Powerful ideas from top nonfiction
Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.
Get started
Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
Listen to the Intro
Four Thousand Weeks summary
Time Management for Mortals
23 mins
Brief summary
'Four Thousand Weeks' by Oliver Burkeman is a thought-provoking book that challenges us to reevaluate how we spend our limited time on Earth. Burkeman offers practical advice on how to embrace uncertainty, overcome anxiety, and lead a more meaningful life.
Table of Contents
Four Thousand Weeks
Summary of 8 key ideas
Audio & text in the Blinkist app
Key idea 1 of 8
You’ll never be able to master your time.
For most of human history, people have wanted to be rich so that they wouldn’t have to work as hard. But in recent years, being busy has become a lauded life choice known as hustle. Research shows that the wealthier you are, the more likely you are to be anxious about not having enough time to get everything done. And our capitalist economy is to blame.
Capitalism drives us to leverage our time, abilities, and resources in order to reap the greatest profit. In the process, many wealthy people achieve success at the cost of living a meaningful life. Meanwhile, the gig economy has forced those less fortunate to work multiple jobs with little financial security.
Of course, being too busy isn’t everybody’s problem. But for those of us who are obsessed with filling every waking moment with productivity, it’s time we took a deeper look at this desire.
The key message here is: You’ll never be able to master your time.
As a self-proclaimed productivity nut, the author spent years attempting to optimize his time-management skills. He bought expensive notepads, experimented with techniques like scheduling his day in 15-minute blocks, and sorted his life into A, B, and C priorities. These methods made him feel like he was always on the brink of mastering his productivity. But the day on which he finally conquered his time never arrived. Instead, he was left feeling more anxious than ever.
One day he had an epiphany: his efforts to optimize his time were futile. While he thought of himself as a productive person, the painful truth was that the tasks he fulfilled most effectively were insignificant. Sure, he could dutifully clear his inbox. But responding to emails only led to more emails. Meanwhile, things which were important to him, like researching an article he planned to write, were left undone.
The author’s experiences taught him an important lesson: the more you try to conquer your time, the more frustrated, stressed, and empty you feel. He calls this the paradox of limitation. But in reality, you’ll never be able to accomplish everything you’d like to. And by facing this fact, you can begin to focus on what matters. In the author’s case, giving up the desire to master time and surrendering to the unknown changed his life. He even committed to a long-term relationship and started a family.
Want to see all full key ideas from Four Thousand Weeks?
Key ideas in Four Thousand Weeks
More knowledge in less time
Read or listen
Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.
Find your next read
Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.
Shortcasts New
We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.
What is Four Thousand Weeks about?
Four Thousand Weeks (2021) explores concepts of time and time management, arguing that our modern attempts to optimize our time leave us stressed and unhappy. Drawing upon the work of ancient and contemporary philosophers, psychologists, and spiritual leaders, this book proposes a path to cultivating a fulfilling life through embracing our limitations.
Four Thousand Weeks Review
Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman (2021) explores the concept of time and how we can make the most of our limited weeks on Earth. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- It challenges traditional ideas about productivity and time management, offering a refreshing perspective on how to live a fulfilling life.
- By sharing personal stories and drawing from philosophical and scientific research, the book provides thought-provoking insights on our relationship with time.
- With its humorous and relatable anecdotes, the book ensures that exploring the topic of time doesn't become dull, keeping readers engaged throughout.
Who should read Four Thousand Weeks?
- Time management gurus
- Philosophy students
- Aspiring creatives and entrepreneurs
Categories with Four Thousand Weeks
Book summaries like Four Thousand Weeks
People ❤️ Blinkist
Sven O.
It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.
Thi Viet Quynh N.
Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.
Jonathan A.
Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.
Renee D.
Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.
People also liked these summaries
4.7 Stars
Average ratings on iOS and Google Play
36 Million
Downloads on all platforms
10+ years
Experience igniting personal growth
Four Thousand Weeks FAQs
What is the main message of Four Thousand Weeks?
The main message of Four Thousand Weeks is to make the most of our limited time and live intentionally.
How long does it take to read Four Thousand Weeks?
The reading time for Four Thousand Weeks varies, but it can be completed in several hours. The Blinkist summary takes just 15 minutes.
Is Four Thousand Weeks a good book? Is it worth reading?
Four Thousand Weeks is a thought-provoking book worth reading for its insights into time management and living meaningfully.
Who is the author of Four Thousand Weeks?
The author of Four Thousand Weeks is Oliver Burkeman.
What to read after Four Thousand Weeks?
If you're wondering what to read next after Four Thousand Weeks, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- (Article) Why can't the world's greatest minds solve the mystery of consciousness? by Oliver Burkeman
- Essentialism by Greg McKeown
- Meditations for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman
- Die with Zero by Bill Perkins
- The 12 Week Year by Brian P. Moran and Michael Lennington
- From Strength to Strength by Arthur C. Brooks
- How to Win Friends & Influence People by Dale Carnegie
- Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl
- Slow Productivity by Cal Newport
- The PLAN by Kendra Adachi