Time management books tend to miss the mark but this book was doable and manageable. I found the info to be helpful, encouraging and simple. I will be revisiting this book again and again.

There are few people out there today whose words on time management resonate with me more than Oliver Burkeman. In an age when everyone is sharing tips, tricks, and hacks to do more, and be more productive, Burkeman-rightfully-goes in the complete opposite direction. Pointing out, that not only do these hacks not make us more productive, but actually further entrench us in the endless hamster wheel of productivity that ultimately leads nowhere.

This book offers a refreshing counterpoint to our culture's relentless drive for productivity and control. Instead of constantly trying to figure everything out, Burkeman suggests embracing our limitations and finding meaning in life’s inherent unpredictability. He argues that the chaos and lack of control we often resist are not problems to be solved but fundamental parts of the human experience.

One of the book’s standout concepts that I find is Burkeman’s take on creativity and control. He proposes that focusing less on perfection and more on simply producing can lead to unexpected insights and breakthroughs. By removing the pressure to always get things right, we create more freely and unlock new creative potential.

Fans of Burkeman's previous work, Four Thousand Weeks, will recognize his writing style that uses parenthetical dashes a lot.

A new book by the author of Four Thousand Weeks, one of my favourite non-fiction books of the last few years? Sign me up. Fortunately, this was also great – not quite as excellent (the nature of the book was less focused and more scattered than Four Thousand Weeks), but still well worth reading. Short, snappy, and full of wisdom. Favourite chapter titles include:

- On staying sane when the world's a mess
- On the futility of 'becoming a better person'
- Imperfectly onward

Very much looking forward to recommending this to other readers this autumn. Many thanks to the publisher for the ARC.

very well written, i love oliver burkemans previous work and this did not disappoint. so bite sized and approachable, will definitely use this as a resource for clients

A great follow up from the author of "Four Thousand Weeks" I really enjoyed the format of this book and I plan to buy/borrow this book later and re-read it much more slowly.

This is another great book from Oliver Burkeman, in which familiar notes are sounded. We're finite. We can't do everything. We need to act on the thigns we find most meaningful. In doing so, there will be challenges to overcome, like fear, the occasional bad day, or the difficult season or painful series of disappointments. Problems are a part of life. There are unhealthy postures to take toward yourself and others; don't take those, and instead learn contentment and self-control. Be consistent, and learn to live a life of generosity. Focus on what counts, and move "imperfectly onward."

This book is filled with simple principles, carefully considered and distilled over time. Integrating these insights is the work of a lifetime. Burkeman admits that it is silly to think they could all be absorbed in about a month. But the book is structured in such a way for slow reading, rumination, and a ponderousness.

I enjoyed reading this book. I'd encountered some of these ideas in Burkeman's newsletter. But they are expanded upon here, and added to, in ways that were profound and profitable. I've already recommended this work. I'll continue to do so.

We are mortal beings—people who die. Our time on earth is absurdly limited. An average person gets only about four thousand weeks. In our culture of overachievement and relentless self-improvement, there is constant pressure to "optimize" every minute of our lives. We operate under the illusion that life will truly begin once we “get on top of everything” or "sort our lives out." But that moment never arrives. Burkeman observes that our modern obsession with control—whether through productivity tools or self-improvement strategies—often makes life feel less, rather than more, fulfilling.

If you’ve read a lot of self-help books, you might be familiar with the "big rocks and the glass bowl" metaphor often used as time management and productivity advice. The metaphor suggests that if you imagine your life as a glass bowl, you should prioritize the "big rocks" (the most important tasks) first. Once the big rocks are in place, you can fill the remaining space with smaller pebbles (less important tasks) and sand (minor activities). The idea is that "you can fit everything in if you prioritize correctly".

Burkeman argues that while this metaphor is initially appealing, it doesn't accurately reflect the reality of life. The metaphor assumes a finite number of rocks; in reality, the influx of tasks and responsibilities is endless. There will always be more "big rocks" than you have space for. The metaphor suggests that you can neatly categorize and schedule everything, but life is unpredictable, and unexpected events will always disrupt your plans.

We are limited beings with limited time, and no amount of efficiency can change that. Much of our anxiety and dissatisfaction stems from our refusal to accept our own finitude. Burkeman suggests that true freedom and contentment come not from overcoming these limits, but from accepting them and learning to live within them. He introduces the concept of "imperfectionism," a counterpoint to the perfectionism that drives many of us to relentless self-criticism and burnout. Imperfectionism about recognizing that life is inherently messy and that our efforts to impose perfect order on it are both futile and counterproductive.

Intended to serve as a "retreat of the mind," Meditations for Mortals is structured as a four-week guide. Each week is dedicated to a specific theme that builds upon the previous one. Burkeman suggests engaging with one chapter per day, allowing the concepts to gradually sink in.

Week One starts with accepting our finitude and our limitations,
then moving towards taking action despite uncertainty and imperfection (Week Two),
letting go of the need for control (Week Three),
and finally, showing up—being present and engaged in the moment, rather than constantly striving for some future ideal (Week Four).

Burkeman's previous book, Four Thousand Weeks, is one of my all-time favorites, and I had been eagerly awaiting this sequel/companion, Meditations For Mortals. And the wait is worth! I'm very grateful to NetGalley and the publisher, Farrar, Straus and Giroux, for an advance reader copy.

Meditations For Mortals is set to be released on October 8, 2024.

Favorite Quote: What is worry, at its core, but the activity of a mind attempting to picture every single bridge that might possibly have to be crossed in future, then trying to figure out how to cross it?

Synopsis: Productivity expert Oliver Burkeman shares helpful new insight into leading a better, more productive life: imperfection.

The author of Four Thousand Weeks is no stranger to productivity and maximizing the time we have on this planet. But not in the way most people think. In Meditations for Mortals, Burkeman embraces doing things imperfectly or not doing things at all. Intended to be read over one month (28 days technically), each five to six-minute chapter touches on a common “first world problem” and gives some insight into embracing it — or not.

Why does this book beguile? Burkeman authored the aforementioned book, Four Thousand Weeks and I was excited to get my hands on this advanced reader copy. Both books focus on an area most people ignore: editing.

In a world driven by consumerism, trends and fads, and two-day shipping, Burkeman takes a bold approach by encouraging readers to do more by doing less. Focus on the things that really matter and what moves the needle in your life. Some of the daily passages are packed with good info, some I felt I could skip. You’ll feel differently based on your life. That’s what makes this book so lovely!

I was such a huge fan of Four Thousand Weeks and this is a perfect companion to that. This title touches on some similar themes to Four Thousand Weeks, but in regard to meditation. I love Burkeman's approach to time management and productivity, so I was really excited to see his ideas put into practice in another application, in this case being meditation. This book is meant to be followed over a 28 day period, with a chapter for each day, the book being divided into four parts. It focuses on: Being Finite, Taking Action, Letting Go, and Showing Up. As with Four Thousands Weeks, Burkeman makes getting into the habit of daily meditation accessible, relatable, and achievable. He stresses that the most important part is just showing up and that it's okay if that doesn't happen every single day. This book is great for those who enjoyed Burkeman's previous titles, as well as though looking for a more forgiving approach to habit building.

My advice: read this book and consider revisiting it every six months or annually. It reminded me of what it truly means to be human—the universal experiences of striving, perfection, productivity, grief... really, all of it!

I cringe at the label "Self Help" because this book is so much more. I tried to follow Burkeman's suggestion of reading a section a day. Some days I missed, and other days I read more than one section. Talk about embracing imperfection! Read it however you like—just make sure you do. You’ll likely want a highlighter handy, as it's packed with wisdom and insight.

Full disclosure: I’m a big fan of Oliver Burkeman’s Four Thousand Weeks, and his email list is definitely worth subscribing to. Thanks to NetGalley for the early copy of this exceptional work!

Great insights into basic meditations — both on life and actual meditation. Loved his last book and this one is decidedly different.

I’ve previously read two books by Oliver Burkeman: The Antidote: Happiness for People Who Can’t Stand Positive Thinking (an anti-self-help treatise) and Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals (which urges us to maintain perspective on what’s important in our short lives). Both are just great! Like the previous two books, Meditations for Mortals helps us to pay attention to what’s important in our lives and, in particular, to embrace imperfection as a way of living fully, living one’s best life. And the book is very much about developing a meaningful practice in whatever sphere or activity or creativity calls you.

The title of the current volume says a lot. These are meditations for mortals — that is, for people who have finite lives and limited time, who will never accomplish everything they want, or become the superstars of their fantasies. Oh, I guess that includes just about every one of us.

The book is divided into four sections titled Being Finite, Taking Action, Letting Go, and Showing Up. Showing up is the most important step to getting anything done. These comprise 28 short chapters, or meditations, one for each of 28 days, if you care to read it that way. It’s probably a good idea to read one meditation a day and let it sink in. Or even to spread them out over a longer span, taking time to actually meditate on the subject and think deeply about how it relates to one’s own attitudes, behaviors, and life. I admit that I read it through, at least for a first read, much more quickly, but with many notes and bookmarks to chapters of special interest to me.

While Burkeman’s ideas were familiar to me, I picked up several good strategies that I intend to focus on in my own life. For instance, in the first section, I love the idea of a “Done List,” instead of a “To Do List.” Think of how much better it will make you feel to check off what you’ve done, instead of obsessing over the impossibly long list of all you want to do. In section two, I was especially drawn to the importance of finishing things — but with a realistic conception of when something is finished. That is, break large tasks down into smaller, discrete steps that can be more easily finished than an entire multi-stage project. I also love the idea of a “dailyish” routine, rather than a daily one. This way, you get all the benefits of a regular practice but don’t have to beat yourself up for missing a day or two each week.

And I love the idea of pursuing quantity over quality. Yes, yes, a thousand times yes. This is the most valuable takeaway for me. I’m resolved to go directly to my study and paint 10 paintings — quickly, freely, badly if need be — instead of laboring over one. Laboring just results in something that looks labored. Just paint, or write or document ideas for your business plan or cook — but first, fire your inner quality controller. Often, writes Burkeman, “the way to have the best ideas, and to produce the best work, is to develop an ability to forget about trying to control the quality of your output. And the easiest way to do that is to focus on quantity instead.” Quantity overpowers perfectionism. Whatever it is that you want to do well, first do it badly. Just do it and be sure to have a blast while you’re at it.

I’ve seen this book characterized as “Religion & Spirituality” (I don’t get that) and/or “Self-Help.” But oh, it is so much more. This book is a compact course in philosophy — a philosophy of life that any mortal can relate to and benefit from. A wonderful book to read and reread. Keep it on your nightstand.

I’m grateful to the publisher, Farrar, Straus and Giroux, and to NetGalley for an advance reader copy of this book. The book will be released on October 8, 2024.

“Meditations for Mortals” by Oliver Burkeman is the kind of talking-to many of us (well, I) need. No, you can’t do it all/be it all/have it all — get over yourself. Life is finite, so instead of being busy for the sake of busyness, slow down and think about what you actually want and need. Perhaps let go of some old goals, do less, and stop trying to be perfect. The book is laid out in an essay-a-day format, and each offers practical tools and ways to think about productivity, decision-making, and embracing our limitations, all on the way to living the life we really want.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

I am really enjoying working my way through this book. Useful insights, new angles from which to view our minds. A great addition to the mindfulness bookshelf

In four thousand weeks, Oliver Burkeman told us that life is finite and that since we’re all going to die at some point, we should stop trying so hard to be productive. Yeah he’s optimistic like that. Meditation for mortals is the perfect companion to that book. Here Oliver expends on the idea that in the grand scheme of things, stuff that we think is so incredibly important is probably not in reality.

I love the format of this book (and I really want a physical copy now, so that I can keep it on my bedside table), there’s a chapter for every day and it’s like a course that lasts a month. A course that will teach you to do less, which is not something we see that often.

That book was obviously written for me and all the people pleaser perfectionists of the world (spoiler : trying to do it all won’t make us happier) and while I don’t see how to make my brain believe it’s a good idea, there are a few things that I really want to start doing : treat your to do list as a menu, treat your to read list as a river not a bucket, work on caring less about others (people you know and what people are doing around the world), learn to let distraction happens and stop trying to plan every single minute of your day (this one hits hard).

Also the author mentions Studio 60 (the tv show) to illustrate a point which makes it a fantastic book : everyone should watch that show.