I Didn't Do the Thing Today

Letting Go of Productivity Guilt

By: Madeleine Dore

Narrated by: Madeleine Dore

Length: 7 hrs

Publisher's summary

How to release productivity guilt and embrace the hidden values in our daily lives.

Any given day brings a never-ending list of things to do. There’s the work thing, the catch-up thing, the laundry thing, the creative thing, the exercise thing, the family thing, the thing we don’t want to do, and the thing we’ve been putting off, despite it being the most important thing. Even on days when we get a lot done, the thing left undone can leave us feeling guilty, anxious, or disappointed.

After five years of searching for the secret to productivity, Madeleine Dore discovered there isn’t one. Instead, we’re being set up to fail. I Didn’t Do the Thing Today is the inspiring call to take productivity off its pedestal - by dismantling our comparison to others, aspirational routines, and the unrealistic notions of what can be done in a day, we can finally embrace the joyful messiness and unpredictability of life.

For anyone who has ever felt the pressure to do more, be more, achieve more, this antidote to our doing-obsession is the permission slip we all need to find our own way.

©2022 Madeleine Dore (P)2022 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"While many books insist on changing your life, this one invites you to expand your life. A radical masterpiece." (Mari Andrew, author of My Inner Sky)

"A remarkable combination: part broadside against our culture of frenetic busyness, part consolation for the days when things don't go to plan." (Oliver Burkeman, author of Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals)

"I found a lot to steal here and you will, too." (Austin Kleon, author of Steal Like an Artist)

An Overall Nice Listen

After a particular trying week career-wise, I Didn't Do... was a nice cup of audio tea to help me shift my mindset and refocus on what really matters. Is there a key to cleaning your plate and feeling like a million bucks? Of course not, but it is a gentle reminder that you are only human, we are on this blue ball once and to enjoy the moments of bliss. Otherwise what's the point of all this work? The narrator has a lovely voice, usually I play at 1.3 speed, but Madeleine Dore's reading is almost as impactful as her words. I'd recommend this book.

Great Listen!

I personally loved it and it conceded for where I am in my life. As a consultant we are measured on productivity to which I loved this book for the practical lessons, outlook, and solutions she presents. Her voice was lovely to listen to, I increased the speed but know I will come back to listen to this book.

Felt like she was talking to me!

This was one of my favorite audibles so far. So many things resonated with me personally and I plan to listen 2 or 3 more times.

I want to say I’m free

I think the beginning and ending of this book could have been a lot shorter. I think the real gold nuggets are in the middle, and I’m glad I listened for them. I really really enjoyed those nuggets, and I’ll listen to them again. So, I would recommend a listen, and maybe skip the first 30 minutes to an hour…

Live your life

The practicality and reality check of just chill life is a journey and experience not a race.

Transformative Insights!

Madeleine Dore provides some exceptional ideas about reframing activity and the motivation behind activity. I highly recommend this book to anyone who feels overwhelmed. You may get less done and be happy about it!

Thoughtful book

Great book. Lots of really thought provoking info. The narrator was really difficult to understand at times.

Possibly life changing

Dore tells her story well (both as an author and reader). A mix of practical advice as well as a general philosophy to push back against a culture that defines us by and values us for our productivity, rather than as humans

Find extraordinary in the ordinary.

This book discusses so many aspects to appreciating the simplicity of life, curiosity and the unfolding of our days. Rather than punishing ourselves for what we didn’t do, the author asks us to find sheer delight in how the day unfolded. Beautifully read the author 🙂

Loved this book

I’ll listen to it again and again for all the positive reminders of what life should be about!