Four Thousand Weeks is a good book with lots of ideas for wanting to get oneself organised and focused on relevant, big things, rather than the small, less significant things in life that can get in the way and bog down more important projects. As I read the book, I felt that much of what Burkeman advocates chimes very much with my own ideas about productivity.
Burkeman outlines his thesis at the very start, writing:
“The real problem isn’t our limited time. The real problem – or so I hope to convince you – is that we’ve unwittingly inherited, and feel pressured to live by, a troublesome set of ideas about how to use our limited time, all of which are pretty much guaranteed to make things worse.”
There is little to disagree with in Four Thousand Weeks. Most of the advice is useful and evidenced based as Burkeman guides his readers through a labyrinth of self-help, organisational and productivity tips, some of which are very good and worth taking on board. Others, put to the test, fall to the wayside.
His own ideas, which amount to using one’s time well by focusing mainly on a few key projects, only adding new projects when initial key ones are completed, is a fairly loose way of putting it, for there is more detail and nuance in Burkeman’s approach.
For example, when referring to Stephen Covey’s parable of the rocks in the jar, he writes: “The critical question isn’t how to differentiate between activities that matter and those that don’t, but what to do when far too many things feel at least somewhat important, and therefore arguably qualify as big rocks.”
In addition, Burkeman writes particularly well. There is the occasional flourish into the long, abstract sentence; though this is the exception rather than the rule. For most part, ideas were expressed clearly throughout the book and generally easy to comprehend. And there are some great stories along the way, such as the one about Franz Kafka being torn between his work and love for Felice Bauer.
The book is also full of quotable passages. Here are three, though I could have picked many more.
“Productivity is a trap. Becoming more efficient just makes you more rushed, and trying to clear the decks simply makes them fill up again faster.”
“The technologies we use to try to ‘get on top of everything’ always fail us, in the end, because they increase the size of the ’everything’ of which we’re trying to get on top.”
“One can waste years this way, systematically postponing precisely the things one cares about the most.”
All in all, I would recommend Four Thousand Weeks for it has much to offer, whether you agree with Burkeman’s ideas or not.
I hope you find my review helpful.
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The real measure of any time management technique is whether or not it helps you neglect the right things.Highlighted by 4,957 Kindle readers- Choose uncomfortable enlargement over comfortable diminishment whenever you can.Highlighted by 4,820 Kindle readers
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Reviews with images
Interested, Transformative.
"Four Thousand Weeks" by Oliver Burkeman is a transformative book that challenges the relentless hustle culture and productivity mindset. Through a deeply realistic exploration, Burkeman emphasizes the importance of savoring life's moments and finding meaning in simply existing. The premise of the book centers around the concept that an average person lives for only four thousand weeks, urging readers to reconsider their relationship with time and productivity. Burkeman's refreshing perspective offers practical wisdom on time management, encouraging readers to prioritize what truly matters. This book is a valuable resource for anyone seeking a fresh outlook on living a meaningful life within the constraints of time. I highly recommend "Four Thousand Weeks" and give it a 5/5 star rating.
Top reviews from other countries
Beguiled By Books
Great book on productivity and time management
Reviewed in the United States on 21 July 2023
Madalina Voiculet
A very nice, easy to read book about time management in a human way.
Reviewed in Sweden on 23 July 2023
Madalina Voiculet
Reviewed in Sweden on 23 July 2023
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