Episode #63: How to live a more fulfilling and meaningful life, with Oliver Burkeman

Oliver Burkeman is a British journalist, author, and speaker whose work focuses on productivity, time management, and finding meaning in our fast-paced world. He graduated from the University of Cambridge, where he studied Social and Political Sciences, informing his critical examination of societal expectations around productivity and success.

Burkeman’s focus often centers on rethinking productivity and well-being, as he explores the limitations of traditional time management strategies in his popular book, Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals, which has sparked broad interest for its unique perspective on finding balance in a finite life. His most recent book is Meditations for Mortals: Four Weeks to Embrace Your Limitations and Make Time for What Counts (2024), which offers a map for a liberating journey towards a more meaningful life, beginning with where we actually find ourselves, not with a fantasy of where we’d like to be.

His unique approach has resonated with readers worldwide, and his regular newsletter, The Imperfectionist, delves into themes of productivity, mortality, and intentional living. Previously, Burkeman was a longtime columnist for The Guardian, where he explored the intersection of psychology and self-help.

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Links:

• Website
• Twitter
• Most recent book: Meditation for Mortals: Four Weeks to Embrace Your Limitations and Make Time for What Counts (2024) 
• Previous books: Four Thousand Weeks, The Antidote and Help! 
• Newsletter: The Imperfectionist
• Blog

Timestamps:

[01:57] Finite nature of our lives.

[06:40] Imperfectionism as a solution.

[09:34] Acceptance of human finitude.

[12:51] The limits of optimization.

[22:09] Being vs. doing in life.

[29:30] Toxic productivity vs. healthy productivity.

[30:33] Human discomfort with mortality.

[35:27] Burnout and productivity relationship.

[39:58] Dysfunctional attempts at spirituality.

[43:25] Meaningful life and flourishing.

[45:26] Confronting life’s finitude and discomfort.

[50:54] The role of discomfort in growth.

[53:08] Living a fulfilling and meaningful life.