The Endless Summer: How to Travel the World — and Improve It — for Free 246 Comments
“Americans who travel abroad for the first time are often shocked to discover that, despite all the progress that has been made in the last 30 years, many foreign people still speak in foreign languages.”
-Dave Barry
Chilling on a Smithsonian research island in Panama. Heaven on earth? Perhaps, but there are hundreds of places like this.
After Memorial Day weekend, many Americans will return to the office and fantasize about taking more time off. If only we could travel the world and experiencing life to its fullest!
What if you could travel the world — and make it a better place — for free?
Swimming with dolphins in New Zealand? Skiing in the Andes? Sumo wrestling and sushi sampling in Japan? Here’s your chance. The first — and possibly last — 4-Hour Workweek Global Challenge.
How would you use 36 extra hours per week?
If you can answer that question in 350 words or less, you could win a roundtrip anywhere in the world, private consulation with me to plan it all, and $1,000 for the cause of your choice.
My goals with this are 1) to get people to take action towards their dreams, and 2) to help people to develop a global consciousness and feel the rewards of contribution.
THE PRIZES:
Grand Prize (one person):
-Roundtrip airfare anywhere in the world, sponsored by the good folks at the BootsnAll Travel Network, who specialize in around-the-world airfare, hostels, travel blogs, and inspiration to get you going on that trip of a lifetime
-Two hours of consultation with me for planning the entire adventure and making it unforgettable…
-$1,000 to contribute to the causes/charities of your choice at your chosen destination (the destination need not be international)
Runner-up Prizes (nine people):
Free DVD copies of the groundbreaking round-the-world travel film, A Map for Saturday. This movie is one of the few cinematic journeys that truly captures the deeper meanings and benefits of travel.
THE JUDGES:
Me, Tim Ferriss, author of the New York Times bestseller, The 4-Hour Workweek
Charles Best, CEO and Founder of educational not-for-profit, Donors Choose
Sean Keener, CEO and Founder, BootsNAll Travel Network
Noah Kagan, Director of Marketing Evangelism, Mint.com
Brook Silva-Braga, Filmmaker, A Map for Saturday
THE BASIC RULES OVERVIEW:
Criteria:
Your answer needs to satisfy the following criteria:
1. It must not only add fulfillment and excitement to your life (and your family’s, if applicable), but also improve the world in some way.
2. It must be 350 words or less. No exceptions.
3. It must be submitted as a comment to this post or via postal mail (the latter for silly legal reasons). No e-mail submission is allowed, and such submission will be ignored. Sorry, but this can’t be a full-time job for the judges. If you have a blog, feel free to encourage your readers to respond on your blog, then pick the best and paste them as comments here. Postal submissions are not preferred.
Selection:
The judges will select the top ten finalists, and readers will vote to determine the grand prize winner.
Deadlines:
All responses to “How would you use 36 extra hours per week?” must be received (as comments on this post or postal mail) no later than June 15th. The top ten finalists will be announced no later than June 25th, and the grand prize winner will be determined no later than July 4, 2007, Independence Day.
Who can’t enter this contest?
For more silly legal reasons, entrants must be a permanent lawful resident of one of the 48 continental United States or District of Columbia and be 18 years of age or older. Entrants under 18 years of age are ineligible. Contest is void in Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, U.S. territories and possessions outside the 48 continental United States or District of Columbia, and where prohibited or restricted by law. By participating, entrants agree to these official rules and the decisions of the judges, which are final and binding in all matters related to this contest. My apologies to the rest of the world, but our legal system makes it too much of a hassle to do this any other way.
FINE PRINT — THE OFFICIAL RULES:
THIS IS A CONTEST OF SKILL. NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT OF ANY KIND IS NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN THIS CONTEST. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING.
1.CONTEST TERM AND DEADLINES: Contest begins May 26, 2007 at 12:00:01 a.m. (Pacific Time [PT]). Online entries must be received by June 15, 2007 at 12:00:01 p.m. PT. Online entries received after June 15, 2007 at 12:00:01 p.m. PT will not be eligible. If mail-in method of entry is chosen, entries must be postmarked on or before June 15, 2007 and received on or before June 21, 2007 to be eligible. Entries will be judged by the panel of judges June 16, 2007 through June 25, 2007. Prize winners will be announced on or around July 4, 2007.
2.
2.ELIGIBILITY: The contest, and any web site pages and advertisements relating thereto, is intended for viewing only within the 48 continental United States or District of Columbia. To enter the contest and qualify therefore, entrants must be a permanent lawful resident of one of the 48 continental United States or District of Columbia and be 18 years of age or older. Entrants under 18 years of age are ineligible. Contest is void in Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, U.S. territories and possessions outside the 48 continental United States or District of Columbia, and where prohibited or restricted by law. By participating, entrants agree to these official rules and the decisions of the judges, which are final and binding in all matters related to this contest.
3.
3.there are two (2) Methods by which to enter this contest:
a. On-Line Method of Entry: Entrants may log on to www.fourhourworkweek.com/blog (the “Contest Website”), click the blog entry for this contest and follow the on-screen directions, then submit their entry as a comment on that post. Only one entry per person. Entry length is limited to 350 words.
b. Mail-in Method of Entry: Entrant may also mail his or her entry to: “4-Hour Workweek Challenge” 1702-L Meridian Ave., Box 126, San Jose, CA 95125. Entries must be postmarked by June 16, 2007 and received on or before June 21, 2007 to be eligible. Entry length is limited to 350 words.
4.
4.SELECTION OF WINNERS:
1.
a.The entries will be judged by a panel of judges in their sole discretion according to the Judging Criteria. The top 10 finalists will be posted on the website, at which point the grand prize winner will be selected by reader (www.fourhourworkweek.com/blog) voting to end no later than July 4, 2007.
5.
5.JUDGING CRITERIA FOR ENTRIES: The entries shall be judged based on the following Judging Criteria with equal weight:
a. It must not only add fulfillment and excitement to your life (and your family’s, if applicable), but also improve the world in some way.
b. It must be 350 words or less. No exceptions.
Odds of winning depend upon the number of eligible entries and the quality of the entries.
6.
6.PRIZES: One (1) Grand Prize: Roundtrip airfare anywhere in the world, sponsored by the good folks at the BootsnAll Travel Network; two hours of consultation with Tim Ferriss for planning the entire adventure;$1,000 to contribute to the causes/charities of their choice at your chosen destination (checks to be issued directly to the charities or causes). Nine (9) Runner-up Prizes: Free DVD copy of the groundbreaking round-the-world travel film, A Map for Saturday.
Actual Value of prize may vary depending upon city of origin. Prizes cannot be assigned, transferred, changed or redeemed for cash value. No substitutions of prizes permitted unless prize cannot be awarded as described for any reason. Prizes will not be fulfilled outside the 48 continental United States or the District of Columbia. Tim Ferriss, judges, and any other sponsors reserve the right to substitute a prize of equal or greater value at their sole discretion, unless prohibited by law.
7.
7.NOTIFICATION: Prize winners will be notified by telephone and/or email no later than July 10, 2007. If a potential prize winner cannot be reached within twenty-four hours from the first notification attempt, then such person may be disqualified at the judges’ sole discretion and the contestant with the next highest score may be awarded such prize.
8.
8.PRIZE CONDITIONS: The Winners will be required to execute an Affidavit of Eligibility and a Liability Release (“Affidavit/Releaseâ€?). If a potential prize winner does not complete an Affidavit of Eligibility and a Liability Release by July 21, 2007, then such person may be disqualified at the judges’ sole discretion and the contestant with the next highest score may be awarded such prize.
9.
9.CONDITIONS OF PARTICIPATION/RESTRICTIONS: Any entry containing obscenity, crude language, depictions of a sexual nature, pornographic depictions, violence or other inappropriate conduct or language (as defined solely by the judges) will not be accepted and will result in disqualification. Entrants represent that the entry submitted is the entrant’s original creation, has never been published, has not previously won any other contest award, does not infringe third party rights, and is suitable for publication, does not violate any decency or obscenity laws, and the right to submit it is not restricted. Entry may not defame, libel, slander or invade publicity rights or privacy of any person, living or deceased, or otherwise infringe upon any person’s personal or proprietary rights, including trademarks. No mechanically reproduced, illegible, incoherent, unusable, or incomplete entries will be accepted. The judges reserve the absolute right to reject any submission for any reason it deems it to be inappropriate. No correspondence regarding submissions will be entered into with entries except as described herein or otherwise at judges discretion.
10.
10.WARRANTIES/RESTRICTIONS: Each entrant represents and warrants that he/she is eighteen (18) years of age or older, and is eligible to enter. If a prize winner is under the age of majority at the time the prize is awarded, consent must be provided by parent or guardian prior to award. Judges will not be responsible for lost, misdirected, illegible, incomplete, or delayed entries. Limit of one (1) entry per person and per authorized e-mail account holder. In the event there is a dispute over who submitted any given entry, “authorized e-mail account holder” means the natural person who is assigned to an e-mail address by an Internet access provider, Internet service provider, or other organization (e.g. business, educational, government, institution, etc.) that is responsible for assigning e-mail addresses for the domain associated with the submitted e-mail address. If more than one entry is received from the same person, then he/she will be disqualified. Only complete entries will be accepted. If a submission is incomplete or does not comply with the specifications and rules described herein, then the submission will be disqualified. Neither the judges nor Contest Entities will verify receipt of entries. Entrants should retain a copy of all materials submitted for the contest. All mailed entries become the property of judges and will not be returned.
11.
11.LIMITATION OF LIABILITY: Judges and Contest Entities are not responsible for late, lost, damaged, misdirected, incorrectly addressed, incomplete, illegible, undeliverable, or destroyed materials, for any human error which may occur in the processing of entries, or the acts or omissions of any other entity’s computer(s), or other telecommunications malfunctions which may limit or prevent an entrant’s ability to participate. Judges may prohibit an entrant from participating in this contest or winning a prize if, in its sole discretion, it determines that said entrant is attempting to undermine the legitimate operation of this contest by cheating, hacking, deception, or other unfair practices (including the use of automated quick entry programs) or intending to annoy, abuse, threaten or harass any other entrants or judge representatives, or if entrant has or had attempted to submit malicious code, .exe files, or any file that contains malicious code. If for any reason this contest is not capable of running as planned, including, but not limited to, infection by computer virus, bugs, tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud, or any other causes beyond the reasonable control of judges, which corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness, integrity, or proper conduct of the promotion, then judges reserve the right at its sole discretion to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend this contest, except were prohibited by law. No responsibility is assumed for any canceled, rescheduled, unavailable or postponed travel or celebrity availability, production or programming.
12.
12.RULES/WINNERS LIST: To view the Official Rules and/or obtain a list of the winners of this contest, send a self-addressed stamped envelope in a separate, first class stamped envelope to: “4-Hour Workweek Challenge,� 1702-L Meridian Ave., Box 126, San Jose, CA 95125. Please specify “Rules� or “Winners List�. Winners list available after July 21, 2007. Limit one (1) rules request and one (1) winners list request per person/household.
13.
13.CONDITIONS OF PARTICIPATION: This contest is subject to all applicable federal, state and local laws. All federal, state and local taxes are the sole responsibility of the winners. Except where prohibited by law, each winner’s entry or acceptance of the prize constitutes permission for the Contest Entities to use, publish, and display the winner’s submission, name, voice, photograph, and other likeness and/or any biographical information the winner may provide, and any statement the winner may make concerning this contest or the prizes, in any and all media now known or hereafter discovered, worldwide and on the Internet and/or the World Wide Web, in perpetuity, for promotional and marketing purposes, without notification, review, approval or compensation, all as detailed in the Publicity Release. Entrant further agrees to permit Contest Entities the right to reproduce such submission in full or to crop or otherwise edit or modify submission for reproduction at judges’ sole discretion. By participating, entrants agree to be bound by these Official Rules and the decisions of the judges, (including interpretations of these Official Rules), the judges and the Contest Administrator, and waive any right to claim ambiguity in this contest or these Official Rules. Winners and contestants also agree at all times, to release, discharge, indemnify and hold harmless the Contest Entities and judges, their respective parent entities, subsidiaries, and affiliated companies, advertising and promotion agencies, broadcast affiliates, and all of their respective officers, directors, employees, representatives and agents of each, from and against any claims, actions, demands, damages or liabilities of any kind whatsoever (including without limitation, attorney’s fees, court costs, settlement and disbursements) due to any injuries, damages or losses to any person (including death) or property of any kind resulting in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, from acceptance, redemption, possession, loss, misdirection, misuse or use of any prize or participation in any contest-related activity or participation in this contest, including any claims relating to use, misappropriation or disclosure of any materials submitted herein. All decisions of the judges and the Contest Administrator are final in all matters relating to this contest. If for any reason this contest is not capable of running as planned, then judges reserve the right at their sole discretion to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the contest. Judges and Contest Entities shall not be liable to any prize winner or any other person for failure to supply a prize or any part thereof by reason of any act of God, any action, regulation, order or request by any governmental or quasi-governmental entity, equipment failure, terrorist acts, earthquake, war, fire, flood, explosion, severe weather, hurricane, embargo, labor dispute or strike, labor or material shortage, transportation interruption of any kind, work slow-down, civil disturbance, insurrection, riot or any similar or dissimilar event beyond their reasonable control.
14.
14.CAUTION: ANY ATTEMPT BY AN ENTRANT TO DELIBERATELY DAMAGE THE WEBSITE, SUBMIT MALICIOUS CODE, .EXE FILES, OR ANY FILE THAT CONTAINS MALICIOUS CODE, OR UNDERMINE THE LEGITIMATE OPERATION OF THE CONTEST MAY BE IN VIOLATION OF CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LAWS AND SHOULD SUCH AN ATTEMPT BE MADE, SPONSOR RESERVES THE RIGHT TO SEEK REMEDIES AND DAMAGES (INCLUDING ATTORNEYS’ FEES) FROM ANY SUCH ENTRANT TO THE FULLEST EXTENT OF THE LAW, INCLUDING CRIMINAL PROSECUTION. IN NO EVENT WILL SPONSOR, JUDGES, THE CONTEST ENTITIES, THEIR PARENT, AFFILIATED, SUBSIDIARY AND RELATED COMPANIES, THEIR RESPECTIVE ADVERTISING OR PROMOTION AGENCIES, BROADCAST AFFILIATES, OR ANY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, REPRESENTATIVES AND AGENTS, BE RESPONSIBLE OR LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES OR LOSSES OF ANY KIND, INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF YOUR ACCESS TO AND USE OF THE WEB SITE OR DOWNLOADING FROM AND/OR PRINTING MATERIAL DOWNLOADED FROM www.fourhourworkweek.com. WITHOUT LIMITING THE FOREGOING, EVERYTHING ON THE WEB SITE IS PROVIDED “AS IS� WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR NON-INFRINGEMENT. SOME JURISDICTIONS MAY NOT ALLOW LIMITATIONS OR EXCLUSION OF LIABILITY INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OR EXCLUSION OF IMPLIED WARRANTIES SO SOME OF THE ABOVE LIMITATIONS OR EXCLUSIONS MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU. CHECK YOUR LOCAL LAWS FOR ANY RESTRICTIONS OR LIMITATIONS REGARDING THESE LIMITATIONS OR EXCLUSIONS.
Posted on May 26th, 2007
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246 Responses to “The Endless Summer: How to Travel the World — and Improve It — for Free”
1:42 am
Tim,
I know this is only a competition for those in the USA but I don’t care I wanted to write and just let you know that I have recently purchased your book after reading about you through tuckermax.com I just want to say that I have read just about everything written by the two of you that I can get my hands on. If nothing else I just wanted to pass on my thanks for such an incredible new outlook on everything. It has given me the courage to quit the 9-5 I have come to so quickly despise and to rather go work for myself, to travel and most importantly to go and live rather than wait until it is all too late. Not looking for any handouts here I just wanted to pass on my thanks to the both of you for opening my eyes.
2:08 am
My father worked at a Levi Strauss plant in Harrison, Arkansas for 39 years. He started there as a “Bundle Boy� at the age of 19, and after devoting nearly four decades of his life to that company, he had worked his way up to a supervisor position only to be forced into early retirement when the plant shut down.
I remember Dad leaving the house for work at 5 am and not getting back home until long after dark (NO paid overtime). He was lucky to get two weeks of vacation a year, but even then he was working from dawn to dusk on the farm. My dad was one of the hardest working individuals I’ve ever known, and despite the possible financial hardships, I was secretly thrilled when he was offered that [lousy] Levi’s early retirement.
You see, my dad had dutifully gone to work every day for 39 years filled with dread and always stressed, but he did it because he was a dedicated employee and thought that was the best way to provide for his family. When he lost his job, I believed it to be the best thing to ever happen, because for the first time ever, I was finally going to see my father really enjoy life!
And for a short time, he did just that and was truly happy. Then, last year he unexpectedly died of a heart attack…. He worked for years putting off his life for that “retirement� that ended up not being guaranteed. I didn’t get the opportunity to be beside him when he passed, but if I had been, I think he would have told me not be consumed with work, and instead, to live each day as if it’s your last.
I’m 26. Two months ago, I “freed� myself from a successful career as a loan officer to start my own consulting business, which is doing surprisingly well. What would I do with 36 extra hours each week? I’d live life to the fullest and do everything my father always wanted to do, but never had the chance….
2:32 am
WOW! What a great competition, bit of a bugger I’m in the UK!
Oh well, good luck everyone!
Jon
2:49 am
Hopefully it isn’t the last, from Australia :-)
3:22 am
Time to get my thinking cap on! I’m looking forward to entering this contest!
4:06 am
Again, from the UK so a bit gutted that we can’t enter! :) It’s got the old grey matter buzzing though, and I guess that’s the point. Good job Tim!
Pete
4:16 am
Why do legal systems tend to block good things? Too bad, that I’m from Germany and can’t join the competition. But maybe I’ll think of something just for the sake of it. Good look everyone :)
4:53 am
Tim,
“our legal system makes it too much of a hassle to do this any other way”
This is a classic example of all that’s wrong with USA Inc.
You are trying to do something simple and worthwhile yet for reasons not of your making, you have excluded most of the world.
Wonder how much money was wasted on some lawyer drawing up the 14 useless point above?
Great idea anyway Tim.
ps The book was excellent
5:32 am
It’s a pity I cannot participate either since I live in Spain. Anyway I would like to contribute with just some things I WILL do when I become a NR:
What I will do with my extra 36 hours:
1. Get back to sleep at least 8 hours a day
2. Do things slower.
3. Travel to distant places to find myself and become a person again
4. Use my knowledge (Software Engineer) to help worthy non-profit organitzations to manage themselves better an do more things (actually I am member of an animal protection society but I have almost no time to really help)
10:20 am
Ummm… can I outsource this??
11:15 am
I have a wife and a 9 month old daughter. We love the warm weather so an island would be best, but, w/the twist of helping others, here’s something on my mind :)
My wife always talks of Italy and renting a large villa, so I’m picking a place I’ve never been to, yet have received contacts from, so Italy it is. I have received e mails from athletes in Italy (w/limited English skills) who ask about my Underground training methods.
I would find a way to set up a free seminar for athletes and coaches of all levels in Italy before I arrive and have a translator ready. The seminar would be hands on with my training methods in an effort to spread the word to the coaches and athletes in Italy and ultimately, get them to create an Underground Gym and / or boot camps before I leave.
All the systems would be in place before I leave! The pay back from the coaches and athletes would be to utilize the “pay it forward” concept (just like the movie). They must teach their new methods to at least 3 people and once again their students would pay them back by “paying it forward” to 3 more athletes / coaches.
I have had contacts from Professional Basketball Coaches, athletes of all types and men who somehow stumbled upon my information.
This would be the way to give to a beautiful country and leave w/the systems of “pay it forward” intact. With the internet and my friends on the net w/contacts all around the world, Italy being one of them, I would utilize the power of everyone’s aid and put the lists together to get this seminar set.
If time allows, several seminars of the same magnitude will be given throughout different places in Italy :)
Thanks Tim :)
–Zach–
11:24 am
This is awesome! I’m from Brazil and can’t join the competition, but this is a nice opportunity for every reader to stop and think what we can do with more free time and how we can help our friends and our community.
11:47 am
[...] You do? Then, if you can encapsulate all the self-fulfilling, productive, and world wellness activities you’d like to do with your extra 36 hours per week in 350 words or less, you could win a round-trip around the world and more courtesy of the 4-Hour Workweek Global Challenge. [...]
12:36 pm
Hello,
I would use 36 extra hours per week to sleep more. I have great dreams so more sleep would increase the chance of having more life-fulfilling and exciting dreams. I would write them down and publish on my blog. This project would improve the world since when I am not sleeping I am very boring person so my family and friends will be happy during these extra 36 hours per week.
Since I am from Poland (which - according to CIA is not a part of the USA) I understand that I am not in danger of winning a trip around the world. I hate travelling since it decreases the time that I can spend sleeping.
Best regards,
TesTeq
PS. While not sleeping I’ve read the 4HWW book. The methods described in the book make it possible to significantly increase my sleeping time. Thank you.
12:45 pm
My greatest pleasure would be traveling to the best beaches in the world and creating a book that would help people gauge for themselves what beach experience from a single guys perspective. Many books tell you about what a great time you will have at xyz beach, but when you get there, you find a crappy beach full of whiney kids and overweight guys in speedo’s. I’ll focus on the best of the best, digging into the real beach culture, South Beach,Puerto Rico, Panama, Costa Rica, Rio, Buzios, Florianopolis, then over to Hawaii, Fiji,Tahiti, a brief layover in the Maldives, then finish it up with the French Riviera, Italy, and Spain. I want to get real with guys (straight), as too many times I’ve been sorely disappointed by travel books written from a family perspective.
4:13 pm
I would use the extra 36 hours to start a travel company that would benefit countries that do not receive much revenue from tourism. The company would run specialty tours that would use only local guides, ensuring that the majority of the money generated stays within the community, and not to some giant foreign corporation. Areas such as Rwanda, Cameroon, Nepal, India, Burma, Cambodia, and many others all have the potential to offer safe tours of ecological and cultural importance that many people fear to go to because of inaccurate media reports. I would donate the $1,000 to some friends I met while backpacking across Southeast Asia who started a non-profit in Cambodia that works on providing safe drinking water and educational scholarships to people of rural communities. Check them out at http://www.journeyswithinourcommunity.org!
5:04 pm
With an extra 36 hours a week, I would:
* Join and work at the TechShop, a membership-based machine shop in Menlo Park, CA
* Set myself an inventions quota, like Thomas Edison
* Organize weekly “build sessions” where my brilliant friends could come build prototypes of these inventions with me
* Market these inventions diligently - using the great ideas in the book!
* Set up production of the successful ones and invest the profits in more prototypes, rewarding my friends for their effort, and building up more design resources.
* Sneak into and audit lots of classes at Stanford and Berkeley to draw inspiration
* Still have time to commute by bicycle to all these activities
* Develop an online design community to enable this in more places and for more people around the world, by supporting the specific type of communication the design process requires.
Until then, with an extra 0 hours a week, I *will*:
* Do most of the above on the bus commute to work
* Set a slightly smaller inventions quota
* Read books to continue my education
* Bicycle during my lunch break
* Meet with my friends over Skype
* Share my work on my blog
So either way, things should be fun. But I sure would like 36 more hours of it each week, so I’d better go finish the book now.
9:15 am
It’s a real shame this is just for the US.
I must check out “A Map for Saturday”
1:01 pm
[...] “Americans who travel abroad for the first time are often shocked to discover that, despite all the progress that has been made in the last 30 years, many foreign people still speak in foreign languages.� - Dave Barry (de aici) [...]
2:10 pm
Question = How would you use 36 extra hours per week?
Answer =
I don’t need an extra 36 hours a week. What I need is a clue about how to use the time I’ve got—I work from home part-time while taking pre-MBA classes. Here’s the rub: the only things that really matter to me right now are: 1) money; 2) travel; 3) clothes; and 4) helping people. Obviously, money is the facilitator, which is why it ranks first. I don’t need money to help people, but I lack the energy (business school prep is draining) and the inspiration (my nose is firmly lodged up my derriere) to do so. I have been increasingly disillusioned with my quality of life, but I can’t bring myself to surrender myself to “the man� in exchange for a bigger paycheck.
So I have the four-hour work week, (actually mine is more like ten), but I don’t have the profit-making machine to support the “impossible dream.� But if I had the energy and the resources, I would:
 Read all the books on my hit list, including the Bible
 Attend a wellness retreat featuring detox, yoga, and meditation
 Spend some time learning about the world’s religions
 Learn a language (or three)
 Get someone (preferably male and hot) to teach me a Latin dance because I’m an ass-shaker at heart
 Have some flattering professional photos taken ‘cuz when I’m 95, I want to look back and think, “Damn, I was fine.�
 Figure out a way to provide adequate mental health care to vets returning from Iraq. I suspect it comes down to leveraging existing resources. For example, why can’t pre-existing mental health hotlines screen vets and refer them based on a triage system to non-military institutions like universities and teaching hospitals?
To recap, I am a 30-year old with a bruised sense of agency trying to figure out how to “be� and to “do� in the purest sense. I’ve asked that question before and was happy with the answer. But I’m ready to ask again and get a different one. Ain’t that what life’s about?
2:52 pm
Similar to other posts, my father spent the better half of his lifetime working for a corporation. One year after relocating him to the other side of the country, he was let go due to “downsizing”. My up bringing and my parents’ lives had me believe this was how life was; get good grades so you can go to a good college and get a “good” job. Then work until you’re 65 and retire. After working for the same company for 20 years and getting laid off, my dad still believes this.
All of this changed when a professor in college taught me the power of passive income and taking control of your own destiny. Learning to become self-reliant, the power of time, and being creative in financing your lifestyle was the overall message.
Because of my professor’s impact on my life, I would use 20 of my 38 hours to teach high school part-time in personal finance (a much-needed addition to every high school’s curriculum). I have a background in personal finance and would educate students not only on financial basics, but help to dispel the myth of the “perfect job�.
The other 18 hours I would use to take cooking classes, get back in shape, and read the literary classics that I have always put off.
4:22 pm
Tim,
I have always dreamed of going back to Romania. I was there in 1995 for 2 years. During that time I gained a love for the Romanian people and the place they call home.
This is a country that is still behind the rest of the world by at least 10-20 years. Parts of the country even make you feel you are back in the days of Robin Hood. In the mountains during the summer, there is no better place to be. The rolling green hills hit the steep rocky Carpathian Mountains. Around every corner are villages with cobble stone streets and little old ladies carrying groceries from the local market. It is by far one of the most beautiful places in the world.
They also have many orphans and abandoned children. Mostly because their families can’t keep them nor do they have the means to. I am a father of three. My oldest daughter is 5. The next daughter is 3 (has Wolf - Hirschhorn syndrome, makes life an adventure by it’s self). The youngest being my 3 month old son. I want my family to visit heaven on earth. It changed my life dramatically to see what we have and what we take for granted. I want my family to experience even a glimmer of this. To spend time in the orphanages and to just give them what most of these kids need, Love.
This is just one of the many things my family and I are planning to do with our new life. Reading your book has opened my eyes to be able to fulfill all the many small and wonderful dreams that most might think trivial.
All we have in life is our experiences and the people we share them with.
Thanks again,
Austin
11:39 pm
[...] Ferris of Four Day Work Week is holding a competition on his blog. Given that if you only had to work fours a week, you need to [...]
1:44 am
With an extra 36 hours a week, I’d follow-through on a couple delayed plans. In 2001 and 2002, I traveled to South Africa to do basketball clinics and coaching clinics. I’d go back and help my friends Thierry Kita and Mark Crandall with the Hoops 4 Hope program. And, this time I’d surf along the coast, finish my oft-delayed novel set in Cape Town that I started in an Exension Creative Writing class in 2003 and go on a safari. Or, I’d visit a coach in Sao Paulo, Brazil who works with hundreds of kids and see what I could do to help his basketball program. And, I’d find a way to help Eric from the Philipines who emailed to seek my advice on re-organizing their national basketball programs.
9:54 am
Before I answer your question I have to give credit where it is due.
Loved the book! 4-Hour
Workweek We were both born in the right year for sure ‘77 rocks!
After reading your book I’ve found myself awakened to the NR
lifestyle, and certainly intend to achieve it double or nothing boom or bust.
So How I would use 36 extra hours per
week? <<And don’t go Simon Cowell on me. j/k :)>>
The Focus must be two-fold:
1. I’d do really low-level multi-tasking
which would entail working on myself by becoming a better person and helping
others experience what I have experienced as you cannot lead anyone where you
are not first going yourself.
2. Become more culturally aware and
appreciative of what others do outside of the US of A. This would entail making
unforgettable friends tied to unforgettable memories doing unforgettable things
for the benefit of all involved. There are fun things to do everywhere.
3. I would like to create a residual income
that helps others achieve the NR lifestyle obviously adding to the ranks
of an already existent Global Network of friends who live their dreams and help
others achieve theirs.
How would this be achieved?
1. Involvement in activities that change lives…while enjoying improvement
of myself….those I work with directly benefit as I would seek to help
2. Mutual giving, mentoring, leading and otherwise forging a path of
lifelong friendships
3. Expert involvement is good. Tim what are you thoughts on the matter???
Closing Remarks
I don’t intend to be the last in achieving the NR Lifestyle because it
was never my intention.
Now let me be the first to have caught the eye with these cool techniques.
And if I could do it again? Let it be said…
"Tim, I’d be you, but in my own way making it me, excited and while
seeing it happen."
Many Thanks, Tim
Ian Hudson
12:14 pm
Did we miss something when reading the book? All the comments from foreign readers should consider the advice of Mr. Ferriss….
“Never stop..never give up…never take no for an answer.”
Hell, I’d join anyway..find a way…do it! Don’t take no for an answer. Why should you be excluded?!
Make some new rules. Push on.
Best wishes for a happy outcome!
Chuck
2:21 pm
“What if I did the opposite?� (Ferriss 30). I read the sentence again as I tried to ignore the white screen of the laptop to my right. My window was open, and I could smell the neighbor’s barbecue and hear kids outside, riding their hot wheels on the sidewalk. Working on Sunday shows dedication, I thought – a strong work ethic. But what if? Until now, my plan had been to work so hard that someone (at one of my three jobs) would hire me full-time, so I could have an office, full health coverage, and (I dreamed) a little coffee cup I could take to and from the water cooler. But what if I did the opposite? What if I kept my coffee cup at home, worked one job, and didn’t apply full-time anywhere? If I did the opposite, I would have the freedom to make my teaching high-impact. That’s what I would do with my 36 hours.
One of my jobs is teaching in an outreach program that offers free university-level classes to the poor and the working poor. It’s no secret that students from the lowest income brackets face the biggest challenge when it comes to higher education. Not only do they lack financial resources, but they often also lack knowledge of basics, like what it means to be a student, what it means to have an opinion and be heard – to be counted in society. With my 36 hours, I’d like to expand our classes and eventually teach overseas as well as at home – to help provide education (and empowerment) to the poor all over the world. I would help students gain the confidence to write, use their voices, and tell their stories. Someday I would also like to learn to speak Farsi, master tae kwon do, and eat kimchi in the middle of the night on a heated floor in Korea. I’ll start with one plan, though. I’ll start by sharing what I love to do with people who need education, inspiration, and the encouragement to speak and be heard.
6:55 pm
I turned 21 and got my electrical engineering degree within the last three weeks, switching from full-time student to full-time improviser.
I’ll spend the next few years on the engineering campuses of universities in 6 different countries: Japan, Germany, China, India, Uganda, and the Philippines. I wouldn’t be studying in them; I’d be studying them, immersing myself into the local cultures of making.
It’s the beginning of a quest to turn people into hackers (definition 7) and hackers into teachers; first I need to learn about how hackers are made (and why they aren’t - as a disabled minority female from the developing world in open-source engineering, I want to level the playing field until people like me are not an anomaly).
I’ll shoot documentaries (making my first now) and write blogs, books, and research journals about engineering education (a woefully underexplored subject) and teach classes (on local campuses, open to all) on open-source hardware, software, and content development. Everything will be released under an open license; much will feed into the curriculum and library work I’m already doing for the OLPC project.
A special focus of my open-source hardware design will be devices that can be used by the handicapped but aren’t “made for the handicapped” - bluetooth headsets as hearing aids, webcams as pointers, making devices for everyone that just happen to be assistive for the few who need it. Growing up severely hearing-impaired, I shunned gadgets that marked me as deaf. Now an engineer, I want to create devices without stigma and release the technologies into the public domain.
I would train my speech (muffled from 19 years with poor aural feedback) so I can teach clearly. I’d learn jazz piano (I play classical), and cooking chemistry. I’d sit in the shade with a lemonade and a friend, talking about learning and life - and then plunge back in to live it.
If I was already doing all but the travel as a full-time student, what more could I do with another 36 hours a week? I’m finding out right now.
9:19 pm
Simply put I would learn to enjoy life more and spend more time with my family and girlfriend. Having an extra 36 hours per week or more I would start with spending time with my dog, girl friend and family (not necessarily in that order). All the hours I have been working starting and running my company has put a lot of stress on me that I have taken out on my family and my girlfriend.
Spending 15 - 20 mins a day on a walk with my dog with be a good start to spending the extra 36 hours.
Then building a better relationship with my girlfriend would be a high priority, seeing how I would like to propose this year but haven’t due to not being able to give her the attention and time she deserves. Simply driving to spend the day at the beach with her is something we both love and haven’t been able to do in a long time.
My Family, as myself, my brother and sister all have been moved out of our parents house for a while now we don’t spend as much time together. Cooking a weekly meal at my home for all of us to get together would be great. Having the extra time would allow me to re-ignite my passion for cooking and get some more quality time with my family. Everyone loves a free meal, especially my family!
Last but not least, I would spend the extra time on myself. One would be to go sky diving for the first time. Due to running my business taking off work a day to go sky diving has been impossible. Also learn either Muay Thai or Boxing would be a new daily ritual. Both of these activities would add some exercise, socialization and a much needed adrenaline rush. The Italian culture and history has always fascinated me. To help stimulate the mind I would like to take history lessons about ancient Rome and Italy, and to take Italian lessons. Once I get my muse going, take a mini retirement to Italy.
12:54 am
[...] May 29th, 2007 In response to this post/contest at the 4 Hour Work Week: [...]
3:44 am
ANSWER
Travel. “Great”, you say, “Join the other 1,246 comments that say they will travel too”. So this is where your “Do The Opposite!” comes in:
Instead of traveling to fully submit myself into native cultures, (which is also awesome), my trip would be focused on the travelers themselves. Why not explore what brings people to travel? It is a very esoteric thing that many say you can not describe… but what if you could?
“Thousands of people from thousands of backgrounds who are all traveling — for what? Lets find out.”
Quick Logistics:
/MEET one hundred different people.
/SPEND QUALITY time with them.
/FIND and POST key questions/answers via different media/technology vehicles (Podcasts, Blogs, etc).
Automation Concept:
/Each traveler is asked to fill out a simple fill in the blank letter (think motivational “mad libs”), as well as some open ended stuff to share anything.
/They are then put to the challenge to meet 5 other travelers and present them with letters, so on and so forth.
/This will enable to remove myself while continuing the concept.
Improve The World in Some Way or This Is Where We Have Some Fun Section:
/Completed letters get exchanged between different people who have filled out a letter themselves - inspiration/perspectives/etc.
/Mailed to people thinking about traveling that signed up on the corresponding blog - this should give them that extra push.
/Selected letters get scanned and made into a travel book.
/Money can be pledged or donated within the letter for social/environmental causes.
/Commitments can be pledged based on the individuals dreams in life. That letter gets put in a self addressed envelope and mailed 1 year later to see the outcome. Receiving a piece of mail that you wrote to yourself can be pretty powerful and a nice kick in the but to re-access how well things are moving.
This little experiment will help the traveler decide what he/she wants out of a trip and then continually motivate them to get it.
3:59 am
It’s such a shame I’m over in the UK… If I wasn’t then I think I would definately give your competition a go!
If I had 36 hrs extra per week I would follow through a series of different ideas that extend from the girl geek dinners and get the concept into schools, colleges and universities around the world as a way of educating, encouraging and extending the technological environment.
I would also finish some software projects that I’ve always wanted to persue and spend more time with like minded innovative people. I would also dedicate more time to climbing and increase my flexibility and strength for the sport through gymnastics and yoga.
6:53 am
Like many I am quick to jump when Ferriss opens his wallet. I’m sitting here in the Delta Crown Room waiting to board a plane to Shanghai. This is my second mini-retirement. The trip was planned in just over a week. This is freedom.
I look at my fellow travelers and a sad feeling comes over me. They are trapped in the miserable lives they always dreamed of. The man getting his shoes shined stares out the window. His face emotionless, his eyes glazed over. I imagine he is telling himself for the millionth time, “Just six more years and I can retire. Then my wife and I can see the world.” He has thought this for over thirty years and it shows.
I am not a 4-hour purist. I work about eight hours a week, but I choose to because I can. Choice is freedom. Freedom from the fear that if we don’t assimilate the world will leave us behind. Good riddance world.
I have given the book to every friend and client. Each takes something unique, a piece big or small, that is changing their lives. Most are skeptical because of the title. I tell them that for many, 4HWW will be a state of mind. I ask them, What if you worked four hours less a week, what could you gain? The principles of the book are sound and can be embraced on many levels.
I am changing the world as a 4HWW Evangelist. This is my job. I carry a book with me and have a stack at home. I give it away to anyone with an open mind. I encourage you all to share your new found joy with others; using Tim’s passion which bleeds through on every page. Be a NR and bring as many people along as possible.
My flight is boarding and I must go. I take a book over to the man with newly shined shoes. “Here you go my friend, this is for you.” Written inside the cover a message, “May you live such a life.”
8:37 am
Simply, I’d build upon what I’m starting. I’m a new entrepreneur (age 26) and with the help of the right tools, I’ve made great strides to having better control of my time, finances and future. One of my initial goals with the newly create time was to inspire other people (particularly young professionals as that is my peer group) to take control and turn their life into actually living. I’m happy to say since Nov. 2006, when I started my business; I’ve since helped two other friends take the first steps in starting something on their own. Next up is my parents as they have owned a small business for 11 years. The problem is however, they still work 70 hours a week and I can’t seem to convince them that stepping back can take them two steps forward. The thing is now, with the few people I’m helping, I’m finding my time commitment about the same as when I was in the “corporate world� (even though it is much more enjoyable and rewarding).
So to answer the question, I would use the extra 36 hours to refine my craft of managing my time, business, finances and future better. From there I would finish helping my friends get started and my family to restart. Lastly I’d extend what I’ve come to know by setting up a program through Metropolis St. Louis (www.mstl.org), the volunteer organization I have joined since becoming an entrepreneur. I certainly can’t teach these tools the way they have been taught to me, but I can be the catalyst that introduces people to a whole new way to live their life. Although it’s only one small step, this will certainly be a long-time goal fulfilled of mine and another effort to make the world a better place.
9:21 am
Great book, listened to it on Audiobook and bought a hard-copy for re-perusing sections. That sentence doesn’t go against my 350 words, OK? :)
After reading your book I had to think what sounded fun to me. It’s interesting because growing up my hobbies were spread across several main ones: computer programming, math problems, and piano playing. That’s interesting because I make a living programming computers now, although the fun parts generally come from my own personal projects rather than my for-pay jobs. Growing up I also got to experience spending extended time on a cabin in the rocky mountains, going hiking, reading for fun, etc.
My dream life has always been aligned closely with your book — being able to work fewer hours, and live in a serene location such as a mountain or by a lake, and using the spare time to enjoy nature by hiking, reading while laying in a hammock out on the deck, or going fishing. Of course, this hinges on living in such an area, which is now my goal for the next few years.
In the short term, I tend to be playing the piano more in my spare time, tackling harder songs than I have ever been able to play (such as Listz’s Hungarian Rhapsody). I’ve began a workout schedule as well, and I’m beginning to read more in my spare time. Additionally though, my hobby of programming has become fun again in my spare time, and I would love to contribute to some open source projects that interest me — give something back. If I had more hours, I’ve been really want to take up playing golf several times a week — walking 18 holes on courses in the area, then the world.
And beyond that, the most important hobby of them all: exploring new hobbies. After all, when you haven’t had enough free time to devote to hobbies, you’re going to need more to fill the time.
Thank you again for the great book. Even if I don’t win this contest, it has had a huge impact on me already.
11:00 am
I would (will) go to schools and speak to children.
Tell them they can do anything. Plant the seed that makes them keep questioning everyhing before social conditioning does its damage.
Thank you Tim.
1:45 pm
I have two personal projects that I work on in “my spare time” which isn’t that copious.
I’ve written about 200 pages so far of The Next Great American Novel. I really need more spare time to finish my novel before I forget what it’s all about. The novel is a murder mystery set in a new age community trying to craft a better society and a happier, more enlightened populace.
The other project, which I’ve been working on for years, is developing human-like artificial intelligence for computers. With 36 extra hours per week I could finally get working the different systems needed to give my AI self-awareness, emotions, natural language and motivation. I have a basic prototype which can somewhat understand English and give English responses, but it needs a lot more work. Once complete, it could be used for a variety of tasks, including language translation, search engine enhancement, automated help systems, non-player game characters, and personal companion, but my main goal is to use it as a test bed for exploring how people think and what changes to their thought process can improve their lives.
Currently I work full time as a games designer so I can pay the bills, support my family and send my daughter to college. 36 extra hours a week would let me complete these two projects, which I hope would be of benefit to others.
2:38 pm
Assuming that I have not made a DELA, I would use 36 extra hours per week to define (D) my new life plan, eliminate (E) all time wasting activities, use outsourcing to free up my dependency on others (L) and begin automating (A) my new life plan as follows:
With a DEAL in place, I have a team consisting of VA’s, attorneys, and a few other contacts. My DEAL allows me to continuously generate new ideas, products, and product/service improvements. My ideas would be submitted to my team who would then apply for patents (as needed), setup distribution, manufacturing, marketing, support, and sales, etc. I just created a DEAL from a DELA, providing with me 36 extra hours per week while getting paid!
Being able to think openly and creatively without a constant bombardment of misinformation and interruption is invaluable. I am always thinking of new products and innovations but FEAR, irritants, and useless obstacles seem to get in the way. After reading 4HWW, I finally completed and filed my first patent application.
The extra time allows me to take mini-vacations which would fulfill FIVE (5) purposes:
1) To explore remote places and free my mind
2) To meet and understand different people and their cultures
3) Try one new thing at each location (recently, while traveling, I flew a trike)
4) Provide shoes to people all over the world. I enjoy running and my old running shoes can be used by people in other countries. I’m also sure that other runners have multiple pairs of unused shoes in their closets.
5) Spend time with my wife as she studies Bikram Yoga (hot yoga) to become a certified instructor and yoga studio owner. We just started doing Bikram a month ago and I still can’t do half the poses correctly!
If I won the grand prize, I would have a VA or BootsnAll plan the entire adventure. I would spend the two hours with Tim butt-kicking me until my DNA was branded with 4HWW. I would give $500 to The Nature Conservancy (Discovery Planet Earth) and $500 to CCFA.
2:57 pm
My daughter Madeline used to ask me every night I layed her down for bed “Is tomorrow Saturday daddy?”
When I asked her why she continued to ask me that question every night she answered, “Because Saturday is the only day we spend time together.”
It broke my heart. I was a corporate slave focused more on my job than my family.
I quit my six figure executive level job and launched my website http://www.everydayissaturday.com.
Although I am not stuck in the rat race per se, I have been working tirelessly on my new motivational website and would love to take a well-deserved trip with my wife and three daughters.
The people we would bless with our testimony of overcoming fear and adversity would help encourage champions everywhere to live the life they love. Once they hear the story of an ex-stutterer turned motivational speaker, who grew up without a father, now being a full-time father - it will motivate them to defend their dream.
I would donate the money to our local Cincinnati child abuse center. Angela and I have a passion for children and want to see every child given the opportunity to live a life of abudance and prosperity.
Thank you,
Sam Crowley
3:05 pm
I’m excited about this contest. Figuring out how to help people is one of the main things I think about. I have many a fantasy about how that could look if I had 36 extra hours a week.
I did want to respond to “Tayo” with the “bruised sense of agency.” Girlfriend, you do not need to be rich or have 36 hours a week to make a huge difference in this world. Do something super small like volunteer one hour every two weeks tutoring a kid or washing shelter animals, or pick up groceries for an older neighbor, or take an animal to visit an old folks home. Once you see the high impact of your small actions, you will be unstoppably motivated to contribute in a bigger way.
Contributing to the world in a positive way could look like some of my high-impact project fantasies, but it can also be as simple as living with integrity, meaning; integrating your values into your everyday living. (First, and also motivating, you need to take the time to get really clear about your values.) Again, you can find the motivation to do this by starting small and seeing a big impact. Buying local, organic food is a great way to start living with integrity if you value entrepreneurship, pleasure, health, sustainable living, and a better environment. (One of many low-energy life-style changes that offer a big impact.)
Back later with some of my plans for thoroughly enjoying myself as I make the world a better place.
3:12 pm
After a divorce, like most people, you take time to reevaluate your life. What is important and what is not. My focus became my small children. I always loved them but didn’t spend enough time with them. I thought I was the good dad spending time at work and trying to start a new biz online. Now I work a “normal” 40 hours and spend time on my biz after the kids go to bed.
I want to either change to a year round school or home school. That gives us more opportunities to travel (2-3 week blocks). I want to pick up my kids from school and work with them on their homework. It is not the quality but quantity that counts. Stop the video games/TV and play outside. Work in the garden or flowerbeds. Spend time with older ones and help them with their needs. Teach them to be productive responsible people not just consumers.
Part of that training is to travel and experience other cultures. Learn to think global. Learning how others live can help make wiser decisions, for us and them. Most people just focus on the 30 miles around them. Notice how people who travel can be more tolerant? Their horizons are widened when they see how things can be good and different.
I want to share in the missionary work with my children. Religion is not just doctrine. Teaching people how to be honest, hardworking, moral, clean and responsible is valuable everywhere you go. Be an example and model for other religions to get along with each other. Reach people’s hearts and amazing things can happen.
I want to teach people how to start internet/outsourced businesses. I will start with my family and friends. As I travel setup small business seminars in those countries. Find serious minded ones and teach them one-one-one and trade out something of value to me (language lessons, tour guide, etc). In many parts of the world, there is a shortage of local jobs. Helping others creates a purpose in life and that is a life-time job.
3:27 pm
With 36 extra hours each week, I would:
a. Take my wife to Egypt and satisfy her fascination with the pyramids and the Pharaohs - I’d at least go to Philly to show her the King Tut exhibit in September.
b. Take my son (who coaches youth ice hockey) to Calgary to visit coach Tom Molloy of Mount Royal College Women’s Ice Hockey. Tom co-wrote a book - THE book - on progressive instruction of youth ice hockey players.
c. Take my daughter to Mexico (she’s a high school Spanish teacher) so she could immerse herself more in the language to improve her fluency.
d. I’d go back to college and finish my degree (22 hours shy). Just because one day I might like to teach.
e. Clear out the clutter and organize my books (once and for all).
f. Read. I’d even take the time to record my reading aloud so I could replay them for my personal use later. Sort of a double benefit.
g. Visit Denmark and find out why they’re the “happiest nation on earth.” Duplicate what I can.
h. Lobby hard to attend a TED conference.
i. Visit Karl Fisch at Arapahoe High School in Colorado - famous for the “Did You Know?” slide show - in order to create improvement in local education (some way, some how).
j. Learn more about SEO and other web sciences so I could teach my kids/grandkids.
k. Visit Athletes Performance in Tempe, AZ (Mark Verstegen) with my son for some personal training and knowledge building.
l. Volunteer to read aloud to kids to foster greater love for books/words.
m. Take a Photoshop/Illustrator class so my photography skills could improve (I’ll need it to capture all the cool moments).
o. Visit England to sit down with Charles Handy, the brilliant Irishman.
p. Take my entire family to Kaui - because we all need to see it at least once.
q. Go to Pawnee City, NE to interview Daniel Whitney (aka Larry The Cable Guy)
r. Smile - a lot. Cry - sometimes. Love - more. Laugh - often.
4:26 pm
If I had an extra 36 hours per week, I would divide them evenly between pursuing my personal goals, spending time with my family, and improving the state of my community. I would allot 12 hours for me, 12 hours for my family, and 12 hours for the community.
With the time for myself, I would hone my skills as a linguist, a speed reader, and a writer. With these extra hours, I would learn to speak Spanish, Hebrew, and Japanese fluently by taking advantage of free resources for language learning, as well as practicing with native speakers. My English reading rate would increase to the point where I understand and enjoy at least 1 new book per week. I would also write every day, with the eventual goal of making myself a published author.
The family time would be further divided as follows. For my infant son, Ethan, I would simply spend time bonding with him by playing and caring for him. For my toddler, Colin, I would get him involved in his first organized sports, and finally take him to swimming lessons. And for my Mother, I would help her write her memoirs, so that the memories she has left now never leave us. I would like to increase my contact with my extended family and build upon the Genealogy research that others have already begun.
The hours for my community would be spent in three different ways. First, as I am a recovered alcoholic, I would finally have the opportunity to properly sponsor another recovering alcoholic who is early in their recovery. I would also find opportunities to volunteer with charities that promote literacy and that encourage research into a cure for Alzheimer’s disease, specifically First Book and the Alzheimer’s Association. I would offer them my time and talent for fund raising.
By bettering myself, I become more valuable to my family and to the community at large. I believe that by seeking self fulfillment, we not only enrich our own lives but also the lives of everyone with whom we come into contact.
4:37 pm
The Background
Growing up in a very religious home, I was taught that evolution was wrong and evil. I love my parents, but I now realize that their belief that evolution was wrong is simply not relevant to the core convictions of my faith. Unfortunately, as a result of my upbringing, I skimmed over a subject about which I now seem to be extremely passionate: evolutionary biology.
Ironic, isn’t it?
I’ve discovered during the past two-year journey that I must distinguish between convictions and beliefs. Finding common convictions builds community. Focusing on differences in beliefs tears relationships apart.
What I’d do in my current situation
With an extra 36 hours per week, I would do the following:
1. Continue to learn about my passion.
2. Volunteer with local academic biology research projects.
3. Research how other cultures and religions affect the convictions and beliefs of the local population.
4. Based on personal experience and research, start a website aimed at helping people deal with broken beliefs.
5. Given enough info on the topic, write a book.
What I’m going to do when I’ve implemented the concepts in The 4-Hour Workweek
1. Conduct a long-term extended trip and use the extra 36 hours per week researching the local cultures in person.
2. Mark a few activities off my lifelong goals list, such as the following:
a. Hot-air ballooning with my wife over Tuscany in Italy.
b. Hang-gliding in Greece.
c. Snowboarding till I drop in Davos, Switzerland.
d. Horse-riding in northeast Spain.
Thanks
Not only for the content, but for the book. It’s changed my lifestyle.
4:46 pm
What a great contest! Here’s my answer — written in equal hopes of winning the prize, inspiring myself to live into this vision regardless of the contest outcome, and consulting with the person who’s changed my outlook on life more than anyone I’ve not met in person (Tim, if that wasn’t obvious).
For the purpose of this essay, I am going to assume that I have achieved the extra 36 hours per week by implementing the concepts in your excellent book, including creating a muse to meet my Target Monthly Income. As a quick aside, I’d like to note the greatest change the book wrought in my mindset: recognition of excessive reading as a crutch activity - something I’ve used to avoid spending time on creative pursuits while still congratulating myself for being “intellectual”.
With my new 36 hours per week, I will immediately take a structured approach to mastering the three creative skills that interest me most: playing guitar, building Web applications, and writing. These will consume 2-5 hours per day. Another 2-3 hours per day would go towards eustress for the body: starting with my current favorites (swimming, strength training, and snowboarding) and adding others that I *must* explore while still in my physical prime (surfing, kitesurfing, mountain biking, extreme snowboarding). Because my muse will allow me freedom of movement, I will explore these in their prime global locations (surfing in Hawaii and Costa Rica, snowboarding in British Columbia and the Andes, for example). On these travels, I will write about them, enjoy their wines and delicacies, and continue to improve my guitar skills with the goal of publishing a travelogue and playing in a band within 18 months.
The remaining hours of my week I will spend on: batched errands and muse-related tasks, communicating with friends and family (sending letters to them from abroad would be a great way to kick-start my writing habit), and, finally, a bit of fiction reading — which is still a love of mine but will now be a relaxing leisure activity and not a proxy for bold living.
9:33 pm
“I create a loving, sacred, safe world by accepting and expressing who I AM.� This is my personal mission statement. As a check for this, I ask myself each day and moment, “How can I best express who I AM now?�
With the Four Hour Work Week Plan, it is my goal to fund a life of following my passions and leading/mentoring others to do the same. I choose to lead my life, not follow it. So, for me, this book is helping me live a life of integrity and accountability.
As a creative person, I choose to take control of my life and how I contribute my skills and talents. I choose to change my life so that I always will have the ability to take advantage of opportunities that present themselves to me. I choose to create a life of options.
With the extra 36 hours per week I will live a life of following my passions, for example:
I want to compose music and create musical/visual productions that transform audiences to higher levels of consciousness and awareness.
I want to seek out ways to bring performing arts organizations and corporations together, creating new products/productions that will contribute to both organizations fruitfully while improving the lives of its audiences/markets.
I want to visit the major concert halls of the world.
I want to learn how to play bagpipes in Scotland!
I want to play an Alphorn on the slopes of the Alps!
All of my experiences will have the goal of expressing myself more fully and bringing that awareness into my leading others towards their own acceptance and expression of themselves.
10:00 pm
I am a high school teacher. I chose teaching because a) I like to help people, and b) I get a reasonable salary for a short work day and a sho