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Timothy Ferriss: Ruining Lives Four Hours at a Time!

August 9, 2007

Ruining Lives Four Hours at a Time Ever heard of a booked titled "The Four-Hour work Week"? I have firsthand experience how this book (if you follow it’s advice) can ruin your business and personal relationships. I have had a casual business/personal relationship with someone (who doesn’t read my, or anyone else’s blog) for more than five years. Recently he read Timothy Ferriss’ "The Four-Hour work Week" and our relationship became so strained I wonder if it will ever recover. Just prior to reading the book he became a client of one of our companies, but after reading Timothy’s book my team explained he was simply impossible to work with (he is no longer a customer). I didn’t put two and two together until I picked up the book myself. I suddenly realized he was taking Timothy’s advice to heart. What sort of advice?

This 20-something kid outlines a life of lies, manipulation and isolation. For example in chapter seven Timothy suggests that readers, "Learn to be difficult when it counts." He explains that having a reputation for being hard to deal with will encourage others to give you preferential treatment. Really? Perhaps in the short term you might have limited success, but what are you giving up? How many possible relationships and opportunities are you forgoing for a quick win? Doesn’t it seem like we are living in a world looking for a quick fix? In that same chapter he suggests that you "act like an imbecile" in an effort to get what you want. The CEO of Architel (our IT services business who services my associate) worked directly with my associate and explained chapter and verse how he followed a gameplan outlined in the book. My associate doesn’t answer his emails anymore, he has a girl overseas answer them. He doesn’t answer his phone or return calls. His business is failing because he can’t interact with the very people he is hiding from. He is a mess and slowly but surely he is disconnecting from the world around him. Sure he may only work a few hours per week, but to what end? More vacation time? What is wrong with building lasting and valuable relationships with people outside of your immediate family? Who will go to his funeral? Is life about having more time? Or is life about people? Perhaps we should spend more time, not less, on how to get along with our fellow man…

Don’t get me wrong, there are lot of little hints in the book that could help everyone work smarter, but the costs are too high. The life outlined by Timothy is sad and loney. My suggestion? If you are interested in ‘lifehacks’ start reading Merlin Mann’s blog instead. Merlin’s got a few grey hairs on Timothy, and his advice is really helpful. His latest project is called Inbox Zero (action-based email) check it out here. Also, check out David Allen’s book, Getting Things Done (GTD).

Written by Alexander Muse · Filed Under Blog ·

Comments »

A long work week CAN be rewarding. The key is high-fidelity relationships with whom you share that time.

Comment by Mike Reyher — August 9, 2007 @ 6:44 pm

The 4 Hour work week is a great read.
It chronicles many different people’s decisions to forgo the rat race none of us signed up for but everybody is entrenched in and do what we are supposed to do… Our passions, use our greatest talents and leave behind the meaningless and trivial. It is not for everybody, but everybody who reads it could learn something.
The threadstarter’s friend seemed to take things to extremes without changing jobs and that can be dangerous. Ferriss’ offering can be life changing if you allowed it.

Comment by Patrick McInnis — August 13, 2007 @ 6:00 pm

While I agree with your sentiments, I think the 4-hr workweek fanboy took things a little too extreme.

Also it’s hard to judge someone else’s life without knowing exactly what he was up to (unless you do indeed know).

If he truly followed Tim’s path, that guy could’ve been:
* training to compete in the UFC (with a new set of, perhaps interesting people)
* learning to salsa with some lovely new lady friends
* building a new side business that truly was 98% automatable (they do exist, tho rare)

But I’m guessing none of that was true!

Comment by Shanti Braford — August 14, 2007 @ 1:52 pm

Actually, according to Wikipedia, most of his claims cannot be verified. This doesn’t mean they are false, but why doesn’t his name appear on the list of Chinese national champions? If he won, surely he would be listed right?

Comment by Alexander Muse — August 15, 2007 @ 9:08 am

Who cares who is at your funeral? What matters is the life you are living, and whether or not it is a good fit with who you are and what you want. Life is not a popularity contest. Tim’s book is excellent, but you have to be really ready for it. Sounds like this little guy wasn’t!

Comment by Angie South — August 17, 2007 @ 4:39 pm

Right, I mean he won’t care, but the number of folks at your funeral can be a great way to gage the impact your life had on other people. Make an impact on the world, a positive impact if possible. Don’t work too hard to hide from life. . .

Timothy cheated, if you believe his story, when he won the national kickboxing championship. Did he violate the rules? Maybe not. Did he ruin the event? Absolutely! How? He pushed his opponents out of the ring without even fighting them. He fought two weight classes below his actual weight. Who wants to be that guy?

Comment by Alexander Muse — August 17, 2007 @ 9:20 pm

First of all, I think to be a national Chinese kickboxing champion, you would have to be a Chinese citizen. Also, his use of a poem from a hoax email rung the alarm bells in my head.

Ferriss strikes me as a snake-oil salesman and very good social engineer who manipulates people and the media to promote his questionable products(a book full of unverified claims and an unregulated brain drug).

I tried posting a comment on his blog questioning his claims but if you observe closely, Ferriss’ pattern is to only allow comments that praise him on his blog, blocking any comment that questions his ideas. Shows a lack of confidence to openly debate and discuss his ideas with people. What is he trying to hide?

On wikipedia, there’s a long list of his unsubstantiated claims. Why hasn’t Ferriss responded to these claims with proper proof, to clarify matters. He keeps sidestepping the issue, which is HIS CREDIBILITY.

I feel sorry for the people who actually believe in Ferriss and his ideas. Brings to mind charismatic but questionable personalities like David Koresh and Aleksey Vayner.

Leuko

Comment by Leuko — August 20, 2007 @ 1:50 am

It’s interesting to note that Ferriss mentions David Koresh in his book and also on this recent blog comment:

http://okdork.com/2007/02/26/noahs-ultimate-speech-at-uc-berkeley/#comment-51375

David Koresh is not a role model that people should admire or aspire to become. See Wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Koresh

Leuko

Comment by Leuko — August 20, 2007 @ 2:27 am

If Ferriss has any BALLS, he should clarify the following claims he has made(see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_4-Hour_Workweek):
===

Ferriss makes a number of claims on his blog[10] and in his book, including:

- That he is the “First American in history to hold a Guinness World Record in tango” (substantiated)[11][12].

- That he is a Princeton University guest lecturer in High-Tech Entrepreneurship and Electrical Engineering (substantiated)[citation needed].

- That he is “Advisor to more than 30 world record holders in professional and Olympic sports” (not substantiated)[citation needed].

- That he has been a “Cage fighter in Japan, vanquisher of four world champions (MMA)” and a “National Chinese kickboxing champion” (not substantiated)[13] [14].

- That he created a chain of gyms in China before being forced to close them down by local gangsters (not substantiated)[citation needed].

- That he was an actor on a hit TV series in mainland China and Hong Kong (not substantiated)[citation needed].

- In an article on his blog[15], Ferriss claims to have gained 34lbs of muscle in 4 weeks, with a total gym time of just 4 hours (not substantiated)[16][17][18][19][20].

Ferriss has yet to substantiate many of his claimed achievements with independent proof or testimonials. Critics have voiced concerns about the credibility of Ferriss’ book, comparing it to James Frey’s controversial memoir A Million Little Pieces[21][22]. Ferriss has also been compared to the infamous Yale University student Aleksey Vayner[23].

===
And back these claims up with independent testimonials, instead of providing cheesy links to youtube videos. Just because he says he did something, we’re supposed to believe him right?

Leuko

Comment by Leuko — August 21, 2007 @ 2:02 am

I read Ferriss’ book recently. He has no concept of ethics and seems to cheat his way through life. Most of his claims are questionable. The fact that his book is selling so well in the US says a lot about the majority of Americans - naive, gullible sheep ready for the slaughter. It’s not terrorists we should be worried about, it’s “wolves in sheep’s clothing” like Ferriss who seemingly have a free license to spread false values and unethical behavior.

Sheep with Eyes Open

Comment by Sheep with Eyes Open — September 28, 2007 @ 4:48 am

I’m surprised at Leuko’s and Muses’ comments, considering this is a “startup” blog and most of us who try to start things always encounter naysayers and haters, just didn’t expect it to be you guys (worse than a terrorist? comon’)

TF replied to many of the doubters on this blog
http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/04/23/rethink-your-relationship-to-work-ideas-from-the-4-hour-work-week/

Comment by eric — November 26, 2007 @ 12:46 am

Hmmm. Food for thought. The more I dig into Ferriss, the more criticism I find. Is it true? I don’t know. All I know is that I’m trying to work through the ideas in the 4HWW book myself to see if they are truly workable.

I definitely think that the 40-hr workweek is a made-up construct. How many hours is right? I think it depends on the sort of business you run and the support you have.

I’m trying to prove (for myself) if this thing has legs on my blog at http://www.fourhourworkweekdiary.com. I’ll definitely let everyone know if it’s a success or failure… without ruining my life in the process. I promise to be honest!

Comment by Rex Reed — December 25, 2007 @ 6:54 pm

Success always has its critics. 4HWW and Tim Ferris is no exception. His whole book does a 180 on the bloggers and the negative comments made by those who don’t have anything to show in their own lives but certainly have an opinion on how others should live theirs. In addition, the blogger obviously didn’t finish the book because towards the end, Ferriss talks about volunteering and giving back to the world based on what makes you happy. His quote: “Service is an attitude. Find the cause or vehicle that interests you most and make no apologies.” His book shows ways to make time for a cause you love. Sounds pretty good to me. To the blogger, I suggest you “get a life” and then give us your comments……
Oh

Comment by Oh Bhav — January 17, 2008 @ 11:55 am

I completely disagree.

1. “For example in chapter seven Timothy suggests that readers, “Learn to be difficult when it counts.”"
Whoever wrote this blog either can’t comprehend what was written in the book or is horribly taking the quote out of context. If you recall, the author (Timothy Ferriss) is talking about going up to the professor and discussing every problem he got wrong with the professor who graded his exam. I see no reason not to do the same.

2. “His business is failing because he can’t interact with the very people he is hiding from.”
No, his business is failing because he didn’t implement the instructions given in the book correctly. If you don’t believe me, there are success stories all over the internet of people who follow his instructions and understand how to modify them to fit their life.

3. “What is wrong with building lasting and valuable relationships with people outside of your immediate family?”
Absolutely nothing. Ferriss doesn’t say not to make lasting and valuable relationships. In fact, he talks about quite a few that he made. He just says that you shouldn’t bog down your work with the relationships.

4. “Is life about having more time? Or is life about people? Perhaps we should spend more time, not less, on how to get along with our fellow man…”
Quite philosophical questions, to which no one can give straightforward answers. Here’s a question though, why one or the other? Why not have more time, and use it to “get along with our fellow man.”

5. “My suggestion? If you are interested in ‘lifehacks’ start reading Merlin Mann’s blog instead. Merlin’s got a few grey hairs on Timothy, and his advice is really helpful. His latest project is called Inbox Zero (action-based email) check it out here. Also, check out David Allen’s book, Getting Things Done (GTD).”
It’s important to look at the reason for a piece of literature. This last part suggests that the reason this blog article was written was to plug another blog, a project, and a book. Not a bad way of going about it either. Try to rip on a widely known book and at the end advertise for as many semi-related readings as possible. Don’t always believe everything you read on the internet, as the author usually has an underlying reason for writing it. That reason usually isn’t to educate the general public.

Let me know if you disagree,

Patrick

Comment by Patrick — February 19, 2008 @ 8:54 pm

Alex,

Have you ever stopped to consider that the reason he is doing this is to avoid people like yourself? People who get so upset about things, that they feel they have to blog about it? You have to look at it from his point of view.

My question to you is: What is his life like without you? Who are you to tell him how HE should live his life? This is all ignorance.

I try to remain balanced on the issue. Remain aware that this man did this for a reason. Don’t judge just because he won’t talk to you.

Good luck.

Comment by James Ronald — February 28, 2008 @ 4:14 am

[...] Work Week 4HWW is like kryptonite to a middle manager (or this guy). It’s going to put crazy ideas in your head and the last thing the boss wants you [...]

Pingback by Productivity Guru SMACKDOWN: Tim Ferriss v. Dave Allen | The Growing Life — March 5, 2008 @ 7:32 am

I have to agree with Alexander, in that a big chunk of T4HWW is only possible for Tim Ferris, as he has a “virtual” company that is run by his managers and sales reps. He has empowered them to make executive decisions, and he has chosen people who make good ones.

I do not believe for one minute that T4HWW could be utilized by everyone in Ferris’ company, moving down the chain of command. Eventually, somebody is going to have to put in a full day of work stuffing boxes with snake oil to ship off to the QVC crowd.

I bought T4HWW, read it, saw that most of it would not apply to my own life and work, and traded it at the local used bookstore. I picked up The 360 Degree Leader by John Maxwell. Now there is an inspirational read. It is much more applicable to what I do, realistic in its goals, and relationship-friendly.

T4HWW can work for a very specific subset of people, unfortunately some folks do not realize that they are not part of that set.

Comment by @Stephen | Productivity in Context — March 5, 2008 @ 9:03 am

James, guess you might be right.

Comment by Alexander Muse — March 16, 2008 @ 5:05 pm

I can see where the blog poster is coming from. I too have read the 4-hour working week but the difference between my and the blogger, and the bloggers friend, is that I can read between the lines.

I think the charge is a little unfair. and I think also that the bloggers friend has failed to realise that it is unwise to do anything other than cherry-pick with books like this. I have no doubt that this works for Timothy, but I am equally sure that it will not work for most of mankind.

First of all, if the bloggers friend has a business, this will not work. But if he is running a “muse” then that could work. Timothy has the right sort of business that does not need his involvement so that could well work. I have researched the book and there are no actual lies in it. Where people will, not may, come unstuck, is if they try to apply any of the suggestions to areas of life which differs strongly from the authors.

A lot of my life has been based on a lot of the ideas that the author talks about. I have had businesses or “muses” that have taken care fo themselves and I have delegated freely. If you read “The One Minute Manager meets the monkey” this shows you how to employ low paid staff and grow them into good executives. And I have travelled the world, spending at least six years of my time in different countroes over my 69 years of life.

So my suggestion to all is to read the book and cherry-pick the ideas you can apply. In my case there has been one very good idea. I know read my email once a day and people gte the auto-responder asking them to phone me if the matter is important. Nobody ever phones and they are happy to wait.

Ampers

Comment by Andrew Taylor — May 3, 2008 @ 9:01 am

I find it completely hilarious that the same person that traded in 4HWW picked up a book by John Maxwell and called it “inspirational”. Maxwell is the epitome of what Ferriss is trying to teach. Look at Maxwell’s acknowledgements page. He doesn’t even write his own books, he doesn’t research his own books, he doesn’t proof or edit, and he has an assistant. Guess Maxwell is successful for the very same reasons that Ferriss is trying to teach. Maxwell outsourced EVERYTHING, he’s not even an author. Do you want to keep reading Maxwell or BE Maxwell. Ferriss shows you the way……can you try it or keep your head down and believe that success and money are only for the lucky or the born wealthy? You can pack the boxes of snake oil. If he found a way to do it, and Maxwell can be considered a best selling author for books that he didn’t even write—-then there’s a way and I’m going to keep trying til I find it!

Comment by Paige — May 19, 2008 @ 10:48 am

I just read T4HWW and found it to be great for pushing me in the direction I want to go. I don’t run a business or work a white-collar job. I work in a warehouse for a top notch casino in Las Vegas. Still, it’s a warehouse job. Will I be able to outsource my work? Not really. Will I be able to leave my job for two months at a time? Not at all. Did this book give me the push I need to venture out and start my own business? YES. I’m creating plans as I write this.
See, I’ve always seen myself as an entrepreneur. But there was one huge thing holding me back: TIME. Time in the sense that I don’t want to work 60-80 hours per week for the rest of my life.
Timothy showed me that I don’t have to. It will be hard work getting the business started and growing it, but at least I’ll have a game plan as to when I can slowly step aside at have my managers and staff run it for me.

I actually did this by accident a few years back. I started up a lawn business in Philly, where I grew up, as a part time way to make good money. It quickly grew from 7 lawns to over 200 in the course of 18 months.
Now, I was also working my full time job 50 hours a week. I would do the lawns after work and on weekends. It got to the point where I was sleeping four hours per night and barely functioning at my day job. I had to make a HUGE decision.
I had a very reliable guy working for me at the lawn business. He and I sat down and figured out that he was making more for me than at his day job. I convinced him to quit his day job and work for me and take over the labor of the lawn business. I hired two guys to help him and off he went.
When it was just he and i doing the lawns, I was bringing home about $40 an hour for myself after paying him and taking care of the business stuff. When I increased his salary, put him in charge and stepped back, I started making over $60 an hour for myself.
Almost EVERY cent was made while I worked my day job. I couldn’t figure it out at first: I was making more and working WAAAY less ours. Then it hit me. I gave him a lot more responsibility and he loved it. He only came to me for big purchases, such as a new riding mower or truck, which was rare. He had full control over who he hired and fired. He had full control over buying smaller mowers and everything else.
I had outsourced without even knowing what outsourcing really was at that time. It’s not a bad word. He was happy and so was I. His workers were happy too. And YES, they were HIS workers.
I got sales for the business, working between 5 to 10 hours per week, and he kept all the clients happy.

I eventually got to the point where I no longer wanted anything to do with lawns and owning a business. I simply wasn’t ready …yet.
So I sold it off……….to him. He saved a ton of what I paid him and offered to buy my company. Of course I sold it to him. He bought it from me for 30% of what I would have sold it to anyone else. Why? Because we built a trust between us. I knew that he would take care of the baby I had started. I knew that he would nurture it. He was a great friend. He was the one who took the burden off my back for several years. He worked long hours without complaint.

So to anyone on here who has any negative thoughts about T4HWW, I say take some time and figure out what it is you want. Ferriss isn’t a miracle worker. He simply shows you that you have options other than doing what society deems normal.

Be well.

Mike Suermann Jr

Comment by Mike — June 23, 2008 @ 3:18 am

Your business partner outsources NOT returning phone calls? I can do that all by myself.

Ferriss’s book illustrates one of its own main points, the Pareto Principle — 80% of the good ideas are in 20% of the book.

BTW, this was a funny and entertaining post (comments as well).

Comment by William Mitchell — October 24, 2008 @ 5:35 pm

This is very interesting as I think everyone who posted here is quite intelligent and heck who cares if part or all of Ferris’ book gets you through the day or moves you forward. Its all just motivational though. This guy sounds like a very manic, quite full of himself, boring, fraud, who knows how to talk on the most popular subjects in order to attract readers to his blog. I definitely think he is a talented con artist and I don’t mean that in a hater way either. It just is what it is. I live in an area where manufacturing is still an important foundation for people who understand that working is how to get it done and provide for their families. I live in a state in which funding was just approved for projects like infrastructure and clearing of industrial land. I live in a University town rich in people of depth and vitality who want to make a difference in the world and are willing to work for it. I just can’t see how anyone can really be interested in this shallow guy. I think he will be exposed eventually.

Comment by dana — November 17, 2008 @ 12:40 pm

[...] One of my favorite recent reads, which I am still figuring out how to put into action, is Timothy Ferris’s 4-hour Work Week. In the 4-hour Workweek Hype Cycle, “Brick” asks whether the hype cycle applies to the ideas in this very successful book, and I think they probably do given backlash/Trough-style posts such as this one. [...]

Pingback by Hype cycle sightings beyond IT — February 26, 2009 @ 1:03 pm

Tim Feriss and those that think like he does are in the minority. They are misunderstood and therefore persecuted and put down. I think he’s a brilliant guy that thinks outside of the box. I admire him for that.

It’s okay if others don’t like how he thinks and disagree. It’s those folks that make it possible for others to take advantage of what most people don’t even dream about doing.

Just like the 4HWW says, it’s easier to achieve great success because of the limited competition. I count myself in the minority on this one and I’m proud of it.

Live and let live. Don’t put Tim down for not keeping a ceiling over his head. If you don’t like Tim, stay under your ceiling and be happy. To each his own.

Comment by Katrina — March 4, 2009 @ 6:02 pm

Is this blog post for real? Are you really suggesting that if you work a few hours per week then you will have no friends and be so anti-social that nobody will show for your (eventual) funeral? Excuse you?

Comment by Sterling Head — August 3, 2009 @ 3:23 am

hi i never read his book, I admire tim ferris, i wan to be like him , a successful businessman…

working 5 hour a week ? I don't think so , tim wrote that book cause he's already has enough money, he's already rich ? what about me ? what about most of blogger ?

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