In When, Pink draws on hundreds of recent empirical studies in psychology, economics, and biology to provide guidance on how to use 'the science of time' to improve performance at work, enhance health, and deepen personal satisfaction. Designed as a new 'when-to' genre, his book examines the rhythms of each day (peaks, troughs, and rebounds); the impact of breaks; midpoints, halftimes, and endings; and group synchronization ...Pink is a splendid writer, with a knack for distilling important takeaways of scholarly research. As he simplifies, however, Pink at times obscures ambiguities and limitations ... That said, When contains a cornucopia of compelling information and insights ... Most important, Pink emphasizes, human beings are hard-wired to prefer endings that elevate ... In the end, Pink writes, we yearn for meaning. With When, he delivers more than a fair share of it.
In When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing, Daniel H. Pink doesn’t reveal every secret about perfect timing — how long should one wait before following up on an unanswered email? — but he does give a cheat sheet on when to work, sleep and play, useful for both freelancers and those beholden to bosses ... Pink doesn’t go especially deep into any area. He skips around between disparate topics, he notes the use of research assistants, and he has a tic of quoting study findings rather than putting these mostly pedestrian passages in his own words, a habit that gives the vague impression of lacking mastery of the material (or, more generously, of carefulness) ... The book is well-structured and goes down easy, with concise summaries often packaged with alliteration (type, task, time) ...the big-picture musings are a nice prompt for the interested reader at the finale of an otherwise practical book.
In other words, regardless of culture or differing daily rituals, our moods follow a rigorous pattern that is 'crucial, unexpected and revealing', according to Pink who believes the quality of the decisions we make are closely linked with their timing ...describes his book as not so much a how-to manual for making the most of our lives but a 'when-to' guide ... It is intriguing stuff written with a light, assured touch by Pink, an expert on motivation and management who is at pains to stress that modern science shows that scheduling and careful timing of our daily routines is crucial to our wellbeing. Much of this advice is common sense. On the other hand, it is reassuring to be told, with confidence, that naps and leisurely daily walks are 'not niceties, but necessities.'
