Time Anxiety - by Chris Guillebeau (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

A powerful antidote to deadline dread, time guilt, and chronic rushing--from the New York Times bestselling author of The $100 Startup

In a world obsessed with squeezing the most out of every moment, the fear of falling behind can trap us in a paralyzing stress cycle. Incomplete to-do lists, unanswered emails, and unmet life goals haunt our thoughts, leaving us overstimulated and exhausted.

In Time Anxiety, Chris Guillebeau, author of the popular newsletter A Year of Mental Health, reveals that this pervasive sense of time scarcity stems not from a lack of hours in the day but from unrealistic expectations and misaligned priorities. Weaving together eye-opening research on time perception, executive functioning challenges, and the psychological roots of avoidance, he offers a bold path for redefining our relationship with the clock.

The first step is to build a tolerance for incomplete to-do lists and the inevitability of disappointing people, abandoning the goal of "catching up." We have to set our own limits because no one else will. From there, Guillebeau guides readers through a process of:

• Identifying cognitive distortions that make routine tasks feel high-stakes, regulating the nervous system through grounding techniques and breathwork, and embracing the goal of "good enough"
• Uncovering the unwritten "time rules" that govern our days ("I return phone calls within an hour" or "I reply to every email the same day, without exception") and creating new rules that better serve us

• Weighing the trade-offs between competing values and priorities so we can invest our finite energy wisely, operating out of an empowered rather than a fear-based state

Ultimately, Time Anxiety is a call to wake up from the trance of busyness and reclaim our most precious resource. By breaking the habits of overstressing, overdoing, and underliving, we can start savoring our limited time on earth.

Review Quotes

"A wealth of insanely useful advice, from the practical to the psychological, for breaking free from time anxiety, slowing down, and living on purpose."--Cal Newport, New York Times bestselling author of Slow Productivity and Deep Work

"Our relationship with time is one of the most important aspects of our lives. In Time Anxiety, Chris Guillebeau brilliantly investigates why it is so persistently vexing, offering concrete steps to deal with common challenges like deadline dread and chronic rushing while reassuring us that, amid all our angst, there is indeed time for a life well-lived. An invaluable, insightful book."--Gretchen Rubin, New York Times bestselling author of Life in Five Senses and The Happiness Project

"Finally! A time management book that won't just help you run your day, but actually enjoy it!"--Chris Bailey, bestselling author of Hyperfocus

"A must-read . . . With his signature blend of practical wisdom and relatable anecdotes, Guillebeau tackles the universal struggle and stress of feeling like we're running out of time."--Matt Abrahams, lecturer at Stanford Graduate School of Business and bestselling author of Think Faster, Talk Smarter

"A refreshingly honest and practical guide for anyone who feels overwhelmed by time. Guillebeau deftly weaves research, personal experience, and actionable strategies to help readers move from anxiety to purposeful living."--Ben Meer, founder of System Sunday

"In Time Anxiety, Chris Guillebeau dismantles the myth of urgency and presents a refreshingly human approach to reclaiming our time--not by cramming in more tasks, but by embracing the power of letting go. Thoughtful, practical, and deeply relatable, this book shifts our focus from relentless productivity to intentional living."--Nir Eyal, author of Indistractable

About the Author

Chris Guillebeau is the New York Times bestselling author of The $100 Startup, Side Hustle, and The Happiness of Pursuit, which have sold over one million copies worldwide. During a lifetime of self-employment that included a four-year commitment as a volunteer executive in West Africa, he visited every country in the world (193 in total) before his thirty-fifth birthday.