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Time Anxiety: The Illusion of Urgency and a Better Way to Live
Break free from deadline dread and time guilt with this powerful guide on how to regain control of your time and your life – from the New York Times bestselling author of The $100 Startup.
Swamped with endless notifications and growing to-do lists, we all feel the pressure of a culture that prizes being busy over being present. This ‘time anxiety’ isn't just for the overly ambitious – it’s a daily reality for parents juggling work and family, students trying to balance grades and health and anyone feeling the pinch to make every moment count.
In Time Anxiety, New York Times bestselling author Chris Guillebeau offers actionable advice, personal anecdotes and philosophical reflections that empower readers to break free from the cycle of time-related stress. Weaving together eye-opening research on time perception, executive function and avoidance, he offers a bold path for redefining our relationship with the clock.
Time Anxiety is the essential guide for anyone looking to escape the constant pressure of doing more and, instead, focus on being more.
Swamped with endless notifications and growing to-do lists, we all feel the pressure of a culture that prizes being busy over being present. This ‘time anxiety’ isn't just for the overly ambitious – it’s a daily reality for parents juggling work and family, students trying to balance grades and health and anyone feeling the pinch to make every moment count.
In Time Anxiety, New York Times bestselling author Chris Guillebeau offers actionable advice, personal anecdotes and philosophical reflections that empower readers to break free from the cycle of time-related stress. Weaving together eye-opening research on time perception, executive function and avoidance, he offers a bold path for redefining our relationship with the clock.
Time Anxiety is the essential guide for anyone looking to escape the constant pressure of doing more and, instead, focus on being more.
288 pages, Hardcover
Published April 17, 2025
237 people are currently reading
6418 people want to read
About the author
Chris Guillebeau
57 books1,714 followersChris Guillebeau is the New York Times bestselling author of The $100 Startup and other books. During a lifetime of self-employment, he visited every country in the world (193 in total) before his 35th birthday. Every summer in Portland, Oregon he hosts the World Domination Summit, a gathering of creative, remarkable people. Chris also hosts Side Hustle School, a popular podcast that is downloaded more than 2 million times a month.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews
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June 30, 2025A good, quick listen.
February 5, 2025
When I saw this book I just knew I had to read it. As a busy mum of 3 and working full time, time anxiety is something I struggle with.
This book was laid out really well and was broken down into easy to read sections. It had loads of great tips on how to manage time more efficiently and how to see what was important and what could be left for another day.
It gave great advice on not feeling guilty and I especially enjoyed the advice on working and the dreaded inbox as this is where I struggle most.
It also gave advice on hobbies which has encouraged me to set aside a bit more me time and take an hour lunch break each day rather than rushing a sandwich in 10 minutes.
Thanks to NetGalley, Chris Guillebeau and Pan Macmillan for an advance copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
This book was laid out really well and was broken down into easy to read sections. It had loads of great tips on how to manage time more efficiently and how to see what was important and what could be left for another day.
It gave great advice on not feeling guilty and I especially enjoyed the advice on working and the dreaded inbox as this is where I struggle most.
It also gave advice on hobbies which has encouraged me to set aside a bit more me time and take an hour lunch break each day rather than rushing a sandwich in 10 minutes.
Thanks to NetGalley, Chris Guillebeau and Pan Macmillan for an advance copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
February 3, 2026
3.5 Stars
This was a little generic at times but I appreciated some of the tips about how to make the most of the time we have.
This was a little generic at times but I appreciated some of the tips about how to make the most of the time we have.
July 14, 2025
This book GAVE me time anxiety… I kept thinking there must be something better I can be doing with my time than listening to this. Basic.
April 19, 2025
As I read this book I had a really hard time connecting with it. The more I read, the more I came to realize that I don’t struggle as much as the author, and many others do, with time anxiety.
The one chapter of the book that really hit home for me was the one on time blindness! There are multiple people in my life who are absolutely, completely blind to the passage of time and/or how long any given task takes.
In summary, I could see how this book could be helpful for anyone who struggles with time anxiety, but luckily I am blessed to not share those struggles.
The one chapter of the book that really hit home for me was the one on time blindness! There are multiple people in my life who are absolutely, completely blind to the passage of time and/or how long any given task takes.
In summary, I could see how this book could be helpful for anyone who struggles with time anxiety, but luckily I am blessed to not share those struggles.
August 29, 2025
I don’t recommend this book.
The first part of the book was just terrible. It was very shallow and seemed like a collection of random ideas written for kids. The second and third parts of the book were a little better, more enjoyable, but still nothing groundbreaking and nothing new. Some of the ideas and tools the author recommends are actually more harmful than good. I kept reading this book because I kept telling myself that maybe in the next chapter there would be something more interesting for me. But I should have listened to his advice in chapter 14: “Not finishing things is one of the great joys of life.”
Usually, I make a lot of highlights in a book, but in this one I made only one, and it’s this: “We overestimate what we can accomplish in a day, but we underestimate what we can accomplish in a year.”
I can’t even give you a summary of the book because the author dismissed some tools and techniques as bad, only to recommend them later again, just phrased differently.
The first part of the book was just terrible. It was very shallow and seemed like a collection of random ideas written for kids. The second and third parts of the book were a little better, more enjoyable, but still nothing groundbreaking and nothing new. Some of the ideas and tools the author recommends are actually more harmful than good. I kept reading this book because I kept telling myself that maybe in the next chapter there would be something more interesting for me. But I should have listened to his advice in chapter 14: “Not finishing things is one of the great joys of life.”
Usually, I make a lot of highlights in a book, but in this one I made only one, and it’s this: “We overestimate what we can accomplish in a day, but we underestimate what we can accomplish in a year.”
I can’t even give you a summary of the book because the author dismissed some tools and techniques as bad, only to recommend them later again, just phrased differently.
August 5, 2025
Time Anxiety was a surprisingly solid, thoughtful read about our relationship with time – how we spend it, fear it, and constantly feel like we’re running out of it. Guillebeau explores the idea that much of our stress isn’t really about time itself, but about the anxiety we’ve built around it.
What I liked most was how practical and kind the tone felt. It wasn’t about hustling more or fixing your whole life with a planner – it was about re-framing urgency, learning to sit with discomfort, and focusing on what actually matters. Some parts felt a little repetitive, but overall it gave me a sense of calm and clarity. I'd recommend this as a good read when you're feeling stretched thin or stuck in that “never enough time” mindset.
What I liked most was how practical and kind the tone felt. It wasn’t about hustling more or fixing your whole life with a planner – it was about re-framing urgency, learning to sit with discomfort, and focusing on what actually matters. Some parts felt a little repetitive, but overall it gave me a sense of calm and clarity. I'd recommend this as a good read when you're feeling stretched thin or stuck in that “never enough time” mindset.
June 23, 2025
Did this book change my life? No (and it doesn’t promise to) but it did offer some good perspective and I had a great experience reading it so 5 stars
June 20, 2025
Time always runs out. This is an excellent, easy to read, self help style book. Full of good ideas and ways to implement them. I’m quite wary of a title that suggests “a better way to live”. Reading this book may not result in such an ambitious claim but it has certainly given me some perspective and tools that I’ve been able to use to help me organise my day and week and feel less overwhelmed by time running out.
August 9, 2025
3.75 ⭐️
An easy read. And very validating that most of my issues lay in the places described somewhere. But at the end I find myself feeling dissatisfied as this is coming from a man with nothing but time. Most people work at 9-5s and that takes up so much time. Idk I really want to use the practice pages as a way to help myself from now on when I get a little caught up.
Not bad.
An easy read. And very validating that most of my issues lay in the places described somewhere. But at the end I find myself feeling dissatisfied as this is coming from a man with nothing but time. Most people work at 9-5s and that takes up so much time. Idk I really want to use the practice pages as a way to help myself from now on when I get a little caught up.
Not bad.
October 11, 2025
"Time blindness hinders your sense of time."
"Sorry I'm late... I got lost in a thought loop about being on time."
"...time blindness refers to chronically misjudging the time you have..."
"The more time blindness you have, the more time anxiety you have. When you don't have a good handle on time, you worry about it. You're constantly rushing without ever feeling settled."
"Sorry I'm late... I got lost in a thought loop about being on time."
"...time blindness refers to chronically misjudging the time you have..."
"The more time blindness you have, the more time anxiety you have. When you don't have a good handle on time, you worry about it. You're constantly rushing without ever feeling settled."
May 2, 2025
Overall interesting listen - lots of experiences the author discussed were very relatable and not often takes about. I think the approaches to address them fell a bit flat, as did the connection at the end to “legacy” which only really came up at the absolute end.
August 19, 2025
Time Anxiety: The Illusion of Urgency and a Better Way to Live
Finally finished this awesome read - Chris Guillebeau shares his observations and insights on time anxiety and how to manage time-related existential and daily stress. What's great is that this book is not micromanage-y and nitpicky - instead this is an empathetic read from someone who understands and experiences time anxiety.
As I was reading this, I found myself relating to some of the tips Chris Guillebeau shares. He stresses the importance of tactile grandma hobbies, reminds us to think daily about how someday we will die, and to imagine an 8th day of the week in which we have no agenda. How would you spend your time if you had all the time in the world? Most importantly of all, Chris Guillebeau reminds us that there still is time to enjoy ourselves. He recommends setting aside pockets of time-free time, by using an alarm/timer to alert us. He also suggests leaving 10 minutes earlier than we think we need, to avoid being late. And, to distinguish between real and imagined deadlines in order to prioritise and not stress out chronically. He also flagged something I felt deeply - rather than stress over leaving behind a legacy, we can focus instead on living well, living a good life in which we can feel proud of, with minimal or few regrets. It's truly never too late to change your life, and that starts with changing one's lifestyle and habits and thought patterns. It's often the first step that's the hardest. But once we make a decision to change, we can overcome our procrastination.
Finally finished this awesome read - Chris Guillebeau shares his observations and insights on time anxiety and how to manage time-related existential and daily stress. What's great is that this book is not micromanage-y and nitpicky - instead this is an empathetic read from someone who understands and experiences time anxiety.
As I was reading this, I found myself relating to some of the tips Chris Guillebeau shares. He stresses the importance of tactile grandma hobbies, reminds us to think daily about how someday we will die, and to imagine an 8th day of the week in which we have no agenda. How would you spend your time if you had all the time in the world? Most importantly of all, Chris Guillebeau reminds us that there still is time to enjoy ourselves. He recommends setting aside pockets of time-free time, by using an alarm/timer to alert us. He also suggests leaving 10 minutes earlier than we think we need, to avoid being late. And, to distinguish between real and imagined deadlines in order to prioritise and not stress out chronically. He also flagged something I felt deeply - rather than stress over leaving behind a legacy, we can focus instead on living well, living a good life in which we can feel proud of, with minimal or few regrets. It's truly never too late to change your life, and that starts with changing one's lifestyle and habits and thought patterns. It's often the first step that's the hardest. But once we make a decision to change, we can overcome our procrastination.
January 24, 2026
Teaches in a very splendid way as how to avoid crises, fire fights and other issues that make our lives miserable. Just because we don't know what to do first, the whole thing comes crashing upon our heads!
January 27, 2026
I enjoyed reading this book. However I think it is really written for single professionals and not for families.
Huge thanks to Crown for my advanced copy for review!
Huge thanks to Crown for my advanced copy for review!
October 23, 2025
Nice book with some useful takeaways - would recommend to all!
July 12, 2025
This one arrived to me at the right time as I am increasingly recognizing how much time anxiety I have and how it rules my life. This book didn’t contain a lot of new info, but the way it was verbalized, organized, and structured, brought a lot into perspective for me. I highlighted a LOT of sections!
January 3, 2026
This one’s good.
It’s all about the balance of tasks in one’s busy life and provides some helpful tips and tricks for navigating the balance.
Happy Reading, everybody!
It’s all about the balance of tasks in one’s busy life and provides some helpful tips and tricks for navigating the balance.
Happy Reading, everybody!
May 28, 2025
What it is: a compendium of suggestions for managing the loss of time and its resulting anxiety using the author’s personal experience. He says it’s for both existential and day to day, it’s pretty much all about the latter.
If you’re new to the idea, it makes a good starting place.
My experience: I saw a review of the audio book from a Vulture critic who’s so consumed by time anxiety that she can’t listen at a normal speed. The advice is reasonable, but most I’ve seen elsewhere or in listicles. There isn’t any new research, or any study on it at all. No philosophy either.
If you’re new to the idea, it makes a good starting place.
My experience: I saw a review of the audio book from a Vulture critic who’s so consumed by time anxiety that she can’t listen at a normal speed. The advice is reasonable, but most I’ve seen elsewhere or in listicles. There isn’t any new research, or any study on it at all. No philosophy either.
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October 3, 2025Overall, I liked reading this book. I found it informal, but not excessively so. Most of the sentences are acceptable. There are funny illustrations at the beginning of each chapter that made me chuckle. It reminds me of a "...for Dummies" book in some ways, which contributed to my positive reaction. The author humbly states up front that he is just trying to provide some tips that should assist the reader, but there should be no expectation of resolving one's problems. I can live with that, so I think at least some people could benefit from reading this book.
I am grateful to have received the book through a Goodreads giveaway. Peace be with you.
I am grateful to have received the book through a Goodreads giveaway. Peace be with you.
December 30, 2025
I don't normally read self help books but I must say this one was easy to read and felt honest. The practices in this book was something I would practice over and over again and it helped me a lot with managing time. I recommend this to anyone.
February 20, 2026
I’ve been reading quite a few books and time and productivity these past few months, and this one is my favourite by far.
First, I’m quite astonished as to how accurate Guillebeau describes my own feelings of time anxiety. As he highlights himself at the end of the book, it does feel good to realize that I am not the only one who goes through those emotions and experiences.
Kudos to pointing out the utter uselessness of the Eisenhower matrix when you’re anxious about not having enough time to do everything you WANT to do - meaning that all the tasks end up in “urgent and important” (except for "filing taxes" and such, which end up in "not important but urgent", which you still have to do yourself) and you end up with just as many tasks, plus extra anxiety as a bonus.
Even if I didn’t recognize myself in every chapter or example he gives in the book, I found this outlook on life, time and the productivity culture to be very helpful, with a good mix of practical advice and more introspective questions to ponder about life in general.
But mostly, I think the main reason why I enjoyed this book so much, as that, contrary to other books I read on the same type of topic (namely, lately Effortless: Make It Easier to Do What Matters Most, or Slow Productivity: The Lost Art of Accomplishment Without Burnout ) Time Anxiety does not operate under the assumption that you want (and should want) to be more productive by default.
On the contrary, Guillebeau challenges the very idea that productivity should be the end goal and that we should optimize every single minute of our schedule. He even states that wanting every moment to be useful is a source of time anxiety in itself. Hence, this book offers a very different outlook on time perception and life goals. In a way, it reminds me more of books like How to Do Nothing: Resisting the Attention Economy.
For once, I felt like I read something that really can help me approach my schedule, and my life in general, in a more peaceful way, much more profoundly than any productivity hacks based book ever could.
And for that, I say thank you Mr Guillebeau.
First, I’m quite astonished as to how accurate Guillebeau describes my own feelings of time anxiety. As he highlights himself at the end of the book, it does feel good to realize that I am not the only one who goes through those emotions and experiences.
Kudos to pointing out the utter uselessness of the Eisenhower matrix when you’re anxious about not having enough time to do everything you WANT to do - meaning that all the tasks end up in “urgent and important” (except for "filing taxes" and such, which end up in "not important but urgent", which you still have to do yourself) and you end up with just as many tasks, plus extra anxiety as a bonus.
Even if I didn’t recognize myself in every chapter or example he gives in the book, I found this outlook on life, time and the productivity culture to be very helpful, with a good mix of practical advice and more introspective questions to ponder about life in general.
But mostly, I think the main reason why I enjoyed this book so much, as that, contrary to other books I read on the same type of topic (namely, lately Effortless: Make It Easier to Do What Matters Most, or Slow Productivity: The Lost Art of Accomplishment Without Burnout ) Time Anxiety does not operate under the assumption that you want (and should want) to be more productive by default.
On the contrary, Guillebeau challenges the very idea that productivity should be the end goal and that we should optimize every single minute of our schedule. He even states that wanting every moment to be useful is a source of time anxiety in itself. Hence, this book offers a very different outlook on time perception and life goals. In a way, it reminds me more of books like How to Do Nothing: Resisting the Attention Economy.
For once, I felt like I read something that really can help me approach my schedule, and my life in general, in a more peaceful way, much more profoundly than any productivity hacks based book ever could.
And for that, I say thank you Mr Guillebeau.
July 17, 2025
page 20: "Thought countering: 1. Identify a negative thought. 2. Label the cognitive distortion. 3. Challenge the thought. 4. Create a counterstatement."
page 29: "Make timekeeping sensory or multidimensional: 1. Create playlists of a certain length for different activities. 2. Use visual timers instead of, or in addition to traditional ones (fun colors or ones for children). 3. Get creative: the number of songs = time it's taken to do your hair."
page 31: "Notice how you procrastinate when you have more time than you expected. One trick here is when you catch yourself thinking, 'Ugh, this will take ages,' that's your cue to challenge the thought. Maybe give that dreaded task a go and see how long it really takes."
page 33: "Allow more time than you think you need. Leave ten to fifteen minutes earlier for every appointment." ***I love this one.***
page 48: "Reframe personal time rules: I always turn off my phone by 10 pm --->>>More often than not, I turn off my phone by 10 pm. **This made me think of PRCs (Personal Rules of Conduct--we all have them. How much do they help us, and how much do they hurt us?)
page 51: "Many time rules work well with habit stacking, a concept that suggests we are more likely to form lasting habits if they build upon one other."
page 61: Regarding email, this chapter is titled "The Inbox of Shame": "Send shorter replies in favor of long replies. 'Let's talk about this' is a great way to acknowledge a message without spending half an hour writing a response. Play the role of email-responding actor (from a Reddit comment): You don't have to answer the email, you just have to play the part of the person who answers the email."
page 65: "Hyper-responsiveness doesn't equal excellence, happiness, or even the best use of our limited time. We have to set out own limits, because no one else will. "
page 74: "You fully expect that your energy and output will vary day by day due to factors beyond your control. Radical acceptance = energy conservation, present-moment focus, improved decision-making. (This connects to another part of the book where he addresses different levels of energy from day to day and not beating yourself up: red, yellow, and green light.)
page 81: From the "What is Enough?" chapter: Here are three questions to ask yourself to help you reflect on your day in a kind way: 1. Did I create something? 2. Did I help someone? 3. Did I take some amount of time for myself?
page 94: "Time is limited, but desire is limitless." So wise!
page 130: This chapter is titled "Move on Quickly." He discusses friction loops vs. ease loops.
page 133: "Friction loops grind us down, while ease loops give us a boos. We want to move toward ease and away from friction."
page 134: "The confirm button never disappoints." Stop waffling!
page 183: Ask yourself: "What is special about this day?"
page 194: "Closer or further? Toward or away?" Use these questions to help you make decisions.
page 197: "Think about death every day."
page 236: "I love a good project during the holidays. It helps keep me grounded."
page 238: "The One-Minute Ease Break" Ask yourself: "Am I feeling friction or ease right now?" at three different points in your day. If you're feeling ease, savor it! Pause and really feel that lightness and flow in your body. Anchor it by tapping your wrist and saying 'ease'--this creates a physical trigger you can use anything to remind you of that feeling. If you're feeling friction, use this minute to get unstuck. Stand up, shake out your hands, and take three slow, deep breaths."
page 256: Manifesto
1. Leave ten minutes earlier than you think you need for every appointment.
2. Learn to discern between real and imagined deadlines by asking, "Can this wait?"
3. Create a reverse bucket list to celebrate past achievements instead of fixating on future goals.
4. Use "time decluttering" to remove unnecessary commitments from your schedule.
5. Practice the art of no-guilt communication with friends to maintain relationships without pressure.
6. It's impossible to keep up with everything, so avoid the temptation to try.
7. We overestimate what we can accomplish in a day, and underestimate what can happen in a year.
8. Not everything you start needs to be finished.
9. No one ever says, "I wish I'd made that change later."
10. To live better, think about death every day.
I marked so many pages in this book, I think I need to change my rating to a 5! I guess I really got a lot out of it! :)
page 29: "Make timekeeping sensory or multidimensional: 1. Create playlists of a certain length for different activities. 2. Use visual timers instead of, or in addition to traditional ones (fun colors or ones for children). 3. Get creative: the number of songs = time it's taken to do your hair."
page 31: "Notice how you procrastinate when you have more time than you expected. One trick here is when you catch yourself thinking, 'Ugh, this will take ages,' that's your cue to challenge the thought. Maybe give that dreaded task a go and see how long it really takes."
page 33: "Allow more time than you think you need. Leave ten to fifteen minutes earlier for every appointment." ***I love this one.***
page 48: "Reframe personal time rules: I always turn off my phone by 10 pm --->>>More often than not, I turn off my phone by 10 pm. **This made me think of PRCs (Personal Rules of Conduct--we all have them. How much do they help us, and how much do they hurt us?)
page 51: "Many time rules work well with habit stacking, a concept that suggests we are more likely to form lasting habits if they build upon one other."
page 61: Regarding email, this chapter is titled "The Inbox of Shame": "Send shorter replies in favor of long replies. 'Let's talk about this' is a great way to acknowledge a message without spending half an hour writing a response. Play the role of email-responding actor (from a Reddit comment): You don't have to answer the email, you just have to play the part of the person who answers the email."
page 65: "Hyper-responsiveness doesn't equal excellence, happiness, or even the best use of our limited time. We have to set out own limits, because no one else will. "
page 74: "You fully expect that your energy and output will vary day by day due to factors beyond your control. Radical acceptance = energy conservation, present-moment focus, improved decision-making. (This connects to another part of the book where he addresses different levels of energy from day to day and not beating yourself up: red, yellow, and green light.)
page 81: From the "What is Enough?" chapter: Here are three questions to ask yourself to help you reflect on your day in a kind way: 1. Did I create something? 2. Did I help someone? 3. Did I take some amount of time for myself?
page 94: "Time is limited, but desire is limitless." So wise!
page 130: This chapter is titled "Move on Quickly." He discusses friction loops vs. ease loops.
page 133: "Friction loops grind us down, while ease loops give us a boos. We want to move toward ease and away from friction."
page 134: "The confirm button never disappoints." Stop waffling!
page 183: Ask yourself: "What is special about this day?"
page 194: "Closer or further? Toward or away?" Use these questions to help you make decisions.
page 197: "Think about death every day."
page 236: "I love a good project during the holidays. It helps keep me grounded."
page 238: "The One-Minute Ease Break" Ask yourself: "Am I feeling friction or ease right now?" at three different points in your day. If you're feeling ease, savor it! Pause and really feel that lightness and flow in your body. Anchor it by tapping your wrist and saying 'ease'--this creates a physical trigger you can use anything to remind you of that feeling. If you're feeling friction, use this minute to get unstuck. Stand up, shake out your hands, and take three slow, deep breaths."
page 256: Manifesto
1. Leave ten minutes earlier than you think you need for every appointment.
2. Learn to discern between real and imagined deadlines by asking, "Can this wait?"
3. Create a reverse bucket list to celebrate past achievements instead of fixating on future goals.
4. Use "time decluttering" to remove unnecessary commitments from your schedule.
5. Practice the art of no-guilt communication with friends to maintain relationships without pressure.
6. It's impossible to keep up with everything, so avoid the temptation to try.
7. We overestimate what we can accomplish in a day, and underestimate what can happen in a year.
8. Not everything you start needs to be finished.
9. No one ever says, "I wish I'd made that change later."
10. To live better, think about death every day.
I marked so many pages in this book, I think I need to change my rating to a 5! I guess I really got a lot out of it! :)
January 4, 2026
This was a good read, like a simpler version of Four Thousand Weeks, by Oliver Burkeman.
A few of my notes that I thought were helpful:
Time is limited, but desire is limitless.Stop trying to do all things.Close out things you’re not doing (emails you’re not responding to, tasks that aren’t important enough to make it to your priority list. Etc.)
Make a “to dread list” - listing out the things you’ve been avoiding
Not everything you start has to be completed, and not everything you do has to be done with excellence
When looking to make a change in your life, but you’re not sure about when - the answer is always it’s overdue, or now. No one ever looks back and said I wish I made that change later…
If you’re not sure about a change - think of yourself in 10 years, and consider if you’d be happy you made that change by then. If you’re still not sure, then take the first step towards it, and see how it feels. (For example, if you’re wondering if you should go to grad school, but aren’t sure, write your application, and see how that feels).
The 8th day. What would you do if you had a hypothetical 8th day every week, where time for everyone else stopped. What would you do with that time? Your answers here should give you a hint of something you want more of in your life. Open up your schedule and find a way to add those things in.
When going through your day, take note of what you want more of in your life - what gives you energy, and what you want less of - what drains you. Write it down, so you can make changes as needed.
Time anxiety comes from the feeling that we’re not doing enough. Doing more of what we enjoy could be the cure!
Think about your death at least once a day to help keep things in perspective.
A few of my notes that I thought were helpful:
Time is limited, but desire is limitless.Stop trying to do all things.Close out things you’re not doing (emails you’re not responding to, tasks that aren’t important enough to make it to your priority list. Etc.)
Make a “to dread list” - listing out the things you’ve been avoiding
Not everything you start has to be completed, and not everything you do has to be done with excellence
When looking to make a change in your life, but you’re not sure about when - the answer is always it’s overdue, or now. No one ever looks back and said I wish I made that change later…
If you’re not sure about a change - think of yourself in 10 years, and consider if you’d be happy you made that change by then. If you’re still not sure, then take the first step towards it, and see how it feels. (For example, if you’re wondering if you should go to grad school, but aren’t sure, write your application, and see how that feels).
The 8th day. What would you do if you had a hypothetical 8th day every week, where time for everyone else stopped. What would you do with that time? Your answers here should give you a hint of something you want more of in your life. Open up your schedule and find a way to add those things in.
When going through your day, take note of what you want more of in your life - what gives you energy, and what you want less of - what drains you. Write it down, so you can make changes as needed.
Time anxiety comes from the feeling that we’re not doing enough. Doing more of what we enjoy could be the cure!
Think about your death at least once a day to help keep things in perspective.
April 9, 2025
Time Anxiety: The Illusion of Urgency and a Better Way to Live by Chris Guillebeau is an eye-opening exploration of how modern life has led us to believe that we’re always running out of time. Guillebeau effectively unpacks the pressure we place on ourselves to be constantly productive and how this sense of urgency is often an illusion that leads to stress, burnout, and an endless cycle of guilt.
What I loved most about this book is its practical approach. It’s not just another time management guide filled with overwhelming advice. Instead, Guillebeau encourages us to rethink our relationship with time, focusing on what truly matters and giving ourselves permission to step back from the rest. The book is well-structured, with clear and concise sections that are easy to follow, no matter how hectic your schedule might be.
A standout theme is learning to let go of guilt, particularly when it comes to work and managing our overflowing inboxes. Guillebeau’s advice here is refreshing and realistic—he emphasizes the importance of doing what’s meaningful, not just doing more.
For anyone who feels like they’re always behind or struggling to keep up with endless to-do lists, Time Anxiety offers a judgment-free, insightful perspective on how to live a more intentional and less stressful life. It's also a fantastic complement to the work of Cal Newport, as it delves even deeper into the idea of managing your time and focus in a way that aligns with your values, not just your obligations.
What I loved most about this book is its practical approach. It’s not just another time management guide filled with overwhelming advice. Instead, Guillebeau encourages us to rethink our relationship with time, focusing on what truly matters and giving ourselves permission to step back from the rest. The book is well-structured, with clear and concise sections that are easy to follow, no matter how hectic your schedule might be.
A standout theme is learning to let go of guilt, particularly when it comes to work and managing our overflowing inboxes. Guillebeau’s advice here is refreshing and realistic—he emphasizes the importance of doing what’s meaningful, not just doing more.
For anyone who feels like they’re always behind or struggling to keep up with endless to-do lists, Time Anxiety offers a judgment-free, insightful perspective on how to live a more intentional and less stressful life. It's also a fantastic complement to the work of Cal Newport, as it delves even deeper into the idea of managing your time and focus in a way that aligns with your values, not just your obligations.
April 26, 2025
Time Anxiety by Chris Guillebeau explores the modern fear of running out of time — the pressure to do more, be more, and never fall behind. Guillebeau dives into how this constant race against the clock can cause stress, dissatisfaction, and burnout. Through relatable insights and practical advice, he encourages readers to shift their focus from doing everything to doing what truly matters, helping them find peace, fulfillment, and purpose in a fast-moving world.
I don't know about you, but every year feels like it goes by faster and faster — and honestly, that alone makes me feel like I don't have enough time to accomplish anything. Whether it's daily, weekly, monthly, or yearly goals, it feels like time is sprinting ahead and I'm constantly struggling to catch up. I’ve often felt anxiety about time, but I never really knew it was an actual thing until I came across Time Anxiety by Chris Guillebeau.
Anywayyyyy, back to the book — this one was so relevant and helpful. It made me realize that while time anxiety is incredibly common, it doesn't have to control my life. Guillebeau offers practical insights that helped me understand the patterns contributing to my stress, and he gives actionable advice for focusing on what truly matters instead of trying to "do it all." After reading this, I definitely have a better sense of where I can improve and what I'd like to intentionally change moving forward.
If you’ve ever felt like life is speeding by and you’re stuck playing a game you can’t win, this book will absolutely resonate.
I don't know about you, but every year feels like it goes by faster and faster — and honestly, that alone makes me feel like I don't have enough time to accomplish anything. Whether it's daily, weekly, monthly, or yearly goals, it feels like time is sprinting ahead and I'm constantly struggling to catch up. I’ve often felt anxiety about time, but I never really knew it was an actual thing until I came across Time Anxiety by Chris Guillebeau.
Anywayyyyy, back to the book — this one was so relevant and helpful. It made me realize that while time anxiety is incredibly common, it doesn't have to control my life. Guillebeau offers practical insights that helped me understand the patterns contributing to my stress, and he gives actionable advice for focusing on what truly matters instead of trying to "do it all." After reading this, I definitely have a better sense of where I can improve and what I'd like to intentionally change moving forward.
If you’ve ever felt like life is speeding by and you’re stuck playing a game you can’t win, this book will absolutely resonate.
August 23, 2025
I don't know anyone who does not feel the pressure of time. This feeling may stem from the need to complete all one's daily tasks or from the desire to achieve long-term goals within one's lifetime. In my case, I feel both pressures.
Chris Guillebeau's 2025 book "Time Anxiety" addresses these pressures.
Here is some of his advice:
- Schedule transition time between your appointments, so you have time to prepare
- Allow a few extra minutes to travel than you think you might need. Avoid doing last-minute tasks before you head out the door.
- Not every task has to be accomplished with excellence. Some things can be good enough, leaving more time for higher-priority activities.
Most of his advice revolves around deciding what is important to you, focusing on things that support that, and deproritizing unimportant things. For example, it is not necessary to finish a book or movie if you are not enjoying it or not getting anything from it. Ask yourself how you will feel about a decision ten years from now. That may help you to decide.
The best advice I read here was in addressing overwhelming negative thoughts, which everyone experiences sometimes. Guillebeau advises us to focus on the positive - to remember a time you faced a similar challenge and succeeded.
"Time Anxiety" is not a bad book. The author provides simple, straightforward, and concise advice on managing time. But nearly all of it is common sense, and I think I am already doing all his recommendations.
Chris Guillebeau's 2025 book "Time Anxiety" addresses these pressures.
Here is some of his advice:
- Schedule transition time between your appointments, so you have time to prepare
- Allow a few extra minutes to travel than you think you might need. Avoid doing last-minute tasks before you head out the door.
- Not every task has to be accomplished with excellence. Some things can be good enough, leaving more time for higher-priority activities.
Most of his advice revolves around deciding what is important to you, focusing on things that support that, and deproritizing unimportant things. For example, it is not necessary to finish a book or movie if you are not enjoying it or not getting anything from it. Ask yourself how you will feel about a decision ten years from now. That may help you to decide.
The best advice I read here was in addressing overwhelming negative thoughts, which everyone experiences sometimes. Guillebeau advises us to focus on the positive - to remember a time you faced a similar challenge and succeeded.
"Time Anxiety" is not a bad book. The author provides simple, straightforward, and concise advice on managing time. But nearly all of it is common sense, and I think I am already doing all his recommendations.
August 5, 2025
I really enjoyed this book. It comes with many many useful tips and concepts: it attacks two sides of time anxiety: anxiety around not getting enough done in a day (the one I particularly resonate with) and anxiety around getting enough done in you lifetime. Guillebeau has a good mixture of tips for both issues. I particularly enjoyed the various journaling exercises/questions to ask yourself. All in all, it’s about intentionality and making space (and time) for things that you want more of and taking time from things that you want to move away from. So, for example, it’s ok to be done with something before you actually “finish” it. It doesn’t even have to mean you didn’t like the thing, it’s just that you’ve gotten what you needed out of it. I also enjoyed the exercise to think about what you would be proud of in your life at the end of your life and what you would regret. This exercise was useful for me and I gave answers that I didn’t quite expect. Anyway, if you find the every present doom of not getting enough done in a day or a lifetime is something you can relate to, this book is for you. I also recommend reading it relatively slowly over time such that you have a chance to actually try out or journal about each of the exercises given.
July 30, 2025
I found this helpful. One of the great defects of Goodreads is that there is no way to annotate who recommended a book to you, so I often have no idea if I learned about a book from a friend or a published book review. Which is my way of saying, if you told me about this book, thank you!
You know the expression "It's only too late if you don't start now" - well, that's how I feel about this book. I wish I'd read it ages ago, but in fact many of its messages I did come across years ago, and they helped me. But I also feel that the particular framing of this book is just what I need for this moment in my life, and so I am glad to have read it now. The book takes aim at many of the beliefs that have driven my life and gives me permission to rethink/reject them, and THEN provides the practical guidance for how I might live differently.
Is the book perfect? Nah, but what is? I'm trying to decide whether to buy a copy for future reference or just make copies of some key pages. Maybe I'll just write out some of the ideas that I find most helpful, because they say copying passages by hand makes them stick to your mind.
You know the expression "It's only too late if you don't start now" - well, that's how I feel about this book. I wish I'd read it ages ago, but in fact many of its messages I did come across years ago, and they helped me. But I also feel that the particular framing of this book is just what I need for this moment in my life, and so I am glad to have read it now. The book takes aim at many of the beliefs that have driven my life and gives me permission to rethink/reject them, and THEN provides the practical guidance for how I might live differently.
Is the book perfect? Nah, but what is? I'm trying to decide whether to buy a copy for future reference or just make copies of some key pages. Maybe I'll just write out some of the ideas that I find most helpful, because they say copying passages by hand makes them stick to your mind.
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