Lifetime Book Club: Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman
“The average human lifespan is absurdly, terrifyingly, insultingly short.”
That’s the opening line. And from there, Four Thousand Weeks doesn’t mess around.
In a world obsessed with productivity hacks, endless to-do lists and squeezing more out of every day, Burkeman offers something radical: acceptance. Not of defeat – but of reality. Because when you really look at it, four thousand weeks (roughly 80 years) is all we’ve got. And no app or bullet journal is going to give us more.
What It’s About
This book is not your typical time management guide. In fact, it gently pokes fun at the idea that we can ever “master” time. Burkeman’s message is that trying to do everything leads to doing nothing that really matters. Instead of racing the clock, Four Thousand Weeks invites us to rethink our relationship with time altogether.
He encourages us to:
- Let go of the illusion of control
- Embrace limitations
- Choose meaning over efficiency
It’s deep, but not preachy. Philosophical, but not fluffy. And packed with lightbulb moments.
What We Loved
Burkeman’s writing is thoughtful, dryly funny, and surprisingly comforting. He blends philosophy, psychology and personal anecdotes in a way that makes big ideas feel personal.
There’s a standout moment where he describes the guilt of “failing” to keep on top of everything – and then reminds us that the pressure to do it all is the problem, not our inability to meet it. It hits home.
Who It’s For
This book is perfect if:
- You feel like there’s never enough time
- You’ve tried every planner and still feel behind
- You’re craving a more meaningful pace of life
In other words, just about anyone living in 2025.
It’s not a step-by-step manual. It’s more like a wise friend saying, “Hey, what if it’s okay to let a few balls drop?”
“The real problem isn’t our limited time. The real problem is that we’re trying to do too many things with it.”
Final Thoughts
Four Thousand Weeks won’t give you more time. But it might just change how you use the time you have.
And in a world that’s always asking us to go faster, that feels like a breath of fresh air.
Win a Copy!
Feeling overwhelmed by your to-do list? We’re giving away a copy of Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman – a refreshingly honest take on time, meaning and how to make peace with both. Click here to enter.
Maximise Your Miles: Financial Tips for Frequent Flyers
Whether you’re a young Kiwi planning your OE (overseas experience), a family about to embark on that long-awaited trip to Disneyland, or a seasoned business traveller hopping between meetings in Singapore and Sydney, the excitement of travel is unbeatable. But with every adventure comes a bit of financial planning to ensure your holiday memories aren’t clouded by an unexpected hit to the wallet.
Market & Portfolio Update - January 2026
After strong gains in 2025, the global share market (represented by the MSCI World Gross Index) took a breather in January, returning 0.1% in NZ dollar terms. While the ‘Magnificent 7’ (the seven largest US-listed companies, including Google, Microsoft & Apple) have been large drivers behind the recent gains seen from the US share market, January told a different story. There appeared to be ‘catch-up’ trade where investors moved out of concentrated tech positions and into the rest of the market, with the Russell 2000 index (a widely regarded proxy for smaller US companies) having a strong month. This was generally seen as improving confidence in the broader US economy.