Oliver Burkeman: Why Embracing Imperfection is the Secret to a Better Life
Update: 2025-10-09
Description
Chrissy sits down with Oliver Burkeman, author of Meditations for Mortals to explore why the obsession with “finally getting everything done” is a trap. Burkeman explains how embracing imperfection and accepting our limits can help us stop chasing control, start finishing things imperfectly, and actually live with more presence and ease.
Five Key Takeaways:
- The Finish Line Myth: The to-do list will never be empty—your job isn’t to “catch up,” but to choose the next thing that matters.
- Imperf-Perfectionism: Starting and finishing something—messy or not—is better than waiting until it’s perfect.
- Small, Realistic Goals: Swap “do it perfectly” for “do it regularly” (like 20 minutes of writing or one load of laundry).
- Three Good Hours: Most of us only have three focused hours a day—use them for what matters most, and let the rest be messy.
- Celebrate Done, Not Perfect: Keep a “done list,” make small decisions to move forward, and see problems as part of real life—not signs of failure.
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