Podcast Title: Nudge
Episode: Oliver Berkman: “Most scholars worked for just 4 hours a day”
Release Date: May 5, 2025
Host: Phill Agnew
Guest: Oliver Berkman

Introduction

In this insightful episode of Nudge, host Phill Agnew delves deep into the concept of focused work hours with renowned author Oliver Berkman. Drawing from historical examples and contemporary behavioral science, Berkman elucidates why dedicating just three to four hours of intense focus daily can lead to remarkable productivity and personal fulfillment.

The Three to Four Hour Rule

Oliver Berkman: “The three to four hour rule is just a reflection of the fact that… they find again and again that the amount of time they attempt to dedicate each day is very rarely more than about three or four hours.” [00:00]

Berkman introduces the “three to four hour rule,” highlighting its prevalence among historical figures across various disciplines. This rule emphasizes short, concentrated work periods rather than extended hours, challenging the conventional notion of productivity.

Historical Examples

• Charles Darwin: Worked in two 90-minute sessions and one additional hour daily on his theory of natural selection.

• Virginia Woolf: Dedicated three and a half hours each morning post-breakfast, resulting in nine novels and numerous essays and short stories despite her untimely death at 59.

• Henry Poincare: Focused intensely from 10 to 12 in the morning and 5 to 7 in the evening.

• Anthony Trollope: Claimed to write 250 words every 15 minutes during his three-hour morning stint before his post office job.

Oliver Berkman: “And this specific amount just occurs with so much regularity it's kind of spooky.” [02:36]

Why the Rule Works

Host Phill Agnew: Discusses Alex Pang's research from the book Rest, which suggests that intense focus during peak hours is more effective than diluted attention throughout the day. Creativity benefits from both focused work and unconscious brain processes during rest.

Oliver Berkman: Emphasizes that while many of these historical figures had the luxury of servants to manage daily tasks, the core principle remains valuable: ring-fencing a few hours for uninterrupted work enhances productivity and reduces stress.

Challenges in Modern Application

Host Phill Agnew: Highlights the difficulty of adhering to the rule today, where demands and distractions are plentiful.

Case Study – Email Overwhelm:

Agnew shares his struggle with managing a cluttered email inbox despite implementing the three to four hour rule.

Oliver Berkman: “If you take any system, including yourself, and all you do is make it more efficient at processing things, then in a world of effectively infinite inputs to that system, all else being equal, all that's going to happen is just that more and more and more inputs enter the system and need dealing with.” [08:49]

This highlights the paradox of efficiency leading to increased input, exemplified by handling emails more swiftly only resulting in more emails.

Practical Solutions

1. Just Go to the Shed

Oliver Berkman: “The idea of just going to the shed… helps you accept that it already is a part of your reality.” [15:17]

Inspired by Paul Lumens, this technique involves taking the smallest possible step to confront daunting tasks, thereby reducing anxiety and procrastination.

Phill Agnew: Implemented this by visualizing the process of tackling his solicitors' documents, transforming anxiety into actionable steps.
“That short bit of time mentally thinking through the task turned it from something that was causing me low level anxiety for a week into something that I felt ready to challenge.” [16:37]

2. Keep a Done List

Oliver Berkman: “A done list… is actually a kind of a… [it] gives you more sort of purchase on your work life.” [18:13]

Maintaining a “done list” instead of a traditional “to-do list” helps recognize achievements, combats feelings of inadequacy, and encourages wiser decision-making about daily tasks.

Mary Curie Quote: “One never notices what has been done. One can only see what remains to be done.” [18:47]

Balancing Focused Work and Life's Unpredictability

Oliver Berkman: “So much benefit comes from serendipitous parts of life.” [10:34]

Berkman argues for a balanced approach, where dedicated focus time coexists with the natural unpredictability of life. This balance fosters meaningful interactions and spontaneous creativity without the pressure of an overly structured day.

Host’s Personal Application

Phill Agnew shares his experience implementing the three to four hour rule:

• Routine: Begins work at 7 AM, focusing on key tasks until 10 or 11 AM without interruptions.
• Challenges: Admits difficulty due to distractions but notes increased productivity.
• Insight: Realizes the importance of structured focus times over sporadic work sessions.

Conclusion and Additional Resources

Host Phill Agnew: Emphasizes the effectiveness of the three to four hour rule in achieving significant projects without burnout. Encourages listeners to adopt this rule for better focus and productivity.

Bonus Content: Berkman and Agnew hint at a bonus episode where Berkman discusses social media addiction and strategies to mitigate its impact, further enriching the listener's toolkit for personal and professional growth.

Recommended Reading:
Oliver Berkman’s book, Meditations for Mortals, is highly recommended for those seeking deeper insights into time management and happiness.

Call to Action:
Listeners are invited to access a bonus episode by clicking the link in the show notes and to check out Berkman's book for a comprehensive understanding of the discussed principles.

Notable Quotes

• Oliver Berkman: “The three to four hour rule… it's kind of spooky.” [02:36]

• Oliver Berkman: “If you take any system… more and more inputs enter the system and need dealing with.” [08:49]

• Mary Curie: “One never notices what has been done. One can only see what remains to be done.” [18:47]

Final Thoughts

This episode of Nudge offers a compelling argument for rethinking work hours and productivity strategies. By adopting the three to four hour rule and integrating practical tools like the “just go to the shed” method and maintaining a “done list,” listeners can enhance their focus, reduce stress, and achieve meaningful accomplishments without succumbing to burnout.

Listen to Nudge here and explore Oliver Berkman’s transformative insights to revolutionize your approach to work and life.