4-HOUR WORK WEEK: MY PERSONAL TAKEAWAYS
I always knew I wanted to start a brand or a business or something. So it was no surprise this book has been on my reading list for some time. There’s a lot of content I don’t see myself applying, but I wanted to post some of my key takeaways from this book.
The art of letting bad things happen.
This is a trait that Ferris highlighted in the book. Making a list of your top priorities and focusing on those may lead to some other “not-so-important” tasks being left behind. It goes to show that you cannot always excel in every area. To be happy in the areas that matter most to you, you may have to give in to others.
I appreciated the statement that “adversity doesn’t build character, it reveals it.” It goes to show how we are in our most critical moments. Again, this is something that can come easily once you adopt the mindset that bad things do happen. It reveals who you are when you don’t have to be nice or when something does not go your way.
I am an easily overwhelmed human being.
If you have trouble focusing on what to do, just do not do anything. It is a means to an end.
Ferris emphasizes choosing a minimal lifestyle as a great way to reduce overwhelming. He stated he incorporates rules when making decisions.
Don’t provoke deliberation (ex. check your email when you know you don’t have time)
Don’t postpone something important to avoid difficult confrontations (ex. telling your friend you can’t go to dinner)
Set time limits for options (ex. no more than three options or no deliberating for more than 20 minutes)
Don’t strive for variation when it’s not needed (ex. if you don’t have time to try something new)
He also stated when making decisions, do not confuse routine (results-driven) with recreation (enjoyment-driven). Examples he stated as results-driven include meals for breakfast or exercises you know work. An enjoyment-driven activity may be a new restaurant with a friend or going for a hike for your exploration. Routine primarily has a set time and function.
Ferris continues to emphasize that “income is renewable but attention is not.” He stated multiple reasons following this quote. Time is one of our most important “currencies.” Attention determines the value of our time. For one reason, Ferris mentioned that too many choices lead us to less/no productivity as well as less/no appreciation. Using “mindfulness,” paying attention, and being present can bring us closer to the feeling of contentment and appreciation of life.
“Society breeds jealousy and unethical behavior. This is due to a disdain for things that are easily obtained.” - Ferris.
Start small, think big. Identify what excites you and what bores you. Focus on what excites you and ignore what does not. Don’t let people get in your way as it is your life.
When describing what companies do best, Ferris stated “Niche is the new big.”
Truly achieve the new, American dream: freedom to choose the most precious resource we have in life: time in this world.
Ferris stated that he asks himself “if today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?” Let’s be real. I feel like a lot of us would find ourselves answering “no” to some part of our day.
4-Hour Work Week stated to start small and think big. Identify what excites you and what bores you. Focus on what excites you and ignore what does not. Don’t let people get in your way as it is your life.
A term Ferris used was “serendipitous lightness” when referring to the beauty behind the only true rules we have are the ones we set for ourselves. “Life is not a game to be won.” He highlights that pride, fear, or embarrassment/failure are things that may prevent us from living our fullest lives.
Remembering you are going to die, as grim as it sounds, is a great way of reorienting your thinking of having nothing to lose.
I definitely recommend picking up this book if you want to take life into your own hands! The steps do not apply to every career, so consider that!
