The 4-Hour Work Week: Escape the 9-5, Live Anywhere and Join the New Rich

The title of this book was the first thing to grab my attention and it was recommended read on a podcast I was listening to. I'll be honest, Ferris' journey was extreme and I'm sure it is mush easier to take the steps he did when you have a few million dollars in your bank account as he did. That said, he does raise some really thought provoking questions of priorities and self-imposed limitations, it really did stop to make me think why, when I actually have the means, was I not doing at least some of the things I thought that I would do if I won the lottery? A thought that led to me booking a fabulous exotic holiday, moving house and starting yoga. There are plenty of examples in the book of people who were not millionaires who have managed to make this happen in their own lives. His thoughts and advice on automation of work and outsourcing are a useful tool for anyone looking to relieve workplace stress. The idea of asking for reduced hours or flexible working might seem really scary but, I suppose, if you don't ask you don't get. If you're still not sure on this principle I would recommend reading The Aladdin Factor as that covers this area in much more depth. I personally think everyone should read this book at least once a year, just to remind themselves not to get stuck in the humdrum of mundane living and it's a must read for anyone looking to work for themselves or retiring soon. I bought my parents a copy in the hope that it would entice them to spend their retirement doing fun, exhilarating things that they've always put off before... the idea of tango lessons in Argentina was definitely appealing to them.

This has been sitting in my "to-read" shelf for a while, but I finally bought it when I was reminded about it by a friend. Even though i'd heard a lot of critical acclaim for this, I set my expectations low: just another self-help book. Well, I'm happy to say that I was wrong. This is a unique little book which has opened my eyes in many ways, forcing me to ask the difficult questions, and take control of my destiny. When I usually read something like this, I expect to pick up one or two useful ideas or thoughts which might help change my life in small ways. But this felt, ESPECIALLY in the first half of the book (i.e., the first 2 sections), like it was throwing legitimate interesting and potentially life-changing questions at me every couple of pages. I've NEVER experienced something like that before. Like other reviewers, I was a little underwhelmed by the second half. As a package, it's still VERY good, but the second half is quite obviously more US-centric and didn't leave me with as many moments where my jaw was dropping or the gears in my head were turning. I'd recommend this to anyone. I'm currently in the process of throwing it at my partner and telling all my friends and family about it. No matter what age, I think we can all learn something useful from this.

Some really good general tips and advice that most people could apply to their job would be very beneficial and time-saving. However, some of it is quite specific to roles in sales or business. There are many great references and information sources, however, these are US-based and some are likely to be outdated now. I enjoyed the writing style, I found it easy to read, and straight to the point and liked that he doesn't sugarcoat things and says what a lot of people have probably thought themselves. His style is very much like Marmite you either love it or hate it. Overall I enjoyed the read. It was thought-provoking and inspirational. A solid 4-star read, but it didn't make 5 stars due to - being US specific (I'm UK), and being a touch repetitive, would be very good to have a new post-Covid update with more worldwide resources.

Interesting and enjoyable read!!!

Tim's book has got me thinking. It has helped me re-evaluate my life and especially my working my life. As I see it, Tim argues: 1. Life is short so enjoy it. 2. Realise that you are conditioned by society to work 9-5. 3. Don't wait until you retire to have some fun (lots of fun!). 4. Become much more productive at work. 5. Outsource much of your business and/or life. 6. Create an 'automatic' source of income. 7. Start to living the life you want (it may be cheaper than you think). Where I have a problem is that this advice, whilst sound, is lightweight. Admittedly, the book points you to lots of (US) resources but you'll need to do a lot more work in order to create the lifestyle Tim offers. It is, after all, a 'framework' of a book and not a detailed, step-by-step, 500 page manual. OK - I'm hard to please. If you've not read this sort of material before then this could be the eye-opener you need. But where I'm disappointed is that Tim suggests that the way to a regular stream of income is to create 'information products'. Mmmm, where have I heard that before? Do a quick search on Google on this phrase and you'll find tons of better quality material. Believe me, I'm currently experimenting with this source of income and it's not as easy, or as simple, as Tim suggests. Yes, I am hard to please but visit Tim's site and read his US Amazon reviews and you'd think that this book is somehow *totally* revolutionary. Yes, it's a good book but it's a bit like eating another American product, a McDonalds burger - it looks tasty on the advertising but while you're eating it you realise that the bread is full of air and sugar and the whole experience leaves you with an unsatisfied feeling.

Bought several copies for friends. Changed my life. An advertisement that reading a whole book often makes so much more sense than a ten minute summary on blinkist or YouTube. One of those rare books that’s like a grenade. I’d recommended my sister read it for years and then out of the blue she speaks about travelling to an island country and working freelance from the beach. Another conversation has a gentleman sharing about taking his two daughters on a world cruise - I asked him if he read this book, and he said it was actually his inspiration. We don’t always have to take the path well trodden. There are other ways :). Sure, it’s a few years down, and maybe the laptop lifestyle isn’t everybody’s kettle of fish - but as a manifesto for living and shaking you out of your rut - there are few better books than the 4HWW. I was on course to boring 9-5 living and left my job, went travelling for 4 out of 7 years and once that itch was scratched, I’m supremely comfortable in my 9-5 job. While I might have ditched the time, freedom and mobility lifestyle, the lifelong high intensity learning, dancing to a different drum and lifestyle design lessons will (hopefully 🤞🏼) never leave me. If you have a friend who’s wondering what to do, know someone who’s transitioning careers or just feel you’re stuck in a rut, you could do a lot worse than the 4HWW. Look at YouTube for 4HWW success stories for inspiration.

I cannot deny that this book is an 'easy read'. As far as that is concerned it is great - no one really wants a 'hard grind'. For me, there was much that I have lived my life by all my life, not only that but it was written at a time when it appears that - to the author - if you were not an entrepreneur - you worked in an office earning around about $50K per year. I found this very irritating, the guidance given for office workers was fine, but in an area for very low employment - most of which is care work and/or shops - the work advice very difficult to apply - if not impossible. Fantastic advice for its time - needs to be reviewed to bring it into the 'now' world which I think is a bit different from when it was written

This book is simple yet introduces us to some revolutionary ideas, such as paretos principle and parkinsosn law. these theories were not known to me, for the most part i was applying these principles in my life quite decently, but this book magnifies the concepts which makes focus on them a great deal more. But that's the plus side, on the down side, i would say that many would agree that tim goes on to ramble about topics that not much would care for while reading it. for example he may talk about how you can store your cars while you're away, how to keep your place safe and so on. while i found this to be quite interesting and helpfull , i fear others will not enjoy it such a manner. but for me it was pretty great. but man, i really did enjoy this book. it changed the landscape of my thinking quite significantly, i definitely think this is a much needed book for work-aholics. you know, the people who are on the phone all the time, the people you never find time for anything. this book will most likely put a stop to that if they apply these concepts tim talks about. if you ask me, i think this should be on your shelf Feel free to write me at [email protected]