August 8, 2024 • 16 mins
In this episode, ChatGPT and Trevor talk about the article “What would it mean to be done for the day?” from Oliver Burkeman’s The Imperfectionist newsletter.
We discuss Oliver’s concept of defining what it means to be “done for the day” then go over different ways you might answer the question. We end with a reminder of how important rest and renewal are for maintaining productivity, and how asking this question at the beginning of your day can help you more regularly achieve balance in your life.
Read other writings by Oliver Burkeman and subscribe to The Imperfectionist at https://www.oliverburkeman.com/
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Trevor (00:00):
Welcome to AI Meets Productivity,
(00:01):
your weekly podcast between myself,
Trevor Lohrbeer, a productivity expert
and ChatGPT, an artificial intelligence.
This week, we're going to be talking about an
article from all of Oliver Burkeman entitled,
"What would it mean to be done for the day?"
Welcome ChatGPT.
ChatGPT (00:19):
Thanks, Trevor.
It's great to be here.
This article by Oliver Burkeman really
dives into the importance of defining
what it means to be done for the day.
It's a crucial concept for managing our
productivity and overall Well, being.
Where should we start?
Trevor (00:35):
Well, why don't you just give a
summary of the article and we'll go from there.
ChatGPT (00:39):
Sure thing, Trevor.
Oliver Burkeman's article emphasizes the
importance of defining a clear end to our workday.
He suggests asking ourselves each morning,
what would it mean to be done for the day?
This question helps shift our focus from
trying to complete an endless list of tasks to
achieving a reasonable and satisfying endpoint.
(01:02):
Burkeman highlights that feeling perpetually
unfinished can lead to stress and procrastination.
By setting realistic daily goals and acknowledging
our limitations, we can avoid burnout and
increase our productivity in the long run.
He also draws a parallel to the concept of the
Sabbath, where stopping work is a deliberate act,
(01:22):
regardless of whether all tasks are completed.
This mindset allows us to appreciate the present
moment and manage our workload more effectively.
Trevor (01:31):
I think another thing he mentions is
this idea that as a knowledge workers, people
often have this endless list of tasks and
they don't really think of them as endless.
And they think, oh, I can get everything done
today when there's always more to be done.
And then that leads to stress, the things
that are undone, when you finish working.
ChatGPT (01:51):
Exactly, Trevor.
Burkeman points out that for knowledge
workers, it's easy to fall into the trap of
believing we can get everything done in a day.
When in reality, the work is never ending.
This misconception leads to stress and
frustration because we constantly feel like
there's more we should have accomplished.
By recognizing that the list of tasks is endless
(02:13):
and setting clear, achievable goals for the day,
we can alleviate that stress and finish our day
with a sense of completion and satisfaction.
Trevor (02:23):
So, what does he do?
How does he answer the question?
What would it mean to be done for the day?
ChatGPT (02:30):
Burkeman suggests that being
done for the day means reaching a
point where you feel finished, not
necessarily where all tasks are completed.
He recommends setting a realistic
definition of done based on your current
situation, energy levels, and commitments.
This could mean dedicating a certain number
of hours to your main project, completing
(02:51):
a few important tasks, and recognizing that
it's okay to leave some things for tomorrow.
The key is to shift the focus inward
and determine what you can reasonably
expect of yourself each day, allowing
you to feel a sense of accomplishment and
peace when you decide to stop working.
Trevor (03:09):
So let's dive in and talk a little bit
about a few strategies that are related to this.
So first we had the idea of the most
important task or most important tasks.
Sometimes people say, what are the top
three things you need to get done in a day.
And by creating that list, you're
creating the idea that once I'm finished
that list, that one to three items,
that I am done for the day in a sense.
(03:32):
Would you agree?
ChatGPT (03:34):
Absolutely, Trevor.
The concept of identifying your most important
tasks, or MITs, is a powerful strategy.
Focusing on one to three key tasks
each day can provide a clear sense
of direction and accomplishment.
By completing these MITs, you can feel a sense
of closure and satisfaction knowing that you've
tackled the most critical items on your list.
(03:54):
This approach helps manage the overwhelm
of endless tasks and reinforces the
idea that you can be done for the day
once these priorities are handled.
Trevor (04:03):
But Oliver points out is:
sometimes life gets in the way.
So you might create that list of
the three most important things, and
you're not able to get them done.
So also recognizing things like your
energy may not be appropriate to get
all those three things done for the day.
So there's this idea of recognizing where
our energy is as well and deciding, okay, I'm
(04:25):
done because I can't actually focus anymore.
ChatGPT (04:29):
Right, Trevor.
Burkeman emphasizes the importance
of being realistic about our
energy levels and circumstances.
It's crucial to acknowledge that some days we
might not complete our MITs due to unexpected
events or simply not having the energy.
Recognizing when we've reached our limit
and allowing ourselves to stop, even
if all tasks aren't finished, is key.
(04:52):
This approach helps us avoid burnout and
maintain productivity over the long term.
Trevor (04:57):
So the most important task
list is really about accomplishment.
But then we can also have what I would
call a commitment list, which is all
the tasks I might need to do today.
And some of those may not actually be
accomplishments, like, maybe I need to
do things like clean out my inbox, maybe
I need to pick up a package from Amazon.
And I have these tasks that I want to get done.
(05:19):
And so I add them into my daily
commitment list or my daily task list
as a way to try to get them done.
And so by accomplishing those, even if
they're not big scale accomplishments,
they're still something that you finish.
So I just want to distinguish between the
idea of using accomplishment as my criteria,
or finished X number of tasks as I criteria.
ChatGPT (05:42):
That's a great distinction, Trevor.
The most important task list focuses on
major accomplishments, while a commitment
list includes all the smaller, necessary
tasks that still need to get done.
Completing these smaller tasks can still
give us a sense of progress and completion.
Even if they aren't monumental
achievements, they're essential to
(06:02):
keeping everything running smoothly.
By finishing these, we can also feel a sense
of being done for the day, balancing both
major accomplishments and everyday commitments.
Trevor (06:14):
And I think another list that comes into
play there is if you have a Reduced Drag List and
an Increased Velocity List, which these are small
little tasks that will help reduce your average
stress level, reduce the drag in your life.
Maybe via automation or changing that light
bulb in the basement, that light just gives
you that little twinge of regret every
(06:35):
single time you go down to the basement.
So either by reducing drag or increasing
velocity through a series of small tasks, the
combination of tasks can be an accomplishment.
ChatGPT (06:47):
Absolutely, Trevor!
These reduced drag and increased
velocity lists are brilliant for
managing those small but impactful tasks.
By tackling these minor tasks, you reduce
daily stress and streamline your workflow.
Whether it's automating a repetitive task
or fixing that pesky lightbulb, these
small actions can significantly enhance
your overall productivity and well-being.
(07:09):
Combining these with your main task lists
can create a comprehensive approach to
feeling accomplished and done for the day.
It's all about finding the right balance and
recognizing the value in both big and small tasks.
Trevor (07:25):
Finally, I'd like to just introduce the
concept of time blocking and how that can be used
as a way to figure out if you're done for the day.
Because what time blocking is really
saying is not, did you get something
done, but did you put in the effort.
Did you move the ball forward in some way?
And so being done doesn't mean finishing the
task, being done means I put in the effort,
(07:47):
I'm focusing on the process, not the outcome in
that case as my criteria for whether I'm done.
ChatGPT (07:53):
Time blocking is a
fantastic strategy, Trevor.
It shifts the focus from completing
a task to dedicating a set amount
of time and effort towards it.
By allocating specific blocks of time
to different tasks, you ensure that
you're making consistent progress.
This approach emphasizes the process over the
outcome, allowing you to feel accomplished
(08:15):
for the effort you've invested, regardless
of whether the task is done successfully.
It's a powerful way to maintain momentum
and balance in your daily workflow.
Trevor (08:26):
So while there may be more categories,
I'd like to say that there's some general
categories of how we can answer this question.
We can answer this question from an
accomplishment perspective, from a list
of tasks perspective, from an energy
perspective or from a time/effort perspective.
And there may be other perspectives as well.
ChatGPT (08:45):
That's a great summary, Trevor.
We can indeed approach the question of being
done for the day from several perspectives.
These different angles give us a flexible
framework to determine our end of day
satisfaction, allowing us to adapt based
on our specific circumstances and needs.
It's all about finding what
works best for us individually.
Trevor (09:06):
What other categories
might I have missed there?
ChatGPT (09:09):
Good question, Trevor.
Another category could be the habit-building
perspective, where the focus is on
reinforcing positive habits rather
than specific tasks or accomplishments.
This perspective values consistency and routine.
We might also consider the well-being perspective,
which prioritizes activities that enhance our
overall health and happiness, such as exercise,
(09:32):
meditation, or spending time with loved ones.
Lastly, a learning perspective could be valuable,
where the goal is to ensure we dedicate time
each day to learning and personal growth,
regardless of other tasks or accomplishments.
These additional perspectives can
further enrich our understanding of
what it means to be Done for the Day.
Trevor (09:53):
So that brings up an interesting point
because I think also "done for the day" doesn't
necessarily mean done working in a sense.
From this article, it does.
But I think you can say, I have accomplished
my day, I've won my day, by noon.
And you keep working for the rest of the day.
But you got the things that satisfied
the question of what would it mean
(10:15):
to be done for the day by noon.
ChatGPT (10:19):
Absolutely, Trevor.
Winning the day by noon is a fantastic concept.
It means you've hit your key goals or
important tasks early, giving you a
sense of accomplishment and satisfaction.
Even though you might keep working, knowing
you've already achieved what matters most
by midday can reduce stress and enhance your
overall productivity for the rest of the day.
Trevor (10:41):
Yeah, and I want to make
clear, I'm not saying that you
have to have your day done by noon.
I'm just giving that as an example.
Maybe you get your day done by four, but you still
want to wrap up at five, so you take an extra hour
to just do other things that just extend your day.
You've already succeeded
in your day by some point.
And then that tells you, you're done
(11:02):
for the day, regardless of whether you
stop working at that specific point.
ChatGPT (11:07):
Got it, Trevor.
The idea is that reaching a sense of being
done can happen at any point in the day,
depending on your goals and energy levels.
Whether it's noon, four, or any other
time, once you've achieved what you
set out to do, you can feel satisfied.
Any additional work after that point
is a bonus, allowing you to wrap
(11:27):
up your day feeling accomplished.
This flexible approach helps maintain motivation
and balance, ensuring that you recognize
your successes and still have room for extra
tasks if you choose to continue working.
It's all about setting realistic goals
and acknowledging when you've met them.
Trevor (11:45):
One other thing I had just thought
about too (11:47):
another way of defining when you're
done for the day is when you're done all your
appointments and all your deadlines for the day.
And so there again, there's still might be work
after that, but sometimes these appointments
or deadlines can cause a lot of stress for us.
And by saying, okay, once I've gotten
through those, I'm done for the day.
And I'd like to use that to transition into
(12:09):
this idea that "done for the day" is about
letting your nervous system become calmer.
ChatGPT (12:16):
Absolutely, Trevor.
Finishing all your appointments
and meeting deadlines can indeed
signal that you're done for the day.
This approach helps alleviate the stress
that comes with time-sensitive tasks.
Once these stressors are out of the way, it's
crucial to let your nervous system calm down.
This means allowing yourself to relax
and transition from a state of constant
(12:37):
activity to one of rest and recovery.
Understanding that being done involves
more than just completing tasks, it's about
achieving a state of mental and physical
relaxation, can significantly improve overall
well-being and productivity in the long run.
Trevor (12:53):
Yeah, and I think Oliver makes it very
clear in this article that being "done for
the day" isn't about some objective criteria.
It's about what would make
it so that you feel done.
And so it's very much about a feeling
and an internal state, rather than
some objective external state.
And I think tying into that, part of that internal
(13:13):
state is once we feel done, we can relax and let
go of our work and we can enter into our recovery
and renewal phase, which allows us to enter into
the next day's work with greater productivity.
And so we can build a lot more momentum in our
life if we actually set these criteria saying I'm
done for the day, I'm going to relax after that
(13:35):
and then come back to the next day refreshed.
ChatGPT (13:39):
Exactly, Trevor.
Oliver's focus on the internal state really
highlights that being done is about achieving a
personal sense of completion and satisfaction.
When we feel truly done, it's easier
to let go of our work and shift
into a recovery and renewal phase.
This transition is vital because it allows
us to recharge and approach the next day
(14:01):
with renewed energy and productivity.
By setting these personal criteria and
honoring them, we can build sustainable
momentum in our lives, ensuring we're not just
productive, but also balanced and healthy.
This approach fosters long-term
success and well-being.
Trevor (14:18):
Absolutely.
And I think one final thing I want to
say is sometimes you just need to call
it and say, "I'm done for the day."
If your day is going sideways and you have a
lot of stress and you're all wired up and you
know that you're not going to do effective work
for the rest of the day, then sometimes it's
valuable to just call and say, okay, I'm done
for the day, take off and know that if you do
(14:41):
that, tomorrow's going to be way more productive
than if you try to push through, trudge through
the work, when your energy just isn't there
and you're not going to do good work that day.
And then it's going to cause you
to suffer the next day as well.
ChatGPT (14:54):
Sometimes, it's essential to
recognize when a day just isn't going your
way, and have the courage to call it early.
Giving yourself permission to stop when
you're stressed and unproductive can actually
set you up for a much better tomorrow.
Pushing through can often lead to
burnout and lower quality work.
Trevor (15:13):
Great.
So any final thoughts on the article
before we wrap up this episode?
ChatGPT (15:19):
I think the key takeaway from Oliver
Burkeman's article is the importance of
defining what it means to be done for the
day on your own terms, whether it's through
accomplishments, completing tasks, managing
energy, or time blocking, finding that sense
of completion helps us end the day with
satisfaction and start the next one refreshed.
(15:40):
Embracing this mindset not only
boosts productivity, but also
improves our overall well-being.
It's all about finding balance and giving
ourselves the space to relax and renew.
Trevor (15:51):
I completely agree.
So we deviated a little bit from the
article, but hopefully this has been
a useful discussion for everyone.
This has been AI Meets Productivity,
your weekly podcast between myself,
Trevor Lohrbeer, a productivity expert,
and ChatGPT, an artificial intelligence.
You can find us wherever
you listen to your podcast.
We are on Apple podcasts, Spotify,
(16:12):
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(16:33):
review and like, comment and share
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That really helps other people
to find the podcast as well.
Thank you so much and talk to you next week.
Welcome to AI Meets Productivity,
(00:01):
your weekly podcast between myself,
Trevor Lohrbeer, a productivity expert
and ChatGPT, an artificial intelligence.
This week, we're going to be talking about an
article from all of Oliver Burkeman entitled,
"What would it mean to be done for the day?"
Welcome ChatGPT.
ChatGPT (00:19):
Thanks, Trevor.
It's great to be here.
This article by Oliver Burkeman really
dives into the importance of defining
what it means to be done for the day.
It's a crucial concept for managing our
productivity and overall Well, being.
Where should we start?
Trevor (00:35):
Well, why don't you just give a
summary of the article and we'll go from there.
ChatGPT (00:39):
Sure thing, Trevor.
Oliver Burkeman's article emphasizes the
importance of defining a clear end to our workday.
He suggests asking ourselves each morning,
what would it mean to be done for the day?
This question helps shift our focus from
trying to complete an endless list of tasks to
achieving a reasonable and satisfying endpoint.
(01:02):
Burkeman highlights that feeling perpetually
unfinished can lead to stress and procrastination.
By setting realistic daily goals and acknowledging
our limitations, we can avoid burnout and
increase our productivity in the long run.
He also draws a parallel to the concept of the
Sabbath, where stopping work is a deliberate act,
(01:22):
regardless of whether all tasks are completed.
This mindset allows us to appreciate the present
moment and manage our workload more effectively.
Trevor (01:31):
I think another thing he mentions is
this idea that as a knowledge workers, people
often have this endless list of tasks and
they don't really think of them as endless.
And they think, oh, I can get everything done
today when there's always more to be done.
And then that leads to stress, the things
that are undone, when you finish working.
ChatGPT (01:51):
Exactly, Trevor.
Burkeman points out that for knowledge
workers, it's easy to fall into the trap of
believing we can get everything done in a day.
When in reality, the work is never ending.
This misconception leads to stress and
frustration because we constantly feel like
there's more we should have accomplished.
By recognizing that the list of tasks is endless
(02:13):
and setting clear, achievable goals for the day,
we can alleviate that stress and finish our day
with a sense of completion and satisfaction.
Trevor (02:23):
So, what does he do?
How does he answer the question?
What would it mean to be done for the day?
ChatGPT (02:30):
Burkeman suggests that being
done for the day means reaching a
point where you feel finished, not
necessarily where all tasks are completed.
He recommends setting a realistic
definition of done based on your current
situation, energy levels, and commitments.
This could mean dedicating a certain number
of hours to your main project, completing
(02:51):
a few important tasks, and recognizing that
it's okay to leave some things for tomorrow.
The key is to shift the focus inward
and determine what you can reasonably
expect of yourself each day, allowing
you to feel a sense of accomplishment and
peace when you decide to stop working.
Trevor (03:09):
So let's dive in and talk a little bit
about a few strategies that are related to this.
So first we had the idea of the most
important task or most important tasks.
Sometimes people say, what are the top
three things you need to get done in a day.
And by creating that list, you're
creating the idea that once I'm finished
that list, that one to three items,
that I am done for the day in a sense.
(03:32):
Would you agree?
ChatGPT (03:34):
Absolutely, Trevor.
The concept of identifying your most important
tasks, or MITs, is a powerful strategy.
Focusing on one to three key tasks
each day can provide a clear sense
of direction and accomplishment.
By completing these MITs, you can feel a sense
of closure and satisfaction knowing that you've
tackled the most critical items on your list.
(03:54):
This approach helps manage the overwhelm
of endless tasks and reinforces the
idea that you can be done for the day
once these priorities are handled.
Trevor (04:03):
But Oliver points out is:
sometimes life gets in the way.
So you might create that list of
the three most important things, and
you're not able to get them done.
So also recognizing things like your
energy may not be appropriate to get
all those three things done for the day.
So there's this idea of recognizing where
our energy is as well and deciding, okay, I'm
(04:25):
done because I can't actually focus anymore.
ChatGPT (04:29):
Right, Trevor.
Burkeman emphasizes the importance
of being realistic about our
energy levels and circumstances.
It's crucial to acknowledge that some days we
might not complete our MITs due to unexpected
events or simply not having the energy.
Recognizing when we've reached our limit
and allowing ourselves to stop, even
if all tasks aren't finished, is key.
(04:52):
This approach helps us avoid burnout and
maintain productivity over the long term.
Trevor (04:57):
So the most important task
list is really about accomplishment.
But then we can also have what I would
call a commitment list, which is all
the tasks I might need to do today.
And some of those may not actually be
accomplishments, like, maybe I need to
do things like clean out my inbox, maybe
I need to pick up a package from Amazon.
And I have these tasks that I want to get done.
(05:19):
And so I add them into my daily
commitment list or my daily task list
as a way to try to get them done.
And so by accomplishing those, even if
they're not big scale accomplishments,
they're still something that you finish.
So I just want to distinguish between the
idea of using accomplishment as my criteria,
or finished X number of tasks as I criteria.
ChatGPT (05:42):
That's a great distinction, Trevor.
The most important task list focuses on
major accomplishments, while a commitment
list includes all the smaller, necessary
tasks that still need to get done.
Completing these smaller tasks can still
give us a sense of progress and completion.
Even if they aren't monumental
achievements, they're essential to
(06:02):
keeping everything running smoothly.
By finishing these, we can also feel a sense
of being done for the day, balancing both
major accomplishments and everyday commitments.
Trevor (06:14):
And I think another list that comes into
play there is if you have a Reduced Drag List and
an Increased Velocity List, which these are small
little tasks that will help reduce your average
stress level, reduce the drag in your life.
Maybe via automation or changing that light
bulb in the basement, that light just gives
you that little twinge of regret every
(06:35):
single time you go down to the basement.
So either by reducing drag or increasing
velocity through a series of small tasks, the
combination of tasks can be an accomplishment.
ChatGPT (06:47):
Absolutely, Trevor!
These reduced drag and increased
velocity lists are brilliant for
managing those small but impactful tasks.
By tackling these minor tasks, you reduce
daily stress and streamline your workflow.
Whether it's automating a repetitive task
or fixing that pesky lightbulb, these
small actions can significantly enhance
your overall productivity and well-being.
(07:09):
Combining these with your main task lists
can create a comprehensive approach to
feeling accomplished and done for the day.
It's all about finding the right balance and
recognizing the value in both big and small tasks.
Trevor (07:25):
Finally, I'd like to just introduce the
concept of time blocking and how that can be used
as a way to figure out if you're done for the day.
Because what time blocking is really
saying is not, did you get something
done, but did you put in the effort.
Did you move the ball forward in some way?
And so being done doesn't mean finishing the
task, being done means I put in the effort,
(07:47):
I'm focusing on the process, not the outcome in
that case as my criteria for whether I'm done.
ChatGPT (07:53):
Time blocking is a
fantastic strategy, Trevor.
It shifts the focus from completing
a task to dedicating a set amount
of time and effort towards it.
By allocating specific blocks of time
to different tasks, you ensure that
you're making consistent progress.
This approach emphasizes the process over the
outcome, allowing you to feel accomplished
(08:15):
for the effort you've invested, regardless
of whether the task is done successfully.
It's a powerful way to maintain momentum
and balance in your daily workflow.
Trevor (08:26):
So while there may be more categories,
I'd like to say that there's some general
categories of how we can answer this question.
We can answer this question from an
accomplishment perspective, from a list
of tasks perspective, from an energy
perspective or from a time/effort perspective.
And there may be other perspectives as well.
ChatGPT (08:45):
That's a great summary, Trevor.
We can indeed approach the question of being
done for the day from several perspectives.
These different angles give us a flexible
framework to determine our end of day
satisfaction, allowing us to adapt based
on our specific circumstances and needs.
It's all about finding what
works best for us individually.
Trevor (09:06):
What other categories
might I have missed there?
ChatGPT (09:09):
Good question, Trevor.
Another category could be the habit-building
perspective, where the focus is on
reinforcing positive habits rather
than specific tasks or accomplishments.
This perspective values consistency and routine.
We might also consider the well-being perspective,
which prioritizes activities that enhance our
overall health and happiness, such as exercise,
(09:32):
meditation, or spending time with loved ones.
Lastly, a learning perspective could be valuable,
where the goal is to ensure we dedicate time
each day to learning and personal growth,
regardless of other tasks or accomplishments.
These additional perspectives can
further enrich our understanding of
what it means to be Done for the Day.
Trevor (09:53):
So that brings up an interesting point
because I think also "done for the day" doesn't
necessarily mean done working in a sense.
From this article, it does.
But I think you can say, I have accomplished
my day, I've won my day, by noon.
And you keep working for the rest of the day.
But you got the things that satisfied
the question of what would it mean
(10:15):
to be done for the day by noon.
ChatGPT (10:19):
Absolutely, Trevor.
Winning the day by noon is a fantastic concept.
It means you've hit your key goals or
important tasks early, giving you a
sense of accomplishment and satisfaction.
Even though you might keep working, knowing
you've already achieved what matters most
by midday can reduce stress and enhance your
overall productivity for the rest of the day.
Trevor (10:41):
Yeah, and I want to make
clear, I'm not saying that you
have to have your day done by noon.
I'm just giving that as an example.
Maybe you get your day done by four, but you still
want to wrap up at five, so you take an extra hour
to just do other things that just extend your day.
You've already succeeded
in your day by some point.
And then that tells you, you're done
(11:02):
for the day, regardless of whether you
stop working at that specific point.
ChatGPT (11:07):
Got it, Trevor.
The idea is that reaching a sense of being
done can happen at any point in the day,
depending on your goals and energy levels.
Whether it's noon, four, or any other
time, once you've achieved what you
set out to do, you can feel satisfied.
Any additional work after that point
is a bonus, allowing you to wrap
(11:27):
up your day feeling accomplished.
This flexible approach helps maintain motivation
and balance, ensuring that you recognize
your successes and still have room for extra
tasks if you choose to continue working.
It's all about setting realistic goals
and acknowledging when you've met them.
Trevor (11:45):
One other thing I had just thought
about too (11:47):
another way of defining when you're
done for the day is when you're done all your
appointments and all your deadlines for the day.
And so there again, there's still might be work
after that, but sometimes these appointments
or deadlines can cause a lot of stress for us.
And by saying, okay, once I've gotten
through those, I'm done for the day.
And I'd like to use that to transition into
(12:09):
this idea that "done for the day" is about
letting your nervous system become calmer.
ChatGPT (12:16):
Absolutely, Trevor.
Finishing all your appointments
and meeting deadlines can indeed
signal that you're done for the day.
This approach helps alleviate the stress
that comes with time-sensitive tasks.
Once these stressors are out of the way, it's
crucial to let your nervous system calm down.
This means allowing yourself to relax
and transition from a state of constant
(12:37):
activity to one of rest and recovery.
Understanding that being done involves
more than just completing tasks, it's about
achieving a state of mental and physical
relaxation, can significantly improve overall
well-being and productivity in the long run.
Trevor (12:53):
Yeah, and I think Oliver makes it very
clear in this article that being "done for
the day" isn't about some objective criteria.
It's about what would make
it so that you feel done.
And so it's very much about a feeling
and an internal state, rather than
some objective external state.
And I think tying into that, part of that internal
(13:13):
state is once we feel done, we can relax and let
go of our work and we can enter into our recovery
and renewal phase, which allows us to enter into
the next day's work with greater productivity.
And so we can build a lot more momentum in our
life if we actually set these criteria saying I'm
done for the day, I'm going to relax after that
(13:35):
and then come back to the next day refreshed.
ChatGPT (13:39):
Exactly, Trevor.
Oliver's focus on the internal state really
highlights that being done is about achieving a
personal sense of completion and satisfaction.
When we feel truly done, it's easier
to let go of our work and shift
into a recovery and renewal phase.
This transition is vital because it allows
us to recharge and approach the next day
(14:01):
with renewed energy and productivity.
By setting these personal criteria and
honoring them, we can build sustainable
momentum in our lives, ensuring we're not just
productive, but also balanced and healthy.
This approach fosters long-term
success and well-being.
Trevor (14:18):
Absolutely.
And I think one final thing I want to
say is sometimes you just need to call
it and say, "I'm done for the day."
If your day is going sideways and you have a
lot of stress and you're all wired up and you
know that you're not going to do effective work
for the rest of the day, then sometimes it's
valuable to just call and say, okay, I'm done
for the day, take off and know that if you do
(14:41):
that, tomorrow's going to be way more productive
than if you try to push through, trudge through
the work, when your energy just isn't there
and you're not going to do good work that day.
And then it's going to cause you
to suffer the next day as well.
ChatGPT (14:54):
Sometimes, it's essential to
recognize when a day just isn't going your
way, and have the courage to call it early.
Giving yourself permission to stop when
you're stressed and unproductive can actually
set you up for a much better tomorrow.
Pushing through can often lead to
burnout and lower quality work.
Trevor (15:13):
Great.
So any final thoughts on the article
before we wrap up this episode?
ChatGPT (15:19):
I think the key takeaway from Oliver
Burkeman's article is the importance of
defining what it means to be done for the
day on your own terms, whether it's through
accomplishments, completing tasks, managing
energy, or time blocking, finding that sense
of completion helps us end the day with
satisfaction and start the next one refreshed.
(15:40):
Embracing this mindset not only
boosts productivity, but also
improves our overall well-being.
It's all about finding balance and giving
ourselves the space to relax and renew.
Trevor (15:51):
I completely agree.
So we deviated a little bit from the
article, but hopefully this has been
a useful discussion for everyone.
This has been AI Meets Productivity,
your weekly podcast between myself,
Trevor Lohrbeer, a productivity expert,
and ChatGPT, an artificial intelligence.
You can find us wherever
you listen to your podcast.
We are on Apple podcasts, Spotify,
(16:12):
Podbean and you can also find us
at aimeetsproductivity.podbean.com.
Or actually we have a new URL as well.
You can go to www.aimeetsproductivity.com
to listen to all the previous episodes and
also to subscribe via email to get the new
episodes immediately when they're released.
If you can please leave us a five-star
(16:33):
review and like, comment and share
wherever you found this podcast.
That really helps other people
to find the podcast as well.
Thank you so much and talk to you next week.
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