I still remember when I dreamed of living as Christopher McCandless, the guy that inspired Into the Wild. A happy, carefree life focused on the idea of ​​travel, free from any bond and obligation. I am fortunate to be able to say that I have lived like him for a year but nothing more than that. Then I had to deal with reality, get a job and all that stuff. Sometimes I think about how nice it would be to simply throw the phone in a river (or maybe in a waste bin just to less dramatic), get on a plane without a destination and simply get lost in the world following the path of loneliness created by Musashi Miyamoto.

 In this beautiful dream there are two problems: my job and the money for travel (I’m thinking Japan). It wouldn’t be hard to take a couple of weeks off and spend half of my money. And then? I would go back to my daily routine to regain what I spent on vacation, maybe book another flight for the year to come (I’m thinking Maine) and repeat everything on a loop. Perhaps this solution is better than nothing. But is there really no alternative to this?

These days I have studied and read a lot to find a solution. Opinions and market analysis on cryptocurrencies, SEO and Google Adsense positioning for the blog (lol), various investments, rent, sub-rent, Air-bnb. I woke up around 4.00 am. I maxed my bench press. I have read Rich Dad Poor Dad and The Art of the deal. They are books that motivate me a lot but they don’t offer a real solution. How could they? Making money is an art. It would be like pretending to learn how to write fiction by reading a creative writing book: it just isn’t possible. In any case, I came across this book titled “The Four Hours Work Week” by Timothy Ferriss.

Ferriss has an interesting personality. At the age of 23, he founded a hugely successful online dietary supplement company and then he sold it to a London-based private equity firm. Those were the years he wrote the four-hours work week book that brought him to success. Since then, he has decided to devote himself to the business of angel advisor. But Timothy Ferriss is much more than that. He is a national kick-boxing champion and he has the Guinness world record for the highest consecutive number of rotations in one minute in tango dance. A truly exceptional man.

In his book, Ferriss explores topics such as downshifting, virtual assistants, cash flows, online businesses and more. Ferriss explains the Pareto and Parkinson’s law according to which it is necessary to limit the tasks to the essential to shorten the working time and to shorten the working time to limit the tasks to the essential. This means cutting out any unnecessary action. In fact, 80% of the results derive from 20% of the causes. It is not necessary to judge the quantity as much as the quality. Having less time also equates to more motivation. Less time means more concentration to get the job done in the best way in the shortest possible time. When I was at University, I only got to work two days before the deadline for an assignment. Nothing motivates like a deadline.

Ferriss goes further by explaining in detail how to start your own business, the tips to follow and how to free yourself from the rat race. I found all these tips too chaotic. What allowed Ferriss to gain financial freedom were the revenues from his business which, as he himself says, was born a little by chance. Not everyone can afford to follow his footsteps. What I liked, however, is the energy and positivity with which he talked about his journey to success. A highly motivating book that, however, offers nothing else. Definitely recommended with a discount for e-books.