If you could leave the 9-5 rat race, retire faster than you ever thought possible, and have the time and financial freedom to travel the world, how would your life and relationships change? All these are possible, no matter the job you’re currently working, or how deeply indebted you are. The 4-Hour Workweek is a terribly practical handbook on creating the lifestyle you want — and deserve. No theories. No B.S., strictly practical information.
Day 11 of the 28 Day Self-Growth Plan
The 4-Hour Workweek by Tim Ferriss
I first read this book about a decade ago when I was attempting to take my life to the next level. I liked it then and I still like it today.
The executive summary forward (above), however, does not do the book any favors. There’s a couple of things to note about The 4-Hour Workweek.
- If you are incapable of thinking for yourself, this is not the book for you. Because…
- If you think you are going to jump into a four-hour work week because you threw down $10-$20 for a book, you are probably gonna miss a light bill
The rest of the summary isn’t so…gimmicky. I don’t remember Ferris being that way either (if he had been, I don’t think I would have enjoyed it). I think the Goodreads blurb is better.
He has spent more than five years learning the secrets of the New Rich, a fast-growing subculture who has abandoned the “deferred-life plan” and instead mastered the new currencies-time and mobility-to create luxury lifestyles in the here and now. Whether you are an overworked employee, or an entrepreneur trapped in your own business, this book is the compass for a new and revolutionary world.
Or, at the very least, it speaks to me differently. See, I have a strong agreement with the idea that, as currency, time and mobility are every bit as important as money.
Don’t misunderstand me. I have been without money. I have been negative money. And maybe one day I will be there again. Anything is possible. But today, I feel pretty good about my financial situation. And in each of these instances, time and mobility were and are just as important as money.
Sometimes I think we confuse “urgency” for “importance.” If a bill needs paying, money is the currency. If a project must be completed or a vacation is being had, time is the currency. If a love one needs you, mobility is the currency. When we don’t have one of these when we need them, it isn’t than one if more important, it’s simply the need is more urgent.
Today, I am far stingier with my time than I am my money. I make professional decisions based on calendar sacrifices. I have told more than one person who wanted to pay me to do something I wasn’t interested in doing, “You can’t afford my calendar.” That’s not arrogance. That is honesty. That’s balance. That’s maintaining priorities.
I don’t require a 4-hour work week. I love the work I do. Sure, sometimes it is stressful, but if it were easy, everybody would do it and where’s the value for me in that? The truth is, I don’t require a standard work week at all. There have been times where I worked 60 – 70 hours a week. There are times I work 2. I don’t really pay attention to how much I work. I pay attention to the results.
And I appreciate Ferris’ acknowledgement of this idea.
There is really nothing wrong with this arrangement if it’s something you enjoy.
And there’s the big idea. What do you have to do to create the life you want to live? What’s the currency budget? What are the priorities? What are the steps?
For me, one of the very first steps is always answering the question, “What’s the worst thing that could happen?” This isn’t negative thinking. For me, this is calling all the fear out, front and center, right off the bat, so it doesn’t sneak up on me and paralyze me later.
And I am way overly dramatic with my answers because I need them to be honest. I don’t need to be timid in addressing my fears because they WILL show up; it’s not if, it’s when.
For instance, when Mike told me he loved me, had always loved me, and would always love me, I thought, “Ok, what’s the worst thing that could happen?” Answer: He has spent the last 17 years hating me and devising a horrid plan to wreck my entire life and leave me in a bayou somewhere.
Or, when we decided to go out on our own and start our own business. “Ok, what’s the worst thing that could happen?” Answer: This could be a complete financial ruin, we lose everything, and end up in a cardboard box under the bridge.
Told you – dra.ma.tic.
What has actually happened? The couple starring in the best love story of all time is having a lot of fun running a pretty successful little shop.
But I faced the fear, the absolute worst thing. And I asked myself, “Can you come back from that?” The answer both times was “yes” so I kept moving forward.
Now don’t get me wrong. That shit is still scary. I am scared most of the time. A person can’t function that way, at least I can’t. So, I have learned that just because I feel afraid, doesn’t mean I have to behave afraid. And if I know I can come back from whatever the worst possible thing is, I can keep moving forward – for the next 4 hours or 40 😊