I recently finished “The 4-Hour Workweek” and it was a game changer! Author Timothy “Tim” Ferriss has this unique, captivating writing ability that is a hybrid between tough love and “here’s how to step your game up”. The title could possibly imply that it’s a guide on how to significantly minimize your weekly work hours and escape the “rat race”. Well, in a sense it is. Though I gained so much more. Allow me to share.

1) I’ve realized how much more efficient I can be as an employee.

Ferris gives numerous tips on how to increase productivity and efficiency in business. An employee of a company could certainly gain from this wisdom. Even though much of the advice Ferriss provides is directed toward business owners who can decrease their time spent being the machine behind everything and utilize the extra time pursuing a life they love.

He also shares significantly how an employee could use his models to work remote from anywhere in the world. (My mind just drifted off to creating an Excel spreadsheet while sitting beachside on the Amalfi Coast. *sigh*)

One area of advice Ferriss provided was regarding the checking of emails. He advised to only check emails twice per day. And strictly forbids readers from checking first thing in the morning. Something I regularly do then find myself engulfed in way past my desired end time. He also mentions that email isn’t instant messaging, it’s a form of mail. This really stopped me in my tracks. I sometimes feel as if I have to get back to emails as soon as they come in. Being a quick responder could be seen as courteous and professional. Though too quick could be grounds for becoming trapped in my inbox and distracted from other items on the to-do list.

2) It shoved me into dream big NOW mode.

I think many of us have, at some point, been a slave to the “someday” syndrome. You know, “someday I want to travel the world” or “someday I’ll start hobby x”. Well sometimes “someday” comes with valid reasoning. Take finances for example. Perhaps one can’t fulfill their dreams of traveling the world because they have bills up the wazoo. In that case, it may be true that the dream has to be tabled for a later date. Though that doesn’t mean one cannot start planning. Perhaps writing a list of desired locations or creating a savings plan. It’s only step one but very often step one is the catalyst to seeing through every other step to achieve the end goal.

As Ferriss puts it: “Most people can do awe inspiring things. Sometimes they just need a little nudge.”

3) I’m reminded that the world is literally at my fingertips.

At one point in the book Ferriss breaks down how living internationally can be much less expensive than we would think. He provides two expense break downs per month based on travels to Buenos Aires, Argentina and Berlin, Germany. He further explains how long term international travel can eliminate expenses back at home. For example, one (most likely) will not be paying utilities, buying gas for their car or other expenses they’d regularly be shelling out for weekly or monthly. Therefore making international travel a bit more attainable and accessible than one may think.

4) It provided resources along with strategies.

I think finding an inspiring and motivating book is easy. There are millions out there. Though a book that also provides the resources on how to get and stay going on your dream journey is a gem. He literally lists websites on a gamut of topics from how to access your PC abroad to discounts on international lodging. He even shared resources from mothers traveling with young children and parents juggling international travel with the education of school aged children.

“What are the websites?!”, you ask. Well you have to read the book for that! 😊

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This book not only challenged me personally but inspired me to be a better professional in the workplace. It will definitely be a book that holds its spot on my bookshelf of lifetime reads to refer back to.

Have you read “The 4-Hour Workweek”? What did you think? Haven’t read the book but plan to after reading this post? Please let me know what you think after reading!