Bernard O'Shea: Ten things I didn't know about quiet quitting

Bernard O'Shea: quiet-quitter extraordinaire?

Set Digital Boundaries: Your Inbox Is Not Your Boss. 

Ignoring emails after work hours is fine. I know, shocking! 

It's about turning off those notifications and letting the world—or at least your boss—know that evenings are sacred. 

Back in the good old days of the 9-to-5 grind, people left work at the office. No emails, no WhatsApp groups about quarterly reports. 

Quiet quitting is just bringing back the good bits from that era. 

And here's the kicker: stepping away from constant work stress helps you sleep better, keeps your brain happy, and maybe stops you snapping at the cat.

Master the Art of "No" Without Actually Saying It. 

Did you know you can dodge tasks without ever uttering "no"? 

Quiet quitting pros are experts at this. Picture it: someone ropes you into yet another meeting. 

Instead of outright refusing, hit them cheerfully, "Sounds great! Let me check my schedule." 

Then, never check it. Ever. People have been using this strategy for centuries. 

In 18th-century factories, workers would "work to rule"—doing only what their job description said and nothing more. 

It's not slacking; it's self-preservation.

Perfect Your "Neutral Enthusiasm" Face. 

Quiet quitting doesn't mean you stop caring entirely, but you need to stop looking like you care too much. 

Enter the neutral enthusiasm face. That polite smile and nod says, "Sure, I'll think about it," when you're absolutely not going to think about it. 

Practice this in front of a mirror; it's a game-changer.

Reclaim Your Lunch Break Like a Boss. 

When did eating at your desk become normal? Lunch breaks used to be sacred! Quiet quitting says it's time to take them back. 

Lunch breaks weren't always optional. In the early 20th century, unions fought hard to make them part of the workday. 

Fast forward to hustle culture, and they got buried under meetings and multitasking. Taking a proper break makes you sharper in the afternoon. 

Plus, it's good for your stomach and your sanity.

Embrace the "Good Enough" Standard. 

Quiet quitting isn't about doing a bad job. It's about doing a good enough job. 

That report you're working on? It doesn't need a 3D pie chart or a quote from Shakespeare. Just get it done, send it off, and move on. Nobody's giving you a medal for overachieving on PowerPoint.

Stop Competing in the Office Olympics. 

Do you know those people who treat the office like the Olympics? 

The ones who race to answer emails at lightning speed proudly stay until 10 p.m. or make everything a competition—from who can cram the most jargon into a meeting to who says "synergy" the most. 

Quiet quitting calls time on this nonsense.

There's no podium at the end of your career with medals for "Most Times Circling Back." 

Plus, constantly competing only creates stress and resentment. 

You don't need to prove you're the fastest, most dedicated corporate athlete. Sometimes, the gold medal is leaving on time.

Don't Volunteer for Every Task. 

One person always volunteers for everything—the party planning committee or the charity bake sale. And they inevitably complain they're overworked. 

Quiet quitting means knowing your limits. Do what's expected, and let someone else overextend themselves for once. 

Volunteering for every task won't earn you sainthood but might earn you an ulcer.

Take Vacation Days. 

You know those vacation days you've been stockpiling like a squirrel hoarding nuts? Use them. They're part of your salary! 

Not taking them is like turning down free money. Quiet quitting means not feeling guilty for using what's rightfully yours. 

Studies show that well-rested employees come back sharper and more creative. So book that holiday, and don't check your emails while you're there.

Prioritise What Matters. 

Quiet quitting doesn't mean you stop caring about your work. It just means you stop sweating the small stuff. 

Ask yourself: Will anyone remember this minor task in six months? If the answer is no, it's not worth pulling an all-nighter.

Embrace Your "Steady Eddie" 

At work, there are two kinds of people: the bright sparks who burn through workloads like a nuclear furnace and the Steady Eddies who get things done without setting themselves on fire. Quiet quitting is your chance to embrace your inner Steady Eddie.

So, quiet quitting isn't slacking off—it's like being the tortoise in the office race: slow, steady, and absolutely not checking emails after 5 p.m. 

(Also, did you know some tortoises can breathe through their butts? This is just a tortoise fact, it's nothing to do with quiet quitting.)