The whole book is a big self-promotion piece on living like you want, so long as you focus on doing stuff, and not on owning stuff. It’s a decent idea, but the title of the book is more than a little misleading. But I will admit that it has probably helped that I’m so stubborn, I just pretty much refused to buy into many of the ideas I was “supposed” to buy into regarding work. So even with the first paradigm-shifting book I read in this category, I was open to the ideas. Anyway this is an incredibly long-winded way of saying that I really enjoyed this book, and didn’t find it that “out there.” It’s somewhat amusing to see the people who “do” find it that “out there” because I don’t really think I’m an impractical person.

For example, he won the Gold Medal at the Chinese Kickboxing National Championships in 1999. I find several problems with this book. If an article was bad, stop in the middle and don’t finish. Oh the temptation! If it isn’t going to devastate those around you, try it and then justify it. To many, it will seem that Ferriss is advocating self-centeredness and lack of concern for others. There are many books devoted to this subject, or free on the net. You have to build your side business and hopefully you can quit your job.

It is a fantasy and the book is based on it! As an entrepreneur, I take offense of most of the argument that the author is selling.

A full 3/4ths of the book is pure filler. Points are dragged out in long email dialogs and embellished stories. That’s called an upper. He claims that he was a success in Silicon Valley…he sold the company for an undisclosed amount, and he was based in San Jose, not SV.

This is one of those “new manifesto”, “new paradigm” books where everything conventional is wrong. This is written from a young and high performing author’s point of view. An example: he became (although it sounds like BS) a world fighting champion in FOUR WEEKS by taking advantage of a loop hole in the sport. First, what’s the point of being a world champion in something if you don’t know how to do it?

This book is for the loner without a life that wants to live in the moment. There are some amusing and even useful tips in the book, but a large portion of the book is devoted to lists of web sites and companies (as well as a backward reference to the author’s other products). In some way, I am living the kind of work life the author suggested (40 hour week but can live and work wherever I choose and no need for commute or even putting on a shirt to go into the office). However, I am realistic to know that I am in a very fortunate situation and majority of the US workers can never work like this.

Do what you love and make the choices yours.

So naturally, I felt guilty when I was working fewer hours than my peers. Garden Walls Ideas.

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