Andrew Rondeau

Andrew is the owner of this website and has been a Leader, Manager, Coach and Consultant for the last twenty-five years.

Is This The Best Work-Life Balance Book Ever Written?

By Andrew Rondeau
Published 04/24/2008

Last week while corresponding with one of my fellow bloggers, Jacob Share, he mentioned the book ‘The 4-Hour Work Week’ by Tim Ferriss was now available in the UK.

‘Thanks’ I replied, knowing I was travelling that day and I would be able to grab a copy.

I visited the bookshop and asked the staff did they have the book. According to the ‘system’, they had two. Great I only need one, I will have it.

We could not find it – it was not on the shelf where is should have been.

Get Me That Book, Now!

I was distraught. A few seconds ago, my mind had conjured up this picture of me reading the book on the train. I had a 4-hour train journey ahead of me.

I want the book, now! You just told me you had two copies, so just find it, get it and I will be on my way. That is what I was thinking while the shop assistance was smiling sweetly and apologising.

I smiled back.

Then she found it. Some imbecile had put the book in the wrong category. It was under Psychology.

I had the book. I was holding it.

Others Thought I Was A Bit Odd

I skipped to the train station. I was smiling, ecstatic.

I settled down and didn't want the train journey to end. The four hours went in a flash.

I have now finished reading the book. It is awesome.

Now I love reading and I recommend many different books BUT if you want to improve the balance between your work and your life, get this book and implement some of the ideas.

And, if you are reading this, Tim, THANK YOU.

Why shouldn’t Tim read my blog, I read and comment on his!

See all those yellow post-its. They are all the ideas, tips, new ways of working, changes I now shall be implementing in my life.

There is a quote that says, “An ounce of action, is worth more than a ton of theory.” It comes down to the point that what it says in this book means absolutely nothing if you don’t take it and use it.

Therefore, I am going to take it, use it and to prove it I will be providing a series of updates via this blog.

Any of you read the book and thought it was awesome or otherwise?

Spread The Word

4 Responses to "Is This The Best Work-Life Balance Book Ever Written?"

Nick McCormick

said this on 24 May 2008 1:02:31 PM EST

I'm almost through reading it myself. Lots of good tips so far. I'm currently researching some of the outsourcing suggestions.

(Reply to this comment)

Andrew Rondeau

said this on 24 May 2008 2:13:20 PM EST

Nick

Thanks for commenting. I am trialing 'Get Friday' outsourcing. I am getting them to help with some simple admin tasks. Good service, so far.

Andrew

(Reply to this comment)

Mark - Productivity501

said this on 27 May 2008 6:40:04 PM EST

I thought it was a pretty interesting book. It was pretty light on the "how to make money" part and pretty heavy on the "what to do with your free time".

Basically Tim had an idea that took off and he decided to take advantage of of a good income in order to do a bunch of fun stuff. Finding the idea that will just take off is the hard part for most people--at least at first.

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