Mary Spender

One of My Favourite Writers…

The video is a personal endorsement of Oliver Burkeman’s lesser‑known title, *Meditations for Mortals*. The speaker, who previously praised Burkeman’s *4,000 Weeks* and *Time Management for Mortals*, recounts reading the book over a month and following its weekly exercises step‑by‑step. Burkeman structures the work as a series of weekly meditations that combine philosophical reflection on mortality with actionable habits. Readers are encouraged to view every event as either a “good time” or a “good story,” a mindset that reframes setbacks into narrative fuel for growth. The author’s calm, measured prose is highlighted as a key factor that steadies the reader’s mental state. A standout passage on page 103—“Almost everything that happens… is either a good time or a good story”—illustrates the book’s core thesis. The speaker notes that applying this lens turned personal mishaps into unexpected improvements, confirming the book’s promise of turning adversity into a richer life narrative. For professionals and entrepreneurs, the book offers a pragmatic toolkit for managing time, stress, and the inevitable uncertainty of business. By normalizing mortality and encouraging reflective practice, it cultivates resilience and a healthier approach to productivity, making it a valuable addition to any leadership or personal‑development library.