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I Didn't Do the Thing Today: Letting Go of Productivity Guilt
How to release productivity guilt and embrace the hidden values in our daily lives.
Any given day brings a never-ending list of things to do. There’s the work thing, the catch-up thing, the laundry thing, the creative thing, the exercise thing, the family thing, the thing we don’t want to do, and the thing we’ve been putting off, despite it being the most important thing. Even on days when we get a lot done, the thing left undone can leave us feeling guilty, anxious, or disappointed.
After five years of searching for the secret to productivity, Madeleine Dore discovered there isn’t one. Instead, we’re being set up to fail. I Didn’t Do the Thing Today is the inspiring call to take productivity off its pedestal—by dismantling our comparison to others, aspirational routines, and the unrealistic notions of what can be done in a day, we can finally embrace the joyful messiness and unpredictability of life.
For anyone who has ever felt the pressure to do more, be more, achieve more, this antidote to our doing-obsession is the permission slip we all need to find our own way.
Any given day brings a never-ending list of things to do. There’s the work thing, the catch-up thing, the laundry thing, the creative thing, the exercise thing, the family thing, the thing we don’t want to do, and the thing we’ve been putting off, despite it being the most important thing. Even on days when we get a lot done, the thing left undone can leave us feeling guilty, anxious, or disappointed.
After five years of searching for the secret to productivity, Madeleine Dore discovered there isn’t one. Instead, we’re being set up to fail. I Didn’t Do the Thing Today is the inspiring call to take productivity off its pedestal—by dismantling our comparison to others, aspirational routines, and the unrealistic notions of what can be done in a day, we can finally embrace the joyful messiness and unpredictability of life.
For anyone who has ever felt the pressure to do more, be more, achieve more, this antidote to our doing-obsession is the permission slip we all need to find our own way.
304 pages, Hardcover
Published January 11, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 301 reviews
January 13, 2022
A nice but not groundbreaking addition in the emerging "anti-productivity" genre.
See also (in order from best to worst; the author cites several of these in this book as well):
- Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman (5/5 stars)
- Can't Even: How Millennials Became the Burnout Generation by Anne Helen Petersen (4/5 stars)
- A World Without Email: Reimagining Work in an Age of Communication Overload by Cal Newport (3/5 stars)
- Laziness Does Not Exist by Devon Price (2/5 stars)
- Niksen: Embracing the Dutch Art of Doing Nothing by Olga Mecking (2/5 stars)
- How to Do Nothing: Resisting the Attention Economy by Jennifer Odell (2/5 stars)
Obviously the "pro-productivity" genre contains its share of gems, doozies, and lots in between as well. I'm glad we're now having both sides of that conversation.
See also (in order from best to worst; the author cites several of these in this book as well):
- Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman (5/5 stars)
- Can't Even: How Millennials Became the Burnout Generation by Anne Helen Petersen (4/5 stars)
- A World Without Email: Reimagining Work in an Age of Communication Overload by Cal Newport (3/5 stars)
- Laziness Does Not Exist by Devon Price (2/5 stars)
- Niksen: Embracing the Dutch Art of Doing Nothing by Olga Mecking (2/5 stars)
- How to Do Nothing: Resisting the Attention Economy by Jennifer Odell (2/5 stars)
Obviously the "pro-productivity" genre contains its share of gems, doozies, and lots in between as well. I'm glad we're now having both sides of that conversation.
February 22, 2022
One star because Dore needs an editor. This thing is 3x as long as it needs to be, and a solid quarter of it seems to be quotes and explenations of quotes. There's not really a narrative or any sort of story.
BUT! A bonus star because it gave me the strength and inner peace to Let Go of Productivity Guilt and stop reading halfway through. I'm still going to mark as complete because this is my life and i make the rules.
BUT! A bonus star because it gave me the strength and inner peace to Let Go of Productivity Guilt and stop reading halfway through. I'm still going to mark as complete because this is my life and i make the rules.
January 22, 2022
2.5 ⭐️ rounded up, i liked the concept but if i got one more quote i was going to throw my phone
March 19, 2022
I didn't finish the book today, nor any other day;
Empty rhetoric is redundant to sway.
Gathered aspects to say, scant pages can weigh.
Readers of literature play;
non-readers grab this book to pray.
Empty rhetoric is redundant to sway.
Gathered aspects to say, scant pages can weigh.
Readers of literature play;
non-readers grab this book to pray.
February 9, 2022
Boy oh boy did I hate this.
If I had a quarter for every time the author uses the words, “we,” “our,” or “us,” I could live off that for a few months.
I so appreciate the premise, and I was ready to love this book. I was picturing a more practical Laziness Does Not Exist, and while it gave those vibes, it did not live up to them. It just felt like a word salad. At first, I thought it was me, I thought when I got out of quarantine I would enjoy reading it again, but nope, by the end I was skipping each chapter as soon as it became the exact same thing the previous chapter had been. “When we x to y, we often miss z or T, and if the T is x, then we realize we must y.” Some version of that was repeated countless times. I just. I don’t understand. I feel so bad because at the beginning, it sounded like the author had put a lot of research into it and interviewed a lot of people, but that didn’t seem to pan out.
If I had a quarter for every time the author uses the words, “we,” “our,” or “us,” I could live off that for a few months.
I so appreciate the premise, and I was ready to love this book. I was picturing a more practical Laziness Does Not Exist, and while it gave those vibes, it did not live up to them. It just felt like a word salad. At first, I thought it was me, I thought when I got out of quarantine I would enjoy reading it again, but nope, by the end I was skipping each chapter as soon as it became the exact same thing the previous chapter had been. “When we x to y, we often miss z or T, and if the T is x, then we realize we must y.” Some version of that was repeated countless times. I just. I don’t understand. I feel so bad because at the beginning, it sounded like the author had put a lot of research into it and interviewed a lot of people, but that didn’t seem to pan out.
August 14, 2023
4.5 stars
This was such a nice, kind and uplifting read. I Didn't Do the Thing Today is a thoroughly researched and well argumented book about how our constant worry about time, and guilt over not doing things are taking over our thoughts. The guilt is so much worse than the actual not-doing-of-the-thing, and Madeleine Dore breaks down the issue with empathy. As a chronic procrastinator and an anxious mess, this was very useful for me.
I listened to the audiobook, but I'm now intrigued to buy the print copy so that I can return to it on those inevitable evenings when I just feel angry at myself for not meeting my own, outrageous expectations.
This was such a nice, kind and uplifting read. I Didn't Do the Thing Today is a thoroughly researched and well argumented book about how our constant worry about time, and guilt over not doing things are taking over our thoughts. The guilt is so much worse than the actual not-doing-of-the-thing, and Madeleine Dore breaks down the issue with empathy. As a chronic procrastinator and an anxious mess, this was very useful for me.
I listened to the audiobook, but I'm now intrigued to buy the print copy so that I can return to it on those inevitable evenings when I just feel angry at myself for not meeting my own, outrageous expectations.
February 13, 2022
This book uses so many quotes from people. It's more of collection of quotes with 50% author translation than a book.
There are some good quotes in there.
I do like the sentiment of wobbling. I envision like wobbling forward like a bicycle between productivity and rest.
There are some good quotes in there.
I do like the sentiment of wobbling. I envision like wobbling forward like a bicycle between productivity and rest.
January 14, 2022
I included this release in my book feature for the January 2022 issues of Naples, Johns Creek, Buckhaven, and Alpharetta Lifestyles magazines
Do you struggle to complete a never-ending daily list of tasks? Do you push yourself to do more and more, but somehow no matter what you accomplish, you still feel disappointed and guilty at the end of the day? Do you think you should always be doing more because there is always more to do? Wondering how other people seemed to have it all figured out, Madeleine Dore spent five years interviewing people she admired in an attempt to uncover their secrets for being more productive, successful, and prolific. She learned there isn't a perfect recipe for getting things done, the ideal routine that maximizes every minute of the day is a myth, and constantly holding ourselves to unattainable daily standards is simply exhausting us. In I Didn't Do the Thing Today: Letting Go of Productivity Guilt, Dore shares many of the insights she gleaned from her interviews in order to help us stop comparing ourselves to others, to become more realistic about our expectations, and overcome our constant worry about wasted time. Letting go of your productivity guilt and embracing the unexpected creative moments that each day brings you can broaden your definition of a day well spent, bringing deep connection and fulfillment to your daily life.
Come chat with me about books here, too:
Blog | Instagram | Twitter | Pinterest
Do you struggle to complete a never-ending daily list of tasks? Do you push yourself to do more and more, but somehow no matter what you accomplish, you still feel disappointed and guilty at the end of the day? Do you think you should always be doing more because there is always more to do? Wondering how other people seemed to have it all figured out, Madeleine Dore spent five years interviewing people she admired in an attempt to uncover their secrets for being more productive, successful, and prolific. She learned there isn't a perfect recipe for getting things done, the ideal routine that maximizes every minute of the day is a myth, and constantly holding ourselves to unattainable daily standards is simply exhausting us. In I Didn't Do the Thing Today: Letting Go of Productivity Guilt, Dore shares many of the insights she gleaned from her interviews in order to help us stop comparing ourselves to others, to become more realistic about our expectations, and overcome our constant worry about wasted time. Letting go of your productivity guilt and embracing the unexpected creative moments that each day brings you can broaden your definition of a day well spent, bringing deep connection and fulfillment to your daily life.
Come chat with me about books here, too:
Blog | Instagram | Twitter | Pinterest
August 18, 2022
4.5⭐️
• self help for type a friends
• inspiring, practical, gently encouraging
• lots to ponder, underline, and return to
Reminded me of:
The Art of Making Memories by Meik Wiking
Howevers:
• maybe TOO many words of wisdom from famous folks / experts at certain points (sometimes disrupted the flow and there’s only so many deep, incredible thoughts a person can process on a page)
Lines I underlined:
“Our days don’t need to be optimized but simply occupied - that is, lived in, tended to, renewed.”
“We don’t have to make grand creative gestures to find poetry in our daily lives.”
“Perhaps instead of filling time, we can inspect whether what we fill it with creates a sense of fulfillment.”
“Sometimes we have to let go of what we want to be in favor of what we are becoming.”
• self help for type a friends
• inspiring, practical, gently encouraging
• lots to ponder, underline, and return to
Reminded me of:
The Art of Making Memories by Meik Wiking
Howevers:
• maybe TOO many words of wisdom from famous folks / experts at certain points (sometimes disrupted the flow and there’s only so many deep, incredible thoughts a person can process on a page)
Lines I underlined:
“Our days don’t need to be optimized but simply occupied - that is, lived in, tended to, renewed.”
“We don’t have to make grand creative gestures to find poetry in our daily lives.”
“Perhaps instead of filling time, we can inspect whether what we fill it with creates a sense of fulfillment.”
“Sometimes we have to let go of what we want to be in favor of what we are becoming.”
February 25, 2022
For my first book about productivity guilt, I found this to be very well researched book, with a lot of references to other very successful people.
There are definitely gems of reminders that we can only accomplish so much in a day and sometimes we need to accept we cannot do it all.
There are definitely gems of reminders that we can only accomplish so much in a day and sometimes we need to accept we cannot do it all.
January 5, 2023
This book felt like a hug. Beyond being thought-provoking and well-organized, it gets bonus points for not making up a new word every page (like most self-help books) and instead relying on well-established terms. I checked this one out from the library, but I think I'll get my own copy!
March 20, 2022
i loved this book and think anyone would get some kind of wisdom out of it. i'm a hugely productive person, well-read and also a curious learner. it's the book i wish i wrote myself and yet i'm glad dore has already put this out into the world. and what an inviting and gorgeous cover!
and i'll have to say i'm baffled by some of the harsh reviews - it seems like there's frustration about the incorporation of quotes and pulling together other information - the desire for listicles and shortform over a book? a comparison of other self-help and work-related books. i don't get it. in fact, i read a lot in the working better genre and hearing the same ol' case studies can get to me, too (it's almost like every author feels like they discovered growth mindset!) i appreciated how dore made sure not to belabor these examples and just touched on them as practical strategies instead.
onto what i enjoyed! the author is straight about what this book is, which is why i find reading introductions immensely important. she cares about the topic herself and spends a few years interviewing creatives to gain understanding on what works and how creatives find value in their days/weeks/years/lives. she's not proclaiming herself as a productivity or unproductivity expert - she's more of an explorer... the term 'day artist' didn't jive with me, but otherwise i found myself smiling and nodding as i turned the pages. she pulls quotes from so many authors and interviewees, with many unexpected voices. in fact, i always have 3 or 4 books i'm reading at a time and i felt tickled that she quoted brandon sanderson, since i just finished rhythm of war - a serious fantasy book and so different from this one.
i don't think every book written needs to offer a revelation. writing books is about offering perspective, news ways of seeing things and expanding our worldviews. in this way, i didn't do the thing really ticks the boxes. i'd meander through the book like you might do when hiking outdoors, letting your attention settle on whatever captures it. in the same way, you might explore news ways of looking at how your spending your time, where you place your focus and most importantly, how you treat yourself and others. i believe any person reading the book in this way will encounter ways to feel more meaning, focus, grace and appreciation in life.
and i'll have to say i'm baffled by some of the harsh reviews - it seems like there's frustration about the incorporation of quotes and pulling together other information - the desire for listicles and shortform over a book? a comparison of other self-help and work-related books. i don't get it. in fact, i read a lot in the working better genre and hearing the same ol' case studies can get to me, too (it's almost like every author feels like they discovered growth mindset!) i appreciated how dore made sure not to belabor these examples and just touched on them as practical strategies instead.
onto what i enjoyed! the author is straight about what this book is, which is why i find reading introductions immensely important. she cares about the topic herself and spends a few years interviewing creatives to gain understanding on what works and how creatives find value in their days/weeks/years/lives. she's not proclaiming herself as a productivity or unproductivity expert - she's more of an explorer... the term 'day artist' didn't jive with me, but otherwise i found myself smiling and nodding as i turned the pages. she pulls quotes from so many authors and interviewees, with many unexpected voices. in fact, i always have 3 or 4 books i'm reading at a time and i felt tickled that she quoted brandon sanderson, since i just finished rhythm of war - a serious fantasy book and so different from this one.
i don't think every book written needs to offer a revelation. writing books is about offering perspective, news ways of seeing things and expanding our worldviews. in this way, i didn't do the thing really ticks the boxes. i'd meander through the book like you might do when hiking outdoors, letting your attention settle on whatever captures it. in the same way, you might explore news ways of looking at how your spending your time, where you place your focus and most importantly, how you treat yourself and others. i believe any person reading the book in this way will encounter ways to feel more meaning, focus, grace and appreciation in life.
May 31, 2022
3.5 ⭐️ a brilliant read! This is exactly what I needed to read to validate my fear of never being productive enough - recommend!
December 14, 2022
It is what you’d expect it to be.
March 8, 2024
A delight to listen to as an audiobook while moving slowly through difficult days. Lots of books have been published around this theme of challenging productivity culture in recent years, but this is the first I "read" cover to cover. It is a gentle reflection on what makes our lives meaningful, and a comforting salve for anyone who is feeling a bit lost or unable to live up to the standards of productivity that we (and/due to societal norms) set for ourselves. While not every single suggestion resonated or felt like it would fit for me, there are certainly interesting actionable tips here (though I do think they are more actionable for those with financial security and/or working a job with flexible working hours, than those in an office 9-5 or working on minimum wage, for example). Overall, for me personally, the overall message is very valuable, and specific chapters (especially those comparison, busyness, denial of limitation, discipline and perfection - lol just listed about half the book) addressed me in ways that assured me I'm not alone.
November 7, 2023
یه کتاب درباره مشغله روزانه که دغدغه این روزهای خیلی از افراده.
انتظار داشتم اصولیتر باشه و راهکارهای عملی بده اما بیشتر تجربیات نویسنده یا نقلقولهای افراد دیگهس که خب جملات قشنگی داشت بهخصوص صفحات آخر کتاب.
عواملی که مانع رسیدن به برنامه درست میشن رو نام برده و در آخر به این نتیجه رسیده بود که اشکالی نداره اگه به همه کارهامون نرسیدیم و مهم لذت بردن از لحظههاست.
انتظار داشتم اصولیتر باشه و راهکارهای عملی بده اما بیشتر تجربیات نویسنده یا نقلقولهای افراد دیگهس که خب جملات قشنگی داشت بهخصوص صفحات آخر کتاب.
عواملی که مانع رسیدن به برنامه درست میشن رو نام برده و در آخر به این نتیجه رسیده بود که اشکالی نداره اگه به همه کارهامون نرسیدیم و مهم لذت بردن از لحظههاست.
February 12, 2024
Really lovely and soothing and genuinely helpful! I've seen so many reviews talking about how this book has far too many quotes in it, but I found the quotes made for a really thoughtful, meandering path through Dore's advice and experiences. I listened to this as an audiobook and really enjoyed dipping in and out of it based on the themed chapters, and would go back and get this as a physical copy to keep better track of the different strategies and suggestions. I found it a bit difficult at times when so many ideas had their caveats and that made listening to it at times frustrating, but that was mostly towards the start and when I got into the flow I could let myself enjoy things just being rather than being THE ANSWER. Liked it.
September 18, 2023
While this book wasn’t completely life-changing, it was a good read that did inspire me to shift my thinking on productivity. I listened to the audiobook while doing my daily “chores”, and that alone really boosted my productivity. I think our society values productivity more than happiness and this book addresses that for sure. I enjoyed the snippets of advice from people the author has interviewed. I liked that the book wasn’t about “how to be more productive”, but rather how to prioritize a life well lived. Would recommend!
May 2, 2022
I love the way Dore begins and ends her book:
I didn't do the thing today.
I didn't rise before seven. I didn't change.
I didn't pen lines of stream of consciousness.
I didn't take my time with a purposeful ritual.
I didn't diligently complete my tasks.
I didn't move stridently around the park.
I didn't write. I didn't start; I didn't finish.
I didn't achieve; I didn't progress.
And it didn't matter. For doing the thing today
Isn't the measure of the day.
I didn't do the thing today.
I didn't lament how the hours unfolded.
I didn't worry about wasted time.
I didn't allow my expectations to spoil what I have.
I didn't compare myself to others.
I didn't dwell in the undone.
I didn't strive; I didn't try to be perfect.
And it mattered. Because in all that I didn't do
I found my own measure of the day.
I didn't do the thing today.
I didn't rise before seven. I didn't change.
I didn't pen lines of stream of consciousness.
I didn't take my time with a purposeful ritual.
I didn't diligently complete my tasks.
I didn't move stridently around the park.
I didn't write. I didn't start; I didn't finish.
I didn't achieve; I didn't progress.
And it didn't matter. For doing the thing today
Isn't the measure of the day.
I didn't do the thing today.
I didn't lament how the hours unfolded.
I didn't worry about wasted time.
I didn't allow my expectations to spoil what I have.
I didn't compare myself to others.
I didn't dwell in the undone.
I didn't strive; I didn't try to be perfect.
And it mattered. Because in all that I didn't do
I found my own measure of the day.
January 24, 2022
I liked this book, but not as much as I thought I would. It did what it promised, but it's not groundbreaking. There were lovely bits and helpful reminders to slow down, be kind, and be flexible. And I loved to read about a few different routines. But I missed something actionable or some kind of self-reflective practice that would help me to get this perspective to posterity. However, I recommend it, especially if you haven't read many or any anti-productivity books.
March 16, 2022
An anti self help book. Basically do whatever you want.
June 20, 2022
The 3.5 star pep talk I needed to hear, especially during this season of my life.
July 20, 2022
not going to be a one stop fix but it was some help. agree with other reviewers that the page count could be halved without the real message being lost.
June 10, 2022
2.5 It was fine? She interviewed several interesting people and there’s maybe a small quote similar to quotes you’ve seen elsewhere included in the book. She tried so hard to take her personal and generalize it but the intensely personal would have been more useful and interesting. So many of these let go and let breathe pieces of advice are just kept in the abstract when what would also be useful is “here’s how you set the boundary even if you haven’t done it before start now…” glad I borrowed it from the library.
April 12, 2023
Endless quotations does not a book make! I also just find a source of endless frustration when authors make an active choice to name drop- and even more so when the name dropping comes from situations and interviews they weren’t even involved with.
That said, I do think there is value in the kindness facet of this book, and in the facet that discusses being a better person to oneself. That is a perpetual struggle- but I would have appreciated more from the author herself on the subjects rather than every man and his dog!
That said, I do think there is value in the kindness facet of this book, and in the facet that discusses being a better person to oneself. That is a perpetual struggle- but I would have appreciated more from the author herself on the subjects rather than every man and his dog!
August 13, 2023
I found this quite repetitive and eventually gave up. It was all: As x said in y book, insert some aphorism here. It was very superficial. For stuff on a similar topic but on a deeper level, read Four Thousand Weeks.
February 14, 2024
This was lovely. Truly one of the best "productivity" books I've read in a while. I adore how Madeleine speaks about what makes up our days and shows a much more positive way to look at time management.
March 14, 2024
A new favorite for me! I nodded along with all Madeleine's wisdom around slowing down and doing less in the name of creativity. I look forward to reading this one again and again!
February 1, 2022
I read this book with the hope of letting go of productivity guilt. I wasn't persuaded. I was also amazed how Dore was able to write a whole book on this topic. She did a podcast, interviewing a lot of artists about their rituals. The book included references to some of those interviews, but focused more on her generalizations from that experience. I would have that this would have made it stronger. But I would have liked more detail about her interviews.
One idea that I liked very much was from David Cain. "What if, for a whole year, you stopped acquiring new things or taking on new persuits. Instead, you return to abandoned projects, stalled hobbies, unread books, and other neglected intentions, and go deeper with them than you ever have before." This is like what I usually do for Lent, but on steroids. I'm not sure I could do it for a whole year, but I am inspired to try it for Lent. Though I'm already listing exceptions.
I hoped this book would change my approach to life. It did not.
One idea that I liked very much was from David Cain. "What if, for a whole year, you stopped acquiring new things or taking on new persuits. Instead, you return to abandoned projects, stalled hobbies, unread books, and other neglected intentions, and go deeper with them than you ever have before." This is like what I usually do for Lent, but on steroids. I'm not sure I could do it for a whole year, but I am inspired to try it for Lent. Though I'm already listing exceptions.
I hoped this book would change my approach to life. It did not.
July 10, 2022
As others have noted, it's not particularly groundbreaking, but there are some noteworthy takeaways from it, if you can slog through all of the quotes. I understand that this book stemmed from the author's interviews with people in many different fields, but some of the quotes from TV shows and movies didn't seem necessary. It made it read like an academic paper, with the appropriate quote coming after the statement to justify it. It also took 10 chapters for her to acknowledge that capitalism plays a large part in why we might not have done the thing today, and only barely touched on the fact that many people with lesser means do not have the luxury of implementing a lot of the strategies that she talks about in this book, although that wasn't the kind of depth that I expected this book to get into, so perhaps that's an unfair assessment. Additionally (and this is probably nitpicking), the word "infallible" was used incorrectly a few times in the book when I believe she meant to talk about the fallibility of humans, and that was confusing.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 301 reviews