Four Thousand Weeks
"Rendering yourself more efficient—either by implementing various productivity techniques or by driving yourself harder—won’t generally result in the feeling of having “enough time,” because, all else being equal, the demands will increase to offset any benefits. Far from getting things done, you’ll be creating new things to do."
— Oliver Burkeman, Four Thousand Weeks (2021)
Introduction
| Four Thousand Weeks | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Full title | Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals |
| Author | Oliver Burkeman |
| Language | English |
| Subject | Time management; Philosophy; Happiness; Personal development |
| Genre | Nonfiction; Self-help |
| Publisher | Farrar, Straus and Giroux |
Publication date | 10 August 2021 |
| Publication place | United States |
| Media type | Print (hardcover, paperback); e-book; audiobook |
| Pages | 271 |
| ISBN | 978-0-374-15912-2 |
| Website | oliverburkeman.com |
Chapter summary
This outline follows the Farrar, Straus and Giroux hardcover edition (10 August 2021; ISBN 978-0-374-15912-2).[1][2]
I – Choosing to Choose
🧗 1 – The Limit-Embracing Life.
⚙️ 2 – The Efficiency Trap.
⏳ 3 – Facing Finitude.
🐢 4 – Becoming a Better Procrastinator.
🍉 5 – The Watermelon Problem.
📱 6 – The Intimate Interrupter.
II – Beyond Control
🕰️ 7 – We Never Really Have Time.
📍 8 – You Are Here.
🛌 9 – Rediscovering Rest.
🌀 10 – The Impatience Spiral.
🚌 11 – Staying on the Bus.
🧑💻 12 – The Loneliness of the Digital Nomad.
🌌 13 – Cosmic Insignificance Therapy.
🦠 14 – The Human Disease.
Related content & more
YouTube videos
CapSach articles
References
- ↑ "Four Thousand Weeks". Macmillan Publishers. Farrar, Straus and Giroux. 10 August 2021. Retrieved 4 November 2025.
- ↑ "Four thousand weeks: time management for mortals — First edition". Colorado Mountain College Library Catalog. Colorado Mountain College. Retrieved 4 November 2025.