Week 1, Day 3

Week 1: Being Finite,

Day 3 Paying the Price

Summary: We often believe that what we want to do is impossible, but Burkeman argues that this is usually not true. In most cases we are only reluctant to pay the price. The book suggests that we evaluate the costs and decide whether or not we accept them.

        Today’s chapter is a bit complicated for me. While I know that actions have consequences and that there is a price, I don’t always know what they are and I have a tendency to overestimate them. I assume that the price of, let’s face it, doing anything interesting would be too high for me to handle. As a result, I stop myself, which is another way to hide. The problem is that inaction comes with its own price, even if it’s one that I carry myself.

Homework: Before I take an action or start a new project, I need to be more honest about the consequences. I need to accept that the price is often lower than I think. Let’s hope it feels liberating.