The 4-Hour Workweek is my new reading project after it’s been sitting on different piles of other books in my house for the past couple years.
I might have already quit my job, but that’s just one (not mandatory) part of getting started on an extraordinary life.
So far I love the attitude in this book. I’m not quite sure exactly where he’s taking things, but with just a few chapters under my thumb I’m already finding the bulk of Ferriss’ points relatable and deeply exciting. Plus his writing style is witty, dudely, and sharp.
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From the Questions & Action section of Chapter 3:
“What are you putting off out of fear? Usually, what we most fear doing is what we most need to do. That phone call, that conversation, whatever the action might be — it is fear of unknown outcomes that prevents us from doing what we need to do. Define the worst case, accept it, and do it. I’ll repeat something you might consider tattooing on your forehead: What we fear doing most is usually what we most need to do. As I have heard said, a person’s success can usually be measured by the number of uncomfortable conversations he or she is willing to have. Resolve to do one thing every day that you fear. I got into this habit by attempting to contact celebrities and famous businesspeople for advice.
What is it costing you — financially, emotionally, and physically — to postpone action? Don’t only evaluate the potential downside of action. It is equally important to measure the atrocious cost of inaction. If you don’t pursue those things that excite you, where will you be in one year, five years, and ten years? How will you feel having allowed circumstance to impose itself upon you and having allowed ten more years of your finite life to pass doing what you know will not fulfill you? If you telescope out 10 years and know with 100% certainty that it is a path of disappointment and regret, and if we define risk as “the likelihood of an irreversible negative outcome,” inaction is the greatest risk of all.
What are you waiting for? If you cannot answer this without resorting to the previously rejected concept of good timing, the answer is simple: you’re afraid, just like the rest of the world. Measure the cost of inaction, realize the unlikelihood and repairability of most missteps, and develop the most important habit of those who excel and enjoy doing so: action.”
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Go get the book and read along with me!
If you have read The 4-Hour Workweek already, what did you think?
Haven’t read it but I’m fascinated by the idea of it bc I’ve been thinking for a long time now that the world would be a much better place if we only worked 4-days a week. Looking forward to more of your summaries (I’m that lazy!). xo
Haha, I would hardly call you lazy
Stay tuned for snippets! Hope you’re doing great!
I think I’ll post little snippets as I go – stay tuned!
I’m a bit skeptical as I’ve heard some mixed reviews of the book. So I’m looking forward to your feedback when you’re done reading it — and then maybe I’ll consider it.
I’m currently reading Clay Christensen’s “How Will You Measure Your Life?” which I can’t recommend enough. I think you’ll love it.
Thanks for the reco — I’ll look this one up. In the meantime, I’m on the fence with the 4-Hour approach but his points are pretty solid so far. Will let you know how it goes!
I loved that book, some things later on I feel are a little extreme but the point is good. I read it during a trip to asia and had been wrestling about going full time with my business and dropping out (though I like to say moving on a little more) from school. He asks what are you most afraid of? Then if you do that and you fail what is the worst case senerio. The kicker question was scale of one to ten how permanent is this. Putting that out there was gold to me. Even my absolute worst case senerio (eating KD on my parents couch) wouldnt be more permanent than a few months, so why not go for it.
Inspiring, and true!