The messages are similar to those seen in many self-help books, but I was seriously impressed by both some of the big ideas in this book and some of the little tips sprinkled throughout.
The fact that I've been motivated to setup this blog and write this post so soon after reading it is a testament to how good it was.
The four main sections of the book are:
- D is for Definition
- E is for Elimination
- A is for Automation
- L is for Liberation
"D is for Definition" is all about mindset and goals. The principles are the same as with many other self-help books, except it has a slightly different "less is more" spin and the goal-setting takes the form of a "Dreamline", which I was surprised to find has already led to more action than many of the other structures I've used in the past.
More info and templates can be found on Tim Ferriss's site:
- Tim's site: http://www.fourhourworkweek.com/
- Direct link to Dreamline template: http://www.fourhourworkweek.com/dreamline.pdf
"E is for Elimination" is focussed on the minimisation of low value activities and compressing the highest value activities in your life into tighter timescales to both make more effective use of time and maximise the effectiveness of your actions.
It covers time management from a slightly different angle and the use of Pareto's 80/20 "rule" to various parts of your life. As with all other parts of the book, there are various sprinklings of examples, case studies and tips, including things like a boxout on speed reading (which I had a go at and it actually does help - assuming you have the discipline to stick with it). Even if you don't believe some of the quasi-science and hype, it provides a few new perspectives that I've already been able to apply.
"A is for Automation" was the most interesting part of the book for me. It describes how to setup a low-maintenance, high-yeild income stream. It really is step-by-step and there are some great boxouts, such as how to create the perception of expertise for PR purposes (which I am going to put into action at work even if I don't follow all of the other ideas in the book).
It's clear that achieving the utopian fully-automated business (or "muse") that provides a steady income stream to cover your lifestyle needs is simple in concept but not as easy as it sounds - but there is plenty of advice here on how to do it, and much of the ideas are applicable to any business scenario, so are useful even if you don't intend on setting up a new business.
"L is for Liberation" is all about what to do with your newly recovered free time. Whilst the specifics covered in this section may not be everyone's cup of tea, they are certainly interesting and provide some good ideas. The key message is about ensuring you have purpose in life and that it is based on your real interests: the 4-hour week is not something you should necessarily be aspiring to, just as world travel isn't - but each of these and many more things are possible and it's up to you to find your own interests and pursue them.
In summary, a well recommended read! Below is a link to it on Amazon.co.uk.
For loads of great personal development and self-help books for business and personal success, check out one of these tailored book stores:
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