Why You’ll Never Get Your Sh*t Together — And Why That’s Good News

10% Happier podcast artwork

Host

Dan Harris

Guest

Oliver Burkeman, British journalist and author of Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals, Meditations for Mortals, and The Antidote

Originally aired: April 2024

Dan Harris revisits a conversation that has stayed with him about our tendency to believe we’ll finally relax once everything is organized, completed, and under control.

Oliver Burkeman offers an alternative he calls imperfectionism, an approach that accepts our limitations while encouraging us to take meaningful action anyway.

Key takeaways:

  • Embrace imperfectionism: Letting go of perfect control may be more empowering than it sounds.
  • Take the imperfect action: Small steps can matter more than waiting for the perfect plan.
  • Choose what deserves your attention: Accepting that you can’t care about everything can clarify what truly matters.
  • Make room for life’s problems: A meaningful life doesn’t require eliminating every difficulty first.

Ten Percent Happier with Dan Harris offers practical tools and expert conversations for a calmer, more mindful life. New Episodes air every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

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