Oliver Burkeman On The Surprising Benefits Of Being Less Productive (And You Can Quit Earlier)

In a world obsessed with efficiency, efficiency, and getting more done in less time, the idea of ​​intentionally producing less may sound counterintuitive. However, as Oliver Burkeman—author of Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management of Mortals again Meditation for Mortals: Four Weeks to Accept Your Limitations and Make Time for What Matters—suggests, redefining our relationship with productivity can lead to a meaningful, fulfilling life. Burkman’s work challenges the pursuit of productivity and offers a new perspective on how to navigate our limited time on Earth.

We think Burkeman’s ideas are the most important ideas for anyone considering retirement. Many articles will tell you to delay retirement and be afraid. However, we at Boldin want you to feel in control of your future and retire with confidence when you are ready!

Why Productivity Can Be a Trap

At its core, modern manufacturing culture feeds on the illusion that you can “beat” time. By simplifying tasks, eliminating inefficiencies, and working hard, you’re told you can eventually reach a state of control—where your to-do list is empty, our schedules are clear, and you have time for everything important. However, as Burkman points out, this ideal is not only unattainable but also largely lost. When you try to do more, many tasks and responsibilities seem to multiply. Productivity becomes a treadmill, keeping you busy but rarely fulfilling.

Instead of leading to satisfaction, the pursuit of high performance often results in anxiety, burnout, and disconnection from what really matters. By filling every moment with activities, you are stifling opportunities for creativity, reflection, and genuine connection—the very things that give life depth and meaning. As Burkman argues, accepting tenure requires you to face an uncomfortable truth: you can’t do it all, and that’s okay.

Burkeman’s Key Insight: The Freedom to Do Less

One of Burkman’s key ideas is that letting go of the need to overproduce can free you to live a meaningful and rewarding life. By acknowledging your limitations, you can prioritize the important things and let go of the rest. This may mean spending more time on deep, meaningful work instead of chasing endless tasks or choosing to enjoy leisure time without guilt.

Being unproductive opens the door to calmness and creativity. When you stop over-planning, you allow space for random things, deeper relationships, and moments of inspiration. For example, some of the most innovative ideas and breakthroughs come not from carefully planned work but from idle, unfocused moments—what some might dismiss as “wasting time.”

Rethinking Success

Ultimately, Burkman invites you to rethink what success looks like. It’s not about squeezing in everything useful each day, but about cultivating a life that aligns with your values ​​and desires. This may include accepting imperfections, turning down opportunities that don’t align with your priorities, and focusing on quality over quantity in both work and relationships.

By being less productive than usual, you make room for what Burkman calls “the joy of missing out”—the freedom to live a life free from endless demands but one that truly brings you joy and meaning. By doing so, you can transform your relationship with time and make the most of the passing four thousand weeks.

Should You Retire? What’s Holding You Back?

There are many Boldin users who are financially ready for retirement, but something is holding them back: Lifelong habits around productivity? Fear that some unknown will harm your financial plans? Worried that boredom will set in?

Adherence to production

Burkman’s philosophy resonates deeply with those who have reached financial independence or are ready to retire but continue to work. It is possible that you are not staying at work because you need income, but because you feel bound by social expectations for productivity or fear of losing purpose. In this case, it is important to plan what you want to do in retirement, not just how you will pay for it.

Burkman’s ideas can serve as motivation to rethink your priorities. Many people delay retirement because of fear—fear of boredom, lack of interest, or losing a sense of identity related to their career. But stepping back from the constant need to “do more” can create space for new opportunities, relationships, and pursuits. Retirement does not mean giving up; it can mean starting something completely different—whether it’s pursuing long-delayed passions, volunteering, or simply enjoying some unstructured time.

Fear of the unknown

People who use the Boldin Planner often have different “what if” scenarios for things that might go wrong in the future. These factors are a very important part of planning for retirement properly. However, we also see that people are afraid to retire in the unknown.

Burkeman quotes a Haitian proverb, “Beyond the mountains, many mountains” and talks about learning the truth and the unknown.

We recommend that you plan for the worst case scenario, but don’t let fear stop you from retiring. Instead, develop resilience that allows you to face unexpected challenges with grace and adaptability. Some things may go wrong, but it is unlikely that everything will go wrong at once, and no matter what happens, you will probably find a way. Resilience gives you the confidence to face the future.

Compromise and priorities

When it comes to retirement planning, consistency and prioritization are key. You have limited resources, and trying to plan for every possible expense, risk, or lifestyle desire can lead to frustration or paralysis. Instead, it is important to focus on what is most important to you and allocate your resources accordingly. This may mean choosing to retire early with a simpler lifestyle rather than delaying retirement to accumulate more wealth.

Compromise does not mean stability; it means making deliberate decisions about trade-offs that align with your values. For example, you may decide to downsize your home to free up money for travel or work part-time in retirement to maintain a sense of purpose without overdoing it. By focusing on your important priorities, you can create a retirement plan that feels realistic and fulfilling, rather than driven by the endless pursuit of “enough.”

As Burkeman writes, “You can’t care about everything.”

Plan, Have Backup Plans, Retire, and Stay On Track

At Boldin, we stand firmly behind a quote from Dwight D. Eisenhower who said, “Plans are useless, but planning is.” We developed the Boldin Planner as a living breathing tool that comes with you and whatever life throws at you.

• Start by planning your future.
• Then plan for what could go wrong.
• Live your life. Retire!
• Also, keep using the Boldin Planner to help you adjust your plans as life unfolds.