The 4-Hour Work Week: Myth or Potential Reality?

buck·et list

1. a number of experiences or achievements that a person hopes to have or accomplish during their lifetime.

Photo: Courtesy of Woody Hibbard via Flickr

Sadly, most people have not taken the time to give a second thought to what they really want out of life. We are too often caught up in the daily routines and necessary decisions for our physical survival, that we rarely stop and ask ourselves what it is we want rather than what we need to do.

Another issue that seems common is the fact that we don't even allow ourselves to dream about what we want out of life. What holds us back?

1. Fear of the unknown.
2. Fear of disappointment.
3. Fear of not being responsible enough.
4. Fear of letting others down.
5. Fear.
6. Fear.
7. Fear.

The 4-Hour Work Week: Myth or Reality?

Bestselling author Timothy Ferriss, has written this book with the intention of challenging the popular notion that we must work 80-hours a week in order to enjoy the fruits of our labor, for a mere 2-week (or less) vacation once a year.  Is this really all there is to life?

"People don't want be millionaires--they want to experience what they believe only millions can buy.  Ski chalets, butlers, and exotic travel often enter the picture.  Perhaps rubbling cocoa butter on your belly in a hammock while you listen to waves rhythmically lapping against the deck of your thatched-roof bungalow?  Sounds nice.

Photo: Courtesy of Amazon.com

"$1,000,000 in the bank isn't the fantasy.  The fantasy is the lifestyle of complete freedom it supposedly allows.  The question is then, How can one achieve the millionaire lifestyle of complete freedom without first having $1,000,000?"  ~Tim Ferriss

Of course, being the realists we are, our first inclination is to scoff at the idea that we'd ever be able to live outside of the only reality we know on a daily basis: work hard, work harder, and rest a little bit, only to work hard and harder again. 

While none of us can say for sure that we could literally cut our work load down to 4-hours a week, why not entertain the idea that others who were just like us have adopted some of these principles and have changed the direction of their personal and professional lives?

Just in case you're feeling a little bit inspired, click here to get some ideas for getting your own bucket list started.

In Case You Missed It: Check Out Greatest Salesman In The World: A Book You MUST Read!