Four Thousand Weeks – Oliver Burkeman

Freedom Matters

This week, we talk with with Oliver Burkeman. He is the author of "Four Thousand Weeks", a book about making the most of our radically finite lives in a world of impossible demands, relentless distraction and 'productivity techniques' that mainly just make everyone feel busier.

It’s a longer episode than usual because it is packed with wisdom. We discuss:

- Oliver’s understanding of ‘productivity’ and the challenges of productivity culture
- The finity of time and how to understand it
- Why we turn towards unimportant tasks and leave the meaningful work undone
- How technology makes us feel limitless, even though we are not
- How to serialise your life
- Why patience is a superpower

And so much more….

Oliver is the author of The Antidote: Happiness for People who Can’t Stand Positive Thinking and Help! How to Become Slightly Happier and Get a Bit More Done. He wrote a long-running column for the Guardian, This Column Will Change Your Life, and has a devoted following for his writing on productivity, mortality and the power of limits.

To buy Four Thousand Weeks: https://www.oliverburkeman.com/books

To follow Oliver & his thoughts: https://www.oliverburkeman.com/the-imperfectionist

Host and Producer: Georgie Powell https://www.sentientdigitalconsulting.com/

Music and audio production: Toccare https://spoti.fi/3bN4eqO