“Polymath” is an apt characterization of Tim Ferriss. He’s an entrepreneur, an author, an angel investor, a master interviewer, an accomplished martial artist, a… oh, just go to his about page for his story. He’s done a ton in just over 40 years on this here planet.
Podcast:
I honestly don’t even remember how I came across his podcast, but about two years ago I started listening and was immediately drawn to the format and content. It became my go-to podcast for car commutes and lunch-time walkabouts. The podcast is long form interviews featuring “world-class performers,” in which he attempts “to extract the tactics, tools, and routines” that made these folks who they are today (which implicitly listeners may adopt themselves). If you find yourself drawn to self-improvement and/or biographical content, you’ll be right at home with Tim.
I really appreciate how Tim does the research legwork before he sits down (in person or virtually) with his guests. Realistically, at this point in his career, he has a team that does this stuff for him, but at some point he was driving the research bus entirely. He has some recurring questions, but for the most part the interviews are conversations. This is a refreshing departure from say television or radio “spots” where the interviewer asks a question, then the interviewee says whatever prefabricated statement they were already going to say, inevitably cut off by the interviewer so he/she may ask their next question. This long form format resonates today as evidenced by the “podcast revolution” even as our collective attention spans are reduced to goldfish-land with all that is the world today. A topic for another day I guess… One of his primary recurring questions is: “If you could have a billboard on a busy street with anything on it, what would you write?” I love this question. Stated differently, the essence of the question is: “What brief statement encapsulates your ethos?” My favorite answer to this question is comedian Jerrod Carmichael’s response: “Slow Down!”
A word of caution though, Tim throws so much at you it can be overwhelming, and some of the techniques and/or products can be a bit out there. He’s a self-described experimenter, continuously tinkering with processes and exploring new things. A pal of mine who had been exposed to some of his work put it somewhat like this: “I’m A.D.D. man. This guy is telling you to do all these things and try all this stuff. It’s just so much, I won’t do anything.” Less than spectacular vernacular, but valid point, dude. If the idea of changing from a full windsor to a half windsor gives you night terrors, this show may not be for you. If your goal is to maybe grab a tidbit here and there, employ a new process/technique/useful product/thought experiment within your life, then maybe you’re on to something.
My favorite episodes in no particular order (that I’ve listened to, geez, there’s 300+):
Sir Richard Branson — The Billionaire Maverick of the Virgin Empire (#272)
Bill Burr — The Comedian’s Comedian (#265)
How to Fear Less: Vince Vaughn
Jerrod Carmichael – Uber-Productivity and Dangerous Comedy
Sir Richard Branson — The Billionaire Maverick of the Virgin Empire (#272)
The Four Hour Work Week:
It took me a full two years of listening to the podcast until finally getting around to picking up his first book (well virtually pick up, through an app, accessing a public library system, to listen to the audiobook). In fact, I was so late to the party that he had already published a podcast earlier this year, entitled: “The 4-Hour Workweek Revisited” in which he details some things he would have done differently, what he’s learned since, etc. He also spends some time issuing disclaimers to prospective readers warning the overarching tone of the tome is that of a “chest thumping 29 year-old.” So grains of salt apply here. With that all out there, I still think the content is relevant today, justifying its past and present success.
I give a synopsis here in my recommendations & reviews section.
There are a some nuggets of gold in this book. I wouldn’t say anything in here is a “reinvention of the wheel,” but application of some of these principles in today’s world are often uncomfortable for most and are probably contrarian to the general population. I will touch on a few segments of the book I enjoyed most.
The Pareto principle is a central tenet of this book (lifestyle). Commonly known as the 80/20 principle, it is broadly defined as the notion that 80% of the effects come from 20% of the causes. Take 10 seconds to ponder or just look around you right now for evidence of this principle. It’s everywhere. Tim implores his audience to look introspectively at their life/business/spousal relationship, whatever and find the 20% of productive inputs and foster those, while minimizing or eliminating completely the 80% of inputs that are less efficient. I think this is an extremely powerful notion, not only because of it’s sound underlying logic, but because of its almost ubiquitous application to all facets of life.
Parkinson’s Law is also widely discussed and underpins the substance of the book. It states that “work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion.” If you’ve never heard this one before, you’re probably nodding your head in agreement with such utterings as: “mmhhnnn, mmhhnnn.” or “yup, yup.” I have thought back on some of the more time-consuming endeavors I’ve undertaken over the years and evidence of this principle is rampant! The two principles are the basis for Tim’s philosophy to eliminate, streamline and “take oneself out of the equation.”
My final note on the 4-Hour Work Week is actually an anecdote. He tells a tale of a Harvard MBA businessman on vacation somewhere in Mexico. Tim probably adopted the story from elsewhere so in the same spirit I’ll give you my silly version of it from memory rather than a straight quote.
The businessman is sitting on a remote beach outside of a little fishing village when a local fisherman rows in with his prized catch. They get to talking. The businessman, a bit inquisitive asks how long it took him to haul in his handful of keepers. The fisherman says: “Oh, not too long, a few hours.” Intrigued, the businessman asks: “Well, what do you do with the rest of your time then?” “I don’t know, go home, play with the kids, take a siesta with my wife, then head down to the village center and play music and sip some wine with my amigos.” The businessman, never missing an opportunity to share his expertise suggests, “Why wouldn’t you work a bit longer? You could sell the excess fish on the market for profit. In a couple of years, you could buy a commercial vessel and increase your yield, a few more years, expand your fleet. Of course, you’d want to move to a major city to develop your distribution contacts. Eventually, you’ll want to IPO the company, sell your shares and retire a multi-millionaire.” “And how long would all this take?” The fisherman inquires. “Oh, hard to say. 15, 20, maybe 25 years max if you’re not a real go-getter or you get a recession or two.” The fisherman shakes his head up and down contemplatively. The businessman joins in the head bobbing, thinking he’s made a persuasive case and hell, maybe even put this poor fisherman on the path to the promised land. The fisherman then asks, “And then what?” “What do you mean?” The businessman responds with a hint of anger. “What do I do after I retire?” “Oh, well that’s easy. You do whatever you want. You’d have absolute freedom to do anything you ever dreamed of.” The fisherman smiles slowly, turns slightly to grab his bounty and slowly begins walking away. In parting he says, more to himself than anyone else, “If I could do anything, I’d probably fish a few hours, go home, play with my kids, take a siesta with my wife, then head down to the village and play some music and drink wine with my amigos.” The businessman, now alone, looks out to sea.
Final Thoughts:
I genuinely enjoyed the 4-Hour Work Week, but some of the criticisms are warranted. I mentioned previously the general tone of the book. I could see this being a turn-off for many. For me, it wasn’t so much the voice or language I found vexing, but instead the massive underlying assumption the whole book is predicating upon: that anyone can create a passive income generating online business which supports oneself financially in perpetuity. I don’t doubt it’s possible, but I also don’t think it’s for everyone. Likely, for every one Tim Ferriss that made a pretty penny via this route, there are dozens, hundreds or thousands of folks who swung and missed. With that being said, I’ll pick up a hardcopy of the book when I happen to find it at a used book store. I think it could be a great reference book (albeit somewhat outdated regarding some particular resources) for those attempting to start a business or just reengineer their routine.
I’m looking forward to getting into Tim’s other books, they are a continuation of the “4-Hour” theme. He also put together a massive compilation of writings on the topic of Stoicism. This is even more intriguing to me, but like any 500 + pager, it takes some initiative and stick-to-it-iveness to even crack let alone conquer.
