After a bit of thinking, I think it's possible.

This post had been scheduled to go out, but I just sat on it. Here you go:
 

Recently I posted regarding Tim Ferriss's book, The 4-hour Work Week: Escape the 9 to 5, live anywhere, and join the new rich. I'd queried whether his idealistic view were possible in a service-based industry.

At the time of the post, I'd only ventured a mere 5 chapters into the text, so I made some assumptions based on a minimal amount of information. Since posting, I've finished the book, and have taken several opportunities to reflect on the content. I still affirm my initial conclusion that there is absolutely no way to accomplish the feats he advocates as an attorney or in any other service-based profession, at least not if you'd like to maintain your license.

However, there is still some ability to free yourself from the office, and enjoy life (although, even this has some limitations, i.e. billable hours, client meetings, etc). The key I think is recognizing one of the core principles discussed by The Positivity Blog, Jim Calloway, and Susan Cartier-Liebel. This core principle involves manipulating the 80/20 principle to your competitive advantage.

One of the things Tim discusses in the book is creating, or building efficiency, by emphasizing the 80/20 principle. Tim suggests that the reader consolidate the time he/she spends answering phone calls and responding to email, as one valuable method to build more free time. Tim suggests using email autoresponders and voicemail as a way to prompt clients to specifically articulate their needs, and stave off the multitude of unnecessary conversations. Note also that he suggests telephone conversations if email responses become too extensive.

I think this principle would improve client expectations, although it may "bite you in the butt" too. Recently, one attorney I work with attended a CLE where he discovered that sometimes client expectations aren't quite our expectations. The presenter said that more bar complaints occur because of "failure to communicate with clients" than anything else. The presenter stated that some client expectations are unreasonable, considering the attorney's workload. For instance, most attorneys believe that a same-day response to an email is okay, while most clients believe that an email gets answered within 1 hour. This divide could lead to confusion, especially if you rely heavily on email as a primary medium for communication.


I think if you're going to use Mr. Ferriss's principles, it's important to set client expectations at the initial client meeting.

Could it work?

Timothy Ferriss is the epitome of the uber-riche. After reading his biography, you'd wish to have one second of his lifestyle. He's obviously a "silver-spoon" right? Wrong. His parents have never made more than $50k combined. His lifestyle is the result of calculated planning and dedication. He exposes the secrets in his New York Times bestseller, The 4-hour Workweek: Escape the 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich. This book gives the seemingly obscure secrets to the millionaire lifestyle and ability to free more time for yourself or your family.

Although I'm only 5 chapters into the book, I already see methods for changing my lifestyle to enjoy greater family and vacation time. Ferriss' argument is that by being more productive in less hours, you can actually see more capital. Therefore, your increased productivity/capital enables you to remove yourself from the office, and work where and when you want.

While I agree with many of the suggestions thus far, I question whether Ferriss' philosophy can work for a service-based industry (doctors, lawyers, etc). My initial conclusion is that it cannot. Without dumping your first profession (in lieu of another products-based business) the professional cannot extricate themself from the office to live anywhere. The reason being, the clients/patients visit you because of your special skills and expertise. Moreover, I appreciate that some aspects of certain professions (i.e. transactional attorneys) promote or enable more freedom, the majority of service professions are tied to the office.

However, I don't think that this fact should be discouraging. I think solo practice offers a closer actualization of this goal than most other areas. The solo-practictioner depends on the client, but by being more productive, setting more focused goals, and taking time to appreciate being out of the office, the solo can more easily (and radically) change his or her self.

One of Ferris' biggest suggestions is to appreciate (stop) that useless time you're "working." His suggestion is that if you're "working" to be at work or feel productive, you're just wasting time. You can probably spend time elsewhere, doing more meaningful things. I've seen the reality of this by looking around my office, and in my own work habits. If I were to be totally honest with myself, the number of hours I've been "at work" and "working" is probably fewer than 20 per month. I think it's pretty common for most people to sluff off (surf the internet) because there really isn't that much to do, or we're procrastinating those things that actually need to get done. Ferris would say some like, "get your butt up, do what you have to do, and enjoy the free time you have because you completed your duty."

Overall, Ferriss offers some good advice, which, if heeded, can significantly improve your productivity, focus, and overall bottom-line; and everyone knows that a higher bottom-line equates to more family and personal time.

Side note: Ferriss takes off 1 month for every 2 months he works, and still makes $40,000/month.