What I am reflecting?
You Only Have 4,000 Weeks
You are going to have about 4,000 weeks in your lifetime. That’s assuming you live until around 80 years old, which is the average life expectancy.
Think about that for a moment. You really only have 4,000 weeks.
This idea comes from Oliver Burkeman’s book Four Thousand Weeks. I’ve been reading it over the past couple of weeks, and I’m currently halfway through reading it for the second time.
A few ideas really resonated with me, and I wanted to share them in this reflection. Perhaps you’ll gain some insight from them, and maybe they’ll give you something to ponder over this weekend.
The first thing I learned is that I often suffer from procrastination. In other words, I delay doing the things that I believe I’m supposed to do, those important but not urgent tasks. Instead, I divert my attention to something that feels easier, more comfortable, or more enjoyable.
Oliver Burkeman describes this as distraction. Instead of focusing on what truly matters, I allow my attention to drift toward distractions.
For example, my phone is always within easy reach. I pick it up just to check a message. If there isn’t a message, I’ll probably start browsing or think about who I should message next.
The distractions are real. I want to become better at managing those distractions.
The second lesson I learned is that whatever I choose to do in life takes time.
It could be sitting down for a conversation with my son. It could be sitting on the couch watching television with my children. It could simply be sitting quietly and turning page after page of a book.
One thing is certain. It all takes time. I can’t rush it.
What I can choose is to be aware, be present, and be at peace with the fact that the activities I choose naturally take time. Instead of trying to finish them quickly, I can simply enjoy the time.
I noticed this while washing the dishes.
Sometimes I rush because there are so many dishes to clean. I tell myself I might save a minute or two by going faster.
But the other day, I deliberately slowed down. I paid a little more attention to cleaning each spoon properly and each fork a little more carefully.
Surprisingly, I felt peaceful. I felt more aware. I felt more present.
There was something beautiful about accepting that it simply takes time.
The third lesson I learned is that leisure, doing nothing, is also important.
I don’t always need to be productive. I don’t always need to be efficient. I don’t always need to keep learning or keep moving. It’s perfectly okay to be unproductive.
Taking a stroll in the park with my children, or even by myself, and simply enjoying the moment is valuable too.
Again, I can trust that the leisure I choose is time well spent. I get to choose it. I get to plan it into my schedule. Then I can simply be at peace, be present, and enjoy it.
So perhaps it’s also time for you to stop trying to master time. You might squeeze a little more time here and there, but remember that the amount of time you have in this life is finite.
One day, your 4,000 weeks will run out. When your weeks run out, your time runs out too.
So choose a few meaningful things that truly matter to you. Care deeply about them. Then fully enjoy the moments you spend doing the activities you’ve chosen.
As you head into this week, what will you choose to spend your time on that will be meaningful to you, regardless of whether it’s productive, whether you learn something new, or whether you grow?
What would that be?
Quote I’m pondering
“Productivity is a trap. Becoming more efficient just makes you more rushed, and trying to clear the decks simply makes them fill up again faster.” – Oliver Burkeman
Affirmation I used
I choose what matters, and I give it my full presence.