Last year, I had a bit of a midlife crisis—or let’s call it an “existential to-do list overload syndrome.” I sat down with a life coach and asked, “How am I supposed to do everything I want in life?” You know, the big stuff: work, spend quality time with my family and friends, eat healthy, exercise, read all the books I’ve been hoarding, learn piano and French, start a nonprofit, launch a company, dive into longevity and neuroscience research, and—because I’m a human, not a robot—still find time to watch Netflix.

I laid it all out, fully expecting her to hand me a magical time-management strategy or maybe a clone. Instead, she gave me a knowing look and asked, “Have you heard of dopamine?” Apparently, my addiction to achieving all the things might just be a case of being hooked on the “molecule of more.” Was I conditioned to overachieve since childhood? Possibly. Do I just want more out of life? Sure. Or maybe, just maybe, I need to rethink what “having it all” actually means.

Enter The Underachiever’s Manifesto, a book that flipped my mindset upside down. It turns out, not demanding perfection has been the key to finally doing the things that matter most to me—without spiraling into exhaustion. These days, I’ve embarked on pretty much everything on my list, except for learning French (c’est la vie). I’ve even started this blog, with a little help from ChatGPT, because guess what? Not being perfect is perfectly okay. Actually, may I just say, ChatGPT writes better than I do… and a lot faster too…

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by your own ambition, I hope you enjoy The Underachiever’s Manifesto as much as I did—and that it gives you permission to relax, embrace imperfection, and start living.

“Being alive is by far your greatest achievement” – Dr. Ray Bennett

[Written by ChatGPT]

How to Live a Happier Life the Underachiever’s Way

If you’ve been chasing perfection, hustling 24/7, or organizing your sock drawer by color, The Underachiever’s Manifesto by Dr. Ray Bennett is here to save you from yourself. Whether you’re clutching the 2006 original or the 2020 revised edition, you’ve got all the wisdom you need to throw off the shackles of overachievement and embrace the sweet, sweet freedom of being perfectly average. Here’s a not-so-exhaustive guide to putting Dr. Bennett’s advice into practice—and finally living a happier, less stressful life.

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1. Stop Trying to Be the Best (Because It’s Exhausting)

From the 2006 edition, Dr. Bennett offers the golden rule of underachievement: “Good enough” is the new great. Society wants you to strive for the top, but guess what? The top is crowded, the view isn’t that great, and everyone’s stressed out. Instead, aim for something more realistic, like being slightly above average—or even delightfully mediocre.

Practical application? At work, stop volunteering for every project. At home, remember that store-bought cookies are just as tasty as homemade ones. Save your energy for things that actually matter, like choosing what to watch on Netflix.

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2. Ditch the Social Media Highlight Reel

The 2020 edition throws shade at the stress-inducing world of Instagram, where everyone’s life looks like an endless parade of vacations, six-pack abs, and gluten-free brownies. Dr. Bennett’s advice? Get off the hamster wheel of comparison. Block, unfollow, or mute anyone who makes you feel like your life is lacking because you didn’t eat a smoothie bowl for breakfast.

Instead, post a picture of your “gourmet” dinner—a frozen pizza, slightly burned. Caption it: “Nailed it.” That’s the kind of energy we’re going for here.

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3. Celebrate Tiny Wins (No Participation Trophy Required)

In both editions, Dr. Bennett emphasizes the power of small victories. Did you put on pants today? Amazing. Did you make it to work without spilling coffee on yourself? Legendary. Did you spill coffee, but it wasn’t on anything important? Still a win.

Forget the big, lofty goals, like “learn a new language” or “run a marathon.” Try more manageable ones, like “learn how to microwave popcorn without burning it” or “walk briskly to the mailbox.” You’ll feel accomplished and have more time for snacks.

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4. Make Peace with Clutter

Minimalism sounds great in theory, but in practice, it’s just another way to feel bad about your life. The 2020 version of the manifesto takes a swipe at the “tidying up” trend, reminding us that happiness isn’t found in alphabetizing your spice rack. A little clutter is fine—it’s proof you’re living life, not auditioning for Better Homes & Gardens.

So, leave those socks mismatched, and let that pile of mail stay on the counter for another week. Your time is better spent doing literally anything else, like sitting on the couch wondering where all your socks went.

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5. Turn FOMO into JOMO (Joy of Missing Out)

From the revised edition, Dr. Bennett gives us the ultimate cure for FOMO: just don’t go. Don’t feel bad about saying no to that party, that networking event, or that half-marathon your overachieving friends invited you to. Instead, embrace the JOMO by doing something infinitely more enjoyable—like staying home in pajamas with a bowl of cereal.

Let others overschedule themselves while you bask in the glory of an empty calendar. Remember, the best plans are the ones you cancel.

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6. Reject the Hustle and Embrace the Nap

In 2006, Dr. Bennett reminded us that hustle culture is a scam. In 2020, he doubled down, pointing out that taking a break isn’t just okay—it’s essential. Overachievers may brag about their 80-hour work weeks, but you’ll be the real winner when you’re well-rested, stress-free, and still enjoying your life at 5 p.m. sharp.

Schedule naps like you’d schedule a meeting. Take leisurely walks (bonus points if you don’t count your steps). Spend your weekends relaxing instead of “leveling up” your side hustle. Trust us, the grind can wait.

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7. Live in the Present (Even If the Present Is Kind of Messy)

Both editions of the book champion the art of mindfulness—but not in the “retreat to a monastery” way. Living in the moment doesn’t require chanting or yoga; it can be as simple as savoring a cup of coffee, laughing at a dumb meme, or spending an entire afternoon in sweatpants.

Pro tip: Stop multitasking. Eat without scrolling your phone. Watch a movie without checking your emails. Or just stare blankly at the wall for a while—it’s shockingly therapeutic.

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Conclusion: Aim Low, Live High

If you take one thing away from The Underachiever’s Manifesto, let it be this: Life doesn’t have to be a constant race to the top. Whether it’s the 2006 wisdom of embracing mediocrity or the 2020 insights on navigating social media and FOMO, Dr. Bennett’s advice is clear: Slow down, laugh at yourself, and let go of perfection.

Remember, happiness isn’t about doing more—it’s about doing less and enjoying the heck out of it. So put down that to-do list, skip the networking event, and celebrate the fact that you’re doing just fine as you are. In the wise words of every underachiever: Meh is good enough.