4,000 Weeks: What Are You Doing with Yours?

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Imagine your life as a series of boxes, each representing a week. Every Sunday, you fill in another box. As more boxes fill up, the reality of our limited time becomes clear. How would that change the way you live your life?

The Reality of 4,000 Weeks

I’ve been meaning to write this article for, oh, a couple of years now. If procrastination were an Olympic sport, I’d have a few gold medals by now. But the irony isn’t lost on me, especially after watching Tim Urban’s TED talk on procrastination. Tim introduced me to the concept of 4,000 weeks—about the average human lifespan. He showed how we delay important tasks, thinking we have endless time. Spoiler alert: we don’t. Seeing a life calendar full of weeks already gone hit me hard. I finally got around to writing this!

Procrastination: It’s Not Just About Avoiding Work

Procrastination isn’t just about avoiding work; it’s about wasting our limited time. I've made it into an artform. When you see those weeks ticking away, it gets harder to justify another Netflix binge. The truth is, tomorrow gets closer every day, and those empty boxes are filling up fast.

Breaking Down Life Into Seasons

Tim’s 4,000-week concept opened my eyes, but Tony Robbins gave it meaning. Tony’s idea of dividing life into seasons hit home for me—probably because I’m starting to feel the first frost of winter myself. By viewing life as a series of seasons—spring, summer, autumn, and winter—we can better navigate each phase. This perspective transformed how I see life. Now, 4,000 weeks isn’t just a countdown; it’s a journey through distinct stages, each with its own purpose.

Spring (0-20 years): Learning and Growth

Spring is when we’re both fearless and terrified—fearless in trying new things, yet terrified the cool kids will laugh. We spend too much time on video games and social media. I’m grateful digital cameras didn’t exist when I was young. The only thing worse than bad decisions is having photographic evidence of them.

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In this season, we soak up knowledge like sponges. We explore who we are and what we might want to become. But let’s be honest—most of us worry more about fitting in than thinking about the future. And that’s okay; it’s part of the journey. Spring is all about learning, experimenting, and sometimes making a fool of ourselves. It’s how we grow.

As spring ends, we enter summer, where carefree youth gives way to the responsibilities of adulthood.

Summer (20-40 years): Building and Expanding

Then comes summer, and we realize adulting isn’t as fun as we thought and we don't get the summer off. We learn to budget (or at least pretend to), deal with jobs that weren’t exactly in the brochure, and navigate relationships with varying degrees of success. Summer is all about building—careers, families, homes. We expand our horizons, often at the cost of our sanity and sleep.

This season teaches us the value of mentorship. If we’re smart, we seek guidance from those in their autumn years. But some of us cling to the idea that high school was the peak of human existence. Newsflash: it wasn’t.

Summer is a time of growth. We lay the groundwork for the legacy we want to leave, even if we don’t fully realize it yet.

Autumn (40-60 years): Harvesting and Reaping

Ah, autumn—the season when I decided to become an athlete and thought, “Why not start with triathlons?” Not just any triathlons, but the Ironman kind. They involve a casual 2.4-mile swim, a breezy 112-mile bike ride, and a light 26.2-mile jog. And because one near-death experience wasn’t enough, I signed up for a second Ironman. Apparently, I enjoy suffering. But autumn wasn’t just about testing my physical limits; it was when I shed my corporate skin. I realized I had been presenting with a corporate filter that muffled my true voice on stage. I began tapping into my own style—one packed with energy, unpredictability, and maybe a dash of rebellion. During this time of rediscovery, I had a lightbulb moment: When I grow up, I want to be a professional speaker.

In autumn, we start to reap the rewards of all our hard work. We’re often at our peak professionally and personally. It’s a time to enjoy the fruits of our labor. But let’s be honest: while some of us get things done, many let the Instant Gratification Monkey steer the ship. The Panic Monster, who usually jolts us into action, has finally returned from his vacation. He’s ready to wrestle the monkey off the stage and remind us that time’s running out. The monkey doesn’t give up easily, but the Panic Monster’s got his number. It’s a constant battle, but if you want to make the most of this season, keep that monkey in check and let the Panic Monster do his job.

Autumn is also a season of winding down. We think more seriously about the legacy we’re leaving and the mark we want to make. We start to feel settled, not just in our careers, but in our understanding of who we are and what we value. We begin to consider the next chapter, but there’s still plenty of life left to live and enjoy. So, as autumn wraps up, ask yourself: are you making the most of this season, or is the monkey still calling the shots?

Winter (60+ years): Reflection and Giving Back

Winter is when you wake up and realize there is frequently a fresh ache in some unknown muscle or joint. I can’t remember the last time I got out of bed and something didn't hurt. But here’s the twist: despite the daily reminders that I’m no spring chicken, I’m finding more joy than ever in the little things—like sharing a story with an audience. These days, I get a strange thrill out of learning new things, even if they’re just new ways to embarrass my grandkids and wife. My kids? They’ve been so thoroughly embarrassed over the years that they just shake their heads and move on. But my wife? She’s still not on board with being part of my winter antics. After all these years, she’s perfected the art of the eye roll, but deep down, I know she’d prefer to stay out of my shenanigans. Too bad for her!

Winter isn’t just about creaky joints and dubious antics. It’s a season of reflection and giving back. I’ve discovered that the stories and experiences I’ve collected are best enjoyed when shared with others. Whether I’m helping someone navigate their own seasons or just making them laugh—or cringe—it gives me a sense of fulfillment that more than makes up for the aches and pains.

And let’s be honest, even in winter, the Instant Gratification Monkey is still swinging from branch to branch as he doesn’t give up easily. He’s persistent, but the Panic Monster’s got the upper hand. It’s a constant battle, but I’ve learned that if you want to make the most of this season, you’ve got to keep that monkey in check and let the Panic Monster do his job.

Conclusion: How Are You Spending Your 4,000 Weeks?

So, where does that leave us? Looking at my life calendar, with its ever-shrinking number of empty boxes, I’m reminded daily of the urgency to focus on what truly matters. The clock is ticking for all of us, but how we spend our time is within our control.

So, I ask you—what season are you in, and how are you spending your 4,000 weeks? Are you planting seeds, tending your crops, harvesting your rewards, or reflecting on a life well-lived? No matter the season, the key is to live with intention, making each week count. And if you’ve been letting the Instant Gratification Monkey run the show, consider this your nudge to stop procrastinating, wake up that Panic Monster, and start filling those boxes with purpose. Your 4,000 weeks are yours—make them count.

Cheers,

Doug

#4KWeeks #LiveWithPurpose #PersonalGrowth