Embracing Life’s Finitude – 4,000 Weeks Con't

In this episode, JP and Jason dive into Chapter 3 of Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman, exploring the profound concept of "Facing Finitude." They examine how acknowledging the finite nature of life can transform the way we live, make decisions, and find joy in the moment.

Highlights from the Episode:

• How modern distractions keep us from confronting the reality of our limited time.
• Why "we are a limited amount of time" and how this perspective reshapes our choices.
• Personal stories of life-altering moments (from a cancer journey to the 1993 ECHS school shooting survivor) that redefined the hosts' relationship with time.
• The liberating idea that "time running out" can deepen our engagement with life.
• The metaphor of summer vacation and why its brevity makes it so special.
• A playful discussion on “The Joy of Missing Out” (JOMO) and why choosing what matters is the ultimate freedom.

Key Takeaways:

• Life isn’t morbid or sad—it’s beautifully finite.
• Embrace every moment as part of your finite existence.
• Let go of distractions and focus on what truly matters—whether it’s writing, planning that dream vacation, or just enjoying the present.

Call to Action: Reflect on one thing you've been putting off that truly matters to you and commit to doing it this week. Share your thoughts and experiences with us!

Jason and JP discuss chapter three of 4,000 Weeks by Oliver Burkeman: here are some notes:

Chapter 2: the efficiency trap

Busyness is a misnomer

Busy Town… no one is idle

1908 “How live on 24 hours a day” by Bennett

Time was feeling like a container too small to hold what matters most.

People waste time in the evening

Rise earlier… this book is good

Best antidote for time pressure…. It’s unfixable. You will never achieve perfect use of your time….

Goal posts will shift… you’ll take on more responsibilities and work

Parkinson’s Law: we expand what needs to be done into the time we have to do it

Look at email.

Input is infinite

Output is finite!

You can’t really get your hands around your inbox….

📨 replays beget replies

Not replying is always an option

The efficiency trap… getting through more email creates more email

Just do the few things that count

Pre-modern life was very repetitive

The modern world and devaluing the afterlife, it creates a life crammed full of experiences

Clearing decks…. You just get new decks to clear

Learn to be comfortable with not clearing decks, focus on the important… because you wont ever get it all done

We are going to miss out on so many experiences, so enjoy the few small experiences you get

The seduction of convenience

Free time fills with stuff to do

Tech induced loneliness

Interacting with humans is fun!! Lyft and Door Dash, doesn’t help your connection to humans

Abandon some of this stuff that is undermining your existence

JP and I talk about the first chapter of 4,000 Weeks, by Oliver Burkeman.... come along and enjoy the conversation and see what you can find to apply to your finite time in this life!

Check out these ten tools here:

https://www.tosummarise.com/four-thousand-weeks-10-practical-tools-to-help-embrace-your-finitude/

We touch on a few of the key ideas from "Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals" a 2021 book by Oliver Burkeman that explores how to make the most of a finite life and how it applies to Christmas. We plan to do a more detailed overview of this fine work in the coming weeks.

Jason and JP do their annual Christmas Episode. We touch on so many fun topics as it relates to having the best Christmas possible for you and your loved ones.

Jason and JP talk about "Discipline Equals Freedom: Field ManualBook" by Jocko Willink... enjoy!

Jason and JP discuss the milestone 100th episode and talk about the book "Atomic Habits" which was a major part in launching "Think Better Soon."

New habits can lead to progress and breaking bad habits can be just as good. We discuss the four major components of habits and so much more.

We hope you enjoy episode 100 as much as we enjoyed recording it!