4 Hour Work Week

wonder_lander · 1 Oct 2010 at 22:35

Wasn't sure whether to post this in GD or the Book sub forum but as it's more about lifestyle than the book I thought I'd go with GD!

I've just finished reading the afore mentioned book and would be grateful to hear what others thought of it?

Despite it's obvious American slant I found it an interesting read and the lifestyle concepts that it raises something I think we all strive towards.

Why do we accept it's the norm to work 50 hours a week until we are 65 so we can then enjoy our retirement? Surely the concept of mini retirement breaks throughout ones "normal" working lifetime bring far greater rewards? The dreamlining section breaks down how little money you need to generate each day to fulfil your short and longer term goals.

My own mum died at the age of 58 having worked all her life. She had plans to travel when she finally finished working but alas never made it

I was already performing automated income generation but the book has certainly opened up my mind to other possibilities too.

Anyone else read the book, how has it changed the way that you are going about your daily life?

Jingo... · 1 Oct 2010 at 22:57

I'd love to work for a year, take a year off etc etc but I just know this activity within the professional work envrionment wouldn't work how I invisage!

I have a talented friend who undertakes ~6months of contract work, puts aside financial requirements before doing whatever he pleases until the remainder of the money is spent!

wonder_lander · 1 Oct 2010 at 23:04

Depends what you do and how you do it to be honest. The book explains how to liberate yourself from your office environment and perform the same task remotely. Obviously it depends on the nature of your work, no good being a remote working plumber!

This book describes how you can create income automatically so that you don't have to work / earn money, then have time off / spend money. In effect you are receiving money all the time whether you are at work or relaxing on a beach in Cuba!

Tefal · 1 Oct 2010 at 23:07

Surely the concept of mini retirement breaks throughout ones "normal" working lifetime bring far greater rewards?

depends for a cleaner it may be fine but for <insert high paying role here> you'd be out of touch with developments after only a year or so and need time to catch up.

Not to mention that while you may prefer that there will always be someone (or 500) perfectly willing to work every day to get ahead, which do you think would get the job?

LordSplodge · 1 Oct 2010 at 23:08

It's yet another self-help away with the faeries type of book.

Tefal · 1 Oct 2010 at 23:11

LordSplodge said:
It's yet another self-help away with the faeries type of book.

I dunno it's almost certainly helped the author pay for a mini retirement break...

wonder_lander · 1 Oct 2010 at 23:12

Tefal said:
depends for a cleaner it may be fine but for <insert high paying role here> you'd be out of touch with developments after only a year or so and need time to catch up.

Not to mention that while you may prefer that there will always be someone (or 500) perfectly willing to work every day to get ahead, which do you think would get the job?

Quite a broad range there, cleaner to high paying role?! What do you define as a high paying role and why would you necessarily fall out of touch with developments?

If you've read the book then there explanations that cover a lot of these arguments. If you are looking to retain your current job then the idea is to make yourself more indispensible in the company. There are plenty of examples in the book of how this can and does work.

LordSplodge · 1 Oct 2010 at 23:12

Tefal said:
I dunno it's almost certainly helped the author pay for a mini retirement break...

...and that's all self help books do. Make the author rich(er)

wonder_lander · 1 Oct 2010 at 23:14

LordSplodge said:
It's yet another self-help away with the faeries type of book.

Tefal said:
I dunno it's almost certainly helped the author pay for a mini retirement break...

There will be those who doubt, there is with everything in life.

If you read the book with an open mind and are prepared to challenge things then there is no reason why you can't benefit from the concepts in the book.

Tefal · 1 Oct 2010 at 23:15

wonder_lander said:
Quite a broad range there, cleaner to high paying role?! What do you define as a high paying role and why would you necessarily fall out of touch with developments?

Well any important financial position will change pretty markedly over a year along with any medical or technical role.

If you've read the book then there explanations that cover a lot of these arguments.

I can't be arsed to buy it tbh let alone read it.

If you are looking to retain your current job then the idea is to make yourself more indispensible in the company

Such as not ****ing off for years at a time?

wonder_lander · 1 Oct 2010 at 23:16

Of course the author makes money from the book, it seems obvious to me that he would!

However if you read any kind of practical book you can usually take away positives

wonder_lander · 1 Oct 2010 at 23:17

Tefal said:
Well any important financial position will change pretty markedly over a year along with any medical or technical role.

I can't be arsed to buy it tbh let alone read it.

Such as not ****ing off for years at a time?

I guess we can see which side of the fence you sit on and fair play to you. The lifestyle isn't for everyone, enjoy the next x years of your working life!

sanaxe1 · 1 Oct 2010 at 23:17

Tefal said:
Well any important financial position will change pretty markedly over a year along with any medical or technical role.

So what happens to all the women who take maternity leave.

wonder_lander · 1 Oct 2010 at 23:20

The book explains that someone who works 80 hrs a week for £100k a year may not necessarily be better off than someone who works 30 hrs a week for £40k.

If you don't put a value on your free time then you will be poorer for it.

Puzzled · 1 Oct 2010 at 23:55

wonder_lander said:
The book explains that someone who works 80 hrs a week for £100k a year may not necessarily be better off than someone who works 30 hrs a week for £40k.

If you don't put a value on your free time then you will be poorer for it.

Might have to give this a read.

I've been doing a 3 day week for the last year and while money is a bit tight, life is a lot less stressful.

I've met too many people who regret wasting their life slaving away for someone else's gain, so I'm going to do everything I can to not make the same mistake.

wonder_lander · 1 Oct 2010 at 23:57

MM, sounds like you've got the right work / life balance.

Check out this story if you've not heard it before http://www.noogenesis.com/pineapple/fisherman.html

Tefal · 2 Oct 2010 at 01:52

wonder_lander said:
The book explains that someone who works 80 hrs a week for £100k a year may not necessarily be better off than someone who works 30 hrs a week for £40k.

If you don't put a value on your free time then you will be poorer for it.

How many people work 12 hours a day though?

wonder_lander · 2 Oct 2010 at 01:55

Tefal said:
How many people work 12 hours a day though?

I used to!

Rameses · 2 Oct 2010 at 02:29

It's BS unless you are completely debt free and have something to fall back on. The author clearly had a fairly comfortable life, he started a multivitamin company during college and sold it for a million +.

It's surprisingly easy to write a book about life after that.

He's now an angel investor, and is quick to tell you that. He also travels a lot and bench presses 18 times his weight

, and has a diet for everyone to follow.

PS. I may sound bitter, but its easy to preach life-coaching stories like that when its been pretty easy for you.

PPS. I actually like Tim, he's interesting, if a little overbearing, but life isn't as simple as a book.

ironman · 2 Oct 2010 at 02:34

Tefal said:
How many people work 12 hours a day though?

Pretty much most of my friends do....