Perfectionism for me has always been a kind of central part of what I’m struggling with. That sense that I’m kind of on the back foot, that I need to put in just a little bit more, maybe a lot more effort and self-discipline, find the perfect organizational system, and, like, then I would finally get into the driving seat of my own life. It’s becoming very obvious that this ever-accelerating treadmill isn’t going to lead finally to this moment of wonderful calm and peace of mind. There will always be too much to do. You’re never going to feel completely ready. You’re never going to be able to feel confident about what’s coming in the future.
It is hard to sum up a feeling of being one step behind achieving your best better than this quote from Oliver Burkeman. “There will always be too much to do” speaks to soul of my working life. And yes, I too am guilty of downloading every new productivity app!
Attempt instead to start from the idea that you don’t need to do anything with your day to justify your existence on the planet. You may need to do it in order to earn your wage or your salary, absolutely, but you don’t need to do it for these existential reasons.
This trap of feeling like your work gives full meaning to your life has unconsciously sapped joy from me. Because of my educational upbringing, nothing in this video is intellectual news to me. But intellect and action have been so very different in my life. The feeling of always being behind because the to-do list has grown longer instead of shorter; guilt over never finding the time to give your full attention. Let it go! Be at peace! Thanks for the reminder Oliver.
And by the way, he has a pretty great blog and newsletter.
