The Paris Paradox

Embracing French Ideals of Leisure to Transform American Work-Life Balance

Published by Forbes Books
Distributed by Simon & Schuster

About The Book

In The Paris Paradox, executive Shemin Nurmohamed reveals how French attitudes toward work, leisure, and life can transform our approach to success. Drawing from her nearly two decades living in France while building a career and raising a family, she offers a refreshing alternative to America's burnout culture.

This book provides practical wisdom on how to create more balance without sacrificing ambition: take proper vacations that rejuvenate rather than exhaust, develop deep expertise through patience rather than constant promotion-seeking, build meaningful community in a disconnected world, and find contentment in everyday moments.

Through compelling stories and actionable advice, Nurmohamed demonstrates that the French approach—putting life before work, quality before quantity, and relationships before achievements—can lead to greater fulfillment and paradoxically, more meaningful success. Discover how incorporating these principles can create a more joyful, sustainable way to live and work, no matter where you are.

About The Author

SHEMIN NURMOHAMED is executive vice president and president of sending technology solutions at Pitney Bowes. Prior to this role, she held CFO, director, and VP roles at local, EMEA, and Global levels at several Fortune 500 companies. Born in Tanzania to immigrant parents and educated at Cornell University, Shemin spent nearly two decades living and working in France, where she discovered a profoundly different approach to balancing life and work, and brings a unique cross-cultural perspective to questions of work, family, and finding contentment. She shares these insights regularly as a speaker across the US, Europe, and the Middle East. Shemin lives with her husband and two children in Connecticut.

Product Details

  • Publisher: Forbes Books (September 23, 2025)
  • Length: 192 pages
  • ISBN13: 9798887506272

Browse Related Books

Resources and Downloads

High Resolution Images

More books from this author: Shemin Nurmohamed

BACK TO TOP