Oliver Burkeman.
Oliver Burkeman is an author and journalist.
With a devoted following for his writing on productivity, mortality, and the power of limits, Oliver’s books include Meditations for Mortals (2024), a four-week adventure in facing reality, embracing imperfection, and finally getting around to what counts, and The New York Times bestseller Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals (2021), a deeply practical guide to embracing your limits and getting meaningful things done. Previous books include: The Antidote: Happiness for People who Can’t Stand Positive Thinking (2012) and Help!: How to Become Slightly Happier and Get a Bit More Done (2011).
For many years, Oliver wrote a popular weekly column on psychology for The Guardian, This Column Will Change Your Life. His work has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, Psychologies, and New Philosopher. He has also presented several programmes for BBC Radio 4, including Oliver Burkeman is Busy, Why Are We So Angry?, and Living with the News. His bi-monthly newsletter, The Imperfectionist, goes out to over 50,000 subscribers.
keynote speeches.
Four Thousand Weeks - Time and How to Use It
What Is Happiness and How to Break Free From Hyper Optimism
How to Navigate the Productivity and Wellness Quandary
videos.
TedX Talk
ABC News Live
Speaking Highlight
books.
in the news.
frequently asked questions.
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Oliver focuses on time, productivity, meaning, uncertainty, and how people rethink success, ambition, limits, and control in modern life.
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He is typically engaged for keynote-style sessions across large conferences, public-facing events, and both internal and external corporate events.
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Beyond keynote contributions, he takes part in moderated conversations that examine assumptions around productivity, ambition, and control, and explore how people relate to time, uncertainty, and creative focus in modern working life.
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His work is particularly relevant to organisations questioning productivity culture, burnout, unrealistic expectations of performance, and how people relate to time, work, and meaning in demanding environments.
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He engages with audiences ranging from c-suite and senior executives to wider professional and public audiences with an interest in work, time, productivity, and modern life, across corporate, cultural, and creative sectors.
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His approach is reflective, intellectually rigorous, and accessible, encouraging audiences to rethink assumptions rather than adopt quick fixes.
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He shapes his thinking and tailors his content to reflect the realities people face in modern work and everyday life, offering perspective and ideas that help audiences rethink time, productivity, and expectations, rather than providing prescriptive advice or fixed solutions.
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Oliver explores universal themes that resonate across cultures and societies.
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Pricing for Oliver is influenced by factors such as event location, format, and time commitment. Speaking Office ensures fee consistency across all enquiries, whether via speaker bureaus or direct clients, so that pricing remains aligned and non-competitive across channels. Accurate and up-to-date pricing can be provided once event details are shared, ensuring alignment with both the client’s requirements and Oliver’s long-term positioning.
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Speaking Office aims to respond promptly to all enquiries regarding Oliver Burkeman typically within one business day. Response times may vary slightly depending on event complexity and time zone, but all enquiries are handled with care and attention.
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Oliver is available for virtual and hybrid events, as well as in-person engagements, depending on availability and event requirements. Speaking Office can advise on the most appropriate format based on audience, objectives, and technical considerations.
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Advance booking is recommended for Oliver, particularly for peak periods and international events. While shorter lead times can be accommodated, early enquiry allows for greater flexibility and planning.
Find out more about Oliver: linkedin
How do I book Oliver for a speech?
To book Oliver for a speech, contact his speaking agent: