4-Hour Workweek? Really?

Last in America to review this book. I had only a vague idea of what Timothy Ferriss meant by his book title, The 4-Hour Workweek, and I resisted his tag line about the "new rich." Until finally a friend put a copy in my hands (actually, sent it to me via amazon) and I settled into a fun read. But is my review today timely? Hardly. We'll call it a review for late adopters.

The Ferris message. You won't be surprised by much of the advice in this book. Figure out how you want to spend your time. Take as many mini-vacations and mini-retirements as you can afford. Lead a balanced life. What's new in the message is a down-to-earth encouragement to just go ahead and try it.

What's the worst that can happen? For most of us, the worst that can happen after we make a big change in employment or lifestyle is that we'll have to un-do some part of it. There's a bonus: even if you have to go back to a previous status, it won't be the same as before. Just stepping away for a while will change your perspective and, likely, your priorities.

Example from a generation ago: As I challenge myself to change my lifestyle (maybe not all the way down to four hours of work), I recall a friend's growing up years. His father was a physician who retired every 8 to 10 years, establishing a practice and then retiring from it when able. Work 10 years at the most; take off 5 at a minimum. That man's medical license made him highly employable, of course, but most of us have some skill, talent, or resource to call upon for similar purpose.

4-hour web site. You can check out the book or just some aspects of it at www.fourhourworkweek.com. Ferriss is not a baby boomer, by the way, but his advice rings true for a lot of us who are.

© 2008 Mary Bold, PhD, CFLE. The content of this blog or related web sites created by Mary Bold (www.marybold.com, www.boldproductions.com, College Intern Blog) is not under any circumstances to be regarded as professional, legal, financial, or medical advice. Or education advice. Or marital advice. Or even a tip.