Most of us live the 9-5 life every day. Let’s be honest with ourselves, it’s usually more like 8-8 in the architecture industry. Living this type of lifestyle is unhealthy and can lead to real consequences over time. The 4-Hour Workweek – Book Review for architects presents case studies and tactics to live a more efficient and fulfilling life.

Since architects work long hours and already struggle to make a profit you might be asking why read this book? Well, taking the ideas from this book will allow you to take control of your lifestyle in new result-driven ways. It is important for architects to value their own personal well-being. To do this we must target in-efficiencies and low-value tasks done day-to-day.

The author of the book, Tim Ferriss had similar problems as architects. He was up all night working on his original business. Trying to solve menial problems and not making enough money for his desired lifestyle. Consequently, his stress and anxiety levels were high. He decided to change things and adopt tactics to make things better.

Architects should consider a “new rich” lifestyle to increase happiness

Establishing a mindset for the ideal lifestyle is how Tim starts part 1 in the book. Traditional lifestyle approaches are compared to “new rich” lifestyle approaches. An example comparison would be how we traditionally save for retirement throughout our lives and hope for one day when retirement is imminent. The “new” rich method would be taking “mini” retirements throughout life and being fulfilled not only monetarily, but also how you spend your time.

The comparisons between the different lifestyles in the book can directly relate to architects and improve our lives. Architects tend to put projects first before our own well-being. When reading the 4-Hour Workweek keep in mind the examples discussed are presented from Tim’s viewpoint in a different industry. So think of them from different angles and how they apply to the profession of architecture.

The steps to improve your lifestyle

The book is broken down into separate steps for designing a new lifestyle.

1. Definitions and Rules
2. Elimination
3. Automation
4. Liberation

Each of these sections of the book focuses on different aspects of your life and how you can improve. Some of the examples in the book really challenge our perceived ways of doing things. Generally speaking the book questions the keep working harder for more returns method of making money etc.

It questions work-life in how most people optimistically deny that state of their existence. For example, instead of work being pure hell or having a pessimistic view towards the situation we usually rationalize our current situation. In order to create a better life for ourselves, it would be better to take action and improve our current lifestyle.

Positive ideas from the book to consider

Improve your life with these strategies from the book.

• Evaluate your overall goals and make changes based on how you want to value time now vs. years down the road.
• Identify fears about life and careers and establish ways of improving them.
• Analyze your current lifestyle and make adjustments and prioritize things you really care about.
• Work more efficiently by utilizing tools presented in the book like batching and outsourcing.
• Live a more fulfilling life by prioritizing personal passions and investing in personal relationships.

The 4-Hour Workweek will definitely make you question how you are living your life. It might even prompt you to make some small or drastic changes that ultimately bring you more happiness. The 4-Hour Workweek – book review for architects is intended to help you live a better life.

Fooled by Randomness, The Book to Keep You Safe from the Black Swan is a book review on investing and lifestyles.

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