Week 2, Day 10

Week 2: Taking Action

Day 10: Look for the Life Task

Summary: It’s interesting how Burkeman moves from yesterday’s relatively small item to today’s enormous task of identifying a life task, which at least for me, would take some time. So, what is a life task? The examples are vague, but Burkeman recommends that we look for a project that will make us feel like we’re getting a handle on life. Also, while it is challenging and perhaps even intimidating, it is something that is within our power to accomplish.

While I love a good quest, this is a bit vague and I was skeptical at first. I’m allergic to self-help literature’s requirement that we each find our own unique purpose, which even at my age is something that I find quite stressful. A life task seems to be different in that it requires me to look at my life rather than exploring the one reason I’m on this Earth.

Homework: Try to find a life task.