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The 4-Hour Workweek by Timothy Ferriss. Do you want a lot from life? Like a lot of money and time, dancing away like you are in a dance movie, learning to fight like Bruce Lee? Sipping cocktails on a hammock by the beach on an exotic island? Whatever you want, you can have it. As long as you pay attention...photo from: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3095/2492679014_35071e389e.jpg

First, an introduction:

[pro-player width=’530′ height=’253′ type=’video’]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wX3eJRwJqlc[/pro-player]

The New Edition

The 4-Hour Workweek, Timothy Ferriss. Image from: http://thewaislife.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/The-4-hour-workweek.jpg

You see the cover. You turn its back and read:

WARNING: DO NOT READ THIS BOOK UNLESS YOU WANT TO QUIT YOUR JOB

Brilliant. I did want to quit my job when I picked up this book. But yes, it might really and irrevocably encourage and motivate you to quit even if you don’t. You see, this is a business book that tells you everything you want to know if you do not want to be stuck in an office from 9 to 5. And even that 9-5 was an old time ago wasn’t it? Most people I know would consider 9 to 5 a positive change in lifestyle because usually they work at least 2-3 hours more than that, lose a couple more to the commute and if they are really, really “lucky”, they don’t work on Saturdays.

I had a job that required me to be there from 9 to 6.30 (minimum) and put in hours on Saturday as well (from 10 to 5). The pay wasn’t great but OK. It had certain advantages and it wouldn’t look bad on the resume. It was a small firm and the industry was pretty OK with employees dressed in jeans (although my old-fashioned boss would just love it if I wore suits, really). And there is a bonus to working long hours as well as working on Saturdays. It doesn’t leave you much time to spend your salary. So you can save money, which was why I got the job in the first place. But after having worked there for 5.5 months, having read Timothy’s book and being no longer able to resist the dreamer in me, I quit. Truth is, I would have quit without this book eventually but it speeded up the process and I am glad.

The great thing about this book, it informs you in a very entertaining and interesting manner. It is such a page-turner, you would think you were reading a thrilling work of fiction. But just because it is a fun read, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t attack it with bookmarkers and magic markers. Ferris doesn’t just tell his own life story. He talks about all the steps you can take, the resources you can use and everything you should consider. He even talks about insurance for the self-employed. So he literally leaves you no excuses to reconsider your life. If you are actually enoying the office life with the cubicles, supervisors, the bosses, the hours, codes, the culture…..Fine, by all means don’t read it. Or read it and find about a very interesting entrepreneur.

Now, he is not only an entrepreneur. It is not like he quit his day job to set up his own office and be his own boss. He did it, so he could have more time, more money and more freedom. He literally found a way to work as less as possible and work whenever, wherever. Hence the picture of hammock on the cover…And no, Timothy doesn’t just outsource and sits down on his butt (although you can, if you prefer the lazy life). He uses this time and money to do whatever he wants. Such as being a Chinese kickboxing champion. Learning Japanese. Starring in Japanese shows (yes, speaking Japanese), being a Tango champion in Argentina. Traveling the world…He does all this and more. Learns things from scratch and excels at them; while most of us try to figure out a way to balance career with social life, barely finding time and money for the things we always wanted.

He doesn’t offer a get-rich quick scheme. You do have to work. But instead of slaving away, you will be working efficiently towards the life you always dreamed of. Oh, and even if Tim is pretty well off at the moment, he is not loaded like an A-list Hollywood star. But it doesn’t matter. He also shows you the tricks to live like a millionaire even if you aren’t one. And he was 30 when this book was first published.

So, he is one of my idols. In fact, he might be The Idol. If you are a dreamer who wants to really enjoy to path to his/her dreams, Tim is The Man and this is The Book.

Timothy Ferriss — One of the things you will find in the book: "how to trade a long-haul career for short work bursts and frequent "mini-retirements". Can we rate books? If we can, it is a 10/10.

Now you’re stuck in a Dip, and you can’t get out of it…

Stuck in a moment is a U2 song that I mostly like to ignore. Not that it is bad, but because it is depressing; especially when I feel like dedicating it to myself. Don’t label me as self-centered yet. OK, maybe I am a little bit. But hey, cut me some slack. I am working to make my dreams come true and for a while now, I’ve been stuck in The Dip.

Seth Godin, The Dip — It doesn't get more real and fun than The Dip: Being in the dip is not that fun. Reading the book is...

The Dip is Seth Godin’s book. Godin is rightfully labeled as a marketing genius. But honestly, that’s not why I bought the book. I only accept authority or follow guidelines when I make sense out of what that person says. Think about it, I don’t listen to my favorite bands just because the songs are fun. The lyrics appeal to me – their philosophy on life hits home. They are all about living life to the fullest and making your dreams come true. And don’t forget, these lyrics are coming from bands that actually made their dreams come true. So:

-I look for a preacher who has successfully preached what he’s saying.

– I look for a preacher I can relate to. I can’t go all Zen on you when I am one of the most hyper-active people you are ever going to meet.

Yes, it helps that Seth is a marketing genius. But what matters more is that I love what he says and I get it. I am coming from an advertising & business background. Things in common? Check. Role-model to look up to? Check. Do I agree with what he is saying? Will I do what he is suggesting? Check, Check.

Now that I have established I loved reading The Dip and why I became a follower of Seth, let’s talk more about the whole Dip thing.

The book has 80 pages I devoured at one sitting, with magic markers. I love coming back to the book and talking to my friends about it. Not because I am an affiliate partner or anything. The guy has no idea who I am. But when I feel stuck, the book helps me get through the day.

Seth talks about why people don’t quit when they should. He emphasizes the importance of understanding whether your situation is a dead-end one, or you have just reached the most difficult part of your path the success. Seth defines The Dip as “the long slog between starting and mastery”. As hard and endless as it may seem, once you overcome it, you will reach your goals. He gives many interesting examples from different things in life. You get what The Dip is. But this leaves you with the most difficult question. Are you actually in The Dip?

I know writing is what I want to do. Hell, I have been doing it since I was 9. Being read makes me so happy, even if it is just by one person. So what do I need to do to make it 10000000?

Why do you think I feel the urge to write every single minute? I know this post is mostly dedicated to my Dip, and sorry about that. I will try to follow-up with more stories from different backgrounds. I will also talk more about the book.

Do you feel stuck? Are you working to reach your goals and dreams? Are you working for the stuff you know you are destined for? If you want to know for sure, I suggest you read it. It is fun, short but it very straight to the point.

The Dip on Amazon.com