3 Contrarian Ideas on Productivity from Oliver Burkemen’s Book “Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals”
Key messages that you probably cannot find in other productivity and time management books.
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Oliver Burkemen says in his book Four Thousand Weeks that the average human lifespan is absurdly, insultingly brief. Assuming you live to be eighty, you have over four thousand weeks.
He explores time and time management concepts, arguing that our modern attempts to optimize our time leave us stressed and unhappy. Drawing upon the work of ancient and contemporary philosophers, psychologists, and spiritual leaders, this book proposes a path to cultivating a fulfilling life through embracing our limitations.
Here are the three key messages that you probably cannot find in other productivity and time management books.
- You’ll never be able to master your time.
- Become a better procrastinator by prioritizing limited goals.
- Practice cosmic insignificance therapy instead of worrying about your life’s purpose.
You’ll never be able to master your time.
Like most productivity nerds, the author tried many tools and techniques over time, but none of them worked; they all made him feel more anxious.
The author’s experiences taught him an important lesson: the more you try to conquer your time, the more frustrated stressed, and empty you feel. He calls this the paradox of limitation. But in reality, you’ll never be able to accomplish everything you’d like to.
And by facing this fact, you can begin to focus on what matters.
Become a better procrastinator by prioritizing limited goals.
The first principle to becoming a better procrastinator is paying yourself first with your time.
Instead of waiting for a moment when you have time to do it, actively make time in your schedule. The other principle is to avoid second-tier priorities. Whether we like it or not, we don’t have time to accomplish everything we want to do.
