[romesmoke]

> Learn something every day.

It's fine if it doesn't happen every day. Don't be obsessed about this stuff. Forgive yourself if you ever behave sub-optimally. You're not a machine, neither should you be one.

Tyranny starts with the best of intentions.

[yardshop]

He says something similar at the end of the article:

"These four verbs aren’t a productivity system or a self-help formula. Some days I forget one. Other days, one takes over. But when I return to them, they gently reorient me."

You may be overreacting with words like "machine" and "tyranny" to an idea simply suggested as a useful and helpful goal.

[romesmoke]

I wouldn't have commented if the article kept neutral on when to apply its ideas. But the push for daily learning-reflecting-etc is there. Even the segment you're quoting uses days for accounting. You're downplaying one's potential to read something like this on the Internet and try to literally live by it.

As for machines and tyranny, they're terms capturing the Zeitgeist all too well.

[philipallstar]

> Forgive yourself if you ever behave sub-optimally

Of course there's nothing to forgive. There's no need to course-correct against a way that almost no-one will feel.

> Tyranny starts with the best of intentions.

Placing an irrelevant (and untrue) statement such as this next to the point you're making to imply that it reinforces it is a bit manipulative.

[romesmoke]

You sound lucky enough to have dodged self-hate. Happy for you. Enjoy your day.

[mancharface1]

I believe Oliver Burkeman calls it "daily-ish" because it may not be realistic or helpful to force yourself to do it every day. But striving for "daily-ish" is worthwhile.

[pimlottc]

It’s fine if you have an easy out. Didn’t learn anything today? Open a random Wikipedia article. There, that’s something.