I have spent the past 20 years of my life trying to juice as much productivity and accomplishment out of each minute as possible, to the detriment of my health and sanity at times. This book is thought provoking in its encouragement to re-think our relationship with time and productivity. A couple of chapters ramble a bit more than others, but overall this book is an engaging read and is well-written. I would definitely recommend reading it if you are the kind of person who is frequently anxious about your inability to get everything done.
One small warning: The author is mostly philosophical and still practical. The philosophical reasoning for many of the practical points relies on a secular point of view that come across as nihilistic, or at least skeptical of religion. That comes through in the book’s repeated mantra that no one really cares about your life in the grand scheme so don’t stress out so much about it (as well as its frequent quoting of atheist philosophers). While our lives are far less significant than the modern American stresses themselves out believing, another way to support the conclusion without taking such a strong stance on religion or the meaning of life is that in the grand scheme of your life, the small things you stress out about moment to moment really are insignificant. This comes through in the final chapter’s suggestion to do “the next right thing.” If you have any religious inclinations, you can take the author’s own philosophy for a grain of salt and still benefit from the overarching concepts.
Also note to the Author who I am sure reads comments on his books: Great job and I think I would love to get a beer with someone wired so similarly to me! Knowing that won’t happen (neither of us has time ;) ), I do recommend that you and other like-minded readers check out The Reason for God by Timothy Keller and Counterfeit Gods by Timothy Keller. I think you’d enjoy both books based on your love for philosophy and our shared search for significance and fulfillment.
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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 11,174 Kindle readers- 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.Highlighted by 9,921 Kindle readers
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From the Publisher
Praise for Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman
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About the author
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Literally, time management for mortals :)
4,000 Weeks" is truly a life-changing book. It’s a perfectly crafted blend of self-help and philosophical writing, and it stands out as a wonderfully provocative read. Unlike the typical productivity guides that offer new tricks to cram more into your day, this book takes a refreshing and deeper approach: it questions why we feel the need to do so in the first place.What makes "4,000 Weeks" so impactful is that it doesn’t promise magical solutions to life’s challenges. Instead, it dives into the internal struggles we all face, using humor and keen observations to make us more humble and empathetic towards ourselves. It explores the very human experience of time in a way that feels both insightful and liberating.Rather than adding more to our to-do lists, this book invites us to re-evaluate our relationship with time and what truly matters. It’s a gentle reminder to embrace our limitations and focus on what’s genuinely important, making us more mindful of how we spend our finite weeks.I found "4,000 Weeks" to be incredibly insightful and resonant, offering not just advice, but a profound shift in perspective. It’s a book that not only challenges you but also encourages you to be kinder to yourself along the way. I highly recommend it to anyone looking to rethink their approach to time and life.
Top reviews from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States on May 6, 2024
Reviewed in the United States on August 28, 2024
What makes "4,000 Weeks" so impactful is that it doesn’t promise magical solutions to life’s challenges. Instead, it dives into the internal struggles we all face, using humor and keen observations to make us more humble and empathetic towards ourselves. It explores the very human experience of time in a way that feels both insightful and liberating.
Rather than adding more to our to-do lists, this book invites us to re-evaluate our relationship with time and what truly matters. It’s a gentle reminder to embrace our limitations and focus on what’s genuinely important, making us more mindful of how we spend our finite weeks.
I found "4,000 Weeks" to be incredibly insightful and resonant, offering not just advice, but a profound shift in perspective. It’s a book that not only challenges you but also encourages you to be kinder to yourself along the way. I highly recommend it to anyone looking to rethink their approach to time and life.
Literally, time management for mortals :)
Reviewed in the United States on August 28, 2024
4,000 Weeks" is truly a life-changing book. It’s a perfectly crafted blend of self-help and philosophical writing, and it stands out as a wonderfully provocative read. Unlike the typical productivity guides that offer new tricks to cram more into your day, this book takes a refreshing and deeper approach: it questions why we feel the need to do so in the first place.Reviewed in the United States on August 28, 2024
What makes "4,000 Weeks" so impactful is that it doesn’t promise magical solutions to life’s challenges. Instead, it dives into the internal struggles we all face, using humor and keen observations to make us more humble and empathetic towards ourselves. It explores the very human experience of time in a way that feels both insightful and liberating.
Rather than adding more to our to-do lists, this book invites us to re-evaluate our relationship with time and what truly matters. It’s a gentle reminder to embrace our limitations and focus on what’s genuinely important, making us more mindful of how we spend our finite weeks.
I found "4,000 Weeks" to be incredibly insightful and resonant, offering not just advice, but a profound shift in perspective. It’s a book that not only challenges you but also encourages you to be kinder to yourself along the way. I highly recommend it to anyone looking to rethink their approach to time and life.
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Reviewed in the United States on April 3, 2024
Top reviews from other countries
Mrs. Inessa Agnew
A brilliant must read
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 1, 2024Ayla
No time to read this? Then you DEFINITELY need to read it.
Reviewed in Belgium on May 24, 2024
