Four Thousand Weeks: The smash-hit Sunday Times bestseller that will change your life

by Oliver Burkeman

Four Thousand Weeks: The smash-hit Sunday Times bestseller that will change your life by Oliver Burkeman

When Oliver Burkeman first published ‘Four Thousand Weeks: The smash-hit Sunday Times bestseller that will change your life’ in 2018, it quickly became a sensation; setting high expectations with its seemingly ambitious title. But, beyond the publicity and initial predictions, what did the book actually offer?

The novel follows the story of Dave, a man on the brink of entering his fortieth year, and confused as to where his life is heading. He decides to break down his life into a single 4000 week timeline, and alongside his best friend, Emma, he begins to evaluate each moment from his past, present and possible future.

Although the book takes such inspiration from Dave's personal story, the title is no exaggeration - it is full of wisdom, advice and concepts that can genuinely help one to look at life differently. In order to do this, Burkeman dives into the realms of psychology, philosophy, and economics to bring to light some fascinating ideas into how we can lead more satisfying lives.

A major theme in the book is that of living in the moment. Burkeman focuses especially upon the idea that life is not a linear race towards an end point like retirement: it is made up of thousands of moments and decisions, each of which can bring its own reward. Any idea that one should simply work towards a goal, such as a certain career or salary, is cast aside. With this concept in mind, the author emphasises the need to appreciate both the journey and the destination, rather than simply aimlessly chasing the latter.

Furthermore, the author also zooms out from individual life events and issues, and looks at our society's view of success. Burkeman argues that people's idea of success should be viewed not just in terms of wealth, but also in terms of meaningful relationships and experiences. Businesses, governments and major organisations, should also be urged to embrace these concepts and mould them into their practices and policies.

Finally, the book does not shy away from tackling the emotional side to life. Although it encourages the reader to take action and make wise decisions, the author also keenly examines the importance of healing the pain of past experiences and understanding one’s emotional triggers; therefore, allowing us to achieve contentment and inner peace.

In conclusion, ‘Four Thousand Weeks’ is an incredibly thought-provoking and useful read that has the ability to really help change lives. By using Dave as a guide, Oliver Burkeman introduces the concept of a four thousand week timeline for life, and encourages us to focus upon our journey and the present moment, rather than obsess too much over the end goal. He also looks at the importance of understanding our emotions as well as our society's idea of success, offering advice that has the potential to truly change lives.