Why Self-Improvement Is Holding You Back | Oliver Burkeman

03/03/25 • 78 min

Oliver Burkeman joins us to explore the power of imperfectionism and why waiting for the “perfect moment” is a trap. We discuss how perfectionism, productivity myths, and self-improvement frameworks can hold us back—and why embracing uncertainty is the key to doing meaningful work. Whether you’re looking to improve daily habits or rethink your approach to time and purpose, this conversation will inspire you to take action despite life’s inevitable messiness.

Topics

[00:00] Introduction & Why We Wait for the Perfect Moment

[4:15] Meet Oliver Burkeman: Author of Meditations for Mortals

[9:40] The Illusion of Control & The Productivity Trap

[15:30] What “Imperfectionism” Really Means

[22:45] Why Life Isn’t a Problem to Be Solved

[30:10] How Small Actions Create Big Meaning

[38:00] The Power of Letting Go & Taking the First Step

[45:50] Oliver’s Music Picks & The Importance of Everyday Moments

[1:00:00] Grooving Session: Final Takeaways & How to Apply This Philosophy Today

Links

Oliver Burkeman

Meditations for Mortals: Four Weeks to Embrace Your Limitations and Make Time for What Counts

Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals

Join the Behavioral Grooves community

Subscribe to Behavioral Grooves on YouTube

Musical Links

The Divine Comedy - To The Rescue

Fountains of Wayne - Someone To Love

Lin Manuel Miranda - Surface Pressure

Topics

[00:00] Introduction & Why We Wait for the Perfect Moment

[4:15] Meet Oliver Burkeman: Author of Meditations for Mortals

[9:40] The Illusion of Control & The Productivity Trap

[15:30] What “Imperfectionism” Really Means

[22:45] Why Life Isn’t a Problem to Be Solved

[30:10] How Small Actions Create Big Meaning

[38:00] The Power of Letting Go & Taking the First Step

[45:50] Oliver’s Music Picks & The Importance of Everyday Moments

[1:00:00] Grooving Session: Final Takeaways & How to Apply This Philosophy Today

Links

Oliver Burkeman

Meditations for Mortals: Four Weeks to Embrace Your Limitations and Make Time for What Counts

Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals

Join the Behavioral Grooves community

Subscribe to Behavioral Grooves on YouTube

Musical Links

The Divine Comedy - To The Rescue

Fountains of Wayne - Someone To Love

Lin Manuel Miranda - Surface Pressure

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Groove Jams: What's Your Vice?

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Except for Tim, who somehow avoids the question.

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Topics

[00:00] Introduction to Melody Wilding

[01:15] Redefining Managing Up: What It Really Means

[02:52] The 10 Conversations That Matter Most at Work

[04:47] How You Teach People How to Treat You

[10:32] Communication Styles: The Key to Navigating Workplace Dynamics

[22:25] The Money Conversation: How to Ask for a Raise the Right Way

[28:15] How to Push Back Diplomatically on Low-Value Tasks

[33:50] The Role of Visibility and Navigating Office Politics

[41:58] The "Me Manual": Understanding & Asserting Your Own Style

[50:16] Finding Your Groove: Melody's Career Journey

[57:35] Grooving Session: Managing Up