Book review: Four Hour Work Week

Today, I am moving into uncharted territory, as I am going to perform a book review of a book that I 1) currently do not have in my possession and 2) have not read in over a month. And I will do this without the help of a net, condom, or sherpa. Wait- what's that? The scratching sound of skin crossing skin, as millions of my fans cross their fingers? That's what I thought!

Now, The Four Hour Work Week, by Timothy Ferris, is a bit misleading in it's title. If you are a Doctor, EMT, or teacher, please do not try to apply most of the techniques recommended in this book. You all picked your bed, now you got to sleep in it. However, if you are looking to get out of your current job, and start a new one- which may offer some easier hours/lifestyles- then do read. READ I SAID!

OK- this book is basically about life style. The title is so catchy because, quite frankly, many of us work long hard hours just to keep up. We have our typical American dream- white picket fence house, dog/cat, spouse and kid- working 9-5 (at least), with maybe both spouses working- etc etc. But are we all happy? Is the trade off worth it?

Ferris outlines a 4 step process which will allow us to further realize our dreams.
1. Definition: a targeted monthly income, how to get started, dreamlining (ie what is it we really want), fear setting (realizing what our fears are, and overcoming them). As with most remedies of similar nature- the way to begin a process is to break down the plans into attainable parts- even 24 hours plans. Nothing monumental here, except for that whole bothersome "what do I want to do that will make me enough money" hurdle. At least setting up these goals will help frame how much you really truly will need. What is vitally important though is to have mini goals, versus a "I need to make $150,000"
2. Elimination: This chapter is swell for learning how to "trim the fat" in our lives. The Pareto principle, or the 80/20 rule (80% of your results will be achieved through 20% of your efforts), combined Parkinsons law (work expands to fill the time you give it) reminds us that there is much we do in life, as in business, that is just "filler", and does not really add much to the bottom line. The greater our ability to eliminate these distractions, the more time we have. Stop spending so much time watching TV, reading newspapers, and on the interwebz, and *gasp* reading books (save Ferris' book, mind you), and you should be more productive. He even gives some recommendations as to how to handle your boss, or co-workers, if they keep trying to eat up your time. This should hopefully give you more time to concentrate on your business(es)
3. Automation: Now, here is the tricky part. Once you've set up your ideal/side business, you now need to pawn off most of the busy work to someone else. Ferris illustrates the cost ratios for outsourcing most business applications to India/Canada, and quite frankly, it's a little frightening how easy it could be. After reading many books on entrepreneurship, I have come to the realization that this option- the delegation part, is usually the most difficult for any successful businessperson. However, with having a business that you know you design with the forethought of handing over the reigns, perhaps this step is a bit easier.
4. Liberation: What to do with all your time now? If you've been working this all right- you can probably work mobile (mobily? Screw you Webster, and your dictionary!). Ferris Recommends "Mini retirements", a fan-spanking tastic idea of taking large chunks off at a time- ie- 6 months or so.

I hate to say it, but I love this book. A lot. It's an easy read, and the unconventional approach to living life is refreshing to say the least. To successfully realize the benefits of the system, it would probably be easier for someone a little more tech savvy (as most of the recommendations in the book involve working a web site, and ordering/shipping materials after promotion.) But whether we want to categorize our jobs as a "Rat Race" (that you Robert Kiyosaki), or even our lifestyles as such, Ferris tacitly infers that our time is our own, and that for the most part, our tethers are self inflicted.