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Nat's Notes

#9 Productivity Won't Make You Happy (4,000 Weeks by Oliver Burkeman)

Sep 15, 2023
Guest Oliver Burkeman, author of 4,000 Weeks: Time Management for Mortals, discusses the deeper problem with productivity, our relationship with time, fixating on control leading to misery, distraction and relaxation, living in the moment, and leisure as the center of life.
26:12

Episode guests

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Quick takeaways

  • Rethinking time as a resource is crucial in developing a healthier relationship with time.
  • Prioritizing leisure as a central focus of life can lead to a more fulfilling and balanced existence.

Deep dives

The Problem with Productivity Books and Influencers

The podcast discusses how most of us have an unhealthy relationship with work and productivity, largely influenced by productivity books and influencers. These resources often prioritize being more productive and getting more done, leading to an obsession with productivity. While some productivity books can provide value, many end up being a waste of time. Oliver Erkmann's book '4000 Weeks: Time Management for Mortals' offers a new perspective on work-life balance, encouraging ambition and high performance without sacrificing one's self. The main problem, as highlighted in the podcast, is not the lack of time, but rather the troubling ideas about how to use our limited time.

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