4-Hour Workweek -- anyone read it yet?

[USCGamecocks]

I read the book. Loved it. Some good information in it.
I loved the idea about the P.A.
I use that to this day.
Projects I need to get done I always consider if it's worth me doing it or getting someone on Elance to do it.

He talks about the 80/20 rule and that's dead on. It's true.When I update my web sites which I have a lot of I always apply this rule to make the most bang for my advertising buck... (receiving).

Read it, you'll like it.

[mbhunter]

I'm enjoying it. Some of the things I scratch my head and think, "How the heck does he get away with doing that?" His positive view on outsourcing (and off-shoring) is certainly fresh.

It reminds me a bit of something I heard from Gary North about study habits. There are times when one needs to read thoroughly, and then there are times when something just needs to get done. An employer loves employees that can short-cut their way to results: it costs them less. How Ferriss won the Chinese Kickboxing championship (if true) blew my mind. He didn't break any rules, but man, his "training" was nothing short of brilliant. He worked smarter, not harder.

Beyond that, the biggest thing I've gotten out of the book so far is that you have to know what you're working toward and pursue it relentlessly, because if you don't, others will use your time to accomplish what they want. People in general don't care about what you want beyond that which is required to enlist your help in getting what they want.

Heck, I added something like this to my e-mail signature at work, "I only check this e-mail account once a day. Other options for contacting me are by phone (555-555-5555) or in person (Room 1234, building 5678). Thanks!" Time to start training my colleagues!

[shayob]

I've read this book and I agree with the others that it has some good stuff in it but at the same time I think Tim is a bit slezzy. I got the book from the library and reading and personally doen't feel it is one worth buying. A lot of what he talks about I already do and a lot of what he has in his book is obviously from other books that he simply rephrased (he even mentions that he does this). I would recommend the book but I hope that when people do read this book they realize that just because it is in writing doesn't necessarily make it true. I wonder whether he has truly done everything he says he has and some of the things he talks about to me shows a lack of character. I believe you can have this kind of lifestyle without being a liar or trickster, you can still show true character and work less while making more money. I work for a major corporation, work from home (I'm "working" right now) and I probably actually work maybe 2 hours a day and I pull in over 6 figures a year, so I know it's possible, I've been doing it. What I got from Tim's book was more of what I should be doing with the time I have available to me to enhance my life. Once again I'd say worth the read but I'd get it from the library, then if you decide you need it as a reference then buy it. Hope this helps

[rolltimer]

I just finished a quick read of The 4H WW and found it intriguing but perhaps a bit beyond what I can do with my own job. I work part time and receive an hourly wage plus mileage so it doesn't help me to find ways to cut the number of hours I work. As for the side jobs and income streams, I'm not convinced that you can set up a system--selling a product, for instance--that is totally automated to the point where all you do is cash the checks or transfer funds.

I loved the method for cutting out the chitchat when someone calls and helping them get to their reason for calling. Think I'll use more of answering the phone with my name and immediately asking, "What can I do for you?"

[jmcgready]

I've had it on heavy rotation on my iPod for a few months.

It all makes sense, but I've found that since I work retail,
remote working arrangements don't really cut it since the
work I tend to do is more F2F.

I also wind up getting frustrated if I listen to it on the way into work,
as all the talk of optimized living only serves to accent the utter messiness of the job.

[arkadofbabylon.org]

It was such a great book! I laughed through so much of it because he really is a great writer and has amazing life stories to share. Go get it from the library or pick one up at a local bookstore. I think you will really enjoy it

[nyjetsro71]

Book was wonderful.

It really opens your eyes that most of the time people mess around at the office.

Is a 9-5 really necessary? We can achieve more by working less and smarter.

[starshard0]

Personally I'd prefer a "0" hour workweek, but that's just me.

[kickchk]

I haven't heard of this book, but I look forward to giving it a go.

[Jason White]

Ferriss' book is a homerun in my opinion. It took me a while to finally work around to reading it, but when I did I was even more motivated to look for ways to improve my financial situation to prepare for early "retirement" and month-long vacations. Yeah, I could get used to the New Rich lifestyle.

I highly recommend the book for anyone wishing to break free from the rat race and/or anyone looking to market a product or service on the side. Ferriss provides some excellent marketing techniques, and even some great career advice on managing up, etc.