I Didn't Do The Thing Today: On letting go of productivity guilt

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the author is straight about what this book is, which is why i find reading introductions immensely important. Some days, we may only spend an hour doing the thing, but it can take all day to set ourselves up for that one potent hour. As others have noted, it's not particularly groundbreaking, but there are some noteworthy takeaways from it, if you can slog through all of the quotes. I was picturing a more practical Laziness Does Not Exist, and while it gave those vibes, it did not live up to them.

I understand that this book stemmed from the author's interviews with people in many different fields, but some of the quotes from TV shows and movies didn't seem necessary. We can learn from conversations, the problems we need to solve, the risks we take, growing older, rejection, and from discovery. and i'll have to say i'm baffled by some of the harsh reviews - it seems like there's frustration about the incorporation of quotes and pulling together other information - the desire for listicles and shortform over a book?Even on days where we get a lot done, the thing left undone can leave us feeling guilty, anxious or disappointed.

To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Packed full of thoughtful and thought-invoking quotes and passing on lived experiences of not having to be a Productivity Powerhouse all the time; you can just be a human too. I liked that the book wasn’t about “how to be more productive”, but rather how to prioritize a life well lived. It’s perfect for people like me, who are a little too driven, slightly OCD, and have some Catholic guilt! But luckily, the antidote is delightful discipline—putting fascination, curiosity, and enjoyment in place of punishing rules.Occasionally I get an audiobook from the library in a futile attempt to restrict my book purchasing. This has long been a topic I've felt strongly about- ask my husband how many times I've ranted about how toxic I feel this culture of busyness is- and I felt like I found a lot in here to apply to my life. A remarkable combination: part broadside against our culture of frenetic busyness, part consolation for the days when things don’t go to plan, it’s also the best kind of productivity manual, filled with guidance for actually getting around to more of the things that matter. Perhaps instead of filling time, we can inspect whether what we fill it with creates a sense of fulfillment.