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Is A 4-Hour Workweek Really Possible? Work Less. Make More, Be Happy.

Actually it doesn't really matter if it's 4 hours or 8 hours per week.  The point he's trying to make is that he makes lifestyle a priority and designs his business model around this.  It's the concept and his approach that really hits home.  The concept boils down to leverage.  And leverage is clearly something we work to coach and teach to clients.  Most people get the concept of leverage when it comes to money.  Ask any real estate investor about leverage and they'll sing the praises of residential and commercial lenders.  (That's assuming they are true investors and not speculators who got in over their heads.)  But many entrepreneurs could learn a few things about leverage of time and human capital from Mr. Ferriss' book.

Early in the book he explains the difference between what the "Deferrers" from the "New Rich."  The former are the people who "save it all for the end only to find that life has passed them by."  The latter are apparantly very different.  They believe life should be lived here and now.  And in order to accomplish this one needs to plan and execute with the end in mind.

Clearly Mr. Ferriss is  makng a case for the New Rich and the work-life balance they aim to achieve.  After all, he "is" one.  Of course the assumption is that achieving this lifestyle is dependent on first, thinking differently.  As it relates to action, whether an employee of a large company who wants to work remotely, or a business owner who structures her business with lifestyle in mind as much as cash flow and profit, one needs to plan effectively and take action to achieve this goal.

The bottom line in my mind is planning and leverage of technology, human capital and systems.  In order to work less, make more and be happy, the entrepreneur mindset of the New Rich begins with lifestyle first.  I love this concept.  Work less in order to do what you want when you want.  So who wouldn't want this?

I chose the life of an entrepreneur with the goal of "being able to do what I want, when I want."  (Growing up in New Hampshire all the license plates read "Live Free or Die."  This affected me somehow.)  And I've pretty much being living this way since 1991.  But this has been a long-term priority.  And I had to engineer this lifestyle which required takng some risk and doing some serious planning.  And while I am not the world's wealthiest person by virtue of my bank account, I do feel blessed and wealthy in the sense of having acheived work-life balance.  Is it perfect?  No.  Am I trying to make it better?  Definitely.

And helping clients achieve the same is very rewarding.  But not everyone is ready.  I was having lunch with an entrepreneur the other day.  As usual, I asked him what he wants.  Not for lunch.  But in business and life.  He said he wants to work less.  He said he needs to fire some clients.  When I asked him what else was holding him back he admitted to being a control freak.  Guess what?  I think he's going to work too much for too long.  Does this make him a Deferrer?  Maybe and maybe not.  But could he benefit from the leverage of hiring the right talent and delegating work?  You bet.  Could he work less, make as much or more and get what he wants?  Only if he's coachable.  Only if he makes this a priority, plans and acts accordingly.

Leverage is a concept that anyone can implement.  But it requires coachability, planning and taking action.  I agree with Mr. Ferriss' concept.  And he offers a ton of suggestions for achieving this lifestyle.  But you've got to have the desire and commitment to take the appropriate action.

So read the book and share your comments.

As always, warm regards.

Cliff Jones

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