Author Topic: 4 hour work week  (Read 4989 times)

EconDiva

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4 hour work week
« on: September 09, 2016, 08:14:30 AM »
For those that have read this book, I'd like to get your opinions on it.

I was in Barnes and Noble the other day but decided against purchasing it for $24.00 retail.  Maybe I'll purchase a used version but I am interested to hear what other people learned from the book.  Was there anything that you actually incorporated into your daily life or used to make major changes in your life as a result of reading the book?

Choices

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Re: 4 hour work week
« Reply #1 on: September 09, 2016, 09:28:58 AM »
I haven't read this one, but I read 4-hour Body. If this book has the same format, there's an intro recommending which chapters to read for your goals, with a total recommendation of about 150 pages per person, not the whole brick of a book.

So, you might check it out from the library because it probably won't take as long as you think to read the parts relevant for you.

Please let me know what you think of it.

mozar

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Re: 4 hour work week
« Reply #2 on: September 09, 2016, 09:31:56 AM »
Great book, very short. Found it for free when I googled "4 hour work week pdf". The guy made his money on a scam imo, but he has good suggestions. Totally worth reading if its free.

Gimesalot

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Re: 4 hour work week
« Reply #3 on: September 09, 2016, 09:48:43 AM »
I got this from the library.  I really loved this book.  I have implemented some of the easier step into my life and have thought about some of the others.

Here is the book in a nutshell:

1.  Determine what you really want and will make you happy putting emphasis on experiences not the material
2.  Set up a budget for these items on a per month basis
3.  Focus your energy where you get the most "bang for your buck" hire someone else to do the boring crap parts of life
4.  Build an internet-based business that you can run from anywhere
5.  Delegate as much as possible to hired help from point 3
6.  Enjoy

Obviously, there is a lot more detail in the book including actual resources, scripts and patterns.  I really like the book, but I didn't feel like it was feasible for me to implement while working full time, renovating a house, and perusing hobbies. I do plan on putting it into full effect when I FIRE.

MsSindy

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Re: 4 hour work week
« Reply #4 on: September 09, 2016, 10:02:33 AM »
I think it was a good book as it made me think about things differently - def check it out from the library.

The one thing that I still use is the strategy on email.  I often put an OOO message on my email for 4 hours that says I will be unavailable during this time, (anyone that needs me in an emergency knows how to reach me); I get a lot of work done during this time, and then answer email all at once without being interrupted constantly.  My role doesn't have very many 'emergency' situations, so this totally works for me.

Bracken_Joy

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Re: 4 hour work week
« Reply #5 on: September 09, 2016, 10:07:35 AM »
First off, see MMM's thoughts: http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2012/02/20/mr-money-mustache-vs-tim-ferris/

I read 4HWW long before I found MMM, and it served as a really vital paradigm shift for me. If you're at a point of transition, but feel "busy" but NOT "productive" then I highly recommend it. Honestly, I especially recommend it for women who have a hard time breaking the pro-social mold. It speaks to the importance of going a different direction that the crowd. A lot of similarities to MMM in terms of ideals, but very different technical approaches.

Do read this book:
-if you work in an office environment that leaves you feeling like you're running all the time but going nowhere
-if you need help developing more of a "no, fuck you" attitude.
-if you're at a point of transition with your life vision
-if you're fine-tuning a side hustle

Do not bother:
-if you're firmly on a path you're happy with
-if you're looking for assistance with technical steps that will help you get to FIRE
-if you're new to the concept of side hustles (it'll ruin your expectations)

ETA: I also highly recommend his podcast (it's just under Tim Ferriss, easy to find). He has some incredibly fascinating people on there.

EconDiva

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Re: 4 hour work week
« Reply #6 on: September 09, 2016, 10:13:20 AM »
I haven't read this one, but I read 4-hour Body. If this book has the same format, there's an intro recommending which chapters to read for your goals, with a total recommendation of about 150 pages per person, not the whole brick of a book.

So, you might check it out from the library because it probably won't take as long as you think to read the parts relevant for you.

Please let me know what you think of it.

Interesting; thanks for sharing.  This isn't too surprising as I spent about 10 minutes flipping through it and did immediately see 1 or 2 chapters I was thinking to myself I'd end up skipping for sure (at least for now)...which is the point I made an immediate decision I couldn't pay retail for it...

EconDiva

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Re: 4 hour work week
« Reply #7 on: September 09, 2016, 10:13:57 AM »
Great book, very short. Found it for free when I googled "4 hour work week pdf". The guy made his money on a scam imo, but he has good suggestions. Totally worth reading if its free.

Thanks; I think you mentioned this to me in another thread of mine.  I had this book in mind for quite a while but just hadn't gotten around to checking it out yet.

EconDiva

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Re: 4 hour work week
« Reply #8 on: September 09, 2016, 10:21:30 AM »
I got this from the library.  I really loved this book.  I have implemented some of the easier step into my life and have thought about some of the others.

Here is the book in a nutshell:

1.  Determine what you really want and will make you happy putting emphasis on experiences not the material
2.  Set up a budget for these items on a per month basis
3.  Focus your energy where you get the most "bang for your buck" hire someone else to do the boring crap parts of life
4.  Build an internet-based business that you can run from anywhere
5.  Delegate as much as possible to hired help from point 3
6.  Enjoy

Obviously, there is a lot more detail in the book including actual resources, scripts and patterns.  I really like the book, but I didn't feel like it was feasible for me to implement while working full time, renovating a house, and perusing hobbies. I do plan on putting it into full effect when I FIRE.

Thanks for the very insightful review!

#4 is very important I think to me right now; I am really just starting to understand how much I really value freedom/flexibility in my life.  Adding #4 into my life along with my current actions of trying to reduce expenses while increasing income would really help to put me on the path I think I want to be on in the near future.

EconDiva

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Re: 4 hour work week
« Reply #9 on: September 09, 2016, 10:22:05 AM »
I think it was a good book as it made me think about things differently - def check it out from the library.

The one thing that I still use is the strategy on email.  I often put an OOO message on my email for 4 hours that says I will be unavailable during this time, (anyone that needs me in an emergency knows how to reach me); I get a lot of work done during this time, and then answer email all at once without being interrupted constantly.  My role doesn't have very many 'emergency' situations, so this totally works for me.

Gonna head to the library this weekend :)

Good point about the email.

EconDiva

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Re: 4 hour work week
« Reply #10 on: September 09, 2016, 10:26:17 AM »
First off, see MMM's thoughts: http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2012/02/20/mr-money-mustache-vs-tim-ferris/

I read 4HWW long before I found MMM, and it served as a really vital paradigm shift for me. If you're at a point of transition, but feel "busy" but NOT "productive" then I highly recommend it. Honestly, I especially recommend it for women who have a hard time breaking the pro-social mold. It speaks to the importance of going a different direction that the crowd. A lot of similarities to MMM in terms of ideals, but very different technical approaches.

Do read this book:
-if you work in an office environment that leaves you feeling like you're running all the time but going nowhere
-if you need help developing more of a "no, fuck you" attitude.
-if you're at a point of transition with your life vision
-if you're fine-tuning a side hustle

Do not bother:
-if you're firmly on a path you're happy with
-if you're looking for assistance with technical steps that will help you get to FIRE
-if you're new to the concept of side hustles (it'll ruin your expectations)

ETA: I also highly recommend his podcast (it's just under Tim Ferriss, easy to find). He has some incredibly fascinating people on there.

Thank you for the very detailed post!

I will definitely take a look at what MMM wrote...should be very interesting. 

As far as your points....

Do read this book:
-if you work in an office environment that leaves you feeling like you're running all the time but going nowhere
^I can relate to this.  I am frequently very busy but as far as going where I think I should be headed in life, the answer to that would be 'no'

-if you need help developing more of a "no, fuck you" attitude.
^Ha, I've never been that way.  Which is funny because my boss and I were just talking about someone in our office who recently wanted a promotion and upper management didn't think she was ready.  Actually they were a little offended by her not just sucking it up and being polite when they passed her over.  So today's her last day work here where I work and she'll be going from like 2-2.5 hours commuting a day to a promotion where she can walk to work.  (Good for her!)  Anyways, I think I am to please more than having the attitude mentioned above so this section should be a good read.

-if you're at a point of transition with your life vision
^Yes; I feel myself being pulled toward creating a life more in line with my values.  Not that I haven't ever lived in line with my values before.  I'm just getting to a point where I can recognize what matters most to me easier right now.  Now that that is becoming more apparent, I can work towards it if that makes any sense.

-if you're fine-tuning a side hustle
^Doesn't apply (yet....)