My brother-in-law so wanted me to read The 4-hour Work Week, that he gave me an iTunes gift certificate so that I could buy it prior to my 3-hour road trip this afternoon.
So, I listened to it. Some of Tim’s tips are really out there (“Act first and apologize later”), but one thing that struck me is the idea of mini retirements.
Tim asks: Why work like a dog for forty years — as the best decades of your life pass by through an office window — only to enjoy the “reward” when you’re older, less mobile, less active and generally less able to get the most out of your time?
A good question. At a cursory glance, the formula seems flawed: work, work, work and then stop when you’re old. Of course, I’d rather spend a month in Tokyo next summer than in 2036 when I’ll be 65 years old. Is it possible?
Tim suggests that we don’t want a bankroll in the millions, we want the fun and freedom that (supposedly) comes with it.
Interesting. I’ll keep reading and tell you what I come up with.
I’m very interested in what Tim has to say, but not so much that I want to fund some of his nuttier ideas. Do tell.
However, I’ve always been jealous of “sabbaticals” because doing the same thing year after year is antithetical to progress. It causes myopia of the perspective. Plus, why wait until you’re doddering to try extreme mountain biking?
[...] I’m still reading The 4-Hour Work Week. Today I was stuck by Tim’s abhorrence of multi-tasking. [...]