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How to Make the Most of a Finite Life (w/ Oliver Burkeman) | How to Be a Better Human, a TED Podcast

There’s only so much you can do in a week — or, according to Oliver Burkeman, in the roughly 4,000 weeks the average human lives. Oliver is a journalist and author of the books “Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals, Meditations for Mortals” and the newsletter “The Imperfectionist.” Chris and Oliver discuss the paradoxes…

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There’s only so much you can do in a week — or, according to Oliver Burkeman, in the roughly 4,000 weeks the average human lives. Oliver is a journalist and author of the books “Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals, Meditations for Mortals” and the newsletter “The Imperfectionist.” Chris and Oliver discuss the paradoxes of making change happen, how life’s mishaps can become our most treasured memories, and why sharing your imperfections can be an act of generosity.

This is an episode of TED’s How to Be a Better Human podcast. Listen on your favorite podcast app:

For the full text transcript, visit

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18 Comments

18 Comments

  1. @CayeMcdanielel

    February 26, 2025 at 4:01 pm

    J’ai regardé cette vidéo au travail et mes collègues pensent maintenant que je suis en train de rire. Une bonne façon d’améliorer l’ambiance au bureau 🌺

  2. @Olivia-l4l1p

    February 26, 2025 at 4:03 pm

    Your videos are always of high quality and depth of thought. Thank you for your dedication and talent!💜🛞🍊

  3. @sooma-ai

    February 26, 2025 at 4:10 pm

    Oliver Burkeman discusses making the most of our finite lives, accepting imperfections, and focusing on present actions rather than striving for an unattainable ideal. He emphasizes embracing our limitations and finding meaning in everyday moments.

  4. @Bill-bv9ld

    February 26, 2025 at 4:12 pm

    😂🤣 Good luck!!!

    • @tauzN

      February 26, 2025 at 7:11 pm

      Okay bot

  5. @無名兄弟-i7m

    February 26, 2025 at 4:51 pm

    MICROVISION MVIS!!!!

  6. @RamonQuiro7

    February 26, 2025 at 5:29 pm

    My philosophy is: we’re all going to die, we’re all in this together whether we like it or not, why not try and make someone else’s day just a little bit better, if you can. Just try your best and be honest with your emotions, because that’s when we feel most connected with others, which makes life meaningful.

  7. @noBodyuNope

    February 26, 2025 at 6:35 pm

    I love how Tara Brach says “what would it be like to believe there is nothing wrong with me? She wrote the book Radical Acceptance

    • @b3nisrael

      February 26, 2025 at 8:42 pm

      There is nothing wrong with us, that’s what Bible says. 🙂

  8. @chalmer31

    February 26, 2025 at 7:22 pm

    I often become paralyzed by FOMO, so much so that I end up doing nothing at all for long stretches. Making the decision to commit is excruciating.
    This perspective on how much that paralysis is costing is tremendously helpful.

  9. @Jasonxbr

    February 26, 2025 at 7:47 pm

    Well to be a better human, one don’t be a narcissist, dedemagogue, fascist, individual that prey on victims that gets misinformation from not credited sources. Isn’t part of a cult like movement such as MAGA and have far eight agenda that hurt or kill or discriminate others. This is a start. 😊😊😊😊😊

  10. @cleahjortskov6865

    February 26, 2025 at 8:11 pm

    I am so grateful for this video 🙌❤️ So many wise and helpful thoughts said out loud 🫶

  11. @SogayBrin

    February 27, 2025 at 7:19 am

    Life is not finite … as you trim the afterburner and approach the speed of geizer the little eight on it’s side becomes into fruition

  12. @derre98

    February 27, 2025 at 4:57 pm

    If I knew I had less than a year to live, I would not work a single day anymore. That much I know.

  13. @عبدالرحمنحامد-ز6ز

    February 28, 2025 at 2:33 am

    Who are you learn English from TED ?

  14. @basilsajeev7151

    February 28, 2025 at 1:09 pm

    Its yourself

  15. @paulbrooke3838

    March 1, 2025 at 7:10 am

    Good discussion. Some great ideas to apply to life. I particularly like the Quaker saying “proceed as the way opens”. With the infinite wisdom of hindsight that has been how my life has unfolded.

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