The Four Hour Work Week by Tim Ferriss

Rating 5*/5

This is not just a 5/5, I also had to give it a star. I've seen this book on the business bestsellers list for weeks and I randomly decided to give it a go. Boy do I not regret it! If you're planning on doing an MBA save your money: get this book and you'll learn most of what you need to start your business on the right foot.

What I liked the most about this book is that it affirms a standing belief of mine: don't leave enjoyment until retirement, earn now and enjoy it as you go. The New Rich, want money and time and in this world of technology you can absolutely have your cake and eat it too! The Old Rich had tonnes of dosh and very little to time to enjoy it, not spend it, enjoy it. 

I already use some of the tools mentioned for automating a business, getting things done faster and delegating but I learnt SOOO much more e.g. I had never heard of fulfilment houses and this knowledge will come in very useful when I go into manufacturing.

The book is so good that I have just purchased the paperback after listening to the audiobook; I have to re-read it - I will pore over every page diligently to make sure I've got it all. Normally, I write out the best takeaways but on this occasion I cannot - every other line is gold dust. 

There was a chapter on email management that I didn't find useful but that came very early on and it was relatively short. 

There are plenty of tips on how to start a business whilst you're still in employment and how to convince your boss to allow you to work remotely.

On time management I have already implemented one suggestion: I am checking my email in batches and I can feel the efficiency benefits already. I was a prolific email checker because my previous job required it but carrying that into my life as an entrepreneur meant I wasn't getting as much done as is possible.

Want to increase your email efficiency too? This is what I have done:

• I now only check email three times per day: in the morning, at lunch time and in the evening.
• To discourage frequent checking: I've removed the mail icon from the first page of my iPhone and disabled auto-email. Now, if I have to, I click on icon for the emails to flow in. 
• I'm getting out of the habit of using my phone for email; I use my computer. Relegating emails to my desk helps me not to be obsessive about it.
• Set an auto-responder to set customers' expectations.

As soon as I read the bit on virtual assistants, I got one and I am loving this new time saver. My assistant has helped me to effectively 'double' myself so I can focus on tasks that add more value to the business. She's much more efficient than I am at admin.

Some people don't get Tim Ferris, he is slightly arrogant which I personally found funny but it can turn others off. He chooses to spend all his time traveling and seeing the world and some people seem to take it as though he is telling them to do the same, he isn't saying that. His objective is to give you the tools needed to build a very profitable business and release your labour time at the same time so that you can pursue your own non-monetary interests e.g. charity work, spending time with your kids or indeed travel as he has chosen to do.

For the first time ever, I commented on a 1* comment on Amazon:

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If you want to start a business or improve your business but have plenty of free time as well, read this book now!

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