EPISODE · Feb 19, 2026 · 1H 32M
Why You Can’t Stop Your Productivity Addiction - Oliver Burkeman - #1061
from Modern Wisdom · host Chris Williamson
Oliver Burkeman is a journalist, a writer for The Guardian and an author. How does the insecure overachiever evolve? You think success will quiet the doubt, then you hit 30, and it’s still there. More achievement, more stress. So how do you feel proud of what you’ve built without always fearing it’s not enough? Expect to learn if it possible to be the best in the world and relaxed at the same time, how to deal with uncertainty more effectively, the biggest changes insecure overachievers will face as they age, the cost of constantly asking, “Am I living my best possible life?“, how to know when it’s a good time to settle and much more… Timestamps: (0:00) The Hidden Trap of Tying Your Worth to Success (6:31) How to Accept You Can't Control Everything (15:25) Why Nothing Going Your Way Might Be a Gift (19:04) The Real Cost of Trying to Control Everything (24:27) Why You Should Do It Anyway (30:41) Can You Actually Design Fun? (41:03) Is AI Just Another Control Fantasy? (46:26) The Insecure Overachiever Paradox Explained (55:14) Is Optimising Your Life Making You Miserable? (58:41) Do High Performers Create Their Own Problems? (01:05:19) How to Handle Criticism and Let Go of Control (01:21:22) Does Settling Lead to a Better Life? (01:26:12) What Is Oliver Working On Now? (01:31:25) Where to Find Oliver Sponsors: See discounts for all the products I use and recommend: https://chriswillx.com/deals Get up to 20% off the leading longevity and cellular health supplement at https://timeline.com/modernwisdom Get 15% off your first order of my favourite Non-Alcoholic Brew at https://athleticbrewing.com/modernwisdom Get up to $350 off the Pod 5 at https://eightsleep.com/modernwisdom Get a Free Sample Pack of LMNT’s most popular flavours with your first purchase at https://drinklmnt.com/modernwisdom Extra Stuff: Get my free reading list of 100 books to read before you die: https://chriswillx.com/books Try my productivity energy drink Neutonic: https://neutonic.com/modernwisdom Episodes You Might Enjoy: #577 - David Goggins - This Is How To Master Your Life: lnkfi.re/SN-Goggins #712 - Dr Jordan Peterson - How To Destroy Your Negative Beliefs: lnkfi.re/SN-Peterson #700 - Dr Andrew Huberman - The Secret Tools To Hack Your Brain: lnkfi.re/SN-Huberman - Get In Touch: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chriswillx Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/chriswillx YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/modernwisdompodcast Email: https://chriswillx.com/contact - Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What this episode covers
Oliver Burkeman is a journalist, a writer for The Guardian and an author. How does the insecure overachiever evolve? You think success will quiet the doubt, then you hit 30, and it’s still there. More achievement, more stress. So how do you feel proud of what you’ve built without always fearing it’s not enough? Expect to learn if it possible to be the best in the world and relaxed at the same time, how to deal with uncertainty more effectively, the biggest changes insecure overachievers will face as they age, the cost of constantly asking, “Am I living my best possible life?“, how to know when it’s a good time to settle and much more… Timestamps: (0:00) The Hidden Trap of Tying Your Worth to Success (6:31) How to Accept You Can't Control Everything (15:25) Why Nothing Going Your Way Might Be a Gift (19:04) The Real Cost of Trying to Control Everything (24:27) Why You Should Do It Anyway (30:41) Can You Actually Design Fun? (41:03) Is AI Just Another Control Fantasy? (46:26) The Insecure Overachiever Paradox Explained (55:14) Is Optimising Your Life Making You Miserable? (58:41) Do High Performers Create Their Own Problems? (01:05:19) How to Handle Criticism and Let Go of Control (01:21:22) Does Settling Lead to a Better Life? (01:26:12) What Is Oliver Working On Now? (01:31:25) Where to Find Oliver Sponsors: See discounts for all the products I use and recommend: https://chriswillx.com/deals Get up to 20% off the leading longevity and cellular health supplement at https://timeline.com/modernwisdom Get 15% off your first order of my favourite Non-Alcoholic Brew at https://athleticbrewing.com/modernwisdom Get up to $350 off the Pod 5 at https://eightsleep.com/modernwisdom Get a Free Sample Pack of LMNT’s most popular flavours with your first purchase at https://drinklmnt.com/modernwisdom Extra Stuff: Get my free reading list of 100 books to read before you die: https://chriswillx.com/books Try my productivity energy drink Neutonic: https://neutonic.com/modernwisdom Episodes You Might Enjoy: #577 - David Goggins - This Is How To Master Your Life: lnkfi.re/SN-Goggins #712 - Dr Jordan Peterson - How To Destroy Your Negative Beliefs: lnkfi.re/SN-Peterson #700 - Dr Andrew Huberman - The Secret Tools To Hack Your Brain: lnkfi.re/SN-Huberman - Get In Touch: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chriswillx Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/chriswillx YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/modernwisdompodcast Email: https://chriswillx.com/contact - Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
NOW PLAYING
Why You Can’t Stop Your Productivity Addiction - Oliver Burkeman - #1061
No transcript for this episode yet
Similar Episodes
Jun 6, 2026 ·121m
Jun 2, 2026 ·141m
Jun 1, 2026 ·75m
May 30, 2026 ·122m
May 26, 2026 ·72m