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Feeling Stuck? Read This… 380 Comments
Parc del Laberint d'Horta, Barcelona (Photo: Marcel Germain)
Big successes often seem like foregone conclusions.
In reality, most entrepreneurs (read: creators) who appear to have unique genius suffer through the same frustration as the masses of unknowns. They simply test and persist a few steps further.
Richard Branson will tell you this of his Virgin empire.
Tony Hsieh of Zappo's shares similar stories.
Steve Martin can prove that it applies to anything creative, not just business.
Below is a piece of paper from 2005 I recently unearthed while purging books and folders from my house.
It reflects a complete failure–protracted over weeks–to find a good title for what later became The 4-Hour Workweek (4HWW). Most of the ideas are horrible beyond belief, and it wasn't until I tested a few variations using Google AdWords that we decided on "The 4-Hour Workweek," which I still disliked on multiple levels.
Here are two pages of frustrated attempts, two pages of dozens (click to enlarge, then click again)…
Let me know which title is your favorite ridiculous option. "This Sucks," perhaps?
But, moving on, what of 4HWW writing itself?
I'm pleased to report that the writing flowed like a crystal clear stream. Perhaps a torrent of genius. Sometimes–how should I put this–I amazed even myself.
Oh, wait a second, I lapsed into fiction. Back to reality: the writing, for the most part, made me want to Hemingway myself. On good days, I'd settle for the impulse to slam my own head in a car door.
I tossed the first four chapters I wrote and almost gave up on multiple occasions. Futility was the brain soup du jour. Draft, doubt self, panic, hate self, throw out draft–rinse and repeat.
To give you an idea of how many rewrites it took to get right, here are two early draft pages of a sample chapter. Far from the worst I produced, but still far from polished (click to enlarge, then click again):
It changed only when I started viewing each chapter as a magazine article: strong enough to be a stand-alone piece, including a clear opening or "lede", a clear middle with case studies, and a punctuated end with lessons learned.
From that mindset, a few trial runs, I developed a chapter template that involved starting with a dialogue or anecdote (even if it was scrapped later) and moving through the above steps to a resource-rich "Tools and Tricks." I needed a repeatable process. To sit down to "write a book" was just too overwhelming, even with a table of contents as a blueprint.
If you plan on any creative undertaking, whether business, writing, or art, I strongly recommend the book Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott. If you spend a lot of time working alone and get trapped in your head, it's required reading.
It saved my sanity and has done the same for several friends who've gone from "I want to quit" to New York Times bestsellers.
In Conclusion
Most miraculous successes are nothing of the sort.
Those on front lines, the people who seem to jump into the limelight from nowhere, experience the same plodding frustration and trial-and-error as the rest of the world.
They differ in that they don't expect luck to help them, nor good fortune to save them. As James Cameron would say: "Hope is not a strategy. Luck is not a factor. Fear is not an option."
James might also tell you that the best creators are like ducks. They appear to glide along serenely on the surface. Beneath the surface, however, they're kicking like a motherf*cker.
Keep calm and carry on.
Odds and Ends: NYC Launch Party Highlights!
The following video was shot and edited by the incredibly talented Michael Gebben.
The NYC launch event was an all-around huge success. Sadly, NYC weather decided to serve the coldest day of the entire season, and an unexpected mandatory coat check (due to fire hazard potential) backed up the line and left more than a few people freezing for far too long. This led some people to abandon ship, including many of my closest friends and family. I did my best to take notes, learn from it, and make amends.
For positives, the event helped raise almost $10,000 for DonorsChoose.org, it was a total blast, and I'm planning a summer party in NYC with a slightly smaller crowd.
I hope you enjoy the video:
Tim Ferriss 4-Hour Body Launch Par-tay New York City! from GEBBS on Vimeo.
And for those wondering, the song in the video is "I Want It All" by Copperview.
UPDATE: Many thanks to Maggie J. for all the fantastic pictures she took at the party. You can see all 937 photos she took here.
Posted on January 31st, 2011
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380 Comments
Tim– that t-shirt is AMAZING!
Where do I get one?Zack
Hi Zack,
Good question. James actually gave it to me (and a group) when we all did a Zero-G flight together. Anyone else have ideas? I search for "Avatar t-shirts" as it has AVTR on the sleeve, but it might have been a staff shirt.
It is a sweet shirt, agreed.
We could get a whole bunch of these AVTR T-Shirts printed ourselves here in China … but then I guess for someone who goes on Zero-G flights budget is not problem, quality is …
I'm having mine made at http://www.customink.com
Pretty quick to whip one up using their 'shirt lab'. I used the 'alien encounter' font and put 'SUCCEED' on the back for good measure.
Here's the link:
http://bit.ly/fzk5ih -
Don't know where to get the shirts, but while I was listening to a certain webinar today, I was also noodling with some typefaces (squarish) for a logo design. One typeface contender amid the noodlees is the same as on the shirt: Bank Gothic.
You're welcome!
I bought your new 4 hour body book and you mention cellulite as being no big deal but more of a marketing thing….but you dont really say anything else about it..so how do you get rid of it? thats my question…plus your breakfast video was funny, anyhow write back when you can
He does not talk about it anymore because, as he explained, it is nothing more than just fat. Fat appears differently on particular parts of the body, and around the thighs, it looks like what people have started calling "cellulite".
Lose fat, gain muscle, and the "cellulite" will go away.
Peace! -
Hi Tim,
You've earned my respect in a huge way (not that you had to earn a lick of it!) and I'd like and am curious about your ideas on who I should go to in the VC world for a green energy idea. This isn't groundbreaking but it's pretty cool and mother nature would approve. If you had 5 names that you felt good about and that operated in the environmental space, I would be a happy camper. Thanks! – David
PS This is obviously not related to the post
Darn! I was also interested in that sweet shirt! There's a youtube content creator called destorm who is selling some awesome shirts with "Success is the sweetest revenge" that I also want. : D
Agreed – love the shirt.
I'm a 16-year-old owner of an apparel company, and would be glad to print up some high (the best) quality Ts like the one shown, if we can get a fair-sized order together.Feel free to contact me through my site if interested. TY
P.S. Loved the post, Tim.
I would order one today!
Love your books, I'm doing The slow-carb diet now, with a exercise 4 times a week. I'm struggling to ceep up with the calorie intake. but it looks that I will manage after doing some twicks to my meals. And your breakfost, I have hacked that to just take under 6min with coffe. I'll post something on youtube, when I get the time. Down 5 kg since I started 2. jan. 2011.
I have some questions about the bread. Here in Norway it is not so easy to follow your method, almost all meals are based on bread, but we have some different breads that are completely different than what you have in the U.S. Whole grian in the US is liek a bad joke her in Norway. When I have reached my goals. I will do some experimenting with different varieties to see their effects over time. I will give you the report when I'm done with it. Probably sometime this summer.
Can you make a hackfor cycling ? It's my favorite sport so it would have been fun to see you take a try on it =)
Best regards from Norway!
Seeing as to how you've read the book would you mind answering my question (if possible)?
When Tim discusses the ice age technique he mentions that in order to activate "fat burning bacteria" it is best to use ice packs around the trapezius area and the back of our neck.
If I'm looking to loose weight on my legs should I put ice packs on my legs or just try out the cold bath?
My confusion arose after watching the Doctor Oz show that Tim aired on. Oz, said that fat does more work when cold. By that logic freezing my legs with ice packs would be better than putting it around my neck area per se, right? Better as in help me lose more fat on my legs?
Anyone want to answer PLZ!!
I'm a 17 year old male so take it easy on me!
Congrats Tim!
Can someone tell me if Stevie is ok on this diet?
thank you. best part for me was: "It saved my sanity and has done the same for several friends who've gone from "I want to quit" to New York Times bestsellers."
I often get the same way with trying to map out ideas for coding projects. I can often begin with a base, but it's coming up with the stand-alone features that make it work that gets to me. When it finally hits though, coding it isn't even a problem anymore. It's hashing it out that is the hardest part at times.
Could not agree more. It's funny most of your detractors assume you push the exact opposite message. Rock on.
YOU ARE MY BEST FRIEND!! I love little posts of inspiro like this Tim.
I think Ungodly Riches is probably the worst on the list. I like the 40 Years In A Cubicle Tastes Like Chicken title too. But none of them has the same pop as Four Hour Work Week. For example: I bought the first edition of the book and was about 6-7 pages in when I lost it in a bar after celebrating a upcoming birthdays with "shots!". I had to go buy another copy of the book later that same week, and I don't think I would have done that for the "Oracle in the Oasis."
You're a hustler. Congratulations, it's hustlers who make it big, not geniuses.
Thanks for being an inspiration,
A genius-
Generalizations ftw. I'm sure you're right. No one who was ever a genius or a hard worker ever "made it big".
"Nothing in the world can take the place of Persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan 'Press On' has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race."
~Calvin Coolidge
You could replace the first line with:
"Nothing in the world can take the place of Hustling…"
Been turned on recently by the thought of traditional, mainstream ideas of "talent" and "genius" are more results of a process, rather than an inherent character trait — i.e. you either have it or you don't.
Had a conversation with a friend about why some of us growing up seemed to be better at skateboarding than others. "He was just talented. I skated way more than he did and I still sucked."
Sure, "talent" can be genetically predisposed — but how does that help YOU get to where you want to be?
Seeing how much experimentation, dedication, trial and error is a factor of Tim's success helps me believe I can get to where I want to be, whether I am genetically predisposed or not.
Needed this today Tim :). Thanks
p.s. liked Billionaire Beer Goggles.
Agreed Joel, I liked "The Great Repression" although it sounds like a book by a cynic who would subtitle it: my secret cubicle writings.
Practically took the words out of my mouth.
Ha I love "*This Sucks".
One thing that I learned is that it takes a lot of refinement to make something good. It's impossible to get something right the first time, especially in crafts like writing.
You are correct. Imagine of so many things we read that the authors had to meet deadlines with and wished to improve. So many.
Takes a big man to post this stuff showing you aren't perfect. Inspirational as always.
Thanks for sharing your personal struggle Tim. I am in fact feeling quite stuck and this helps a great deal. Very timely
Exactly what I needed to hear. Thanks again Tim.
This is probably the best post you have written yet.
If you want to live like others can't, you must do what others won't
Good post and very true: I probably started my novel about 15-16 times, getting anywhere from 5-40 pages in before realizing it was crap, then throwing the whole thing out. Then I finally got a good first page done and…well, the feeling of finally having something worth keeping was amazing. Almost as good as seeing my book in print. And it wasn't smooth sailing from then on, but it sure got a helluva lot easier once I had written all the detritus out of my system.
Billionaire beer goggles is funny but it's the wrong title, sounds like a novel or comedy of some sort.
For the record, I would totally buy a book called "Billionaire Beer Goggles."
Although as the SEO folks will tell you, people naturally click links where the first word is a number. So maybe it should be called "4 Billionaire Beer Goggles."
Ps. 'Wealthy Smelthy' is a classic
Great post. I actually just picked up Bird by Bird. Looking forward to bring my writing to the next level on my blog and one day having a book that changes lives as well.
Thanks for the byte of inspiration.
This was an interesting article. I often feel like this. I question myself constantly. I want to give up, but I know that it takes persistence. It takes more to continue than to just stop altogether. It becomes increasingly difficult when your friends abort you and you become self-loathing. Thus is the nature of creativity. I have learned through my arduous struggles that all you can do is to move forward. we have no way of knowing what lays ahead for us in the future. All we can do is use the information at hand to make the best decision possible.
Jeremy Darko -
Favorite bad title: The Virtue of Blowing it Off.
I had several *not family friendly* versions of that occur to me as soon as I read it.
Glad my near paralysis and internal raving are 'normal'.
Cheers! -
I quite liked "how to live like a drug lord"…or "emergency exit"
Tastes like chicken, smells like a rat = my fav.
Beautiful post. I think it will inspire a lot of people who just don't think they've got what they need to achieve success. In the end, "there is no failure except in no longer trying"…
PS: "Lifestyle Fetish"? I think I'll have to vote for that one
Great stuff. The image on the cover got me more than the title.
I can't figure out why you didn't just title it "Unreal." So simple and classy
This is both hilarious and inspiring. Thanks for sharing.
One of your best posts for ages Tim (not that the rest aren't awesome) and just what I needed to hear.
I'm in the midst of "writing a book" and man – it can be tough. I'm heartened though by the fact that I'm a seriously hard worker, I'm smart, I'm teachable, I can make mistakes and not get down. I know if I keep doing my 1000 words (min) a day and make 5 good quality connections with the outside world (sending a proposal, media press release, kick arse contact), then I will be successful.
When I have defeatist thoughts I always think to myself "Giddy-up, you indolent motherfrakker! Somewhere in China a little girl is warming up with your max while you slack off in bed!".
Maybe it's not exactly true always, but I like the sentiment of constant "Tsuyoku Naritai".
I guess it comes down to how to frame it, or how you think of the situation in your head. Having a template, steps, previous/similar experience, control to know better, or any other thing that allows you to take it from overwhelming big awesome goal to "Oh, sh*t. Just that? I can do that. That's easy," helps in taking you out of that mindset of too many options and fear of those "what-ifs" to something very similar to "F*ck it. Why not?"
BTW, you're a huge inspiration, man. Motivation for me to be more and do more.
.. and another amazing book – The War of Art by Stephen Pressfield – awesome if you're undertaking any kind of creative endeavour and getting beaten by your internal demons
Agreed on The War of Art. It gets a little religious in areas for my taste, but lots of good takeaways.
Not religious – spiritual. Big difference.
Tim, is this where you adapted your concept of the Muse from?
Musashi's Book of Five Rings is a good pairing with Art of War. Kind of Yin/Yang – Art of War is external, Five Rings is internal. I've made a habit of re-reading them both every couple of years.
Great post! Its so inspiring to see how others overcome internel hurdles. Its truly powerful to share your specific challenges and greatly appreciated. I feel as though you are famously honest. 4HWW was such a treat, i have been recommending it like water. Your twitter account keeps telling me you are going to the middle east, I hope you have an amazing trip.
Ever Onwards!
Thanks for the great article. Right on time as I dive back into the manuscript…
Bird by Bird is on my to-read list, but after this post, I may have to start reading it at night before bed. By coincidence, Seth Godin is releasing his new book soon, Poke the Box, which is a book to motivate people to start doing and stop trying to learn as much as possible before doing (and to stop planning). The book will be released March 1st, and will most likely be a must read like Godin's other books.
Perhaps Mr. Ferriss could post up the Amazon link for people, as I don't want to come across as spam.
Haha… thanks, James. Should be interesting to see Godin's first post-publisher foray.
"Poke the Box" just has so many connotations that I can't help but laugh like a 7th grader. Perhaps that part of the social media plan.
Great that the audience decided the title and not you.
You testing always blows me away as I hate that. I couldn't do it for 20 minutes let alone the weeks or months you spend crushing an idea into a business.There is a book right here on this post as I have loads of ideas but until they are proven nothing will work.
Keep rocking
1. Billionaire Beer Goggles
2. I have to buy that shirt or find someone to make it for me. A little help on the former?
Agree. The shirt totally rocks!
Awesome post time I literally lol'd when I read the ducks analogy… classic!
Just curious. Have you ever tried to write fiction? Not to publish but try?
I'll give you a porche for you soul! And Wild Goose Race.
Ps Tim your writings worse than mine damn some of that was hard to read -
Also, it looks like you really were dissatisfied with the "path" and that rebellious streak was showing through the titles.
Have you thought about what would your life be like right now if you didn't find the courage to go through with it?
Come on… "Bitch Goddess"??? …No one else likes "Bitch Goddess"?
I'm with you Nick, Bitch Goddess caught my eye immediately. Although I'm not sure what it has to do with the topics in the book. But Billionaire Beer Goggles is a close second
"Bitch Goddess" is definitely my favorite!
It just struck me, I completely forgot to say this: the one book I would encourage any writer to read is Zen in the Art of Writing by Ray Bradbury. Fiction, non-fiction, doesn't matter. If you get done with this skinny book and don't have your head brimming with ideas then, you know, up the voltage.
1-Disliked on multiple levels
2-frustrated attempts
3-tossed the first four chapters
4-Most of the ideas are horrible beyond belief
5-far from the worst I produced
6-how many rewrites it took to get right
7-just too overwhelming
End result: New York Times bestsellers
Tim – great video, looks like the party was awesome. Quick question – what song is that playing in the background of the video? I want to add it to my motivational mix…
Great question — I'll see if Michael can help. Anyone have the Shazam app on iPhone or other smartphone/BB?
Shazam didn't recognize the song, and the lyrics do not seem available on the interwebs..
Very cool song btw. -
Unfortunately Shazam didn't recognized it (first thing I tried), but it looks like the community came through – thanks guys!
Just replied to another comment below, but it's "I Want It All" by Copperview.
It's 'I want it all' by Copperview.
The vimeo page for the video (which you can access by clicking on the 'vimeo' link on the video control) has an iTunes link so you can get it.
Try SoundHound, it's an iPhone app that's like Shazam but works significantly better.
Love your passion and drive! I've been "stuck" for several years trying to get a business off the ground…only to sabotage myself again and again because of fear and negative talk. Going straight for the Bird by Bird book, by Lamott. Keep up the inspiring work, Tim!
Weird how these things happen…
In a moment of feeling frustrated and somewhat stuck, I pulled out "Losing My Virginity" (among other books), was about to put some music on in the background, but for some reason decided to check Google Reader first…
You couldn't have picked a better title.
First two paragraphs from the first early draft image was the jolt I needed.
Thanks for the post. Seriously.
P.S. Awesome 4HB video. Diggin' the "Please Shoot Me" title, too lol.
Love the song choice, does anyone know its name and who sings it?
"I Want It All" by Copperview.
Can buy it on iTunes here (not aff. link): http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/i-want-it-all-single/id412646572
Tim, I like the first title you brainstormed "Grandpa's Bullshit". Thats absolutely gold.
Thank you Tim. I remember a couple of other posts you did similar to this subject and they make a world of difference every time.
I also have to say that the T-shirt is awesome, and I also can't find it
That video is amazingly done, what an Artist. Receiving your book today (Four Hour Body) all the way here in Liverpool, England Looking forward to it.
I have also ordered your first book Four Hour Work Week. I have my own business here, doing very high end home theatre's. But I want to branch out and learn about other types of business and see how I can change that type of business to be different to the rest.
If I ever ran across a book titled "how to live like a drug lord", I'd certainly want to browse it. I always wondered where those guys get their clothes.
Then again "Please shoot me" would be my first choice (I like absurdist titles, and this one also show the writer doesn't take himself too serious, which is always a good sign).Anyways, the reason I first browsed through T4HWW was not because the title, but because of the picture of a guy in a hammoc on a beach. Only after that, I noticed it had the word "work" in the title, and my brain said "Wait, what?".
When I'm stuck, I like to use freewriting (start writing and don't stop, even if it's utter nonsense), as it often starts the juices flowing again.
Has anyone else try it? -
I'm impressed by how much variation you managed to generate in book titles.
What a very cool post.
OMG some of the names of those books cracked me up.
Also have you though about just hosting a forum membership site on here for the 4 hour work week and 4 hour body, so everything is (in house) one nice convenient location to discuss, track our muses and body recompositions? Then you can run competitions and collect, analyse and research from our findings? -
"…the best creators are like ducks. They appear to glide along serenely on the surface. Beneath the surface, however, they're kicking like a motherf*cker."
One of my favourite images.
My 3 favorite titles were:
1. Taste Like Chicken, Smells Like a Rat
2. Wealthy Smelthy
3. Bitch Goddess.Those would have been #1 NYT bestsellers as well, guaranteed!
How's Tim's face at 50 seconds the vid? brilliant!
Great post, Tim. I liked the video as well! I find this helpful because I'm really in that phase of a creativity drought right now. I'll plan on picking up that book.
Nice article Tim, thanks. A lot of successful people like to maintain the "mystique" and don't openly talk about this kind of thing, so it was a refreshing read.
Honest post. The media makes everything seem like successes were foregone conclusions because A led to B then to C, etc. Life however, is if nothing else, nonlinear despite all popular notions to the contrary. Is it portrayed this way because it is easier for people to comprehend? Easier for writers to write about? Why is the finish line celebrated much more than the honest road of struggles, false starts and disillusion? Or is it that the successful are ever ready to present their story in the most favorable, if unrealistic, light? Surely it's a combination of many factors. In any case, I'm always reminded of this quote by Calvin Coolidge:
"Nothing in the world can take the place of Persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan 'Press On' has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race."
Great article, Tim.
Quick question – why do you keep saying that agave nectar is terrible for you?
I've come to the conclusion that all sweeteners are to be avoided, but it seems to me that if you had to choose, either agave nectar or honey would be the best option available. This article ( http://bit.ly/afPFwi ) does a good job of offering logical reasons why agave nectar shouldn't be a bogeyman.
I'd love to hear your thoughts on the matter. Thanks!
Have to say, I want that T-Shirt as well.
I love Billionaire Beer Goggles.
How to Live Like a Druglord – Great title that would be provocative and catch people's attention. Along the lines of the talk you gave – dealing drugs for fun and profit.
Whatever happened to the 2-Hour Workweek?
Great to read Tim – it is sometimes good to know that going round in what can seem like endless circles happens to the best out there and we all go through it at some stage. Appreciate your continued inspiration to step away from the masses.
Thanks for sharing this! You do indeed sometimes make it look way too easy, so it is great to know you also have moments where you are 'kicking like a motherf*cker'
By the way … it is 'soupe du jour' instead of 'soup du jour'.
"Keep calm and carry on."
Enjoyed the allusion to British war propaganda.
['40 Years in a Cubicle Tastes Like Chicken']
@Jay (James Rimmer) Happy to see I am not the only one in the North West who is into Tim's stuff. Whenever I talk to someone about the 4HB over here (and Tim Ferriss) they all stare back with blanks. Even trying to explain some basics to the guys at Muay Thai, so they can rapidly lose weight before fights, many people seemingly rather continue doing what they have been doing for many years instead of trying a new 'formula' … sigh!
By the way, if you ever need a signed copy (bought 5 US copies at launch) I will sell my left-over copy at cost.Cheers
Great post! My husband and I read both of your books in a weekend and are now using it as a manual:) At our ages of 44 and 51 we are amazed at the insight and clarity you have brought to our projects and goals. As parents of three college students, (one son and two daughters) we are taking the family through our own "4 hour work week challenge". Having a blast! -
Brian, this is too funny! When my hubby was going through job layoff after layoff, I had to step outside the home and get a low paying job to buy the groceries. I was determined to continuing honing my writing skills, though. I mean, I was JUST NOW getting it! And I was afraid I'd forget. So I did pretty much what you suggested. I wrote little episodes…but ones that would interconnect and depend on each other. Now, three years later, I have a full length novel I'm editing for my soon-hope-to-be agent.
Enjoyed your post. Thanks for sharing!
Couldn't agree more with your writing advice:
"It changed only when I started viewing each chapter as a magazine article: strong enough to be a stand-alone piece, including a clear opening or "lede", a clear middle with case studies, and a punctuated end with lessons learned."
I'd always been a screenwriter–which is barely writing if we're being honest!–and I too found myself super overwhelmed when it came time to write my first novel. How to possibly turn nothing into 400 pages? It seemed like a Herculean task. Even the plotting was hard for such a long work.
It became a LOT easier when I simply wrote a table of contents and then decided to make every chapter good enough to stand alone (not as a magazine article, but, rather as a short story in my case, since I write fiction). Only afterward, in future drafts, did I try to make the chapters flow together seamlessly as one cohesive work.
That produced much more interesting "single serving" chapters, as well as an overall better product.
Thanks again for the continued inspiration, Tim!
Aaron Goldfarb
author, "How to Fail: The Self-Hurt Guide" -
Preach on! My dissertation advisor gave me a copy of Bird by Bird, but that was years ago, perhaps it needs a reread now that I've left that part of my life behind… Writing a tome at once is impossible but, like you said, an article is something you can tackle… Great advice on a day that it was needed
"I Traded My Soul For A Porsche" would have gotten a you a slightly older demographic… Probably bald, middle aged guys that are looking for some "chicks bro".
Hey Tim, it can't always be smart questions… I like your T-shirt, what is the font that you used for the letters? Thanks.
Hey Tim,
Thanks for sharing the notebook pages. Very cool. There are some phrases there I just might have to borrow!
Also, interested in your book recommendation for Bird By Bird. Looks like one I'll need to pick up on the kindle.
The party looked like an absolute blast.
Noah -
Good advice for getting over that last hurdle. Seems like the last 5% of the project work is what actually produces the results.
BTW some of the names for 4HWW are hilarious…."Undressing The Emperor". Tim spending so much time in Asia you should know what Emperor is a euphemism for.
I just signed up for your blog yesterday, and I'm already glad I did. This was exactly what I needed to find in my inbox this morning. I write, draw and self publish my own comics (it was my dream as a kid) and I spend a great deal of time in my head as well. I had an outstanding year of learning, growth and all around bada$$ opportunities last year, and I'm sort of sitting still and going "What next?" Its like somehow, if I'm not off doing something extraordinary everyday, I'm failing. Realizing I have to back the pressure off on myself.
Sorry to ramble Tim. Suffice it to say I like the cut of your jib. The 4-Hour Body and now the 4-Hour Work Week have been incredibly helpful and inspiring, ranking up next to Think And Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill. Please keep droppin your knowledge.
All the suffering is worth it, thanks for putting out all the great work. I'm still in the phase of suffering through the creative process with little results, so these kind of posts are nice. Thanks for the tip on the Lamott book.
Hey Tim,
Just bought one of the recommended books through Amazon. Random question relating to a career as an author: Can you make more money selling a book you have written yourself or by blogging about other books and collecting the Amazon affiliate commission?
Never give up. Congratulations on "The 4 Hour Body" book. It's the beginning of the beginning…. All the best!
Wow, this came at just the right time. I quit my job months ago to create my own business. While I have been working every day, recently, I have been a tad stuck letting my fears and doubts win most of the time.
To say that I feel stuck is a bit of an understatement. The thing that has been keeping me going though is the fact that I truly believe that what I am doing is possible and that with enough work that I will be able to become successful.
"Tastes Like Chicken, Smells Like Rat?" WTF?
Seriously though, I'm glad to hear that even the "big shots" struggle with their work too.
Great post, Tim. It really helps to hear that even our "gurus" have had to slog through the phases of doing the work. I got a laugh out of your title tryouts. I think I like "Bitch Goddess" and "Sick of the Bullshit". LOL.
Very timely post Tim! I'm part way through writing my first info product, an online course to help women achieve pregnancy by natural means (kinds fits in with 4HB I guess). Anyway, I've resorted to this strategy myself, as it is the easiest way to keep myself motivated. Right now, I'm writing one chapter a week, and sending it out to my small test group to implement and give me feedback. Definitely motivating to know that I've got a group of women expecting my chapter each Monday. Even if I end up finishing it late Sunday night, it gets done.
It is encouraging to know that even you struggled with writing… you make it look so easy sometimes! I haven't gotten to the naming phase yet, but reading your ideas for 4HWW cracked me up! -
Hey Tim,
I love the random brain vomit sheets! Do you have any more? Some of your thoughts are very good for keeping a good mindset. It's like 4hww…the lost chapters! -
Love that you have pages of ideas written down. When I brainstorm, I seriously write hundreds of titles or taglines before I decide on any of them. Often, like yourself, I find that the one that fits best may not be my favorite.
In my experience, it's very rare that the first idea that comes to your head is the right one. It's always taken me lots of work to think of lots of options and filter them down to my top 10… then top 5… then top pick.
By the way, my favorite is "billionaire beer goggles." I might not have purchased the book if that was the title, but it's creative!
Kudos Tim for showing that the creative process is a messy and far from carefree thing.
Have you read Peter Elbow's 'Writing with Power' as he argues that "sometimes you have to write the wrong words in the wrong sense to get the right words in the right sense" and that we've all been tricked into thinking that works of fiction and fact are perfectly realised the first time rather than being the product of iteration after iteration.
Loved the 4 Hour Work Week and am loving the 4 Hour Body – keep up the good work.
i cried when i read this post! i have embarked on a really daunting new years resolution to meet every single facebook friend i have and i was hitting a wall. thinking that this was ridiculous, that i'm ridiculous, that i will fail, that i am an idiot. all the usual stuff that happens whenever i start any creative enterprise. but this made me think i'm not the only one who grits their teeth and tries. . . .
It's great to see some of the difficulties that you went through Tim when you're going through the creative process. After reading the 4HWW and the 4HB I started thinking there was NO WAY I was going to able to write something so well.
I'm going to order the book you recommended and get on it immediately. That's an awesome video too, you look like a rockstar in it!
This is exactly what I needed to read today, Tim. Exactly. Your timing is impeccable. Thank you.
Please look into coconut water and tell me what you think.
I'm drinking it every day for added potassium,magnesium,calcium.Thanks, Rj
Ironically, this post was the medicine I needed this morning. My girlfriend says I have a man crush on you, I told her that's nonsense, I just really believe in the philosophies/mindsets/teachings in your blog posts and books. I appreciate these "case studies" and real-world experiences… it brings it all to life. Thanks!
Love the video, Tim.
I've been writing for pleasure since fifth grade (and more recently for profit) and I'm always curious how someone who does not consider themselves a writer, but who has a message to send, goes about writing a book. That is, without hiring a ghostwriter. It's daunting enough when you've been doing it for a decade or two, I couldn't imagine walking into it without all of that buildup.
I like "How to Live Like a Druglord" — that's genius. But it wouldn't sell.
Tim, I'm so glad you stuck with "The 4-Hour Work Week!" You're right, some of those were pretty bad – "Tastes Like Chicken, Smells Like A Rat." Curious what you were thinking when that name popped up.
Thanks for baring your soul & your "fails" here – It's good to know I'm not the only one who looks back at a bunch of ridiculous ideas I've come up with.
I've been at that point where the easiest thing to do is pack it up and quit – start looking for another W-2. Great to get a shot in the arm like this post every now and again.
P.S. Fantastic video by Gebbs – Thanks for posting.
Great, timely post, Tim!!
I know I'm not the only one who finds it infinitely inspiring to read real-life, "behind the scene" stories such as yours as it reminds me that while nothing is simple, everything is possible.
"When you embark on an adventure, never consult somebody who's never left home".
Thank you wholeheartedly for sharing your wisdom, Tim.
Hi Tim,
Great post! BTW way – I dig the cyborg eye ball in your product shot pose.
Very robocop.
Persistence for the win, nice quick article.
Great stuff! Your notebook pages are inspiring to us wannabes out there. Ballsy to put it out there. Thanks for that.
Totally agree on Bird By Bird. Required reading for writers at any level.
"When Hedonists Ruled the World" is my favorite, but I'm guessing that's a pretty different book entirely…
"Wealthy Smealthy"… Wow that is brutally bad! Glad you went with 4HWW.
Hey Tim,
It makes a world of difference to actually study successful people and their journey. When we merely look at successful people and their accomplishments it often seems like they're doing the impossible. Taking the time to see what they went through in order to get to where they are now paints a drastically different picture.Thanks for the reminder about what it takes to great through the tough times. It's very inspiring to see the challenges you've overcome.
Read this post and found Bird by Bird @ my local library.
Whipped out a notebook and started taking notes ala "How To Take Notes Like an Alpha Geek" with one exception.
Mind mapping.
It might be my visual/tactile learning style but I'm finding it much easier to note take with the indexing by mind mapping key ideas and funny shit that stands out to me.
Now if I can just get the speed reading down I'll be done with this book by tomorrow…
Oh crap…my pen ran out of ink. Ugh
I'd love to know where to purchase a BodyMetrix Ultrasound Body Composition Analyzer but don't know where?
Can anyone direct me?
Right here: http://fourhourbody.com/bodymetrix
Look at that, I sent this yesterday to an ultra successful entrepreneur friend;
"I'm frothing at the mouth to become self employed and location independent.
It has been 4 month that I'm home working on creating something,
yet I'm short of results!
My Therapist just said this to me:
"Now may be the time to cut it out and go look for a job"
(although I still have the funds to keep trying),
as I'm suffering and making myself sick, it is HARD.As someone who has clearly made the leap
(and I'm sure you had your own challenges)
do you think I need to give up, and succumb to what I see as mediocre,
or keep pushing and trust that I'll make it to the other side???"Today I see this, Thanks again mate, you made my day!
Thank You, Tim! Great post. I am truly "feeling stuck" and this post was a pleasant surprise to read. Appreciated the shown examples to illustrate your point.
Enjoyed reading your answer to a question from an interview with Leo Babauta (Zen Habits / Write to Done ) — "Put in the time, take it seriously, and expect it to be f*cking hard. It is hard, but it's worth it if you treat it with the right kind of respect. For those dark valleys of self-doubt that come up (and trust me — they will), I strongly suggest keeping Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott at your deskside."
Hi Tim,
I love the Cameron quote.
I'm a feeling a little picky about the "fear" part of it, though. Some time ago I created my own acronym for FEAR, which has helped me get unstuck from time to time.
According to
RiskThanks for the continuing great information.
Tom Justin
Great post – inspiring stuff and good info on Lamott to help writers/bloggers in need.
I think Tastes Like Chicken, Smells Like a Rat and the Misfit Millionaire were the best.
Think I am with most people in wanting one of those t-shirts!
Thanks again for the cool advice.
There are many simple things to do when you are stuck. Look around you, there always something to write about or just go to other blogs, look at what they are writing about and try to write something original and UNIQUE about they same subject or something similar…
Truly amazing post. Again you continue to send information that comes at just the right time. The lede formula is what I want to do as I re-tol my manuscript.
Thanks again for all your work and inspiration.
Leonard -
What a nice boost to receive right about now. Humble "stars" such as yourself, go the furthest it seems…
Muchisimas gracias por el empujo a seguir, soy muy agradecida.
Tim, what's the name of the song in the video? Loved it.
"Just Shoot Me" – my personal favorite!
I don't feel so bad now, because I have a pile of notes that look exactly like yours. Most of the ideas are scratched out and I just want to throw everything in the trash at times… but that's all part of the process of creating something new.
Thanks for sharing!
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
You have no idea how many times people tell me I look so calm, if they only knew!! I always have ideas, projects, wrtiting, paintings… going on in my head. So I'm happy to see I'm not alone.
I'm also in the midst of writing articles and a book, so your openess about your process is very much appreciated and inspiring.
Hey Tim,
"If at first you don't succeed, destroy any evidence that you ever tried"
Thank you for the reassuring post. I am a first time commenter, and I just wanted to say quickly that your work has completely turned my life around from serious depression to being the happiest, most content person on the planet.(don't quote me on that).
You are truly the ultimate role model, and continue to be a great source of inspiration in my life…sooooo thanks.
I live in England, so I won't get your new book in till tomorrow, or the next day but I can't wait to be blown away.
-From Will, age 20, Bath, England
Thanks Tim.
Kick-ass post.
Now, I'd better stop reading crap online and start to work.
I need to get rich.
Great post, Tim. Thanks.
Started reading Seneca finally. Digesting sentence by sentence. Thanks for the suggestion.
p.s. For Sale: My Life for $$$
Congrats man!
Great post and just on time for me since I was just having that "I'm stuck" feeling for a moment
Keep going!
Just wanted to add a great quote:
"When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it." Henry Ford
I SO needed this blog today, thank you!
Big scary (good) changes have me in a semi-panic. You put it in some perspective for me.
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Great article, very brave/honest of you. Inspiring.
BTW "Undressing the emperor" was pretty bad.
Hey Tim, long time listener, first time caller
Don't have much to say – other than that video is SICK AS HELL! Good job, I'm gonna have to grab a copy soon.
I feel cooler and more popular, just from watching you video…..hah
This post was "on the fly"..
Thank you so much…
Great inspiration !
All the best
You guys know you can get anything you want silk-screened onto a shirt at a custom shirt printing shop, right? Just hire someone on Odesk to re-create that shirt based on Tim's photo for five bucks, then take that file to a shirt-printing store and you can have your own for around forty dollars. This is how I plan to get a t-shirt printed with a photo of me kicking a Shaolin monk in the balls.
My absolute favorite is:
Saving your Soul
While Making your DoughYou missed it on that one, Tim. This should have been your title. It's choice!
"How to Live Like a Drug Lord" — definitely the most catchy. I've got boxes of papers just like you Tim and most pages are filled with bad ideas. Writing and writing some more — that's how I get to the good ideas…
Perfect post for rabbits, rabbits, rabbits day! Tim; I have to tell you I was a skeptic due to the vast diffs between my 53 year old body, tude, and yours- but it started with the CD book and ended with that blue tombstone and now it's all dal hill. Seriously I am a Dal freak and 5 inches gone later…I am a Ferris fan. I even plugged you to my client the other day! Here's the ALL TIME best recipe ever just for you from a Yogi from long long ago- Spinach with Dal :
2lbs spinach & 1/2 to 1 cup of Urhad lentils (these come peeled or black-I used black ones-more fiber) add 1tsp of turmeric, 1/2 tsp cayenne &2tsp salt in 1 cup of H20 throw all these into a pot with a lid- you have to add the spinach slowly as it shrinks- then boil away- with the lid if using black ones they cook slower- about 15-20 min. or no lid if using any other dal. In another pot put one tblsp of ghee, 1 tblsp of peeled ginger (you can buy this in a jar all peeled and smushed-fab) and 1 tsp of garam masala or 7 spice or ras al hanout (these are all sorta similar mixes you can buy) throw in the spinach mixture…and VOILA! 5 inches baby! Once you make this it will be love…and it has the magic spinach number! Thank you Tim for suffering and not giving up- keep on experimenting! -
Hey Tim,
The video is cool.
You look very happy.
I'm so glad for you.
You work has been an inspiration for me since I first read The 4HWW.
I hope you keep making your dreams come true.
0:54 to the left hand side, 3/4 of the way there is a guy that looks like Eben Pagan. He wasn't there was he Tim?
P.s. I think you had this edited, I don't remember seeing so many beautiful women and I was there the entire time – lol
haha Good spot! Looks like Eben.
Sick gravatar with Tim.
Would loved to have been there! Host an event (any event!) East-coast of Australia. It'll get filled EASY.
Great article on becoming "unstuck"! Love the advice & inspiration. Keep up the great work Tim
¨Sick of the bullsh*t¨, hahah, what a title. hahaha. BTW know how it feels…Thanks for your post Tim, I´m horribly stuck with my muse but decided to keep on moving….
Thanks Tim, your post came at the right time for me. Nearing the end of a long haul of endless rewrites and polishing, and it felt good to be reminded that it's all par for the course.
Hey Tim, I'm dragging my feet on an add-on smartphone case item I've come up with (and to my astonishment no case manufacturer out there has hit on yet).
Utterly cheap to get and make, but in a quandary about copyright and patent stuff (if it's even patentable).
Have shown it to maybe 10 friends, and reaction is always instantaneously positive ('I want it !').
In any event, I'm in a quandary of sorts about how best to market it, and, of course,, the longer I wait, the greater the risk that someone else will come up with it.
Soooo….. you have any recommendation on which of 10 different directions to go with it, or someone to contact ?
And apologies if this doesn't precisely fit in here.
Last, but hardly least, can you send out an alert if you or someone gets that T-shirt made ?
Cheers !
Hey Tim,
sa usually timely and inspiring. Just spent the day working on becoming unstuck using several different approaches! One being a process from the book "Mastering Life's Energies" by the lovely Maria Nemeth.
This included first finding a Life Intention that was important to me. I combined several:
To be a financially successful, physically fit, author, writer, entrepreneur, well respected, professional, who contributes to community by helping others, well educated, effective coach, healer and successful communicator.
Then, the assignment required to think and list someone who embodies or demonstrates these qualities for me.
YOU were the first person that came into my head.
Thanks for inspiring me, and sharing your gifts and process,Karen J.
This is great, Tim. One of the aspects of keeping on keeping on is surrounding yourself with people who do the same – Is there any way you can create a way for followers of your 4-Hour topics can find one another and do some local meet-ups to find others of like minds? Have you considered creating that kind of membership area on your sites?
Tim… [Batting my eyelashes]… I heart you! I've said it before and I'll say it again, thank you for just being you. I feel like a ridiculous school girl fumbling for something that adequately expresses how freaking awesome you are but I fear the only thing I can blurt out is simply thank you for just being you.
Loved the many variations of titles; It's just too hard to choose a favorite from the likes of "wealthy smealthy", "bitch goddess", and "undressing the emperor" [which strangely could work as a pitch for co-authoring a series with none other than the "poke the box" title -> score one for junior high humor!].
All things considered though, I simply must own "lifestyle beer goggles" – This kills me and has given more entertainment than you know today as I explored the possibilities w/my coworkers & friends! I'll take a special edition specific to my work-life that makes seeing a particular category of patients tolerable. Just earlier today, I was joking that in order to get through what is sure to be a painful visit with a patient in the morning, I was going to be toting a large bottle of what appears to be water but nobody should sample any of my "water." Instead of being too inebriated to finish seeing patients though, I'll just slip on my patient beer goggles and roll with it! When I go out dancing, instead of whimpering internally while I am carelessly thrown around by a man that has not quite figured out what it is to gently manhandle [and the subsequent reaction he may receive in return], I'll just slip on my dancing beer goggles and dance it out, baby! Why beer goggles? B/c it simply isn't worth giving into any other reaction than being able to laugh about it & gain the experience. Folks, the next time you find yourself in a less than completely desirable situation, slip on your lifestyle appropriate beer goggles! :0)With Admiration & Gratitude, ~Bethany
Sometimes you just have to take the leap, and build your wings on the way down ~ Kobi Yamada -
Tim, thanks, I was hoping for a post like this (to the point of starting to write a guest post for you and finding a way to get you to post it
Too many 'gurus' talk about their successes but forget to mention the hard work; or mention it and move on to the dream world of fantasy.
There is a mindset successful people have and it is my goal to find a formula to replicate it.
Daniel -
Thanks for sharing this…the low times can be really hard and not many people are willing to share their imperfections. Your frank tone is what I like in your books.
After reading the 4HWW I wrote this email to a friend 2 months later after starting my first company:
5:30 AM – Wake up to work on email marketing campaign
6:30 AM – Finalize and send email marketing campaign. Go back to sleep.
7:30 AM – Wake up to go to surf lesson, but tide is low so have breakfast made for me instead. Lounge around outside and take an hour to eat breakfast. Chat with owner of hotel about his business plan and get good ideas for other types of marketing.
9:00 AM – Ride bike 10 minutes into the nearest town to get groceries.
10:30 AM – Check email and have sold 13 packages. Go back to sleep to take nap before surf lesson.
12:00 PM – Go to second surf lesson and am able to paddle and ride wave ALL by myself : )
2:00 PM – Check email and have sold total of 16 packages, therefore have paid for my vacation in one single day. Write you this email and then go to lay out to work on tan.About 4 months later I almost lost everything I had built up in the business and times got tough. It's the drive to succeed that will keep the flame burnin' – but it's especially nice to visit your blog every once in a while for a dose of inspiration.
I still want to see you take on Kevin and Glen + camera in a grappling match at the Mundials this year.
Hi Tim
I am glad your NYC party worked so well. Is there a part in the 4 hour Body about staying strong during Cancer Treatment? I start treatment this week at Stanford's Cancer Center in Palo Alto. The Treatment concerns me more than the cancer.http://cancer.stanford.edu/
Question 2.I am looking to start a Non-Profit in order to raise funds for Providing Housing to Cancer and Transplant patients for Stanford and UCSF. Right now it is non existent.
How about writing a book about staying strong while a patient fights cancer and donating a good portion of the book to my Housing for Cancer and transplant patients?
Can you introduce me to Mark Zuckerberg?-
@ Tom G,
Just wanted to let you know that I am thinking of you today. I don't recall seeing anything specifically addressing cancer in 4HB; However, I thought I might do something I've never done before which is to share part of my story with you in the hopes that it may be useful to you in some small way. Summer of 2006, I returned to school for my second degree, and started teaching anatomy at the university. A first for me, I felt like I was exactly where I should be both personally and in my professional development. For brevity's sake, I became ill during the fall and ultimately ended up having two courses of chemotherapy [albeit very low dosing b/c it was pre-emptive] & two exploratory surgeries from November 2006 – August 2007.
Now, I'm not going to lie to you here… I went to some dark places during this time with an overwhelming compilation of worries and fears circulating through me at any given moment. I can even remember hazily thinking to myself as a sat across from my patients in clinic/ hospital rooms, "Please, please, please don't ask me. I see that look in your eye, and I cannot and will not discuss my health with a patient. Just don't ask me." While I had a lot of fears circulating through my mind, I most feared if people, particularly patients, found out about my health status what the reaction may be… I didn't want to be pitied and I certainly didn't want to be treated like the patient. So, instead I hid in plain sight and denied anything was wrong/ going on [which I got away w/ for the most part specifically b/c I didn't have the common side effect of alopecia due to the very low dosing]; For the preservation of my privacy, the hospital even created an alias for me -> Not even my best friends or family members were able to track me down when I went in.
Even in the darkest of moments questioning everything, I gradually learned to seek something more… And believe me, initially it was quite the internal conflict. Eventually, I dove and poured myself into my teaching, and course work/clinical work w/ a commitment I had not previously demonstrated. Many a night, I spent at a patient's beside [so they weren't alone], or with a struggling student in the lab reviewing human anatomy. It was those long nights at a patient's bedside that brought me the most clarity; At the bedside, I was brought back to seeing the beauty in the world, and growing gratitude where fear and anger had once resided. In the end, this initiated my transformation towards the best version of my self – which is not to say that I don't get frustrated with patients or certain situations [b/c I most certainly do! Just reference my previous comment about desiring beer goggles]. :o) I have to admit, I was not without my mistakes though. Ex: It was a mistake, that I take full ownership of, to hide instead of share my vulnerability. Now there's an awful lot that I don't know about life/ medicine/ etc. but what I do know for absolute certain is that my worst imaginable fears never became reality. I sincerely hope this will be the case for you as well.
Concerning your second question, strangely enough I am part of a local transplant team [in a different state]. One of the issues we run into with funds for patients is that, due to any number of regulations, an independent source unaffiliated with the transplant team must handle the funds. We had over $25K saved for patients sitting for the whole of last year; Unfortunately, we weren't able to distribute any of it b/c we didn't have an independent source to handle the funds. Pleased to report, the director of the volunteer group associated with the hospital recently took this on and we can finally now assist our patients in emergency situations [particularly once these patients lose their insurance coverage 3 years after transplant and are scrambling to pay for immunosuppression medications every month]. So, you may check with the fundraising/ foundation departments of the hospital/ program to see if they are in this same predicament.
At any rate, I was also going to suggest checking out your local American cancer society chapter – If they don't have anything in the area, they may be interested in starting up w/you. When I lived in Birmingham, AL, the local ACS chapter had a large facility to house patients & family members during the treatment courses w/ around the clock medical staff available. I volunteered there several times with a friend mine, who happened to be a cancer survivor, and cooked meals for all the patients & family members. What an awesome experience! You might also check in w/ livestrong as both a resource and support group for yourself.
Best Wishes,
Wow, you sure dress well. I can't stop talking about your book to friends.
I still dig The Wild Goosechase
Hi Tim,
Read both of your books. Great job!
A quick tip for your blog! On the top of your blog you have an advertisement stroke which has a different "orange" colorcode then the rest of your blog. It would look way better if you change that small thing!
All so true, Tim. Thanks for the wise words and the glimpse behind the curtain. Thanks also for the pointer to Anne Lamott's book, which sounds like it was written specifically for several people in my home.
(I hope it was ok to post this here! I could not find an email)
Dear Tim,
Full disclosure – I was only about 128 pounds (5'6") when I began the Slow-Carb Diet as a way to support my husband who was desperately trying to lose weight. That said, I was the heaviest I had ever been in my life. I felt swollen and bloated, and my self-esteem was plummeting daily. I could no longer fit into my clothes. I am in a very high stress Ph.D. program and before starting the diet, I was spending many hours sitting in front of a computer, fretting, drinking coffee, and eating anything I want. My skin was breaking out regularly (extremely annoying as I am 29 years old), I constantly complained of stomach aches, and I was highly irritable, anxious, and depressed much of the time. I had tried other diets, but failed miserably- either they were too time consuming, or I would experience headache and fatigue. I had gotten to a point in my life where I had started to believe that I would never be beautiful again.
Fast forward to 2 and a half weeks later. I have been following the Slow-Carb Diet religiously. I am not counting calories in any way, but I limit myself to vegetables, legumes, and proteins (mostly eggs, chicken, and fish). I have one cup of coffee in the morning with cinnamon and a bit of cream. I have 1 to 2 glasses of red wine at night, some nights. I have to thank you, because the transition to this diet was easy and although I had some cravings during the first two days, I do not miss carbohydrates at all currently. I have lost 8 pounds (and yes, I take full advantage of "cheat day!"), I have not felt bloated, swollen, or stomach-achy in two and a half weeks. My clothes are slipping on easily. My skin has cleared up significantly. Most importantly, my irritability, fatigue, depression, and anxiety have all but vanished. I can work all day without afternoon crashes or cravings for caffeine or sugar. I feel even-keeled and alert. The changes both physically and emotionally for me have been so noticeable that my friends and family are begging me for the diet secrets (I keep trying to tell them how easy it is!).
I have stopped thinking of this as a diet and hope to make it a lifestyle change. My next goal is to get back in the gym and tone-up (my husband and I both bought kettleballs and use them several times a week). I also wanted to let you know that in about 5 weeks, my husband lost 25 pounds and is able to wear all of his clothes again (he is 6'2" and 200 pounds currently). He has experienced similar effects from eating this way. We have both completely changed the way we think about eating and the types of food we derive pleasure from. I cannot thank you enough for the gift you have given me and my husband. It was been life changing.
A happy follower
Thank you so much for the comment, Rachel. Congratulations! Totally made my evening. Please keep it up and keep us all posted on progress
some interesting titles there "Bitch Goddess"? what were you thinking…
though I quite like "is it just me, or does this suck?" but I suspect you were talking to yourself there and not considering it a book title…
Tim – great post because, like all good posts, it's dripping with authenticity.
I think if you bust your ass and give it your full attention regardless of the outcome years later you won't have to shift in your seat and tell your grandson when he asks you what you did with your great idea…"Well, your Granddaddy shoveled shit in Louisiana." (from my upcoming book Patton the CEO) Just kidding!
tim: are your books translated into other languages? if so, where would i find them? i have russian friends who could greatly benefit from reading your work. thanks!
Welcome to the wonderful world of writing, which requires nothing more than slitting your wrist and watching the blood spill out over the page.
Think non-fic is hard? Try writing fiction, where you have to think up everything yourself instead of relying upon information and facts. Only the flimsy structure of story and its servants, character and conflict, help out with the heavy lifting. After fourteen books, a number of short stories and even articles on the craft of writing (yes, I am supposed to know a lot about this) I still don't know how I do it.
Writing is a lot like sex. When it's good, there's nothing better. When it's bad….
And many of the same interruptions can disturb the creative flow. Bad marriage, sick relatives, you name it, and it will throw the writing off kilter.
I also liked "Bird by Bird," with the primary suggestion in the title–to write, take it word by word. It's the only way to avoid complete creative paralysis.
At the same time, I can't seem to do without writing. I've tried other creative outlets and they just don't give me the same sense of satisfaction.
So I write and edit fulltime–or as much as I have to work :)–and probably will never give it up despite the whining.
haha Sue, sounds like a "I'm more hardcore than you" speech.
Sorry, aaad, it was meant to be an "I understand" note.
Hey Tim! This is awesome advice! I read your book 4HWW 2 years ago, and I finally have started to make progress on my clothing muse. I can honestly say that there are some very crappy times, but if you persist you will make it.
Thanks!!! Such a fan!
Hey Tim, Just got done reading 4-hour body. Amazing stuff. I took kind of the same experimental route as you did over the last 8 years with my brain after majoring in Neurobiology. I experimented with every nootropic under the sun (legal or otherwise), read every book on brain enhancement, and did workbooks and puzzles. The only problem is I broke your big rule, I didn't quantify. I've fought hard against ADD all my life and have been on and off ritalin, etc. The problem with it is that it destroys my creative ability when I'm on it. I barely graduated high school with a D average but somehow through determination learned in the military and brain exercises, I managed to get a degree in Neurobiology & Philosophy at a very reputable school and ended up with a 3.8 GPA. Would love it if you could do a "4-hour MIND" book, focusing on this stuff. I'm guessing it's probably already in the works?
While I think my question may be common, I don't know if my circumstance is. I am a 56 year old female who has always been thin/fit. Running, weights, aerobics, etc (OK – probably over trained). Until – I had a myomectomy, partial hysterectomy (only uterus) and then a lypoma removed from my illiopsoas muscle, which left me unable to walk for a year (femoral nerve clamped too long). When I gained weight – I gave up… now I am 5'7″ and weigh 209 lbs instead of the 125 I am accustomed to.
I am devouring your book – love it, although I do (per your suggestion) often skip the technical part. I have purchased my kettlebell and a BOSU trainer. I am on my way out the door to get the supplements I don't have. Have printed out the 3 exercises for the mornings and the meal outline. I am ready to go. I think.
According to amazon.com you had a book that was supposed to be released yesterday; however, I cannot find it for sale. Is it a workbook to go along with The 4-Hour Body? Is there a worksheet, program or to-do list to follow? I can't find anything in your book for cardio workouts (in the chapters I read – per your suggestions) but plan to add walking on my treadmill to my 30 day, 20 pounds no exercise routine.
I totally buy into the over-train and MED, so I don't want to overdo. Need guidance.
This is so exciting to me – having been complacent for so long and choosing to believe that I cannot be the sexy female b/c of age, mentalpause (sic on purpose) etc and now saying F*** that! I am ready for my muscle memory to be awaken and to strut down the street with a twinkle in my eye. But I guess I am just one of those who needs a checklist.
Hi Missy,
I'm Tim's assistant. There weren't any new books released by Tim since The 4-Hour Body. You should have everything you need
Best of luck, and please keep us posted!
- Charlie
The release date stated on amazon.com is Feb 1st for "The 4-Hour Body: The Secrets and Science of Rapid Body Transformation" Perhaps it is the softcover version.
Tim puts his eating schedule in the book and the 3 exercises in the morning. When should we add aerobics (walking, running) to our 30 days to lose 20 lbs?
Thanks so much!
Billionaire Beer Goggles show a sense of humor that's sorely lacking in the self-help genre.
Though still think title shoulda been 'Fuck this, I'm outta here'
Feeling stuck is something we all go through all the time. It's good to see we're all not alone in that respect! I find it's really important also to gather people around you who can inspire you, brainstorm with you and positively reinforce you in order to get past a static point. Positive, energetic people
For the past few months I've been sorely confronted with the necessity to carefully select who you spend your time with. I found my personality shrinking instead of growing, accommodating people I shouldn't have wasted a minute on to begin with.Trying to cut certain people out of my life did however leave me feeling really bad about myself at times. The negativity that can emerge from it is quite something. It was very reassuring to read your (Tim's) views on selecting the people you spend your time with, in the 4hww. It makes me feel a bit better every time I doubt myself on the subject.
Cheers for that
Hi Tim,
Thank you so much for this article. I am loving your stuff so much at the moment. I've heard so much stuff before and it just fries my brain, but I am learning so much from your material. I have 20 pounds in 30 days from your book The Four hour body and I am continuing to follow it and learn more from it.
Right now, life is hitting me with a brick, I'm going through a possible relationship separation that has really become one of my switch and part of my Harajuku moment, just like you had. How did you find the courage and strength to keep going!? I'm working hard on getting my website design and development business online and a heap of stuff but this stuff is tough!
But here is to adventure So glad the books been a success, it deserve's to be, it is life changing!
I would love to know where how to get that shirt! AVTR is probably an abbreviation for "Aviator."
Tim — I, too, love the shirt. How about a Four-Hour Body shirt though? Imagine all the great looking people you would have wearing one as more and more of us get our shirt together and start looking buff?
Hey Tim,
Check out some more hate:
Gotta love this Keep rocking it man, great chat with Ramit today.
Anything orange on The Bygone Bureau is parody and humor. I'm sure neither Bygone nor Charlie Nadler have much tolerance for hate.
@Maria: I thought it was funny not hateful, but maybe there was an undercurrent of jealousy.
Yep, really reminded me, too, that it takes work and going through all the frustration and the doubt to get anything real and of value accomplished. Even though, Tim, you make it look too easy sometimes. We forget that things were ever that difficult for you.
How come constructive criticism isn't allowed on this comment board? I paid 27$ for this new book and can't voice a subsequent opinion…
It is allowed.
Impatience plus assumption equals offense. That's a reason one should wait before calling a prospective mate after a first date. Their reaction to the delay will tell you volumes about their outlook.
Thanks, Tim. I'm about to leave a perfectly good gig that has paid me hundreds of thousands of dollars each of the last couple years to chase a few life ambitions. Your writings have been inspirational along the way. You will either become a guru of my path or an anathema, depending upon the outcome – but I am pretty sure it will go well and hope to share stories in person sometime.
Best wishes – Will
Tim, excellant article! Ive really become hooked on following your blog, and after reading both books I can say that I really enjoy your writing style and attitude towards life!
The emails noted in your 4HWW book dont work, got bouncebacks. I had a couple questions:
1. From page 94:
I am the owner of three businesses, making progress going from working in to working on. Questions- One, to get your auto response (extreme example of personal one), and two, I am starting my book and would appreciate your thoughts on going from thoughts to writing to changing others lives.
2. From page 280: Looking for your recommended autoresponder for rediricting people.Love your book, on second reading now, implimenting mode.
Hope to hear from you.
Great post. It really hit home with me. I've been hitting a road block with my business for quite a while now. When its not one thing its another. But I am determined to get it done. No matter what. Thanks for the inspiration Tim.
Hi Tim,
I now live in India and travel frequently to the USA. I got my Kindle DX, but now find that I can't order your book in kindle version from India..how come?Shankar
Not gonna say that pic of a maze didn't illicit some anxiety. Thanks for the post, sir, and getting down to brass tacks par usual.
Hi Tim,
Very interested by your book and just ordered it…I've started the fat loss diet and am on day 4 – feeling good.
In regards to gaining 34lbs of muscle in 28 days – there are some "skeptics" that have said you manipulated fluid and glycogen etc… but just wondering your thoughts… do you think that since your natural weight is considerably more than the weight you were when you started that this had an effect on how quickly you gained the weight?
I have played soccer at semi pro level, coach soccer professionally and live in the Bay Area. Friends that workout at the gym regularly are for the most part disbelievers.
Hi Tim,
I've enjoyed your books and blogs for several years.
My band played with Copperview in St. Louis, October 2009. How did you discover their music?
This post came at just the right time. It's nice to know that it's not just me who gets stuck. Right now I am designing a new presentation course and keep getting stuck for ideas.
Thanks Tim
Thanks for the post. I'am feeling stuck. Story of my life actually…
He looks so scary in that picture, I think he is ready to explode with laughter or hit me with his book.
Hey Tim!
Did you make it to to Jordan yet? Salam man!
Read your posts for quite some time. Never posted because I didn't think I had something to contribute. Now I do…
Have you come across or read about Ormus? White Powder of Gold…and I am not talking about Hype stuff, but real Alchemy.
PS Read your notes, I think I enjoyed most the part titled "Slow Down"
Thank you for sharing your Life, it has helped greatly in my own Transition…
Love & Respect,
Hi Tim,
In the 4-Hour Body you talk about how to calculate the correct starting weight for the A and B workouts, and how to add weight to make progress. But what happens when you cannot add weight any more? I mean, even given optimal calorie intake and rest periods, one cannot add weight to the lifts indefinitely. So what one should do at that point?
-Eugene. -
Stuck for a full year on my elusive BIG IDEA but I realised I've been forcing my conscious mind so hard….one foot on the accelerator and one on the brake….. need to rely more on the ideas that pop into the head when we wake up or in the shower….usually best ones come when we are relaxed and focused on something else after throwing into our unconscious some interesting elements/models a few days before.
Tim your pieces of paper show that you opened your mind to let inspiration in and to unearth your own individual ideas. You did the ground work and the homework.The modern world thinks that one simple concept will make them rich in a short time but this shows that effort and fortitude will never be replaced by luck and technology. Fortune favours the brave and the bold even if they are first conceived on a small piece of paper. Good on 'yer Tim!
"Use Your Kaboodle and Make Some Noodles" – the original title for "Think and Grow Rich" – titles do make a huge difference.
Thanks for sharing all you do.
Hello Tim,
I want to join the chorus of gratitude for this post. Particularly, invoking BIrd by Bird made me laugh out loud at the thought of the number of shitty first drafts I have written. Also, your title process illustrates the craft involved in writing – angels don't just jump forth from stone. That is refreshing to remember.
I completed a memoir (a kind of Eat,Pray,Love-with-debt-PhD-chronic health condition-no book advance thing) last June, and have been struggling with the traditional publishing route the last few months . . . Rejection simply sucks . . . I am currently brushing off my butt and getting back on the publication horse from a more 2.0 perspective. . .
Both this post, and your larger message, reaffirm the possible. Thank you for being vulnerable enough to share your journey.
Tim & all,
At the end of the second week I have lost no additional poundage. I lost 9 and change in the first 6 days … this second week not so much as a pound, my weight is exactly the same. I have not cheated (except on cheat day) and I am following the eating instructions to the tee. I'm a large guy, now at 282 (down from 291) could lack of protein be to blame for this? My regular schedule includes:
Breakfast @630am – 3 eggwhites, spinach with flax oil
Lunch 1 @1030am – 1/2 cups of broccoli, spinach and peas respectively
Lunch 2 @3pm – skinless chicken breast, 1/2 cup of spinach with lentils and peas
Dinner @8PM – Beef/Pork with 1/2 cup of mixed vegetables and lentils.I'm drinking absolutely nothing but water and unsweetened green tea (iced). There have been two instances this week where I have eaten 3 cashews with my spinach (whoa, crazy right?).
If protein is a real heavily contributing factor, how can I get more? All the protein mixes I find seem to contain a fair amount of carbohydrates. Is there a PILL that delivers protein? If there is I can't seem to find one.
(you can see my eating history by visiting my website)-
@Tanner. Use a quality low-carb protein powder. I use Metabolic Drive Low Carb Formula.
I have not finished Tim's new book yet, however, have you gotten your Adrenal Glands tested? There is something called "Adrenal Fatigue"
Also, there is a little trick that a few people I know have used for weight loss. Have you tried adding Raw Cacao Nibs into your diet? It can curb your appetite and help speed up your metabolic rate…
There are tons of companies that sell Raw Cacao Nibs…preferably Organic…
Hope this helps…
There was a lot of emphasis in the book on paying more attention to inches than pounds, because pounds are more likely to lie (muscle and fat not being differentiated on the scale). Have you been measuring inches, as well?
The pages of titles are great. They look almost exactly like the process we went through to come up with a band name.
I apologize for the link Tim, but I found the shirt you were wearing in the bottom picture, and wanted to show others where to find it if they were interested…
Thanks, Chris!
Awesome find @Chris, I was looking all over for this!
My vote's for "The New Hedonism"
I'm sort of stuck, though planning to proceed with something anyway. My buddy & would be partner is going to compile some recipes specifically for cooking the week's meals and vacuum sealing them. Setting up the interface for him to compile them before I put together the AdWords lander.
As an aside, did anyone catch the top WSJ article today? "A Workout Ate My Marriage" about how exercise time cuts into relationship time. I saw this and thought wow, apparently we need to get 4HB to a few more people!
What do you think, Tim (if you're looking)? Think you can help the 2 hrs daily, 5-6 hrs Sat/Sun schmucks on here?
PS Your copyright footer is out of date, so I'm jacking your stuff now! j/k…
I'm sold Tim! Been reading this blog for the past few days with little sleep. Off to buy the book today. Loved the videos of you driving the Audi.
Dear Tim or anyone who know this answer,
Just purchased my PAGG- Cannot figure out- am i suppose to take these throughout the slow carb weeks or just on the binge day?? Thanks!
Question: What is the ticker symbol? I want to invest? He'll make more than Weight watchers and Oprah combined!
Does anybody have any slow barb recipes for a super bowl party,?
Thanks. -
Just started reading your book, the 4 hour work week (enjoying it a lot, and finding it very useful and truthful also) It was strange that one of the quotes in the beginning is from a fortune cookie. I bought a camera recently that comes with f c legends inside, you don`t know which will turn up until you develop. Here´s what came out, coincidence!
Great to see how you pushed through the internal struggles. Notebooks full of challenges, problems, but always a solution comes from the questioning.
What was the deal behind the "tastes like chicken" line anyways?
Great post, Tim. Needed that today…I also remind myself that Stephen King's wife had to fish the manuscript for "Carrie" out of the garbage. His "On Writing" has a few gems like this.
Hello Tim Ferriss,
jeeze you get a lot of mail. and you seem to actually read it (or else some third world virtual assistant). Never heard of you til last night when I heard a recorded Commonwealth Club interview. You seem like like a very intelligent, very articulate, very focused, very logical person who analyzes problems and arrives at solutions that are at once logical and innovative. We need people like you to work on the major problems of the world. So, instead of wasting your time living forever with a perfect body, how about using your seemingly considerable talents and boundless energy to address some of the world's real problems. In particular, we have a public that is fully propagandized and completely ignorant about the world and their own govenement's policies. And we have a government that makes policies not in the interests of the people, in complete secrecy according to the wishes of a corporate elite, and then spins these policies disingenuously to an ignorant population. To make a body analogy, we have a cancerous secretive, corporate-owned government that is afflicting the body of society. How do we obtain transparency into the workings of government so that the people with their far greater collective brain power, can influence the direction of policies and save themselves and the planet form destruction by needless wars, environmental havoc, global warming, etc etc. Why don't you apply your talents to analyzing this situation and identifying solutions for increasing the health and longevity of our society. You might lose your perfect body but you might save the planet in the process – a decent trade. Your next project might be called, 'The Four Decade Guide To Saving the Planet' (four hours is probably a bit too optimistic for that). I heard you say you want to do a screenplay next, but seriously, this is more important, and we need talented people working on crucial things. So backburner the screenplay and work on this.
Thanks for considering this,
Greg Slater
Tim, I always enjoy these style posts. Thanks for this one. You answered a question I wanted to submit to one of your live Q&A's. Basically, "what motivated you at 20 something to pursue writing and what's the 'work' like, etc." And your comments mirror many things I've read about it elsewhere.
BTW, kudos to good taste on the Steve Martin biography. Read it this summer and thought his determined approach to comedy and experimentation was strangely familiar to entrepreneurs and some of my favorite people.
Last, in the ocean of people who sell advice I respect your opinion more because you are always open, sincere, and humble about your own accomplishments.
Two quick questions, who inspired you the most at 25? Who inspires you the most now?
Gotta run, cheers,
P.S. used that victorinox bag in Brazil in 2009, it was a blast
That's a bloody good post, and spot on for a conversation I had, last week. Being, writing to bring results(formating texts, and make changes) or being who you are, and just go with the flow. Everything that we do isn't perfect from the start, especially in writing. You have a choice, to enjoy the way you write, or to alter the way you write and get better results. Like Tim's title for example.
Last time when I commented I got a response from Tim, and that was my goal, so I could put it on my blog (with a link of course). I put some time into that comment, structure of sentences, words and all that jazz counts. So, it paid of in the end. I got what I wanted.
And, that was all I had to say. lol.
All the best!
Hi Tim. I am training to become a bikini fitness competitor after completing my Masters in Exercise Science where I have been published in Bod Pod and DEXA research. I have read your 4 hour body and LOVE IT! But, I am trying to cut fat AND build muscle. I tried the slow carb diet while training, but I needed a few carbs after my plyometric workouts. My question is can I have an apple or a few carbs after my Cardio workouts in the morning?( I know that you said it is ok after Resistance Training workouts) And can I work out in the morning on an empty stomach? Right now, my coach has me carb cycling where every two days she impliments oats and brown rice (slo carb no-no's) Note: I have only lost 22 pounds in 5 months. With all the training I do, (double cardio days and strength train 4 days/week) I feel that it should be more. I would appreciate ANY ADVICE YOU HAVE!! Thank you for all your research!
I would have bought a book called "ungodly riches" lol. What I love the most about your stuff Tim, other than your generous spirit, is the science behind the business. I understand optimal (controlled environments), testing and experiments (I'm a chemist), but I never understood how it applied to marketing or business. That connection made a huge difference for me.
After reading your book back in July 2010 I now have a booklet published and a couple local media spots (TV and newspaper) for a company that I've been running now for SIX YEARS with no success until now. I LOVE that duck analogy!
For people writing their first book writing a booklet about 3500 words of tips might be a good way to start and be successful in a small endeavor first.
PS Tim, What did you do with your "How to get into Princeton book?" -
I like "a different drummer" as the book gives a new approach to things in many ways for me. Many parts in the book have inspired me and therefore
I often listen to several parts of the audio book while sitting in the train. It's like meditation practice of chants. The more I hear it, the more it starts to become completely normal and I believe things are possible.Best regards,
Vincent -
like the shirt, like the video too. looks like you had a ton of fun. I just want to congratulate you on all your success. I don't think without the fourhourworkweek kicking me in the ass how it's done so far i wouldn't be doing anything today, but sitting in some cubicle.
This is a great post, and I needed to read this at this time. Honestly, though, I'm trying to figure out how to fail faster. You know how people say that…"Fail faster"? Well, frankly that's easier said than done. I would love it if you would write a post about this. One thing that's difficult is deciding when something's a failure. Is it you? Is it the idea? Is it the execution? If you can fix those things, should you go on? Should you just find something that doesn't require the thing that needs fixing? Again, I would love to hear your take on this.
Thanks! Tim
I'm sorry to be swiming upstream , but I was disappointed with the new book. Too convoluted, impractical for the average Joe, and lacking a clear focus, unlike 4hrww. Tim should realize that his self-experiments, while interesting to read about, are mainly relevant to himself. All the diet and supplementation information really made my eyes glaze over. Its great to include alot of information in a book but without a central crux its just TMI.
Chapters(?) like the 15 minute orgasm and hacking the NFL combine were not needed. I just feel the hype on this book is excessive and would recommend browsing it before buying, as I'm sure a grounded stoic would…BTW, my two hacks for long and healthy life — live foods in the form of sprouted lentils and alfalfa seeds, combined with whatever the hell else you eat, and daily stretching of the back, which is the axis of the human body.
I kind of agree. 4 Hour Body seems like a book designed for people who normally try different foods and that exercise on a regular basis. The book isn't bad, but I do not think it is written for people that are not used to taking care of their bodies. Working out & eating right is just not as exciting as getting rich & working less.
Quick question, is your blog open to discussing Cannabis on an Intellectual Level? Such as how to use it property and NOT abuse it?!
Specifically about a US Patent that shows it is a "Neuroprotectant" and "Antioxidant".
Of course, smoking is not "Medicinal"
Just asking…
Penetration report: the 4 hour body has landed in the middle of the jungle
Hi Tim,
Just wanted to let you I just picked a copy of the 4-hour Body at my local bookstore in Kuching,East Malaysia ( South West Borneo)!! You are now truly global!
Keep on rocking!
PS. If your ever come to my neck of the jungle, micasa sucasa!
PPS.I got on the hit reality show Amazing Race Asia using some of the principles you shared in 4HWW!Obrigado!Ivan
Hey Tim,
Do you have a schedule anywhere of where you will be doing any speaking arrangements? I would love to attend a live seminar if you're still "touring"P.S. The Four Hour Body kicks a**!!! I'm training for a half marathon and the book's helped out a lot!!!!
This was so helpful. Thanks for the post!
Thank you Tim!
I have pages and pages of scrambled notes and ideas on stacked legal pads on my night stand.
Sometimes I think I'm crazy, other times I reflect and catch some absolute gems in these piles. Consistent execution is key – thank you for this post, inspiring to see that you leave similar trails.
Hello Tim, I've been on the 4HB for two weeks now and have lost seven pounds. I have a lot more to go. I've been down during surgeries and let myself go, now I'm paying the price and I must get back in shape if I want my military job and I do. There is one thing I need to find out and that is about tofu. I love the stuff and it's a great substitute for eggs in the morning. Am I OK with this or should I give this up?
Hi Ron, check out the index to see what Tim has to say about soy – and by extension tofu. He didn't seem too keen about the substution and heavy use of vegetarians and vegans are making today. Plus there are lots of critics of the faux-meat foods out there.
tim, or anyone with thoughts, what do you think of carbon copy pro as a potential side business? please advise.
paul berkey
Dude, this article is right on time for me it's very cool to know people of genius, truly inspired people, like yourself have the same struggles as everyone else but that you do just a few things with more focus and determination. I appreciate this blog, it's special. Great article.
Hey Tim,
Thanks for this post. I needed it today.
Sometimes working alone can be so…….alone. Lonely. It's SO good to hear you speak about your own experience with the frustration you had getting to no.1.Thanks again.
"They differ in that they don't expect luck to help them, nor good fortune to save them. As James Cameron would say: "Hope is not a strategy. Luck is not a factor. Fear is not an option.""——This is Definitely an eye opener for me. Been guilty of this since I started my career life. I have been blaming all that happened to me entirely on luck and fortune. Even my problems with weightloss I expect luck to fix it. You know hoping someone would give me a free ticket to a cosmetic surgeon or something. Thanks for sharing a fraction of your life TIM!
Hi, Tim
In one of your presentations you mentioned Christopher McDougall's "born to run". Christopher McDougall was on TedTalk just a few days ago. Just letting you know in case you are interested. here is the link. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-iGZPtWXzE
Tim, did I hear you on public radio the other day say that you want to write a screen play? If so, do you have a story in mind? I have been wanting to write one for years, I have the story, characters, even the actors I wrote it for, but my writing skills STINK! I dont think studying screen writing is going to help me. If you need a strory idea, I'd love to work with you. If not, are you going to study screen writing before you start, or just jump into it? Steve
Great article. My fail-safe method is to research, research and research – inevitably at some point I find myself drawn to put my ideas or thoughts down on paper or together. The process of planning and research help focus my often lazy attention – almost like living with a pregnancy – birth is hopefully the outcome
Will pay good money for a t-shirt like that? Any ideas for where I could pic that up?
Tim, are you planning to get an agent for more TV and and Radio interviews?
First off, instead of selecting the worst title, I must say that I DO really like "40 Years in a Cubicle: It Tastes Like Chicken". I would have no choice but to buy whatever was on the other side of that cover.
Secondly, great post. I agree with the premise wholeheartedly. I have gotten "life stuck" in terms of finding what creative route to venture down. My reaction to this might seem drastic: I will be hiking all 2,179 miles of the Appalachian Trail beginning next month. I give 4HWW the first line of credit for inspiring me to do so.
I have an idea to turn this episode of "Feeling Stuck" into a book. I would love for the opportunity to bounce exactly two questions off of you and pick your preeminent marketing mind.
Either way, thank you for everything you do. I am truly grateful.
Zach -
I agree – the shirt is great and we will find a way to get one! I have already been looking on eBay.
Anyways, this article is great and could not have come at a better time, I have been crafting my muses for YEARS now with many trials and many errors. It wasn't until the last week that I have cut ties with the modern 9-5 and am pursuing my 4 Hour Workweek on a "full time" basis. Once this is self sufficient, I will sculpt my body with the 4 Hour Body….everything you do is truly a game changer.
Dear Tim,
I had a question about 4HB and the slow carb diet. I used to do a little bodybuilding back in college. I'll try to list some details. At age-22 I was 5'10 and 200lbs with a 30″ waist. My arms were 17.5″ around. I could bench press 400lbs, squad 500+lbs and leg press around 1,100 pounds.
Now I'm 5'10 (still!) and I weigh 222lbs. My waist is now 37″. I've kept most of my body measurements outside of my waist. My arms are still 17.5″. I'm benching a little less at around 350lbs, but recently I did leg press and was still in the 800-900lbs range for reps.
I read 4HB and noticed that in one section you talked about being at a certain point and only seeing incremental gains due to physical fitness. I realize my waist is not where it needs to be. I've recently gotten back into some hardcore DC Training (high intensity/low volume with heavy aspect on negative reps using very heavy weights) and I'm supplementing with creatine as well.
I was curious as to your thoughts on this with regards to weight loss using slow carb diet. Should I expect the same losses while training in this particular style along with creatine supplementation?
Tim, long time lurker, first-time commenter. I just wanted to thank you for completely changing my life. Before reading The Four Hour Workweek, I was drifting along in what most people would consider a "good" job with "good" benefits, but generally disliking it for a number of reasons. Your book was exactly the medicine I needed. Now I'm working on developing a couple of muses, and working toward doing what I want to do on my own terms. Thank you so much–you've opened my eyes to the enormous possibilities available. I've started the Four Hour Body–if it can do half as much for me as 4HWW did, I will be eternally in your debt. Thanks again, man, and keep fighting the good fight!
Just like reading the 4HWW, this allowed me to catch another wind. I have been working on getting my muse established for 6 months, now I finally have product rolling in and need to launch by March 1st to make goals a reality. 6 months of working after everybody goes to bed…6 months of working on the muse during my lunch at my bill paying job…6 months of what felt like lost time. I am starting this beast solo and holding all of the operations, marketing, admin components to myself before I start to outsource. I have to know what it takes to do the job before I can tell somebody how to do it. So it has been 6 months of telling people that, no, they can't help. No, this is my muse and having them looking at me funny. I read the Virgin story 6-7 years ago and he was an inspiration to me that failures don't matter when you finally find success. The man sold used vinyl! I don't care about failing and telling people an idea didn't work…but all of those failures have brought me to right here, the first real success. I know it is going to work and when it does it will be a self operating machine!Thanks again, Tim. Keep on Gettin' on!
Thank you for sharing. I think personal struggles are necessary in life because it shapes who you are today. Trials strengthen character and I think those who are really successful have gone through a lot of struggles in life. Gambatte! Do your best
Thanks for a GREAT post! I truly need the inspiration right now and hit a brick wall yesterday so it is good to know that I should just keep on keeping on – keep pushing!
Great post – thanks. I read it at a time when I needed to hear the message. (which upon reflection is probably most of the time!)
By the way, I resisted buying 4HWW for a long time because I hated the title and the picture on the cover. I thought it looked like another cheesy get rich quick / self-help type book – the ones that are a dime a dozen. It was only after I saw multiple interviews and reviews in magazines such as Inc. that I took it seriously and bought it. I am grateful that I did.
I have to admit, I thought the book was going to be a lot of BS. At 56, I aways wanted to be able to hold my breath for a long time, but had to strain to make just 50 seconds. As soon as the book arrived, I layed in bed, turned to page 460, or there abouts, and read the steps to become Houdini-like. When I got to the instructional step that said: Now attempt to hold your breath for a minute and a half, I nearly crapped my pants. I whispered to myself to avoid waking my wife: "If I could hold my breath for a minute and a half I wouldn't need to read this s#?t." But guess what? I held it for 1 minute 20 seconds. The next night — 2:07! Maybe not a big deal to anyone else, but for me, I figured this Ferris guy might be on to something.
I am now doing the Low Carb diet, KB, and weight lifting routine with great results. Can take a 10-minute ice cold shower while holding my breath for 1:30; not easy to do when you're shivering.Thanks Tim! — Mike
Hey Tim, my name is Nate and we met at the bar last night in Medellin..Listen I have a loft here in Poblado I wanted to offer you and also a quick tour around the city or night life if your interested.
Here is some photos the place, it would be yours for your time here..I normally rent it for $100 per night, but would just ask that you cover costs, basically around $30 per night. Let me know if your interested. Chao for now
I just got "Bird by Bird" from the library – I look forward to reading it and think that it will help me on a writing project that is currently the bane of my existence – ok, it's just one of the banes.
But, a more pressing problem has emerged (no pun intended) — I failed to finish the reps on Tim's bench press routine – so, do I march forward with heavier weights? Keep doing this week's workout until I get it right? Any thoughts readers? Tim? Thanks in advance – fwiw, I'm in week 7 and I failed the first set (I've failed on some of the deeper sets before, but I dont see this as problematic). from 4HB pp.426-30.
I have this same question. I am on week 4 and have not missed a rep yet. My training buddy got stuck on the last two reps of each of the three lifts. Could just be a bad week, maybe he didn't down enough protien. He just took a 2 minute rest then did the last two reps. I've looked all over for an answer and it brought me to your post. Does one continue with the same weight next week? Does one move on and hope for the best?
hi tim
did you taste the mate made by coca cola?
thanks man for all , i ll made my blog with before and after of 4hWW and 4HB.
did you know about cybernetic transposition and Silva Method?
Hi Tim,
Just curious what your thoughts are on the new diet guidelines released this week by the Department of Agriculture and Department of Health and Human Services. I came across an article discussing it on LiveStrong.
Hi Tim. Thanks for this post, I needed to read this today. I easily forget the struggle that high achievers went through, and I just compare and make assumptions and believe any crap that my head throws at me. Fortunately I have examples and sources like you to clear me in the right mind set and direction.
This post goes to my favorites right noe, and I will sure check into the book you mention. A million thanks.
Saludos desde Mexico. Te mando un fuerte abrazo y gracias amigo!
Like Tim, I totally agree with James Cameron's, "Hope is not a strategy. Luck is not a factor. Fear is not an option." Truly inspirational, Tim has opened my thoughts on how to push myself more and go beyond my limits. This made me realize that life is what I make it. I don't have to put on others or even fate what is to become of me…. Now I know, that if I want it, I can make it happen.. If I badly want it, no one or nothing can stop me from making it happen…
Hi Tim. love your new book. heck love the old book too.
on pg 94 under hitting a plateau. you mention "eating too late" i presume you mean not eating within 30 min of waking? and not eating late at night?
there is a common theory/myth that eating late at night causes fatness.
I'm curious if you tested that theory? and if it should be included in your list of mistakes?
May sound crazy, but I love the look of papers with with scribbles and scratches on them. To me it means a new idea is coming into being! I love it! I got giddy when I saw those images. It reminds me that most of my successes came from that trial, error, retrial, re-error, process. Thanks for the motivation and giggles.
In the photo you only have one eye with "red-eye".
Seriously – GET AN EYE TEST.
Peace and love.
This is a great post Mr. Tim. This is just the right words for me at the right time. It directly conveyed my interest as I read the title coz I really feel sort of stuck right now with everything in my life turning upside down. With my fair share of failed plans, bad tries, misfortunes or whatever I call it that ends me up feeling an intense loathing towards everything. But this post inculcated me the spirit that its part of life to try and fail at times and failure does not mean any misfortune or bad luck. That shirt just says it all. It's not about hope and luck and neither fear to be successful in our endeavors but our will to continue and persevere despite of our downfalls because in this journey called life, nobody said it will be all easy but its surely gonna be worth it.
PS: "How to live like a drug Lord" is my fave. I kind'a know somebody from our place and I seriously wonder how they live life each day. Are they always in euphoria or they also feel bad and down sometimes? and when they feel such, they drug themselves again? Just a thought…
Hey Tim,
Personally, I liked "Live Like a Druglord" and "Sick of the Bullshit".
I have a couple of things I want you to know:
I love that you use the word "ass" in your video. Irreverence rocks my world.
You inspire me. I rarely say that to anyone. It's gratifying to see someone who thinks outside the box succeed and live on his own terms. Thank you.
4HB is fabulous. I will save my success story for when I'm more than a few days in but I can already tell how much it is changing me. Thank you.
You are a kind, generous soul. I love your spirit. Thank you for sharing it.
With respect and gratitude,
i like the conclusion best here. it is indeed true. nice job!
I really enjoyed reading this article and while I did, I felt that something has empowered me to work for my dreams!
I liked what it says on the shirt:
hope is not a strategy
luck is not a factor
fear is not an optionIt awakens my senses! Thanks a lot! This should inspire the people who read this with optimism!
I am now in the 21st revision of 10 key pages in my study guide for the bar exam. What a slog. You have given me a boost.
Were you able to apply 4HWW principles to your bar study. I'm having trouble seeing how I can study for the bar without putting in the time. Please tell me if you have any time saving insights. Thanks for any advice you can give me,
I've been following your the Slow-Carb Diet for 3 weeks now and have had no results. What's strange about it is that I've calculated all the calories associated with each meal and remained, at least, 1000 calories under my 4961 calorie per day max. I've cut all dairy products, white stuff, sugar and grains with the exception of some 97% fat free popcorn our of my diet.Could my age have something to do with it? I'm 47 and I notice the older I get the fatter I become and the harder it is to take the weight off. I'm 6′ 6″ and 365lbs. My lean body mass is 265lbs so I'm carrying 100 lbs of fat. The only way that I've ever been able to loos the fat is by starving myself. If I go under 1000 calories per day, I'll loose the fat, but that always ends in a binge which brings me back to where I was prior to starving myself.
Any advice?
Write down what you eat and drink throughout the day and then google each one like this "blood sugar response to _______". I found that coffee and other caffeinated drinks were holding me back after I googled "blood sugar response to coffee" and found out that some people have a blood sugar spike after drinking coffee. The whole slow carb diet is based on the idea that extra blood sugar triggers an insulin surge which controls the blood sugar rise by storing the excess sugar in your blood as fat. For more information read either "good calories bad calories" or "Why we get fat" by Gary Taubes. Another one that was killing me was cheese
I have a whole notebook of notes like that Thanks for the inspiration. BTW Great T-Shirt!
"Live Like a Druglord" would have been awesome.
Really like that T-shirt, might have to get one made
I really do like this paragraph below, its giving me some motivation to push on, already having the second part, I hoe the first will come soon.
"James might also tell you that the best creators are like ducks. They appear to glide along serenely on the surface. Beneath the surface, however, they're kicking like a motherf*cker.
Keep calm and carry on."
Hi Tim, just got your book and after years of reading and fighting it's been an eye opener, all the hidden thoughts in my mind thinking I was alone out there till I read your story.Over the past 2 years Ive created a Business just about to be launched which most probally will give me an amazing income…funny that Im not really excited about it and after so much lifestyle goal setting it's as if I alread have atained the material wealth, strange that Im so close now and my motivation has changed so much to simple things, I'm so glad to have found your book and feel on track again.
Thanks once again,
Russell -
Hi Tim,
Have you tried Low Blue Light eyeglasses or bulbs for better sleep? These products are supposed to filter out the blue spectrum light known to cause suppression of melatonin.
I wonder what you think of their effectiveness?
Dan -
You have a lot of ideas. There are many notions to achieve success.
But we all have to consistent of our goals, be honest in everything that we do and strong amidst challenges…
Maintain a positive outlook and you'll get more than Life like a Druglord…
By the way I would have to agree on James Cameron's quote…
And just what you've said," Keep Calm and Carry on."
Hi Tim, Fantastic photo of the maze of Horta, one of the best parks in Barcelona as a diversity of flora we mean.
I got the 4HB a couple of weeks ago (in came to Amazon here in the UK a little later than the US) and am finding it a fantastic read! When I saw the size I doubted I'd even make it through the whole book, but I'm already halfway through!!! It's so easy to read!
My question – Damage Control.
On page 103 you tell us about your super binge day and you give your "before" and "after" weight.
29th August – 12st
31st August – 9.7stNow I don't mean to be a doubting Thomas, but two and a half stone seems too much to lost in just a weekend – is it a typo?
As I haven't had an answer on this I'm going to take it that Tim didn't lose 2 1/2 stone in a weekend. It was just a typo.
Is there a place for alcohol (ie vodka, gin, scotch) on the slo carb diet? If not, what is the rationale vs the OK for wine (excluding the other possible health benefits of wine)? I'm an MD, so some scientific info would be appreciated
Whey or Casein protein for shakes? I know studies have shown that lactose and whey inhibit fat loss, so when choosing protein powder, should I chose casein?
Does anybody have any experience with chia seeds ?
Let me know.David
Can protein powders be used as in between meals on the 4 hour body diet?
"Undressing the Emperor"
Great post Tim- thought I was the only one who did this lol.
Just one question: Should you be working minimal hours to get a business started? Or should you work 12 hour days to get it started THEN liberate yourself and work only a few? Thanks!
Does it have to be black beans and pinto beans or are white beans and chick peas okay too??
Hi Tim,
My co-worker, Scott, is totally obsessed by your books. He has lost weight following your diet (although he looked great before). And he shares the details of his "cheat" day diet with me. I know you get thousands of emails, but since I have to work in the same room with one of your rabid fans-please could you give a special shout out to Scott? It is his birthday. As great as your books are, there is a limit to how much I can handle listening to about how wonderful and smart you are. He also is obsessed with the 4-hour work week and brings it up in our daily sales meetings. Please-I need a little break…
Hello Tim,
On success – I like Rodney Dangerfield's quote "It took me 20 years to become an overnight success." Of it helps to combine persistence with awareness and creativity. Anne Lamott's wisdom has gotten me through many "writer-block" moments – it's bird by bird which means for a writer it's page by page.Riley
Hey Tim,
Love the books and the blog!
Can I eat 33 French Fries (burger KIng) every tuesday at 11:37pm? Or would weds @ 3AM be better?
Anxiously awaiting your reply
Loca Vida Zip
Thank you for asking this important question, Zippy. The optimal time for Freedom Fries is actually Monday at 3:30pm Pacific. You've missed this week's cutoff, so please wait until next week before attempting. Also, do not exceed 35 fries. You probably wouldn't understand the science behind it, and you don't need to.
Good luck!
- Charlie
Great post, Tim. I always like hearing the behind-the-scenes types of posts about how people I follow came to achieve the success that they have, especially when it talks about their struggles. Everyone can use a little "you can do it!" every now and again. Thanks.
Hey Tim + Co.
Love 4HB, I've recommended it to countless friends. Most of them have that "Bike-Shed" attitude so they are generally ignored when it comes to the criticisms. I experimented a little with the Slow-Carb diet and saw results. I have, however, switched it up a bit and added some additional carbs for muscle gain. I just wanted to thank you guys for introducing me to my new best friend: the kettlebell. Doing high rep double-handed swings and low rep single-handed swings has me exhausted after only 20 minutes of working out. I end up feeling great after each and every workout. I'm also seeing and noticing the results. Once I muster up to it, I'm going to attempt the Occam's Protocol, but I have been using a few strategies posted within the chapter for normal weight lifting.Thanks again guys.
I really liked your quote:
Most miraculous successes are nothing of the sort.
Those on front lines, the people who seem to jump into the limelight from nowhere, experience the same plodding frustration and trial-and-error as the rest of the world.
They differ in that they don't expect luck to help them, nor good fortune to save them.
I resonate with those words. As I struggle to get my own online business going, many people would like to think that I'm doing something wrong because I am struggling… I must be wrong because it's not easy….
Hey Tim,
You' ve gotten lazy with your blog, no posts for over two weeks. You've made your money from your book and are probably laughing all the way to the bank. Don't you think you at least owe the people who follow your blog some of your time? after all, most of the people who follow your blog also spent good money on your book and have made you what you are today, not to mention fattened your bank account.
2 weeks? Give the guy a break. Maybe reread a few of the hundreds of free posts he has done of the past 3+ years. I'm sure Tim has much more up his sleeve
maybe he's on one of his extended vacations.
oh I wish I could do the same.
While I'd also like to see more updates, I don't think 2 weeks is something to complain about. I rather read a good post once in a while, than a shitty post every other day!
Props to Zippy and Charlie – both the question and reply had me laughing out loud.
Honestly, the posts reflect a little bit more truthfully on their respective parties (questioners on this blog and Tim) than each would probably care to admit.. -
I just saw your little banner ad with the copy that reads…
"Eat Like Santa… Look Like Jesus"
…and I thought, "Ohhh f***, he's done it again!" I hope this ad is crushin' it for you and I'm wondering if this copy has been tested six ways from Sunday like the "4 Hour Work Week" copy was.
Just wanted to give you props for that copy and you can bet your ass I'll be swiping it! Hahaha!
Wishing you massive prosperity in all walks of life,
Note Taking Nerd #2 -
Tim, I must say I never predicted the feeling of gastrointestinal well-being that a big spoonful of sauerkraut could give me.
Need help with Adrenal Fatigue. Tim, thanks for the great books!!! You mentioned in 4HB "adrenal fatigue" in connection to using ECA. It has been suggested to me by my physician that I could have adrenal fatigue caused by stress and by a possible Lyme infection. I took herbs to treat the Lyme infection and many symptoms have improved, but I'm still struggling to get over adrenal fatigue symptoms: tiredness and hypoglycemia between meals.
I (and a few others who have posted on your blog) would really love to hear what you know about adrenal fatigue.
Tim, you should have called the book "How to Live Like a Drug Lord". Very catchy!
Why make a slightly smaller party?!? Make it bigger!!
We wanna go!!! LOL!!
Your party does look awesome!!Luda
Hey Tim,
Congratulations on all the hard work in making the 4HB, another hit!!
I thought it was about time I dropped by and showed some gratitude to the guy who helped change my whole life. Thank you Tim. No doubt I'm only one of millions who's life has benefitted so much from your knowledge.
In 2007, 25 yrs old, things changed. I began to feel the power of my life in my own hands, I always felt that this 'deffered life-plan' was just not for me. I was hungry for a lifestyle of happiness and freedom, and to create something that could support that freedom, financially. I didn't know exactly how this would happen…
I stumbled accross your blog, I was hooked. Something inside clicked. Just before the 4HWW launched, I'd made a decision to leave the UK and experience the world and wondered if the things I read about could really be possible. I was so excited. I picked up your 4HWW in JFK. I couldn't wait to open the pages and start changing my life. I was on a flight to Bermuda, then onward to Vancouver where my partner and I had visas to 'work'…but now we had other plans. This was OUR time, we wanted an automated business that would let us live free and a way to make our way in this world, maybe even change it!
We've been working towards a more automated life (business/income wise) for the past 3 years. Lots of (amazing) travelling has put of the 'legalities' of running a business on the back burner, but were now staying put for a while to finally try to 'get it together' and reach the TMI that will help us see live way of life as a permanant change. It's quite a distance away yet…but we're still moving forward.
But, it's getting harder to focus, information overload. Self development, marketing, the mind-set, goals becoming undefined, shakey ground. Reading book after book, worrying about not actually implementing things I read, and then forgetting it all together.
I know we should keep going, persevere, break down the walls. I'm paralysed by indecision at the moment, which I know is more damaging than the wrong decision, but it remains.
Thank you for this article. Great timing for us. It's good to see under the surface that great accomplishments don't just happen. They're created. Facing problems, taking action and overcoming them.
Sometimes the feeling of seeing successful people and businesses everywhere doesn't inspire me, it drowns me. This article helped me to keep my head above the water and don't stop kicking.I know that one day we'll be where I keep visualising we always will be, and I can't wait.
Cheers Tim, thank you for all your effort, you're inspiring. I spread the word of the 4HWW wherever I go.
Onwards and upwards, stay happy.
Thanks so much for this post Tim! It is hard to remember sometimes that many currently successful people have at one point dug themselves out of tougher times. We all just have to keep on trekking on and keep our eyes on the prize. It can get really rough sometimes but the end goal is what makes it worth it. I hope everyone here eventually makes it to the liberation stage.
You MUST be my brother by another mother… Really.
We should talk about educational reform sometime (last time I intoned I wanted to open a school of my own, I was passed several CVs from disgruntled teachers – the time is right…)
About the shirt – IIRC, the 'Luck is not a factor' phrase appears in the Abyss – another fine Cameron production. The others are pretty public domain. Likely, we could go to screens without hassle…
Keep rockin' it!
It's a pity this line from your draft was left on the cutting room floor:
When is the last time you wanted the life of someone who told you that you were being "unrealistic"?
Great blog. Also enjoying your books at the moment. Lots to think about. Thank you.
Keep being a beast and a role model to all.
Mad props.
Great article, it's amazing when the light comes on. It always makes you wonder why you banged your on the wall for so long.
Thanks Tim for all your tips!
I have had such a hard slog writing my book but it is totally worth it! Thanks again!
Adam -
Three months ago I was 30 lbs overweight, had a cholesterol level of 270 and had no clue about blogs, adsense, widgets or anything else about creating a website.
I read both of your books and now I'm down 16 lbs. My cholesterol is 217. AND, I started my own blog. I even know what a widget is now!
Your books and these posts are great. The information is solid but it is your presenation that makes the difference. Getting motivated is what it is all about.
My site might not set records but I'm gaining knowledge each day. I'll be able to build on that forever. Thanks Tim.
Congrat on your new book, it is not my cup of tea though. Is Please Shoot Me in the box a title idea? or just out of frustration! I would buy the book with title ungodly riches, or 40 years in a cubicle.. I can see why the 4 hours work week is the best title though.
Good post and very true: I probably started my novel about 15-16 times, getting anywhere from 5-40 pages in before realizing it was crap, then throwing the whole thing out.
Fantastic article!
Gives a great new perspective.Thanks a lot. -
That is a damn good post. Just by looking at it you would never realize how many rewrites your book actually took, damn…
Very encouraging. makes you not loss hope and strive forward even if your well is dry.
Hi Tim. I can't tell you how much you have changed my life. Reading your first book reaffirmed everything I was already thinking and helped me make the changes I wanted to make in my life. I'm sure you've heard these stories again and again, but sometimes I still feel like the odd one in the crowd because of the way I view life. I am glad I am in good company!
You have great ambition and I am very grateful for your failures and your successes and your endurance through it all. I needed this post now as I keep creating my own path in life – and enjoying every minute of it! -
Its amazing how inspirational those discarded pages are.
I read this blog because I am totally stuck. What I learned is that I am stuck because I am doing the wrong thing. I asked myself the question, "What do I want to do?", and this time I hope I have the right answer.
I'm sure I'll get stuck again, but at least the next time, I'll know that its not because I'm doing the wrong thing.
OK, the 4 hour body diet is excellent. I really didn't think it would work this well. I only have 3 or 4 pounds to go to my ideal body weight. I look and feel great.
Here is my question: How do I turn it off? Pretty soon I'll want to get to a maintenance weight–not lose and not gain. I want to keep my "binge day", because I love it. So, any thoughts on staying put on the scale??
Will Stevie as a sweetner stop the fat burning? Is it ok to use on this diet?
Hi Tim!
LOVE LOVE LOVE your book. My question is of the medical nature. Can I start the CQ and the PAGG while taking prescriptions and other vitmains and supplements??? Are there any interactions that I should be concerned with? I would really like to get off the last bit of body fat and let my muscles show! Thanks!-
Hi Becca,
Please consult a doctor first if you're unsure about the supplements you plan on taking. Tim is an expert on this stuff, but it's impossible for him to assess how you'll personally respond simply by reading your comment. We definitely don't want you to experience anything nasty, so please pay the doc a visit!
All the best,
Very timely article for me, Tim. I bought and devoured the first publication of 4-Hour while I was working a traditional job as a contract administrator. I passed it on and bought the 2nd Edition which sits on my desk highlighted and earmarked. I was released from employment in June 2008 and have had the time of my life since. The most inspiring story for me was Yoga For Rock Climbers. I was thinking way too big and defeating myself in the process of considering a muse. The story helped me back it down to a manageable process.
This Saturday (26th) I will be self-publishing the final draft of "The Development of Felted Cross Stitch, Complete Instructions to Get You Started", for sale on Scribd, my Etsy store and possibly one other site. The book is a result of having time to play and experiment with the art but it was put to paper directly because you challenged me to consider a different way to think about income, retirement and life.
After the draft is out, the entire book is going to be dissected with a graphic designer I've found and prepared for professional publication. My muse has risen out of the process.
I am mid 40′s and many of my friends have finally seen the possibilities of not being tied to a corporation for success-but 3 years ago they looked at me like I had 3 heads when I suggested your ideas.
Thanks Tim!
ps-love the shirt!Dev
Creative Director, Gypsy In The Castle, LLC-
oops – that may come off as self-serving. Not my intent, just excited about my progress. Dev
Really interesting to hear your strategy about how you wrote your book. I always imagined writing a book as an amazingly daunting task, and your strategy allows one to think of it as only a slightly daunting task!
Great post Tim.
Inspirational stuff! I think you hit the nail on the head my friend. Just don't give up. Anyway, I know that's been the case for me and the other success stories I know of. It all seems like "magic" when it happens, but basically there was a lot of "keeping on" involved.
Anyway… great stuff.
And I really thank you for sharing the "titles" and "old pages". I can relate. Just nice to know that a "best selling" author goes through the same stuff.
I would have bought "The Lifestyle Fetish" and would have picked up "The Idiots Wager" out of curiosity. 8^)
Sheer persistence and preserverence make people apart from others. Only those who do smart work and have faith on themelves can go longer in life.
Looks like a badass party! No go go dancers??
Keep us in the loop on your behind the scenes magic.
"Hope is not a strategy. Luck is not a factor. Fear is not an option." – Right.
tim keep it up these posts are amazing and you are an inspiration
I like "Billionaire Beer Goggles" best! lol, thanks for sharing your brainstorming. It's interesting to see how much thought went into a simple title, LOVE it!!
This is my first time here, although I am well aware of who you are and have read your book;)
Love your stuff and your style!!
~Molly Dalbec
A link to this post just showed up in my in box…talk about perfect timing. I have two excellent book ideas that just never seem to get past the note-taking phase. Reading this post has inspired me to get moving again, thanks Tim. Your insight and inspiration is always welcome – can't wait for your next post.
Any thoughts on infrared saunas?
As a small business owner dealing with my own demons and big plans, I find this post extremely appropriate. But, I wonder if I'm the only one who likes the rawness of the original writings. I found some of the tips in the 4 Hour Work Week helpful, but find the original writing are more realistic and appealing. I have been struggling and looking for something to let me know I'm not crazy, and here it has been in my email for over a month. I want the raw version of the 4 Hour Work Week!
Heyyy me and my girlfriend made the launch party video!! 1:51
Hi all. Hi Tim.
I am working my way through 4HB book and taking on suggestions for reducing body fat AND increasing muscle. What I am having trouble with the links in the book to pictures of the excercies and programs and such. I found all the end of chapter links on the blog but all the links throughout the chapters seem to be gone. Where are they now? In particular http://www.fourhourbody.com/excercises
Thanks David-
David- The links still work. The one you're referring to is here: http://www.fourhourbody.com/exercises
Thanks mate. It is the same as I typed. Only tried for 1 day so maybe just bad timing. Really appreciate the reply.
I've been doing the Slow Carb Diet for nearly two weeks, but I've only lost 3 pounds and my BMI is still @ 22.
I've stuck to the diet religiously.
Example breakfast, Glass of cold water, 20 Bridges, 30 bird dogs, 50 Kettle bell swings, 3 hard-boiled eggs, 2-3 strips turkey bacon and coffee (2 tablespoons 1/2 & 1/2).
Lunch and dinner is lean meat (chicken, steak, burger) stir fried with a veggie and beans (black, red, black-eyed peas). I eat all I want cause the book says its OK. I also workout 5 days a week, 3 cardio,2 weight.
I've had 1 cheat day, number 2 is tomorrow.WHAT AM I DOING WRONG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Anyone had any stomach aches from this diet. I didn't really eat too much bad carbs or sugar beforehand and have been on this diet to a T for over a week. Last friday, I had some organic pumpkin soup with a tin of shredded chicken breast. The serving was quite large and i found the soup had potato in it. An hour later I had strong aches in the top of my stomach and hours later (5 or 6) sharp pains in my lower ab. A good nights rest and it was okay the next morning if not a little minor tinge in the stomach. This was my cheap day and I had scrambled eggs on turkish bread with baked beans and coffee with milk. Felt a little uncomfortable afterwards but nothing like friday night. Grazed throughout the day and then had a massive feast of indian at night and my stomach went crazy again. This morning (sun) it seems okay and I went back to poached eggs and spinach for beaky with a small coffee with almond milk. Okay so far but could this diet be making me a little sensitive to starch?
Hi Tim
Looks great. Less food and regular excercise is the way forward.
Read your book 4 hour work week.
It was awesome – completely inspirational.
Thanks for writing it.
To you continued success.
Tim – did you ever test out the chelation suppository treatment/method as mentioned in the book? I'd be interested in your findings as I'm looking at that treatment and could use a product recommendation.
Thanks in advance,
I am on the sixth day of the 4HB and I LOVE,LOVE,LOVE it. I have tried every diet imaginable and even hypnosis to get rid of my cravings for sweets. I have lost 5 pounds in 5 days on the 4HB and am not craving sweets at all. In fact, I get sick at the thought of all those forbidden foods.
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you-The 4HB has saved my life! -
Questions for Tim or anyone else who can help.
I have been on the low carb diet for 2 weeks now (lost 3 kgs) and have been eating chicken, beef, eggs, veges, nuts, beans and a little coffee with oat milk (tiny bit).
I guessed my BMI as 20% body fat. Losing 3 kgs I assume is fat and a bit of muscle.
I am now going onto Tim's Geek to Freak… following his workout routine.
Questions I have:
Times workout on P187 says nothing about number of sets or reps. I am guessing based on information near that section, it would 1 set of each using a 5/5 cadence, aiming to have total failure at around 10 reps.
There is also nothing about diet, so I am staying on the same low carb diet but with a shake with fruit prior to gym and then a meal with 1/2 cup of brown rice after the gym. Nothing different on non workout days. Is this okay or should I be adding something?
Would adding rolled oats with honey for breaky be okay? I gym after 5pm.
What about on non workout days? -
"40 Years In A Cubicle: Tastes Like Chicken"
I agree. Classic.
Good stuff man! Gonna check out that book you recommended, been a bit stuck on the writing lately, cheers!
Hey, will a smart person please tell me why tim said that the china study- in linking animal protein to cancer- was not quite right?
Thanks so much for this post! I am finally deleting it from my inbox, but I kept it there because I found it so inspirational. It is so comforting to hear that everyone struggles when trying to achieve something different, especially to hear it from someone like Tim. I have been moved by this and appreciate that you are humble enough to share your struggles.
Thanks for the advice on credit repair on all of this blog. The things i would advice people is usually to give up the mentality that they can buy at this moment and pay out later. Like a society most of us tend to do this for many issues. This includes trips, furniture, plus items we really want to have. However, you'll want to separate the wants out of the needs. While you're working to boost your credit score you have to make some trade-offs. For example you are able to shop online to economize or you can visit second hand outlets instead of expensive department stores regarding clothing.
You probably get this all the time but can I ask who made your shirt and where can I get one? very real and inspiring.. I really want one! Thanks!
Great post mate. And a super like for your t-shirt.