http://fourhourworkweek.com/vBulletin/ en Thu, 09 Sep 2010 11:07:49 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.fourhourworkweek.com/vBulletin/images/misc/rss.jpg http://fourhourworkweek.com/vBulletin/ http://fourhourworkweek.com/vBulletin/showthread.php?t=5542&goto=newpost Wed, 08 Sep 2010 04:00:17 GMT I'm rather worried. I got laid off from my big time engineering job 4 months ago. Was super worried but hit it hard developing my own business. I've now got a seriously legitimate income vehicle in place. Built a holding company, and have the worker bees in place. Just need to find the companies to invest in (most are not ready for the next step yet so I'm waiting).

However, I ventured back into the corporate jungle for a few months (an opportunity presented itself to make a good 50k or so in a few months). I want to take the money and pump it back into my holding company to do more of my adhoc angel investing.

I'm seriously wondering if it's worth it though. I'm really worried that I'll loose this amazing mindset of intense productivity and positivity I worked so hard to build up while I was laid off and building my own business. The mindset that enabled me to find incredible opportunities in a time when most people are down in the mud.

The contract I landed is the typical joke of a corporate job. I just want to know. I'm sure there's those of you out there that maintain your sanity yet live the life while holding a corporate job. How do you do it? Do you have any suggestions? I'm looking to make the weekends as exciting as humanly possible to keep my motivation going. That's about all I can think of.

The last two jobs canned me despite I was insanely productive and made them tens of millions of dollars. So I know I've just got to play dumb and be non productive to hold out in this contract which COMPLETELY goes against what I've thought myself. It's just all got me rather worried. ]]> Definition: Target Monthly Income (TMI), Getting Started, Dreamlining, Fear-setting... weinerschizel http://fourhourworkweek.com/vBulletin/showthread.php?t=5542 http://fourhourworkweek.com/vBulletin/showthread.php?t=5516&goto=newpost Thu, 02 Sep 2010 04:03:49 GMT Hi guys,
I'm back and haven't had much success with this whole 4hww. Needless to say i'm not giving up just yet... Perhaps I still need to do the 1st challenge Tim mentioned in his book, lying down in public. Having failed the first challenge is it any wonder I don't have a working muse yet?

Excuse the negativity please but I've since got myself into credit card debt, from trying to live the life I thought I could, that being the life I used to live whilst working a 9-5 job and getting frequent pay.

The light at the end of the tunnel seems like it is getting further and further away and does anybody else feel completely overwhelmed when getting to grips with this forum? I feel like the basic concept of just putting out a DVD has been lost with PPC's and several website terminology that only applies to the computer savvy out there.

To not rant so much and get to my point, I recall Tim mentioned that it is possible to re-invent a product that you thought could be improved. I wonder if anybody has had any success in doing this? I know of a product that I use and it is great however there are slight things where I believe it could be improved upon.
http://www.surf-fur.com/

Is it feasible to re-invent a product and have that neiche maket purchase that product if they know you have 'ripped off' somebody else's idea?

My other question I'd like to pose.. Is it a valid muse to set up a website offering services similar to personal training or does that go completey against the 4hww? HOw do you overcome that if the only muse you can think of involves your time?

Also - does the e-book idea now override the concept of putting a DVD out into the market or should we look to offer both.

On the plus side, I still have a DVD in the making.

Thanks for taking the time to read this, and I value any advice. ]]> Definition: Target Monthly Income (TMI), Getting Started, Dreamlining, Fear-setting... REA07 http://fourhourworkweek.com/vBulletin/showthread.php?t=5516 http://fourhourworkweek.com/vBulletin/showthread.php?t=5515&goto=newpost Thu, 02 Sep 2010 04:03:35 GMT Hello, I have an entrepreneurial itch and am looking to source some divers watches to either re-sell or manufacture. Sadly all the Asian suppliers... Hello, I have an entrepreneurial itch
and am looking to source some divers watches to either re-sell or manufacture.
Sadly all the Asian suppliers want too high of an MOQ. I have 9 yrs of supply chain experience in the electronics industry dealing with Asian suppliers, and now the need for High orders. I was wondering if any one had any ideas of where to look?

Best Rgds Bill in IL
Note: I am open to any product to buy & re-sell, but as Tim noted I need a large enough margin to make some cash. ]]> Definition: Target Monthly Income (TMI), Getting Started, Dreamlining, Fear-setting... bxa1967 http://fourhourworkweek.com/vBulletin/showthread.php?t=5515 http://fourhourworkweek.com/vBulletin/showthread.php?t=5508&goto=newpost Tue, 31 Aug 2010 10:53:13 GMT Looking to talk to others than have children (we have 4 aged 9 down to 3) and have managed to make the leap and join the NR. In particular how have... Looking to talk to others than have children (we have 4 aged 9 down to 3) and have managed to make the leap and join the NR. In particular how have they managed to get away for months at a time and cover off schooling. Then how have the kids coped on return to old home schools? ]]> Definition: Target Monthly Income (TMI), Getting Started, Dreamlining, Fear-setting... Jonesy http://fourhourworkweek.com/vBulletin/showthread.php?t=5508 http://fourhourworkweek.com/vBulletin/showthread.php?t=5497&goto=newpost Mon, 30 Aug 2010 20:58:51 GMT Hi Everyone;

I'm really excited to be a part of this board. I've been half-living the 4 hour work week for the past 6 months but I'm looking to push my service based business further and am turning it into a product to launch this month in addition with software to support it.

Currently I run/own an online marketing firm and work with brick and mortar businesses to expand their marketing to the web. We're bringing in about 5k profit a month and I've got 2 full time staff and a bunch of other outsources.

The problem with this is that it's labour and time intensive. So I'm creating a course teaching other business owners how to startup a similar company.

Then it's off to a short trip to Cuba, followed by learning to snowboard in the winter and the Philippines in Jan for a month and Peru in April with my girlfriend.

Not bad... but the income isn't as high as I'd like and I'm nowhere near the "4 hour work week". It's product creation time!

Cheers
- Adam ]]> Definition: Target Monthly Income (TMI), Getting Started, Dreamlining, Fear-setting... adam.sn http://fourhourworkweek.com/vBulletin/showthread.php?t=5497 http://fourhourworkweek.com/vBulletin/showthread.php?t=5496&goto=newpost Mon, 30 Aug 2010 19:45:19 GMT In the last few days I've heard a bunch of horror stories regarding partnerships. Personally everything I've done has been solo. It's cool to have all the executive decision power, but sometimes I think a partner would be fun to try... but then I reflect on the horror stories.

Here's the problem: Partnerships can be great at first, but can progressively suck as the business changes, grows, stagnates, etc... and they usually do one of these. ;)

Any time I've gotten in a position of bringing on a partner I've weighed the pros and cons and realize that I'd be better off hiring out for their skills than bringing in someone to muddy the executive / decision making waters.

So, what do you all think about partners?

Have you had partners in projects / businesses? If so, how did it go and would you do it again? What would you counsel those thinking about a partnership? ]]> Definition: Target Monthly Income (TMI), Getting Started, Dreamlining, Fear-setting... OutsourcedMyLife.com http://fourhourworkweek.com/vBulletin/showthread.php?t=5496 http://fourhourworkweek.com/vBulletin/showthread.php?t=5486&goto=newpost Thu, 26 Aug 2010 10:27:49 GMT Have been inspired by Tim's book and am keen to take some mini-retirements over next couple of years before the kids start school (and we're more tied down to one location).

Myself and wife travelled extensively before kids arrived and still have the bug, however she's more sceptical about doing it with very young kids. We're lucky in one respect that we both have jobs that pretty much allow us to work anywhere.

I've been reading the Family Hack blog with interest. Just wondered if anyone else has spent extended spells overseas with a young family and has any advice to offer? The idea of house swapping appeals as otherwise our house would be empty and costing us money.

We live in the UK and possible locations could be:
- Buenos Aires
- Portland, OR
- Vancouver
- Copenhagen
- Berlin
- San Sebastian (Spain)

Any help appreciated.

Thanks! ]]> Definition: Target Monthly Income (TMI), Getting Started, Dreamlining, Fear-setting... lolbrighton http://fourhourworkweek.com/vBulletin/showthread.php?t=5486 http://fourhourworkweek.com/vBulletin/showthread.php?t=5476&goto=newpost Tue, 24 Aug 2010 01:28:16 GMT So I like my job, but I want to make more money. I also know a lot about a lot of things. The thing I am thinking about right now is dealing with... So I like my job, but I want to make more money. I also know a lot about a lot of things. The thing I am thinking about right now is dealing with health insurance companies. My wife, unfortunately, is not well, and I've learned a lot about how to deal with them and how to motivate your doctors, etc.

What would be the best way to go about making money with my knowledge?

I thought it might be to start a blog. Then perhaps publish an article or two in the publication of the association related to that disease. In the about the author, it can direct folks to my blog. Perhaps I can comment on other websites, and then perhaps build a following, and then get affiliate advertising. I can perhaps offer a service of helping people too, for a price, but then it would not be by absence.

Does this sound like a good idea? Or can you suggest better ones. If I wanted to blog, which site? I've played with Wordpress, but don't like the fact that you can't set up e-mail alerts when I have a new blog post.

Thanks ]]> Definition: Target Monthly Income (TMI), Getting Started, Dreamlining, Fear-setting... ShouldIFourHour http://fourhourworkweek.com/vBulletin/showthread.php?t=5476 http://fourhourworkweek.com/vBulletin/showthread.php?t=5474&goto=newpost Mon, 23 Aug 2010 19:36:48 GMT I've been pretty adamant about observing the 4hww blog and message boards from a safe distance, but decided what the heck, I've read it twice, I'm trying to jump start a muse, put some pants on and ask the people who understand the efforts and aims.

After visiting Spain and Morocco last year, I discovered a certain garment style and dove into the opportunity of bringing it back to the US. To bring it to market, I've taken on an unorthodox method of engineering a fictitious (DBA) and mysterious international designer/merchant who travels the world bringing back certain garments (so far this just concerns clothing) to share with people who may never have such opportunity for other-worldly discoveries. So far, my efforts are focusing on one niche style much like the French sailor shirts in the 4hww.

As simple as I'd like to follow the model example of the French Sailor Shirts in the book, it doesn't appear as simple. I discovered my supplier on Alibaba.com (Luckily they haven't had buyers in the US yet) and I fear the public's similar easy access to the same supplier will somehow hinder some legitimacy to the story I want to anchor my muse on. Namely re-branding the products under my new designer name though any internet junky could easily access the products if they looked hard enough. Has anyone had concerns or faced issues such as this with brand image and perhaps non-exclusive distribution agreements? Has anyone ever established exclusive rights to a product with a company outside of the US? (Especially when you're an army of one with only my two snakes and a cat who make up the board of directors?)

Last (for today), mind you I'm no fashion designer, I don't plan on such a career (I really the enjoy importing part), but I've had to learn the process of personal branding, labeling clothing (A Philosophy and Economics major learning to sew? Yea that's right), stock photo taking, learning textile law, creating a mysterious fashion merchant and a story behind the product to deliver a unique customer experience...etc. Bottom line, I'm doing this solo. The component I've had trouble discovering is the fulfillment process so I can remove myself for better automation. I will do the first 50 orders by myself as suggested by Tim, so I can learn the process and gather customer info/questions/feedback to enhance an eventual website and prepare for automation. However, has anyone ever had experience with garment fulfillment? (luckily the garment is one "size fits most")

Can anyone please offer me critical but constructive criticism about issues I haven't mentioned above. I may have addressed them, but perhaps not explicitly to save on writing a book here. It seems like when attempting the my muse, sometimes the people close to me who I speak to about it aren't kicking me in the rear hard enough about addressing critical issues. I welcome it please!

Kindest Regards,

Bryce ]]> Definition: Target Monthly Income (TMI), Getting Started, Dreamlining, Fear-setting... Gorski http://fourhourworkweek.com/vBulletin/showthread.php?t=5474 http://fourhourworkweek.com/vBulletin/showthread.php?t=5472&goto=newpost Mon, 23 Aug 2010 02:05:48 GMT Hi all, I had a minor epihany today after much beating my head against the wall on how to refine my work addiction and distill a legitimate muse... Hi all,

I had a minor epihany today after much beating my head against the wall on how to refine my work addiction and distill a legitimate muse from it.

I realized I already have a service at my disposal that is being performed by people who are going to be doing it anyway, probably for the rest of their lives. But they do not advertise, even though they could and would take on a lot more business if it were coming to them.

My thoughts have been focused on handling the marketing side for them and taking a cut from new business. However this is what I am least qualified to do and spending/wasting the most time learning about.

The epihany... I want to farm it all out on both sides. I can do well off a very small piece of the middle.

The service is fully established and already has clients. What I need is affiliates, people willing to cold call, set up online marketing campaigns, actually I don't care what they do as long as its legal/ethical. I need affiliates who can put what we do in front of the people who need it done, we can provide the details and we can close the deals.

It pencils out to easily over $100k a year in affiliate payout and we can set up a quarterly residual off the clients for as long as they stay clients. So in effect this would be a muse opportunity for somebody else as well, who has the skills we lack.

I would still be necessary for maintaining the client relationships long-term so I'm not concerned about cutting myself out. I just want to get it going already.

Is there a network of self-motivated affiliate geniuses out there? ]]> Definition: Target Monthly Income (TMI), Getting Started, Dreamlining, Fear-setting... americanoracle http://fourhourworkweek.com/vBulletin/showthread.php?t=5472 http://fourhourworkweek.com/vBulletin/showthread.php?t=5448&goto=newpost Mon, 16 Aug 2010 21:35:56 GMT So I read Tim's book and it has inspired me but my inspirations may be a little more difficult to fulfill.

I want to grow marijuana.

I do smoke from time to time but I wouldn't consider myself a pot head. There could be many reasons for this somewhat odd fascination of mine. I have learned a lot about the benefits of marijuana use through research and my own experimentation. Perhaps one of the biggest draws of marijuana use, its rebellious and dangerous nature, also makes it a risky way to make a living.

I will be attending my freshmen year of college (a large part of which is paid by scholarships and the rest my parents money) in a few weeks and I don't think my parents would be too happy about me dropping out and going to Canada or California to grow weed. Since I am still largely dependent on them, and they don't know about my interest, I am having trouble following my plan.

Guidance and advice is appreciated ]]> Definition: Target Monthly Income (TMI), Getting Started, Dreamlining, Fear-setting... Triumph http://fourhourworkweek.com/vBulletin/showthread.php?t=5448 http://fourhourworkweek.com/vBulletin/showthread.php?t=5444&goto=newpost Mon, 16 Aug 2010 04:57:55 GMT Hi, I'm in Bismarck, North Dakota. Sometimes I'm in Fargo.

I've read the book front-to-back twice and reference it from time to time.

I would be interested in meeting others in my state who have read the book and want to talk and give each other encouragement.

I'm trying ahead with each step and get a project launched. ]]> Definition: Target Monthly Income (TMI), Getting Started, Dreamlining, Fear-setting... TJ76 http://fourhourworkweek.com/vBulletin/showthread.php?t=5444 http://fourhourworkweek.com/vBulletin/showthread.php?t=5442&goto=newpost Sun, 15 Aug 2010 21:47:35 GMT Ok folks some help here. I get dreamlining and am starting to layout things etc. But I am having some major issues coming up with stuff. I am... Ok folks some help here.

I get dreamlining and am starting to layout things etc. But I am having some major issues coming up with stuff.

I am not much for travel - I moved from Africa to the states and done pretty well for myself, put myself through gradschool, got myself everything I wanted etc. worked hard and know what I am doing work wise.

My problem is the question been asking myself for the last year. What do I want. I know, I know, be specific. But I can not even do that, I feel absolutely jaded.

Everything I have always done has been part of a plan and strategy. TO the point where now I don't do much because I over think them actions. LIke going to the store, I will analyze that and see how it fits into the scheme of things. Why am I doing this, whats the point, etc then I eventually talk myself out of it.

Then ofcourse its the fear thing, I constantly walk around thinking the sky will fall on my head, EVERDAY.

I am really struggling coming up with a plan, with what I want, why I want it etc, what would make me happy, everything seems really mediocre. NO I am not depressed, just classic case of working my ass of for the last 4 years to the point where I realized that this can't be what it is about.

I always think back to when I was a kid, totally in my own world, disappearing into the forest, exploring etc... now all I do is fucking work and worry. sweeeeeet.

any help, tips, support is much appreciated.... ]]> Definition: Target Monthly Income (TMI), Getting Started, Dreamlining, Fear-setting... driftwood http://fourhourworkweek.com/vBulletin/showthread.php?t=5442 http://fourhourworkweek.com/vBulletin/showthread.php?t=5424&goto=newpost Thu, 12 Aug 2010 17:13:28 GMT I'm new to 4hww. I'm currently reading the book for a 2nd time (I'll probably re-read several more). One of my stumbling blocks is the not-so-little voice in my head that tells me that I don't have what it takes. The one that points out that Tim himself says that he is "excellent" in product creation and marketing (If you've got those 2 qualities, everything else is simply plug and play), and that he started his 4hww odessey after he had already built a business that was bringing in $40K-$70K per month.

Needless to say, neither of those statements apply to me. I'm almost depressingly blue-collar (or no collar) earning $40K/yr and my occupation (long haul truck driver) isn't susceptible is any way to outsourcing for VA. I want very much to live a more powerfull, free, and courageous life, I just don't see how any of this applies to me. Is this someting that you need to have a measure of security before you attempt? Either by retaining the optimism of youth (I'm 47, divorced, and have gone through bankruptcy once already) or by having a measure of financial security already in place as a safety net?

Objectively, I should be in the perfect situation to try something like 4hww. I'm recently divorced (no family obligations), I have plenty of time to think and come up with muses, I'm debt free, thanks to my brother I have a place to hang my hat for almost nothing (I'm on the road for 6 consecutive weeks at a time, it makes no sense to keep a home or apartment), and I have little in the way of expenses (my positive monthly cash flow is about $1500, once the final sale of the house goes through that will go up to $1800).

Yet, I'm also looking at my future security with an eye to possible retirement. I know, I know, but I need to have some security given that I will be unable (and do not want) to continue driving into my 70's. The idea of spacing "mini-retirements" throughout one's working life is attractive, but the reality is that leaving my position for 3-4 weeks (or longer) at a time several times a year is a quick path to unemployment.

This post has grown longer than I initially intended. I'll stop now before it becomes a full-blown rant. Given the above, is there anyone here who has gone through (or is in) a similar situation? How have you handled it? Is some kind of online endeavor the way to go? How can I get past the "not-so-little voice" and take action? Is there anyone here who has been a little beat up by life and still found a way to fill your dreams/goals? How did you do it?

I don't have regular internet access, but I'll check back for ideas as soon as I can. Thanks to all those who had the patience to read this far, and double to those who can offer helpfull insights. ]]> Definition: Target Monthly Income (TMI), Getting Started, Dreamlining, Fear-setting... WOLFMAN225 http://fourhourworkweek.com/vBulletin/showthread.php?t=5424 http://fourhourworkweek.com/vBulletin/showthread.php?t=5422&goto=newpost Thu, 12 Aug 2010 15:23:35 GMT I had an epiphany on my walk to work today. I really took the time to reflect how much actual progress I have made since I re focused on myself a... I had an epiphany on my walk to work today. I really took the time to reflect how much actual progress I have made since I re focused on myself a couple months ago. I realized that if I have such a strong image of what my dreams are that it doesn't matter if I realize them. I can go back to them and an overwhelming feeling of self worth comes over me. I invite everyone to strive for the same! ]]> Definition: Target Monthly Income (TMI), Getting Started, Dreamlining, Fear-setting... dethsith8655 http://fourhourworkweek.com/vBulletin/showthread.php?t=5422