How I Work BEST OF: Want to make time for the things that count? Oliver Burkeman has your time management answers
21 snips
Jan 21, 2026 
Oliver Burkeman, a bestselling author and journalist known for exploring time management and productivity, shares his insights on making time for what truly matters. He discusses the power of embracing ease and breaking tasks into small, manageable actions. Worrying about the future? Oliver suggests scheduling future check-ins to alleviate the present stress. He also redefines to-do lists as menus and promotes keeping a 'done list' to celebrate accomplishments. Finally, he advocates for flexibility in planning to foster creativity and serendipity.
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Pick The Next Radically Doable Thing
- Focus on the very next small completable thing to make large projects feel doable.
- Break big tasks into radically doable steps and act on the next one now.
Allow Work To Be Easier Than You Assume
- Assume projects might be easier than you fear and repeatedly remind yourself of that possibility.
- Catch the physical tension that signals unnecessary struggle and step back to relax into the work.
Embrace Problems As Meaningful Work
- Problems are inevitable and often signal meaningful work rather than failure.
- Cultivate a taste for ongoing problems while keeping a clear direction and intuitive next steps.
