Great, 1 Less Competitor...WooHoo!

[HalfSwede]

A quick story...
This evening I gave my first prepared speech at my local Toastmasters Club in which I referenced and incorporated some of the basic 4HWW ideas into my presentation. Anyway, I had the book with me, and it was sitting on the table in front of me before the meeting started.

The guy next to me glances over and says, "Oh, I saw that at Barnes and Noble. I don't think it's possible."

My first 2 thoughts towards this guy:
1. O ye of little vision.
2. Glad you don't have big vision because you are one less person that I have to compete against.

What are some of the reactions you are getting from people when they see the book?

Cheers,

[jbulson]

I've had two friends comment on the book as if it's a big joke.
Almost as if I'm a "slacker" for only desiring a 4-hour work week.
It's not something I find myself talking about with most of my friends.
Thank goodness for others like you out there!

[MiniBlueDragon]

"Aaaaahhhahahahahahaha!!! As IF you'd ever be able to work for four hours per week in any country in the world!!! Aaaahhhhahahahahahaha!!!"

:(

[iceaxe]

I find that people are interested but it touches on a deep seated fear. I think that fear comes from the old concepts that we have grown up with....work hard and you will succeed. Anthing that is in conflict with our core beliefs usually causes a disturbance/fear/anxiety....it takes us out of our comfort zone. My experience is that core beliefs do not change by thinking about them. Core beliefs change when we do something that makes us feel vulnerable...and the results we experience are different than we expected. Over time (and it can be a short period of time) our core beliefs change based on experience.

As a result, I don't talk too much about the concepts in the 4hww as the idea is really too frightening for most people. Younger people seem to get it immediately...but since I am past being considered "younger" I find my peers/generation is just too threatened by the thought of such a radical life change...and yet it is what they all want.

One of the keys to the success of the 4hww is that allows for the creative part of our being to fully engage. That is a part of me that has been stifled too long. It tends to be why people go through "a mid-life crisis"....trying to find meaning in their lives and realizing they have not "created". My mind is now set free to imagine almost anything.

With regards to eliminating competitors; I don't share that view as I think there is plenty for all in the new economy. I compare it to a restauranteur that is afraid of another restaurant opening on the same block...the fear of competition. The more savvy restaraunteur realizes that another restaurant on the same block may actually make the area a destination spot for diners and that his/her business may actually increase!

Fun to share with you all!

[darrin365]

I think most people judge the book by it's title, as I originally did, as a get-rich-quick-scheme book. I probably wouldn't have bothered reading it if it hadn't been so strongly recommended to me by someone else.

I think people really have to get into the concepts of the book to appreciate it. I also think others are right that we are ingrained early to believe long hours of hard work are the only way to get ahead in life.

[HalfSwede]

With regards to eliminating competitors; I don't share that view as I think there is plenty for all in the new economy.

Yeah, I agree. I'm really not worried about 1 more or 1 less competitor...just couldn't think of a better way to phrase it late at night. :)

[BrianDale]

and yet they will be too lazy to really put the effort into changing their lives. My Dad always taught me that if I saw a problem, fix it.

[Vagabond]

I think most people judge the book by it's title, as I originally did, as a get-rich-quick-scheme book. I probably wouldn't have bothered reading it if it hadn't been so strongly recommended to me by someone else.

I think people really have to get into the concepts of the book to appreciate it. I also think others are right that we are ingrained early to believe long hours of hard work are the only way to get ahead in life.

ditto on that, i was in B&N and saw the book and kinda laughed at it and put it back thinking the same thing. then i was on amazon.com and said what the hell and looked it up and saw some reviews so i got interested. went to B&N and flipped through a few pages and was hooked!!

[HalfSwede]

I said to my wife referring to the book, "The only problem with a 4-hour work week is it is about 2-hours too many!"

So, taking Tim's advice about creating a new category, I'm thinking about coming out with a book entitled, "The 2-Hour Work Week". :D

[AdamTeece]

I've gotten full on gawking when I read it around people in the Navy. People think I am psychotic, mostly because the military wants your time, and not really productivity. I guess they don't think about the future much.

[Martini]

I'd like to say that my preferable work day is from 12 PM to 1 PM with a one hour lunch in between.

And for all the people who surround me who aren't with me, too bad. Guess I'll see you at the Christmas party -- at my private island -- the airfare isn't cheap though.

[Alister]

I said to my wife referring to the book, "The only problem with a 4-hour work week is it is about 2-hours too many!"

So, taking Tim's advice about creating a new category, I'm thinking about coming out with a book entitled, "The 2-Hour Work Week".

Well according to an interview I saw with Tim & Robert Scoble (http://www.fourhourworkweek.com/blog/2007/06/04/robert-scoble-interviews-tim-ferriss-productivity-e-mail-fasts-gtd-and-more/) he registered dozens of domains and had them point to his site to count the clicks - and 4hrww won - so that's what he named the book.

[darrin365]

I said to my wife referring to the book, "The only problem with a 4-hour work week is it is about 2-hours too many!"

So, taking Tim's advice about creating a new category, I'm thinking about coming out with a book entitled, "The 2-Hour Work Week". :D

Actually, I heard in an interview that Tim was going to use that as a title, but his publisher balked and said no one would believe it. (Like a 4 Hour Workweek doesn't cause people to still stop and shake their heads.)

[read]

I'm interested about what an earlier poster said about the younger generations understanding the value of the book more readily. I'm wondering if it has to do with growing up with the internet. I was born the same year as Tim Ferriss. We're at the tail end of Generation X and the very beginning of Generation Y. What separates these two generations, I think, is the internet and a world of immediacy (did you get my email?), rather than the older version of a work ethic (putting in your time). Most Gen. Xers came of age before the internet really hit the ground running. Most of Gen. Y grew up with the internet.

I was in junior high when I first started using the internet on a daily basis. The www world comes easily to most my age, but I think we're old enough to see the dangers in it as well. I teach people who are 19-22, and I've noticed that the concept of immediacy seems engrained in them. They expect immediate responses, from themselves and others. Often, students will apologize to me for not responding to an email in less than a few hours-- and they're often perplexed when they have to wait 24 hours to hear back from me. When I work with students my age and older, this just doesn't happen.

Immediacy works great for social networking and chatting with friends, but this can only work so long in the world of work before it brings the worker to a breaking point. The stress isn't only from putting in your time and working an 80 hour week. It's the fact that, within those 80 hours, many are expected to respond immediately to everything that comes across the inbox. This means there's more intensity to the work, and burnout comes faster.

As more of us in Generation Y come to working age, I think that the ideas in Tim's book will become more and more important, as we learn that the culture of immediacy we've created isn't at all scalable or sustainable.

[Talon]

the travel and path is there for anyone
the question is what terms and conditions will allow you to do what you want versus
stuck in a retirement home
versus
working 80 hours for a basic review when 32 out of 30 programs succeed
versus
a supervisor who tack almost killed me
versus
throwing risk into the wind and just doing something to see if it works
versus
starting over again
there is always that option to start over again unless the risk is illegal
Thus
Think
It is not illegal yet!!:cool:

[karlin]

It's not something I find myself talking about with most of my friends.

I'm pretty much the same. I mean I told them when I was reading it but I kind of made it sound like: well, it's the latest, hottest book so I figured what the heck . . . I assumed negativity would follow and I didn't want to hear it.

One of the most important parts of the book I believe is where Tim basically says okay, if what you want to do doesn't work out what's the WORST that could happen.

I was thinking about this because on a business forum I belong to a guy had posted over a year ago asking if he should quit his "real job" he had an online store that had been doing better than expected for almost a year - well he updated his own thread about a week or so ago with all the reasons he hadn't done it thusfar and all of the "reasons" reaked to me of excuses. I mean it's one thing if you've got a family but this was a young single guy.

Certain people are cut out for the risk and uncertainty and certain people aren't.

I've been self-employed for the last several years and I've made quite a few mistakes along the way but I did not allow myself to be discouraged by the mistakes and all the naysayers amongst my family and friends and finally hit up something that works for me.

I do definitely agree that the younger you are the more apt you are to believe that a non-traditional work environment / career is possible.

[ChrisMc07]

I've tried telling my brother about it, but he sees it as a get rich quick scheme and my dad's lived the "work hard for success" for so long that he thinks that success is only achieved from hard work and long hours. I think he doesn't believe it because it would make him feel foolish to have worked so hard if he could have had it so much more easily. Don't worry. Stay the course!

Chris

[HalfSwede]

I was thinking about this because on a business forum I belong...

Karlin:
Just curious, what is the name of the business forum? I've been searching for some business related forums (specifically sales and/or sales management), but haven't come across exactly what I am looking for...yet.

Thanks.

[gobytrain]

We've been working on this model in our own lives even before the book came out. Most of our friends and family gave us a hard time. We're not quite there yet, but the best thing about the book for us was the affirmation of what we are trying to do.

The reality is that it's a lot harder than it may sound to some, and easier than it sounds to others....

[laniers]

I think the book is like most things in life, you have to be ready for it to get it. Five years ago I would have probably laughed this book off too, but since then I've created two lucrative web sites and looking back I can see the flaws built into those. The next muse I'm building avoids all those mistakes and using what I already know and what I've learned in the book this muse will give me the freedom from my regular job and the headaches from the other two businesses.

[bongai]

Well according to an interview I saw with Tim & Robert Scoble (http://www.fourhourworkweek.com/blog/2007/06/04/robert-scoble-interviews-tim-ferriss-productivity-e-mail-fasts-gtd-and-more/) he registered dozens of domains and had them point to his site to count the clicks - and 4hrww won - so that's what he named the book.

If you think about it, it works really well. At first glance you'll see the title as "The Forty Hour Workweek" and you'll go, "What? That's what I already do." Then the title has your attention and you realize that it says "four hour". Now you're really interested. The fact that the title is somewhat familiar at first is what grabs you.

[webgal]

The title has almost a sensationalist sort of sound. So I had to circle it for a while, then read the back, put it down, then approach it from behind and surprise it. I don't usually go for the "call now get rich quick" style ads/books. That may be because I've written ads for years. But there was something intriguing about it.

I'm enjoying it although I have to read and digest-- which would hardly fit into the Tim Ferris speed reading course. I simply find that some of the chapters need to marinate in my brain. In other words, I need absorption time.

I confess that I removed the cover. (sorry Tim)

I feel like I need to get more done first before I go sharing. I'm just getting started.

[JeffA]

I have been applying Tim's lifestyle for a while now, thanks most of all to a friend of mine who mentored me...for free.

That was true friendship, actually developed online!

Everything started with 2 books that this guy gave me to read. Believe it or not, those books did nothing to me, but opened HIS eyes instead.

So while I was still farting around, he started building his business online. With fantastic success.

I guess I didnt pick the books' ideas fast because I am a "student" at heart: I have to KNOW eeeeverthing before moving my ass.

He instead went full speed, with trial and error, but he was free from the corporate world in 6 months.

I told him about Tim's book and he said "YOU should have written that book!".

So, I guess the reaction on "what do you think of Tim's book" really depends who you are talking to.

Don't be discouraged. It IS possible to live and design the life you want.

Invest in your education and training. Online marketing is a SKILL that you can learn.

All the best,

Danny (currently in London)


i know what you mean about having to know everything before getting going...definitely my most frustrating personality trait!!!

gotta love analysis paralysis...

[mascij]

I've been a big fan of the 4 Hour Work Week long before the book came out...even when you're successful w/ it and the proof is there, people STILL don't want to believe it.

Back in college my roommates were ALL building managers at our campus center, occasionally working 5am-11am running the building for about $10 an hour. In an hour I was able to make hundreds of dollars through my muses, legal and following a mathematical formula that I developed for one of them. There was a cap on my income, so I wanted to share the wealth with my roommates - they all refused.

When you tell someone they can make money doing less work, they refuse to believe it. They always think there's a catch, or something hidden. Or maybe they just don't want to admit they've been a sucker pushing their nose to the grind stone while others have been cruising along making more and doing less.

It was stupid, I was making the same amount that they made in a month in just an afternoon, without the 5am wakeups....It pained me to see it, but I eventually gave up on sharing it with people because they wouldn't go ahead and give it a shot. Oh well, that's the reason why books like this can exist, Tim knows that a very small amount of the people will even attempt this.

I saw a comment on the 4HWW on amazon and someone said 'this is obviously a scam, if it was real, everyone would be working the 4HWW'. Hey, the only reason I know it's real is because I've seen it first hand. People refuse to believe that you can do things outside the norm and be more successful....but take a look around. Do you think any of the millionaires, celebrities, or brilliant success stories did things in any convential manner? Nope....conforming, sticking with the norm, or taking the middle of the road path is a great way to settle. I think the reason everyone's on this forum right now is because they know they want more. I'm not happy with ordinary, I want extrordinary and being convential is not the way to do it.

[Vagabond]

I've been a big fan of the 4 Hour Work Week long before the book came out...even when you're successful w/ it and the proof is there, people STILL don't want to believe it.

Back in college my roommates were ALL building managers at our campus center, occasionally working 5am-11am running the building for about $10 an hour. In an hour I was able to make hundreds of dollars through my muses, legal and following a mathematical formula that I developed for one of them. There was a cap on my income, so I wanted to share the wealth with my roommates - they all refused.

When you tell someone they can make money doing less work, they refuse to believe it. They always think there's a catch, or something hidden. Or maybe they just don't want to admit they've been a sucker pushing their nose to the grind stone while others have been cruising along making more and doing less.

It was stupid, I was making the same amount that they made in a month in just an afternoon, without the 5am wakeups....It pained me to see it, but I eventually gave up on sharing it with people because they wouldn't go ahead and give it a shot. Oh well, that's the reason why books like this can exist, Tim knows that a very small amount of the people will even attempt this.

I saw a comment on the 4HWW on amazon and someone said 'this is obviously a scam, if it was real, everyone would be working the 4HWW'. Hey, the only reason I know it's real is because I've seen it first hand. People refuse to believe that you can do things outside the norm and be more successful....but take a look around. Do you think any of the millionaires, celebrities, or brilliant success stories did things in any convential manner? Nope....conforming, sticking with the norm, or taking the middle of the road path is a great way to settle. I think the reason everyone's on this forum right now is because they know they want more. I'm not happy with ordinary, I want extrordinary and being convential is not the way to do it.


Great post! I notice whenever I talk to people about anything, it's very hard for people to envision something different than the norm. Whether it's presidential politics, working 9-5, or whatever, theres always an undertone of "well thats the way it is and you're not gonna change that." I on the other hand (and would suspect others on this board) naturally have that mindset to question the status quo and realize that there is a better way to do most things...

I just want to point out that people seem to take the title too literally... its obviously a gimmicky title meant to sell the book.. How many times do people respond to Tim's blog with "Well Tim, looks like you spend more than 4 hours a week writing blogs"

jeeeez people...

[Sven]

You can only achieve what you can imagine.

Most people ar uninmaginative and do not have flexible brains.

Doesn't matter what they think, more room for us ;-)
Sven

[mascij]

Great post! I notice whenever I talk to people about anything, it's very hard for people to envision something different than the norm. Whether it's presidential politics, working 9-5, or whatever, theres always an undertone of "well thats the way it is and you're not gonna change that." I on the other hand (and would suspect others on this board) naturally have that mindset to question the status quo and realize that there is a better way to do most things...

I just want to point out that people seem to take the title too literally... its obviously a gimmicky title meant to sell the book.. How many times do people respond to Tim's blog with "Well Tim, looks like you spend more than 4 hours a week writing blogs"

jeeeez people...



My father always told me 'if you look around yourself in life and nobody else is doing it the same as you, you're on to something'. I've followed that my whole life and it's always worked. The beauty of the entire 4HWW is that we all know it can be done and we all know that there's a very small percentage of people who go after it, but we'll always have the huddled masses at our fingertips to help us automate.

the one thing that I'm very thankful for is that I came across this book about 2 weeks before graduating college and was able to use it as a guide in everything I've done since then. Had I not come across this book, I'm not sure where I would be. As someone else said, just seeing affirmation that it's possible and you can go out there and do it too makes a huge difference.

[Stallion]

I think what it all boils down to is people would rather live a crappy life that everyone else lives, than go in a different direction by themselves.

Plus they'd probably feel like a slacker(or guilty) if they worked less. And I suppose that's just society programming.

[datangeL82]

I think that it is crazy how people believe that conventional wisdom is always right. When I talk about the book to others I get similar or the same reactions. This, I believe, is why 95% of the world's wealth is held by 5% of the world's population. Which is sad, but like you said it means that there is more for us.

[shoe]

I think what it all boils down to is people would rather live a crappy life that everyone else lives, than go in a different direction by themselves.

Plus they'd probably feel like a slacker (or guilty) if they worked less. And I suppose that's just society programming.



I totally agree with this!!! My whole family (all college grads) look at me like "where did we go wrong with her," because I didn't get my college diploma. I got up to my junior year and decided I just didn't need that piece of paper (that's just me).

I think they all view me as if i'm a failure in life because I'm not working a "normal" job like they all do..... They keep asking me why I just don't finish up and become a teacher because they have good benefits.....

I really don't feel like a failure!!! I love my life and the freedom and possibilities that have been introduced to me. I'm slowly building up my muse and another..... the sky is the limit!!!!

I think we've been taught by society and our families to follow a "certain path" because it was taught to them by their parents and so on because it offers security........ and we just accept it willingly, without realizing that there might be a better way!!!!

Security is great but I also want freedom and very soon I'll be there!!!!!!!!!!

[badhank]

I only mention it to ppl i think are open minded, or business minded. I make sure to explain the difference between income generation and a mobile lifestyle (puts a lot of ppl off). If anyone wants to borrow the cd's i tell them to start at disk 4, then go back to the beginning.

I dont mention anything about it at work, altho i accidentally blurted out "this is the last year i live in a country where its cold in the winter" but everyone there blows a lot of smoke so it went un-noticed

[Stallion]

I totally agree with this!!! My whole family (all college grads) look at me like "where did we go wrong with her," because I didn't get my college diploma. I got up to my junior year and decided I just didn't need that piece of paper (that's just me).

I think they all view me as if i'm a failure in life because I'm not working a "normal" job like they all do..... They keep asking me why I just don't finish up and become a teacher because they have good benefits.....

I really don't feel like a failure!!! I love my life and the freedom and possibilities that have been introduced to me. I'm slowly building up my muse and another..... the sky is the limit!!!!

I think we've been taught by society and our families to follow a "certain path" because it was taught to them by their parents and so on because it offers security........ and we just accept it willingly, without realizing that there might be a better way!!!!

Security is great but I also want freedom and very soon I'll be there!!!!!!!!!!
I feel in the same position with my family. I got my degree, except when I got out I was like, "I don't want this". The best comments I hear are "you're wasting your education". What? Do I have a life sentence to this degree?

[webgal]

hello all

The point I am trying to make here is that, even though you will plan what you want to do with your free time (as Tim perfectly explains into his book in the DEFINITION part), there will be moment where you are going to feel lonely.

Give as much thought as you can to the DEFINITION part of your plan. It really is that crucial.

This is so true. I've been freelancing for 15 years. And I often simply need to make time with friends to meet them at the gym, go out to lunch or coffee. You have to make an effort to get out and mingle. I volunteer at my sons' schools which is time consuming but fun and I get to be around people I like.

If you can pull it off, a transition to a new lifestyle is easier for most than cold turkey. Not that I'm living Tim's or Danny's life. But just from my experience from having gone to being a full-time employee to a freelance sole proprietor.