As business owners, time often feels like the one thing there is never enough of. Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman starts from a simple but striking premise: the average human life lasts around four thousand weeks — and no amount of productivity or optimisation will ever change that.

Rather than offering tips on how to do more, Burkeman takes a different approach. The book challenges the idea that we can ever “get on top” of everything, and instead explores how accepting limits can lead to better decisions, more sustainable work habits and a healthier relationship with time.

For business owners, this perspective is particularly relevant. Four Thousand Weeks touches on themes many will recognise: the pressure to be constantly available, the tension between long-term thinking and short-term demands, and the sense that work can easily expand to fill every available moment. Burkeman doesn’t suggest stepping away from ambition, but he does encourage being more deliberate about what deserves attention — and what doesn’t.

We found this to be a thoughtful and reassuring read, especially suited to the Christmas break when there’s space to slow down and reflect. It’s not a book to rush through or extract quick wins from; instead, it invites a quieter reassessment of priorities that can be carried into the year ahead.

If you’re looking for a Book Club read that feels grounded and genuinely useful for life and business, Four Thousand Weeks is well worth your time.