If you’ve ever said, “I just need more time”, you’re not alone.
Most of us feel stretched, overwhelmed, and like we’re constantly behind.
But what if the real issue isn’t time… What if it’s a lack of priority?
In his brilliant book Four Thousand Weeks, Oliver Burkeman says something that changed the way I look at time forever:
“The problem isn’t that we don’t have enough time.
It’s that we’re trying to do too many things.”
This post is about the power of priorities — and how choosing less can give you more.
The Power of Priorities
We live in a culture that worships productivity. We try to do everything faster, better, now.
But Burkeman reminds us: you only get Four Thousand Weeks in a lifetime. That’s roughly 4,000 chances to live a week with meaning.
That limitation isn’t a problem to solve. It’s a truth to embrace.
Because the key to peace, progress, and purpose… Isn’t doing more. It’s understanding the power of priorities.
One Priority at a Time
Here’s something wild: The word “priority” was singular for hundreds of years. It meant the one thing that came first.
Only in the last century did we start talking about “priorities” — plural — as if we could have ten “most important” things at the same time.
But the truth is… You can’t.
When everything is urgent, nothing is truly important.
If we want to live intentionally, especially in light of our Four Thousand Weeks, we need to choose. And that’s what the power of priorities is all about.
Not just choosing what to say yes to, but what to say no to.
My Own Wake-Up Call
Let me share a quick personal story. During the pandemic, I had the week from hell.
On Monday, we received the news that my aunt had passed away. The next day, my Mum fell over in the back garden, broke her hip and went off to the hospital in an ambulance. On Thursday, my Dad, who had been struggling with dementia, passed away. And the very next day, we went into lockdown with COVID-19 restrictions, which meant I couldn’t leave my house.
All of this was so overwhelming, I had to take time to settle myself down. And I asked myself, ‘What’s important here?’
I realised ‘I can’t help Dad, but I can be here for Mum.’
I then asked myself, ‘What absolutely must get done?’ And it dawned on me, the only thing that mattered was to have Dad’s body cremated. Everything else could wait.
That’s how I managed the worst week of my life. And that’s when I truly experienced the power of priorities.
Some things simply matter more than others.
You Don’t Need More Time
If you’re constantly saying, “I just need more time” – STOP.
You don’t need more time. You need fewer priorities.
And if Four Thousand Weeks has taught me anything, it’s this:
The people who live with the most meaning aren’t the ones doing the most, they’re the ones doing what matters most.
That’s the power of priorities.
The Big Question
So here’s my question for you:
What’s one thing you’re willing to let go of — so you can focus on what matters most right now?
If this post resonated with you, check out the other posts in this series on Four Thousand Weeks — especially the one on strategic neglect and choosing what not to do.
Because your life isn’t measured by how much you get done, it’s measured by what you choose to make time for.
That’s the gift of Four Thousand Weeks – and that’s the real power of priorities.
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