Aug 06
The 4 Hour Workweek
I’ve made a couple references here and there about a great new book I was listening to on Audio CD, but now it’s time to share the gem of The 4 Hour Workweek with you! (Oh, and this isn’t a sponsored review).
In a nutshell, the book written by Timothy Ferriss shows how anyone can go from a 9-5 office slave to somebody who only works 4 hours a week, and remotely at that – From any location they desire!
My First Impressions
After getting into the book a little bit, I realized that I wasn’t reading what I thought I would be. I originally thought I’d be reading something on the order of Rich Dad Poor Dad that tells you that working for someone one else is the wrong way to go and all that good stuff. 4 Hour Workweek instead does something really interesting, in that it doesn’t out and out say that working for someone else is the worst thing in the world. What it really tries to convey is working for someone else on their terms isn’t where it’s at. “Their terms” btw, mainly includes their schedule and their location.
A Different Approach
I’ve always told people who have cared to ask what my professional goals are, that I really don’t need to be uber rich but just well enough off to get my time back. In The 4 Hour Workweek, Ferris explains this notion by discussing something like the following example… If one person makes $100,000/yr but works 80 hour workweeks in a cube, and a second person makes $40,000/yr working wherever and whenever they want, who is the richer person? My vote (as well as Ferriss’) is for the latter. Making less money but having the time to be able to develop and chase your passions is something that most people reserve for their retirements. But as Ferriss says, “[Why should you wait to your retirement to enjoy life while you waste your best years toiling under 'the man'?]”
Practical Advice
One of the best things (imho) about The 4 Hour Workweek is that unlike other books (as good as they are), you’re given some great things to do that can make a difference in your life today. From turning off the “automatically send/receive” function in Outlook to save you time responding to every last pointless e-mail, to getting your co-workers to stop wasting your time at work by not clearly conveying their needs in various projects, and getting out of your shyness box (*ahem*), you’ll undoubtedly pick up some priceless tips regardless (or iregardless (#);D ) of your lot in life.
My Favorite Part – How to Work From Home
Without a doubt, the part of the book that spoke to me the most was when Ferriss instructs you on how to start working from home. As he explains, this is the first step in working the 4 hour workweek. And his attention to detail in this section is really welcomed. He covers what you should be doing in your job before you get to this point, how to lay the groundwork for “the talk” and finally how to go about discussing this with your boss. The last part is really where this section shines as Ferriss shows several ways the conversation could go and how to adequately handle all the objections that will undoubtedly come up.
Conclusion
As you can tell, I really enjoyed 4 Hour WorkWeek. It’s filled with some great examples, exceptional humor and really discusses working and entrepreneurship from a perspective not often explored. Only thing I would change is getting it on Audio CD. I didn’t mean to get it on Audio CD in the first place and looking back, there are a lot of things in the book I want to go back to and revisit but I have no idea where they are on the CD.
August 6th, 2007 at 2:01 pm
I recently blogged on another site of mine how this book has really done the rounds on the blogosphere and surely increased those sales
Nice writeup
August 6th, 2007 at 2:24 pm
@Glen – Thanks, I believe that was the first book write up I’ve done on here. And I think it turned out well. Thanks for the comment!
August 6th, 2007 at 3:42 pm
Sounds interesting, I’ll seek out the audiobook. I will need something to listen to in the car when I finish Harry Potter in the next couple of days!
August 6th, 2007 at 3:52 pm
@Pete – Yeah man, it’s not bad. And speaking of Audio, nice job on the HD Red Rant. Meaning to pass that along for a while. *nod*
August 6th, 2007 at 6:35 pm
Probably that’s the reason why I chose Pro-blogging. I wanted to work on my terms, I wanted to enjoy my life, my work and the ability to work at my convenience and with no fixed location
August 6th, 2007 at 6:48 pm
@T-Saurus – Hey, thanks for the visit! So you’re a Pro-Blogger now? Do you make enough to support yourself? Word on the street is that it can be a bit tough to actually make it, how long have you been in the game?
August 6th, 2007 at 8:26 pm
I would even be okay with 5 hours a day!
August 6th, 2007 at 9:57 pm
@Bush – I’m sure we’d all be happy with any improvement. But we’ll be there soon. *nod*
August 7th, 2007 at 12:39 am
Wow. I’m convinced. I’m totally reading this book! I just have to add it to my book list of “many books to read.” About a month ago, I was doing what was probably the biggest no-no in Ferris’s book: I was working about 60 hours a week for very low pay (especially if you divide the money I made by hourly wage according to the long hours I was working!). It wasn’t worth it, even though I sincerely enjoy my work. The more I worked, the more tired I became, the less I loved my profession (I’m a family therapist for at-risk families and children). So I decided that the best way to fix this was to work less hours for the same pay, which essentially gave me more time to dedicate to the clients I already have without overloading my own schedule and my life. I wasn’t really losing anything for the agency I was working for (I’m an accomplisher, and as my boss calls me “An Achiever,” which is why they felt it was okay to overload me because they knew I was going to get it done). One month later, I had more time to dedicate to my home, my family, our wedding, more time to myself, etc. etc. etc. While this isn’t 5 hours a week, I think I’m finding a generally happy medium with even working “full time.” Besides, I get to make my own hours and work from home (for the paperwork part of the job, anyway), so that’s okay by my book!
Whoops. Sorry for the horribly long response. Haha. You struck a cord of wordiness in me!
August 7th, 2007 at 1:03 am
JohnChow has been having a free contest for this book for the last week or so. LOL about the only reason I’ve been checking out his site is to win that book! It does sound really awesome, I wanted to get it for my hubby, but the way you describe it I guess I should take a gander at it too.
August 7th, 2007 at 2:21 am
@Helen – First off, never apologize for a well thought out comment! No matter how wordy it is. (#):)
Yeah, it seems like this book would be right up your alley! In my review, I tried to avoid a lot of the details of the book, because I still have to leave you guys with a reason to read it but I’m sure you’ll find it fascinating. Just like Rich Dad Poor Dad gives you a 180 degree perspective on money, this will do the same thing as working. And if you’ve already had a taste of what he’s talking about, I’m sure it’ll really resonate with you.
@Gnomey – Oh yeah? I didn’t know that! Since I’m still getting my self back on track as far as the blogosphere, I’ve been missing some of the bigger sites. Thanks for the heads up! Hm….Maybe I can offer a copy as another prize for my contest that’s coming up. Hmm….
BTW, do you guys know where I am right now at 2:21 in the morning? At work. ARRRRRGH! It’s funny considering the post huh? Thanks for giving me something to ease the pain. (#):)
August 7th, 2007 at 6:14 am
I’ve heard about the book and even have gone to the author’s website, but so far I haven’t purchased it yet. I probably will. I’m there since I’m working for myself, but I’ll listen to someone tips that they have to offer.
Still at work, eh? Are you working on that project?
August 7th, 2007 at 2:23 pm
Now why couldn’t he have written about a 4 hour work month??
Still, it’s a great book. I’d recommend it to anyone.
August 8th, 2007 at 12:43 am
Nicely done, Bush. I’ve seen several references to this book here and there and must admit I’ve had some interest in reading it myself. The only thing holding me back is the stack of books that I’ve already promised I’d read since January!
But I think I’ll make an exception.
August 8th, 2007 at 8:18 am
@Opal – I was working on that project. I’ve finally had a second to catch up on sleep and I feel like I’m on top of the world again!
@Brown – Don’t worry, I’ll put that book out soon. *nod*
@Mark – Ha ha. I don’t make such bold promises! Besides web dev and business/entrepreneurial books, it has been a long time since I’ve gotten through a “real” one.
August 8th, 2007 at 8:44 am
Thanks buddy! Glad someone appreciated the HD podcast
September 1st, 2007 at 1:04 pm
[...] She entered a contest last month by Cash for Comments and actually won. The prize was a copy of the 4-Hour Work Week and a chance to be mentioned in Blogging the Movie, a featured documentary about a blogger. I [...]