Everything Happens with Kate Bowler Listen Again: Oliver Burkeman on New Year, Same Me
Jan 6, 2026
Join Oliver Burkeman, journalist and author of Four Thousand Weeks, as he delves into the perils of endless self-improvement and productivity myths. He challenges the belief that discipline can conquer life's chaos. Instead, he advocates for embracing our limitations as a pathway to genuine contentment. Discover the concept of 'the planner's paradox,' the often-overlooked importance of non-instrumental hobbies, and how accepting life’s unpredictable moments can lead to richer experiences. A thought-provoking conversation on living meaningfully.
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Limits Of The Self-Help Control Narrative
- The self-help industry promises control over a finite life through systems and discipline.
- Oliver Burkeman warns this fuels anxiety because finitude cannot be fully solved by optimization.
Efficiency Often Backfires
- Increasing efficiency usually attracts more work and inputs rather than reducing overload.
- Burkeman says improved productivity often results in being assigned more tasks and never feeling ahead.
Hyper-Efficiency After Illness
- Kate Bowler describes ramping up hyper-efficiency after becoming seriously ill at 35.
- She used productivity to reclaim identity in hospital but found it seeped into daily life and increased pressure.
