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Reflections on the impact of the ‘4-Hour Workweek’ 15 years later

It dawned on me recently that I’ve been blogging full-time for almost 13 years. I went full-time on my first blog in 2010.

I’d been working on it for five years before that too and it was in those years that Tim Ferriss published the 4-Hour Workweek. I’d read it and enjoy the messages within and while I wouldn’t go as far as to say it pushed me to go full-time, there’s no doubt it planted a seed that it was possible.

Our first post is a look at the impact of Ferriss’ book, 15 years after it was written:

The Great Contemplation: Reflections on the impact of the ‘4-Hour Workweek’ 15 years later [Every] – “Ferriss offered a powerful alternative script that inspired millions around the world to escape the default path, travel the world, take mini-retirements, start businesses, and take breaks from work. However, these people embraced their new paths in direct opposition to the 20th-century industrial economy “organization man” paradigm that still had a strangle-hold over the popular imagination, well into the 2010s. Even if you followed Ferriss’s playbook and found a path you enjoyed, it was likely that many people in your life still thought you were a bit crazy (raises hand). This is what drew people to leave cities organized around big companies and full-time work to escape to nomadic communities around the world, like Bali; Chiang Mai, Thailand; Medellin, Colombia; and Las Palmas, Spain.”

Living a Life of Luxury [Accidentally Retired] – “Despite knowing my enough, I still want to live a life of luxury at times. I want to splurge when the moment needs splurging. And I want to cut back, when the moment calls to cut back. This is what I am talking about, when I say ‘find your balance,'”

This next one is courtesy of J.D., who appears to be getting more curmudgeon-y in his elder years, but this one is well warranted. Places where “tip” appears has gotten out of hand but now these additional fees (which are not optional) are ridiculous.

Perfidious Pricing [Passing Time] – “As the conversation winds down, the waitress returns with the check and a small placard. “If you haven’t been here recently, I wanted to let you know that we attach a 20% Fair Wage and Wellness Fee to all orders. This sheet of paper explains it. It’s… not a tip.” She slides the paper across the table and, somewhat embarrassedly, adds, “If you have any questions, please let me know.””