Meditation for Mortals: A reminder to let go of hyper-productivity
I feel a little sheepish writing a book note on Meditation for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman. After all, the author himself gently nudges us not to make too much effort to retain what we read or put it into practice. If something truly strikes a chord, it’ll stick. There’s no need to wrestle it into your journal or turn it into a twelve-step plan.
Still… these are ideas that lingered, and they’ve quietly changed the way I approach my time, my expectations of self, and my definition of “progress.” So here’s a reflection not meant to capture every insight, but to honour the ones that stuck.
What is the big idea behind Meditation for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman?
At its heart, Meditation for Mortals is a gentle rebellion against hyper-productivity — the constant urge to optimise everything, stay in control, and squeeze the most out of every minute. It questions the belief that we can “hack” our way to meaning or efficiency, and reminds us that much of life’s richness doesn’t come from managing everything perfectly. Often, the good stuff shows up when we stop trying so hard and allow things to unfold, even if they’re a little unfinished or imperfect.
Rather than offering a new system or routine, the book quietly suggests that maybe we’ve been looking in the wrong place all along when it comes to productivity.
What are the key concepts that stayed with me?
There’s something comforting about the way this book offers up its insights, not as rules to follow, but as invitations to see things differently. These ideas especially resonated with me in this current season of life and work:
1. To-do lists are infinite — and that’s not a personal failure.
You’ll never reach the bottom of your to-do list. Not because you’re unproductive, but because life keeps moving. Rather than trying to “catch up,” choose to focus on a few meaningful tasks each day and let the rest wait. The list was never meant to be emptied.
2. A “done list” is more motivating than a “to-do list.”
Traditional to-do lists tend to emphasise what you haven’t done. A “done list” is more encouraging as it celebrates what you’ve completed, no matter how small. This helps you see forward motion rather than just chasing what’s next.
3. Finishing things is energy-giving, not energy draining
We often avoid finishing tasks because they feel daunting or because we’re aiming for perfection. But in reality, leaving things unfinished drains us. Progress, even messy, partial progress, frees up mental space and emotional energy.
4. Set quantity goals, not quality ones.
We’re conditioned to aim for perfection, but quality is often the byproduct of repetition. Set a goal based on quantity — “write three blog drafts,” “paint five quick sketches” — and trust that the good stuff will emerge along the way. The freedom to create without pressure often results in better work.
5. Treat your to-read pile as a river, not a bucket.
Most of us treat reading like a task to be completed: clear the backlog, finish the books, absorb all the ideas. But it’s more joyful to think of your reading list as an ever-flowing river. Let the stream that flows past you, from which you get to pick a few choice items, here and there, without feeling guilty for letting all the others float by.
6. Scruffy hospitality matters more than a spotless house.
We often delay inviting people over until everything is “ready” — the house tidy, the food impressive, the vibe perfect. But true hospitality doesn’t require perfection. It asks only that you are present and make space for connection. The warmth of welcome matters more than the state of your home.
Why the Book Resonated (and What It Helped Me Unlearn)
Reading this book felt like being gently tapped on the shoulder and told: “You can stop trying so hard.” Not in a way that encourages apathy, but in a way that relieves the constant pressure to optimise, perform, and keep up.
It helped me unlearn a few things I didn’t even realise I was holding onto:
“I can never finish everything” isn’t a flaw — it’s just reality.
Life is ongoing. There will always be more to do, more to read, more to fix. Choosing a few meaningful things each day is enough.
Retention isn’t the point of reading.
A book can shape me even if I don’t remember every quote or insight. The value is in how it shifts my thinking, not in how much I recall.
Being a good host doesn’t require a perfect home.
Scruffy hospitality counts. It’s less about having a spotless home and planning the perfect menu, and focus on what really matters: being present, sharing what you have, and having a good laugh around the table.
The act of finishing brings energy.
I used to avoid personal projects because they felt too big or unfinished. But now I’ve learned that even a small, scrappy version can be satisfying. Letting something go out into the world is energising in a way that perfectionism rarely is.
It reminded me that doing a few things with care and presence is better than trying to do everything perfectly.
How I’m applying this in my life and work
Here’s how these ideas are starting to take root in my everyday life and work.
→ Personal
Finish something small
For the longest time, personal projects (like crafting) felt like a mammoth task — like I needed to have the perfect plan, all the right materials, and a flawless end result before I could even begin. Now I try to scale back what “finished” means. Even a small, scrappy version counts. And finishing something, however imperfect, feels way better than letting it sit unfinished forever.
Host more, stress less.
I used to feel like everything had to be in place before having friends over, the house clean, the menu planned, the vibe just right. I’d even stress over finding a date that everyone in the group could make.
These days, I’m much more at ease with doing takeaway and focusing on what really matters: good company and unhurried conversation. And we don’t need full attendance every time. It’s far better to catch up in small groups more often than to wait a whole year for that one big gathering to work out.
→ Professional
Keep a “done list.”
At work, the to-do list never ends — no matter how many tasks I check off. I used to delete completed items straightaway, but that only left me feeling like I hadn’t done enough. Now I keep a simple “done list” to track what I have moved forward. It might sound small, but it’s been such a mindset shift. At the end of the day, I feel a quiet sense of progress — and that’s a far more encouraging way to close the laptop.
Set quantity goals for creative work.
Creative work can be paralysing when I focus too much on the end result. I used to stall on writing because I wanted everything to sound polished right from the start. Now, I set low-pressure, quantity-based goals. For example, instead “write a perfect blog post,” I now aim to “write two drafts per week”. It lowers the stakes and builds consistency, trusting that clarity and quality will follow with time and edits.
If This Resonated, Try This
You don’t need to overhaul your whole life to start living a little differently. Sometimes, it’s the gentlest shifts that make the biggest difference. Here are a few small ways to start applying what Meditation for Mortals nudges us toward:
Start a “done list”
At the end of the day, jot down three things you finished — no matter how small. A sent email, a call you’ve been meaning to make, folding the laundry. It’s a lovely way to end the day with a sense of movement instead of lack.
Host anyway
Don’t wait until your place is clean or everyone is free. Pick a date, order some takeaway, and open your doors. The best conversations rarely depend on the state of your cushions.
Read without pressure
Dip into a book that’s been on your shelf for ages — not because you “should,” but because you’re curious. Let yourself read for joy, not for retention.
Redefine what “finished” means
Got a personal project sitting around half-done? Try calling it “done for now” and see how that feels. Often, getting something out there — even imperfectly — is better than endlessly tweaking.
A Closing Thought on Meditation for Mortals
Meditation for Mortals doesn’t give you a step-by-step guide or a shiny new system. It simply reminds you — in the kindest way — that maybe you don’t need one. You don’t have to optimise every corner of your life to make it meaningful. You don’t need to do more to matter more.
Sometimes, the most radical thing you can do is to slow down, do a little less, and be fully present for the people and projects that actually matter to you.
Whether it’s finishing something small, hosting without the pressure, or just letting a book leave its quiet mark on you — it all counts.
And that’s enough.
If you’ve enjoyed this book note and want to explore more, we’ve shared why we’re starting a book notes series — along with a growing library of reflections on the books that are shaping how we think, work, and live.
Thank you for reading and learning with us!
