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Oliver Burkeman (2021) Four Thousand Weeks

Burkeman, O. (2021). Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals. Farrar, Straus and Giroux.


Oliver Burkeman’s Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals challenges conventional productivity and time-management paradigms by focusing on the brevity of life. Burkeman points out that the average human lifespan is approximately 4,000 weeks, leading to an existential realisation that time is fundamentally limited. Instead of encouraging efficiency in order to accomplish more, Burkeman advocates for a deeper, more reflective approach, one that accepts limits and priorities meaningful activities over productivity-maximising hacks.

Five key takeaways for academics

  1. Time is finite: Acknowledge the limited nature of time and prioritise accordingly. This shift can help avoid over-committing to every new project or publication idea.
  2. Choose what matters: Clarity around personal and professional priorities helps avoid the trap of superficial productivity.
  3. Focus on fewer goals: Rather than multitasking, aim for depth in selected areas. This approach enhances the quality of research and teaching outputs.
  4. Embrace constraints: Recognising and working within time constraints can foster a sense of purpose. This is especially relevant for academics who juggle multiple responsibilities.
  5. Find meaning beyond productivity: Find value in experiences that aren’t necessarily productive, like intellectual curiosity or engaging deeply in “purposeless” leisure.

Practical implications for academics

  1. Limit task overload: By adopting a fixed-volume approach (a set number of goals or tasks per day), academics can manage workloads more sustainably.
  2. Reframe “No” as necessary: Burkeman suggests saying “no” to non-essential commitments, freeing up time for high-value work and reducing stress.
  3. Set defined boundaries: Establish clear boundaries for work and personal time. This separation can increase focus during working hours and improve well-being.
  4. Practice deep work over “quick wins”: Slow, focused work on meaningful tasks can yield greater fulfilment and quality. For example, dedicating uninterrupted time to complex research is often more productive than sporadic multitasking.
  5. Allow time for unstructured thinking: Engaging in “purposeless” intellectual exploration, such as reading outside one’s discipline, can lead to insights that enrich primary areas of research.

For academics caught in a cycle of overwhelming obligations, this book offers a refreshing reminder that time is precious and finite; rather than attempting to maximise output, cultivating intentionality and meaning can lead to both personal satisfaction and a more impactful career.

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