Moment 63 - How To Get Any Task Done: Oliver Burkeman

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The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett

This episode is titled:

Moment 63 - How To Get Any Task Done: Oliver Burkeman

Notable Quotes

"There's often a huge benefit in being willing to say, well, I'm going to work on this for a tiny amount of time today and I'm going to stop even if I'm on a roll."

"To really over the long haul be able to do something like writing I found requires that I have, acquire this ability for sort of dogged persistence."

Episode Summary

In this episode, the concept of radical incrementalism is introduced as a strategy for achieving productivity, particularly in difficult tasks like writing. The speaker argues that making incremental progress—working a little each day—yields better long-term results than attempting to accomplish large goals all at once. They reference research by psychologist Robert Boyce, who found that successful academics are those who incorporate writing as a consistent, manageable part of their daily routines instead of viewing it as an intimidating, all-consuming task.

The discussion also tackles the impact of deadlines on creativity and productivity. While acknowledging that deadlines can be crucial for pushing past perfectionism, the speaker emphasizes the importance of developing a sustainable work habit characterized by steady, incremental efforts. They share personal experiences of writing under tight deadlines and reflect on the necessity of persistence, arguing that it’s more effective in the long run than relying on the pressure of deadlines alone.

Key Takeaways

Incremental progress is often more effective than trying to achieve large goals at once.

Sustainable writing habits require a mindset shift from binge work to consistent, daily efforts.

Deadlines can be useful but developing persistence is key for long-term productivity.