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Bestselling author & speaker

Oliver Burkeman

Transform productivity and time management with Oliver Burkeman, speaker and bestselling author. Oliver helps organisations prioritise what truly matters, overcome distractions, and build meaningful work cultures. New York Times bestseller recognised by Financial Times and The Times.

Trusted by BBC Radio 4, The Guardian, New York Times, Wall Street Journal

Oliver Burkeman, Speaker | Journalist
Oliver Burkeman

Oliver Burkeman

Leeds, United Kingdom

Typical fee range

£11k–25k

This is an estimated fee range for local in-person events. Location and format affect the final fee.

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Leeds, United Kingdom

Starting from

£11k–25k

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Oliver Burkeman's biography

At a glance

  • Best-selling author of Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals
  • Former columnist for The Guardian
  • Speaker on productivity and meaningful living
Oliver Burkeman is a best-selling author and keynote speaker. His notable works include "Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals", "Meditations for Mortals", and "The Antidote". For many years, Oliver wrote a popular weekly column on psychology for the Guardian titled "This Column Will Change Your Life". His writing has appeared in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Psychologies, and New Philosopher. He has a dedicated following for his insights on productivity, mortality, and building a meaningful life in a complex world. Additionally, he has presented several programmes for BBC Radio 4, including "Oliver Burkeman is Busy", "Why Are We So Angry?", and "Living with the News". "Four Thousand Weeks", which refers to the average human lifespan, became a New York Times bestseller and was named one of the best books of 2021 by various publications, including the Financial Times and The Times. In this book, Oliver argues that the main challenge of time management is not efficiency but rather deciding what to neglect. He discusses the importance of patience in a fast-paced world and suggests that committing to fewer options can be more beneficial than keeping them open. In "Meditations for Mortals", Oliver presents a four-week mental retreat designed to help readers confront their limited time, prioritise effectively, and overcome distractions. He aims to bridge the gap between understanding and action, encouraging readers to focus on what truly matters.

Oliver's showreel and videos

Topics, sessions and talks

The Power Of Strategic Decision Making: A PepTalk
This session explores the importance of strategic decision making in achieving success. Attendees will learn how thoughtful choices can unlock their potential and lead to positive outcomes. By understanding the power of strategic decision making, individuals can make informed choices that align with their goals and aspirations. This session will provide practical insights and strategies to enhance decision-making skills, ultimately benefiting attendees personally and professionally.
Time Management for Mortals
In this session, Oliver Burkeman unpacks the key themes from his best-selling book "Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals". He emphasises the power of embracing limitations as a route to meaningful productivity and examines how our struggles with time stem from denying the reality of our finite existence. Oliver also highlights the unique nature of contemporary time challenges. Attendees will learn how to navigate their time more effectively by accepting these limitations and understanding their modern implications.
Personal Accountability: The Path to Meaningful Change
In this keynote, Oliver Burkeman explores how taking ownership of our actions, choices, and mindset can transform our lives. Drawing from his work on time, productivity, and the human condition, Oliver challenges us to move beyond excuses and embrace accountability as a powerful tool for growth, fulfilment, and meaningful change. Discover practical strategies to cultivate personal responsibility in an unpredictable world.

Why we recommend booking Oliver

Book Oliver Burkeman as a speaker to inspire your team with profound insights on productivity, prioritisation, and embracing limitations. His engaging style and thought-provoking ideas will empower your audience to navigate the complexities of modern life, fostering a culture of meaningful action and resilience.

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Trusted by BBC Radio 4, The Guardian, New York Times, Wall Street Journal

Testimonials

Oliver Burkeman provides an important and insightful reassessment of productivity. The drive to get more done can become an excuse to avoid figuring out what we actually want to accomplish. Only by confronting this latter question can we unlock a calmer, more meaningful, more resilient approach to organizing our time.

Cal Newport

Author

Featured Projects

Oliver Burkeman - Four Thousand Weeks: Embrace Your Limits. Change Your Life. Make Your Four Thousand Weeks Count. book cover
Oliver Burkeman - Help! book cover
Oliver Burkeman - The Antidote book cover

frequently asked questions

Something we've not covered here?

How do I book Oliver Burkeman for my next event?
Email oliver.burkeman@getapeptalk.com or call PepTalk on +44 20 3835 2929 (UK) or +1 737 888 5112 (US), and one of our speaker agents will contact you within hours to confirm Oliver's availability and fees. If you can, please include your budget upfront – it helps us fast-track your request. It’s also helpful to know the date, format (virtual or in-person), location, and a bit about your audience.
What is Oliver Burkeman's speaking style like?
Oliver Burkeman structures sessions around the central argument from his book Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals, using the framing device of finite human lifespan (approximately 4,000 weeks) to reposition time management away from efficiency and towards the deliberate choice of what to neglect.
What topics does Oliver Burkeman specialise in?
Oliver Burkeman speaks on time management and finite productivity, personal accountability, and strategic decision making. His book Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals became a New York Times bestseller and was named one of the best books of 2021 by the Financial Times and The Times.
Can PepTalk help plan the speaker programme for my event?

Yes. Beyond booking a single speaker, PepTalk helps shape a full programme, matching voices to your agenda, audience, and goals across a day or a series. It is a consultative service, not just a booking. Tell us about your event at getapeptalk.com.

What does 'typical fee range' mean?

Speaker fees vary based on factors like event location, format, and availability. The 'typical fee range' figure gives you a baseline of someone's local, in-person rate sits, and we'll confirm the exact fee when you get in touch.

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What's the difference between a keynote speaker, an MC, and event entertainment?

A keynote speaker delivers an inspiring or informative talk. An MC hosts and guides the event, keeping things on track. Entertainment — like a band or comedian — creates atmosphere and fun. Each serves a different purpose, and PepTalk can help you book the right talent for all three.

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Life happens! Most speaker bookings can be rescheduled with reasonable notice. Cancellation terms vary by speaker, but PepTalk handles all the details & contracts transparently upfront so there are no surprises. Our team supports you through any changes, making the process as smooth as possible.

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Not necessarily. While the speakers listed on our website may not have worked with PepTalk in the past, they are recognized professionals in the industry and known to engage in similar events and engagements. Alongside direct talent, we work with a wide variety of speaker agents and talent agencies, to ensure we have the best selection of speakers, hosts, comedians and entertainers available.

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Can I book entertainment and speakers as a package?

Yes! At PepTalk, you can absolutely bundle entertainment and speakers into one seamless package. It's a great way to create a fuller event experience while enjoying simplified booking and better value. Our team handles everything together, making the process effortless for you.

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How far in advance should I book a motivational speaker?

Book a motivational speaker at least 3–6 months in advance, especially for popular speakers or large events. Top speakers get booked quickly, so earlier is always better. For major conferences or peak seasons, booking 12 months ahead ensures you secure your first choice.

Help, I need a last-minute speaker for my event!

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