Take It Bird by Bird

Breaking down tasks into manageable steps is essential for overcoming challenges. The story illustrates the importance of addressing overwhelming projects piece by piece, as demonstrated by a father's advice to tackle a term paper by focusing on one bird at a time. This approach not only alleviates feelings of anxiety but also encourages steady progress. Emphasizing incremental learning and execution parallels the concept of navigating through life or writing, akin to driving at night with limited visibility. This method fosters patience and clarity, making daunting objectives achievable through consistent small actions.

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Episode notes

This episode is a two-for-one, and that’s because the podcast recently hit its 10-year anniversary and passed one billion downloads. To celebrate, I’ve curated some of the best of the best—some of my favorites—from more than 700 episodes over the last decade. I could not be more excited. The episode features segments from episode #522 "Anne Lamott on Taming Your Inner Critic, Finding Grace, and Prayer" and #148: "Josh Waitzkin, The Prodigy Returns."

Please enjoy!

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Timestamps:

[00:00] Start

[04:49] Notes about this supercombo format.

[05:51] Enter Anne Lamott.

[06:21] What is it about Bird by Bird that has affected so many people so deeply?

[07:18] Where the title of Bird by Bird originated.

[09:40] How Neal Allen helps people tame (but not discard) their inner critic.

[10:45] Who controls the dial when you're tuned in to KFKD radio?

[11:51] How Anne recommends I pursue my fiction writing aspirations.

[12:37] The pros and cons of Anne's upbringing.

[19:08] What does being "spiritually fit" mean to Anne?

[24:40] How radical self-care became an imperative for Anne.