Message from Sam, 11/27/2024
Of course, the world has changed dramatically since the 1st edition of Work was published in 2008. In this updated-for-2025 edition, I’ve made the book easier to read and understand, added new insights, and addressed the economic/social earthquakes of the last five years.
Yet, the “systems mindset” remains the focus. I want you to “get it.”
Bricks and mortar, virtual, retail, construction, service and/or product producer; owner-operated—large or small staff—it doesn’t matter. Whatever your business type (presuming the product or service is useful in the marketplace), dysfunction has its roots in this foundational weakness: a fire-killing, non-systematic approach by the leader. The systems mindset is utterly logical and believable, a deeper vision of how a business—and a life—mechanically unfolds.
(If you don’t operate a business, consider my other book, The Systems Mindset, which takes precisely the same approach but is aimed at those who don’t operate a business).
Yes, for any endeavor’s success, including a life well-lived, leadership IS everything.
The systems mindset epiphany will occur for you in a single identifiable moment, never to fade. Suddenly, with this dramatically more accurate “one layer deeper” view, underlying system processes are starkly revealed, and subsequent real-life mechanical actions will be obvious. It’s not about learning something new. It’s about acquiring a more precise view of how the sights, sounds, and events of your business and your life operate. Part One of the book will guide you to this exciting epiphany.
From that point forward, life’s mechanics will make sense. You’ll never go back.
Watch the animation below.
I did not write Work the System as a marketing device intended as a lead-in to coaching, consulting, or an online training program. The book alone is all you need.
I have many followers on my email mailing list (you can join here on this page), and I post on YouTube and Instagram under my name.
-Sam Carpenter
A Simple Explanation of the Work the System Method
Sam’s second book, The Systems Mindset: Managing the Machinery of your Life, is for those who don’t own or manage a business. See www.thesystemsmindset.com.
The Book
Sam Carpenter’s Work the System: The Simple Mechanics of Making More and Working Less is now in its fifth edition (August 2024). Since the first edition was published in 2008, tens of thousands of business owners have used the Work the System Method as a foundational guide to quickly eliminate disorder, systemizing their businesses and their lives into super-efficiency. 4,000,000+ copies distributed worldwide in English, Russian, Chinese, Korean, Arabic, Romanian, Japanese and soon Spanish and Italian.
Business Documentation Software
BDS exactly conforms to the Work the System Method. It’s an intuitive and simple platform designed to make it easy for you to create, tweak and store your three primary documents as described in Part Two of Sam’s book.
BDS is simple to use. There’s no fluff or excess. It’s about “bottom up,” point-of-sale, and never-ending system improvement.
Work the System is integral to the Mindvalley operation. Simple and powerful…essential reading for the CEO.
Vishen Lakhiani
I am looking down at my business, seeing all the moving parts.
Eleanor Pinkney
Mandatory reading. Work the System liberates…
Perry Marshall
One of the most useful business books you’ll ever read.
Josh Kaufman
If you think your business can benefit from organization, efficiency and predictability, then you need to read this book.
Luke A. Mosch
Investing in WTS has been one of the most profitable decisions we’ve ever made.
Sharon Desjarlais