I didn’t get around to listening to that podcast.

I didn’t finish reading that book.

I didn’t check off every item of my work to-do list.

Have you had any of these thoughts?

I know I have. And often, these aren’t pleasant things to think about. In our always-on world, many of us feel a need to be constantly productive. Anytime we aren’t being productive, we feel guilty.

When I focused on writing and publishing thriller novels in my 20s, I felt incredibly guilty if I didn’t meet my self-imposed deadlines for writing a chapter, wrapping up edits, and publishing my book. Hell, I didn’t self-publish my first book until February 2019, and I started working on it in November 2015! 

My dream back then was to become a successful indie author who made a living from my writing.

I figured if I could pump out a book every 3 months like the other successful indie authors, that I’d make it big.

So when I failed to be that prolific, I felt like I was a miserable writer. Attaching goals to my writing took the joy out of it. But other than a few family members eager to read the next book, no one cared how fast I got my writing done.

Sure, you won’t be able to be lackadaisical with every deadline (especially those pesky work ones), but it’s worth thinking about if everything on your list has to be checked off to feel accomplished.

More often than not, you’re just adding unnecessary stress to your life.

Whether or not you get everything done, life goes on. The drum continues to beat. The sun will rise again in the morning.