[Flash] 5 Questions to Seize Our 4,000 Weeks

Being a mortal, I was eager to discover ground-breaking time management strategies. Instead, I encountered an earnest yet jolting discourse asserting that life is mockingly short.

According to Burkeman, the average life span is 77 years, granting us 4,000 weeks on this planet.

And rather than teach us how to cram more into a day, he boldly implores us to embrace our finiteness.

To make the most of our limited time, he asks 5 key questions (each of which could elevate and captivate your next mentoring conversation)…

1. Where in your life or your work are you currently pursuing comfort when what’s called for is a little discomfort?

• I love being comfortable… physically, emotionally, and mentally. But all the bragging rights I’ve earned in my life have come from getting uncomfortable.

2. Are you holding yourself to, and judging yourself by, standards of productivity or performance that are impossible to meet?

• I used to compare myself to my peers, but now I’m setting the bar on a Navy-SEAL-turned-motivational-speaker who tackles 25 projects before 4:00 am. I’m done waking up already behind.

3. In what ways have you yet to accept the fact that you are who you are, not the person you think you ought to be? 

• This one is challenging. I define my life by my commitment to improve, learn, and grow continuously. Can I do that without the self-flagellation?

4. In which areas of life are you still holding back until you feel like you know what you’re doing?

• When I resist, I’ve noticed that I reference my experiences or lack thereof. But when I’m feeling brazen, I ignore them. All my best stories start with, “Yes, and I’ll figure it out later!”

5. How would you spend your life differently if you didn’t care so much about seeing your actions reach fruition?

• I admit I don’t have many hobbies, nor do I play enough games. I constantly feel the need to justify my activities – if it’s not purposeful, then it must be unproductive. It’s time for more joy for the sake of joy!

Burkeman aptly started and ended his book with, “The average human life span is absurdly, terrifyingly, insultingly short.”

So… what shall we do with our precious weeks?

© 2022. Ann Tardy and MentorLead. www.mentorlead.com. All Rights Reserved.