What if I told you that you only have about 4,000 weeks to live?
That number—roughly the average human lifespan—stopped me in my tracks. It’s also the title of Oliver Burkeman’s game-changing book, Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals. But don’t let the subtitle fool you. This isn’t another hustle-harder, wake-up-at-4-a.m. productivity manual. In fact, it turns much of that thinking on its head.
Burkeman invites us to stop chasing the illusion that we’ll “get it all done,” and instead learn how to live with the limitations of time in a way that’s freeing, not frustrating. It’s about embracing the fact that we can’t do everything—and finding peace, focus, and joy in what we choose to do instead.
Why This Book Matters
So many of us feel behind, overwhelmed, or like we’re sprinting through life without ever arriving. Four Thousand Weeks is a wake-up call. It challenges our assumptions about productivity and shows us how to work with time rather than against it.
Here are a few of the key takeaways that really resonated with me—and how you might apply them in your own life:
1. Accept That You’ll Never “Catch Up”
Burkeman reminds us that the to-do list will never be empty. And that’s not a sign of failure—it’s reality. Once we stop trying to conquer time, we can start to make more meaningful choices.
✅ Try This: Each morning, ask yourself: “If I could only do one thing today that really mattered, what would it be?” Start there.
2. Focus on What You Want to Give Your Life To
We often live reactively, filling our days with urgent-but-unimportant tasks. This book urges us to get honest about our priorities. What do you want to look back on after 4,000 weeks?
✅ Try This: Make a “meaningful moments” list—activities, people, and places that light you up. Then schedule time for them first.
3. Let Go of the Fantasy of Control
Time is unpredictable. Life is messy. The idea that we can structure it into perfect efficiency is comforting—but unrealistic. Burkeman encourages us to lean into the uncertainty and find peace there.
✅ Try This: Stop over-planning every hour. Instead, block time for what matters and let the rest unfold. Trust your presence more than your calendar.
4. Do Fewer Things, Better
Saying yes to everything means doing most things halfway. Four Thousand Weeks teaches us the power of choosing and committing—of being present with fewer, richer pursuits.
✅ Try This: Audit your commitments this week. What can you let go of to make space for what truly matters?
The Big Lesson: Time Isn’t Something You Spend
— It’s Something You Live In
This book doesn’t offer easy answers. Instead, it gives us something far more valuable: a lens to look at time not as a resource to optimize, but as a gift to savor. It’s honest. It’s challenging. And it just might change how you live your life.
Final Thought
If you’ve ever felt like you’re running on a treadmill that only speeds up—Four Thousand Weeks might be exactly the reset you need. It’s not about doing more. It’s about finally doing what matters most.
I highly encourage you to pick it up, read it slowly, and reflect deeply. And if you do, I’d love to hear what resonates most with you. Here is a link to it on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3H37cK2
👉 Want more insights like this? Visit my blog and check out my upcoming book, Embracing Retirement: Discovering Your Fulfilling Second Act—a guide to finding purpose, joy, and meaning in your next chapter.
