend as a gift (it is very small and easy to read, only thirty minutes). It had a lot of Zen qualities to it that I think most people would appreciate.

Here are the 10 principles of underachievement:
1) Life's too short
2) Control is an illusion
3) Expectations lead to misery
4) Great expectations lead to great misery
5) Achievement creates expectations
6) The law of diminishing returns applies everywhere
7) Perfect is the enemy of good
8) The tallest blade of grass is sure to be cut
9) Accomplishment is in the eye of the beholder
10) The 4-per-cent value added principle (or.. being alive is your greatest achievement)

Try to find it online or at your library if you can, otherwise buy it and pass it on to a friend.
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Great inspiring read for the overachiever or someone who wishes they were one
by Fangirl (5 out of 5 stars)
November 15, 2015

This book is a delightful read and oddly very reassuring if you are like me- a perfectionist perpetually dissatisfied with myself for not being perfect. (Which does not exist, I know, hence my angst.) it's very compassionate and reassuring in reminding me why it's okay to be imperfect.
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Laugh your way to sanity
by Joyce (5 out of 5 stars)
September 26, 2012

Bennett, a medical doctor, also has a penchant for humor. He elicits genuine wisdom as he pokes fun at probably most Americans and our go-go overachiever attitude. He promotes living life to the least and loving it. In this small short book you laugh your way through the ten principles of underachievement and the practical applications of these principles in work, love, diet, exercise, investment and more. It is a laugh-out-loud treatment of a truly serious issue. Probably the best cure for our insane drive to be best, fastest, first, etc. is to see how utterly ridiculous it is and laugh heartily.
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Interesting ideas
by Lynn S (5 out of 5 stars)
July 13, 2017

Made me feel better about myself. Recommended by a Therapist on Twitter so I thought I would give it a try.
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Worthless Words On Paper
by Wallbanger (1 out of 5 stars)
April 11, 2019

Bennett overachieved at writing a worthless book. I'll save you some time and money: be born, live, and then die. Don't do anything of consequence ever. This book gives no solid examples, sources, or advice. Spend the time you were going to use reading this book overachieving in something.
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Great Little Book
by KatieJK (5 out of 5 stars)
February 9, 2013

I love this book. It is a quick read. I suppose it doesn't offer much in the way of surprising wisdom in any over the top kind of way. It's sort of a 'good enough is good enough' and 'stop worrying so much' kind of book. It gave me a little giggle, and I go back and read it every once in a while, when I need to be reminded not to take my life too seriously.

I highly recommend it for anyone who needs to be reminded of the same occasionally.
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Good Little Book
by Sarah (5 out of 5 stars)
August 14, 2017

The book arrived quickly. It is a beautiful little book, and a great read. I am very happy with my purchase.

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