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Life lessons: Richard Osman on what life so far has taught him

The TV presenter and bestselling author Richard Osman on the magic of irrationality, people who monetise anger, and remembering to enjoy the view

The TV presenter and bestselling author Richard Osman on the magic of irrationality, people who monetise anger, and remembering to enjoy the view

My morning ritual is …

A cup of tea and doing The New York Times’ Spelling Bee with my wife, Ingrid. Then, I either go up to work or go out for a nice long walk.  

I feel optimistic about … 

The human race. We’re often told how awful and how doomed we are but most people are decent human beings who want to find a way through.  

What makes me angry …

Grifters making money out of anger. A lot of people are saying things and being angry for bucks, for clicks. The ninth circle of hell will be reserved for them.  

If I wasn’t an author-TV presenter-TV producer-comedian-podcaster, I’d have liked to become … 

I like the idea of being a florist. I bet you get a lot of good gossip from whatever village you’re in. That idea of beauty and commerce appeals to me.  

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The habit that has served me best in life …

I’m pretty good at not panicking or getting too stressed. I’m good at putting things in perspective. My rule is: ‘Don’t panic about panicking,’ because then it becomes a spiral.  

The habit I’ve successfully kicked is …

I think I’ve kicked the habit of ambition. I’ve kicked the habit of constantly worrying about whether I’m going to succeed, or about climbing the next rung of the ladder. I’ve understood life is only about enjoying the view – it’s not about climbing higher and higher.  

My sources of joy are … 

My family, my cats, sport, books, chance encounters on the street and lovely conversations with people – the serendipity of everyday life. Joy is all around if you want to take it. 

When things get tough I … 

I have a geniality in my public image. But when things get tough, I can be very ruthless: you suddenly see the Alpha Richard Osman. It’s never anger, it’s just tunnel-vision focus and working out the quickest way to solve whatever the issue is.  

The TV presenter and bestselling author Richard Osman on life lessons

'Joy is all around if you want to take it,' says Richard Osman. Image: Conor O'Leary

The book I wish everyone would read is …

A Month in the Country by JL Carr. It’s so beautiful, it’s kind of funny, and it’s incredibly nostalgic. You can read it in an afternoon and it will stay with you for a lifetime.  

The big thing I’ve changed my mind about in life is … 

The idea that it’s important to be rational all the time. I can give you a million reasons why ghosts don’t exist or why you could argue against religion, but plenty of people still believe in them. The magic that comes with irrationality is such an important part of the world: so much art, creativity and interesting things come from being irrational. I still am a believer in the power of genuine truths. But the older I get, the happier I am to let magic and irrationality into that world.  

What keeps me awake at night …

Family. If I’m getting towards a deadline, my brain is filled with a book. But the only thing I ever worry about is the health and happiness of the people I love.  

The thing that motivates me most of all is … 

Happiness. When I was much younger, it was about proving myself, ambition, competitiveness and ego. But, eventually, you go: ‘Oh, all of this is in service of being happy. So why don’t I take that bit first?’ Hopefully, by the time you get to your 40s and 50s, you have a keener idea of what makes you happy and how to get there.  

I feel optimistic about the human race. Most people are decent human beings who want to find a way through 

My parents taught me …

My mum was a primacy school teacher, she didn’t force us to play an instrument or to do something self-improving. She trusted us to get on with the things we loved. The thing my mum taught me is that kids will become what they want to become. If they find something they love, encourage them, but don’t force anything on them: just give your kid time and freedom. 

I have this theory that … 

Creativity can be taught. Creativity is just curiosity. It’s two bubbles of curiosity banging into each other and creating something no one ever created before. Just keep as many bubbles of thought – conversations, ideas, interest in new things – going around your head until two of them bang into each other. 

I’d like to tell my younger self … 

That it’s all going to be OK: you’ll be alright. That you don’t need to walk through life pretending to be less tall or feeling like an outsider, and actually your weaknesses are your strengths. That’s the stuff that’s going to make you a unique human being.

We Solve Murders by Richard Osman, the first in a new series of murder mysteries, is available now in hardback, publishing by Viking. Osman’s four novels in The Thursday Murder Club series are also available 

Main image: Conor O’Leary

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