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4.2 AVERAGE
4.2 AVERAGE
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
I agree with most of the author's message. Such as recognizing that it's not possible to accomplish everything on our to-do lists in the time we're given, that we have to choose to fail at some things so that we can spend our time doing other things. Mainly what I disagree with is in Chapter 13 when he says what you do with your life doesn't matter. This is a selfish way of viewing time that doesn't consider your impact on others and future generations.
But other than that I agree. Since the main message isn't about how to get more done, or prioritizing or anything, there's not a ton of key takeaways besides the 10 he lists in the appendix:
But other than that I agree. Since the main message isn't about how to get more done, or prioritizing or anything, there's not a ton of key takeaways besides the 10 he lists in the appendix:
- Keep 2 to-do lists, one "open" and one "closed." Limit the open list to 10 items, don't add more until you complete them, then move it to the closed list. OR use predetermined time limits to allocate how much time you're going to spend on something, thereby forcing you to really focus on it to get it done in time.
- Focus on one big project at a time (or 1 at work, 1 a home).
- Decide in advance what to fail at (e.g. not keeping a clean kitchen)
- Keep a "done list" each day and fill with whatever you accomplish, even as mundane as "brushed teeth." Small wins can be motivating.
- Consolidate how much of your time you spend on charity because there's an unlimited number you could care about but only so much time you have.
- Don't waste time on social media or scrolling. Make your tech unappealing to resist it.
- Pay more attention to every moment, however mundane: to find novelty not by doing radically different things but by plunging more deeply into the life you already have.
- When presented with a challenging or boring moment, try deliberately adopting an attitude of curiosity, in which your goal isn’t to achieve any particular outcome, or successfully explain your position, but “to figure out who this human being is that we’re with.”
- Act on impulses right away. Don't put something off because you're too busy to dedicate the time you think it deserves. It's better to send a quick half-hearted reply to a test or email than to put it off "until you have more time" and end up never responding.
- Practice doing nothing. Every time you notice you’re doing something—including thinking, or focusing on your breathing, or anything else—stop doing it. This can help you begin to regain your autonomy—to stop being motivated by the attempt to evade how reality feels here and now, to calm down, and to make better choices with your brief allotment of life.
I also liked his messages about not waiting for validation from others or until you feel you've mastered something to begin doing something. And for every significant decision in life, ask yourself “Does this choice diminish me (cause your soul to shrivel), or enlarge me (help you grow as a person)?”
There's also a lot of messages about being more present in the moment. This is what I liked the most about this book. I've really been feeling this on vacations when I try to do so much, sticking to an impossible schedule to see everything, that ultimately I feel like I didn't appreciate the things I saw in the moment. Similarly, I'm too busy taking a photo to actually look at it. In my past few trips I've forced myself to sit and observe. Forcing myself to slow down, to take in my surroundings has made me so much more present in the moment.
Overall this book doesn't tell you how to spend your time most productively, but instead invites the reader to be more selective about how/what they spend their time on by choosing things that matter the most to them, recognizing not everything can be done, and being more present when you do spend your time will lead to a more fulfilling life.
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
funny
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
challenging
hopeful
informative
This book invoked in me a profound sense of loneliness and gratitude. I find it especially valuable given our lives in the height of the attention economy. There is a passage that resonated hard enough to bring me to tears: "At the end of your life, looking back, whatever compelled your attention from moment to moment is simply what your life will have been. So when you pay attention to something you don't especially value, it's not an exaggeration to say that you're paying with your life." It was this articulation that finally pushed me to remove all of the distracting apps from my phone, and I have been nothing but better for it. There are many topics in this text of which I had an informal understanding, such as fear of missing out. However, this book really pushed me over the edge to stop waiting and take action during the only time that I could: during the present moment.
The past is unchangeable, and the future is uncertain. All we ever have is this moment right now.
For those that do not want to take the time read the book, any podcast appearances by the author should suffice.
The past is unchangeable, and the future is uncertain. All we ever have is this moment right now.
For those that do not want to take the time read the book, any podcast appearances by the author should suffice.
I can’t believe how much I love this book. Like others mentioned, it thwarts your expectations in the best way. I listened to the audiobook and am going to buy the ebook and reread this many times. Feels life changing.
This book changed my outlook on life. I want to reread this every year! What a beautiful thing to have a time management book that encourages you to slow down, do less, and appreciate the mundane vs preaching on how to do more with less time. What a great reminder to get off the hedonic treadmill and enjoy the finite time we have.
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced