First 30 Day Assessment of the 4-Hour Workweek Project

Today is all about looking back over the first 30 days and making an assessment of where I feel I am at this wee milestone in the project. I really do want to understand what I have accomplished in this first 30 days, along with how I am making certain changes or changes. Importantly, I want to know where I need to really pay attention to keep moving forward. Most people say they would like to change their life, make it better, be happier and although I do share this sentiment, I am a little different.

There is a great deal in my life I am very very grateful for and so much of what I have and do now that is wonderful. My life is better now compared to any other phase in my life to date. Therefore, I prefer to state that I want to change my life. I am interested in taking certain areas, attacking particular behaviors and habits to make real sustainable change for the better.

I have spent too much time thinking and talking about change and less time making change. How I am going to realize my passion, How I am going to have more free time, How I ……this year is about moving from the state of ‘wanting to’ to the state of ‘making changes’. My mantra in this exciting (but difficult) manifestation project is just to keep acting as if it’s already here and help as many people as I can get to where they truly want to go, the universe will take care of the rest (great advice from Dr. Wayne Dyer). Thus, at the end of the first 30 days, I am truly happy and grateful now that real change is in motion.

Why Did I Take On This Project in the First Place?

After establishing myself within my profession and creating a successful consulting firm, I became swamped with client work and realized I could not grow my business any larger without hiring staff and moving to a ‘manager’ role. This direction did not really appeal to me as it meant I would work more, manage more people and have less time and energy to do things I was already missing in my life. In addition, my partner and family had started a large E-business project that involves the creation and maintenance of several Internet websites thus, I was beginning to feel over-scheduled, over-worked and really out of balance. I did not want to give up either my profession or E-business projects so I knew I had to change the way I was doing things and how I was working – enter Timothy Ferris and the 4-Hour Workweek.

Let’s Recap

So, I thought about having a good look at the first 30 days. What have I accomplished in the first 30 days of the 4 Hour Workweek Project? How Did I Do It?

To look at my progress to date so far I have chosen to make 2 lists, one a task list of the things, suggestions I have taken from Ferris and given a try. The second list is the concepts or areas I have spent some time contemplating, either acknowledging that I really did need to face an issue for myself or simply found a particular area a really good idea to consider and figured out how I might focus on something specific to try to make changes that will lead my to my goal(s).

First the Task List: This is What I Have Done in the First 30 Days

1. Lifestyle Design Change (LDC)
2. Batching
3. Email Schedule
4. Outsourcing
5. Applied the 80/20 Principle and Examined Everything I Do

Now the Concepts or Issue Areas I Focused On

• Practical Value of Money
• Social and Family Messaging We Receive Around Work/Success
• All or None Retirement Planning
• Excuses and Fear
• Habits and Motivation
• Optimistic Denial
• Boredom
• Effectiveness versus Efficiency

What is the Bottom Line of Progress So Far?

Wow, once again, I was very surprised. To be honest I am actually impressed with my own self! I have narrowed in on 5 specific tasks that I now do as part of my auto-pilot each day. The LDC was the best first step. Having taken the time to think about what I really wanted and more importantly this round actually print off the sheets, sit down to fill them out and then incorporate my goals and dreams into what I do everyday is outstanding.

I know this is not a new concept. We have all  heard countless times how we need to write goals down, review them regularly and keep it fresh in our minds. My problem was not in understanding the process, it was doing it! I had made lists of goals in the past, with some success but this is different. I have solidified where I want to end up and it is part of the tasks I do everyday now – that ought to help. Finally, having clarified goals and then applying the 80/20 principle (it is like it runs in the background now as I move through the day) to specific tasks is definitely helping me stay on track during this first month. It is too early to say how this will work later in the year, but I know now it has helped me stay focused and make better choices about what I do with my time.

The batching tasks and getting the time I spent on my email under control are the two most practical areas I have found to start making changes. I find the batching technique helps me accomplish more in the same or less time and I know I do not need to explain how helpful reducing my email time is turning out. I do have to confess this is still somewhat of a challenge despite how productive it is – more about that in an upcoming blog.

Outsourcing – this is a golden nugget. I have chosen to outsource some of the E-business work in areas that I am comfortable such as social marketing and the majority of the IT work. This is one area I will continue to use and develop throughout the year. Outsourcing will make a huge impact in me getting to the point where I have more free time without compromising what I like to do. Expect to hear much more on this topic.

Final Thoughts on the Concepts.

I started a mere 30 days ago acknowledging old habits, excuses and fear as primary reasons I had not manifested goals that I have had on my list for quite some time. It was very interesting to me to hear that voice in my head talking about work and success to me as if I had a parent or an old teacher sitting in my office with me having a conversation about what I was going to do in my life or what I was going to amount to based on my choices. The one thing that both my mentors and critics were absolutely right about was that my choices had consequences and I was responsible for each and every choice.

I am pleased thus far that a lot of the work I have done on the 4 Hour Workweek project has involved taking a look at the items included in the concept list. Again, this is where I am doing things a little differently this round and I do feel it is working. I have made great strides since simply reading the original version of Ferris’ book in 2007 but not implementing anything like I am doing now.

I would like to close today’s blog and the 30 Day Assessment with a quote from a reader that I found stellar in it’s advice and says better than I can why I think things are different for me this round.

“I agree whole heartedly that we must take the ideas and strategies that are offered to us by Ferris and others and use them to get to where WE want to go.

This is my analogy…..

If we simply look at someone else’s car – it doesn’t take us anywhere. (read the book – no action).

If we get in someone else’s car and do exactly what they do – we end up at THEIR destination. (Read the book – with blind thoughtless action).

We must understand that if we acquire our own automobile, one that suits our needs – WE can drive to where we want to go! (read the book create you dreamline!).”

Great Blog – thanks!
Best of luck with the site.
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Have a great day everyone, I have to go and get to my second critical task for today….after all, it Super Bowl 2010 this Sunday and I am definitely finishing all my to-do’s for the week so I can take the whole weekend off – Go Saints!

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