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The not to do list: 9 habits to stop now

fourhourworkweek.com

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Re: The not to do list: 9 habits to stop now

#2
0. Don't believe that you know what's best for others.

I check and send email first thing. Starting the flow of communication starts me, personally, on the right foot, and gives the addressee more time to respond.

I most always have a cell phone on me. I like people and have no problem ignoring a call if need be. And as for not answering unknown numbers, give me a break. People are shy and often don't like leaving voicemail.

Re: The not to do list: 9 habits to stop now

#3

0. Don't believe that you know what's best for others. I check and send email first thing. Starting the flow of communication starts me, personally, on the right foot, and gives the addressee more time to respond. I most always have a cell phone on me. I like people and have no problem ignoring a call if need be. And as for not answering unknown numbers, give me a break. People are shy and often don't like leaving vo…

Really? My take has always been: if it's important they'll either leave a voice message, call multiple times or try other methods of communication. It's rarely important (at least for me).

Re: The not to do list: 9 habits to stop now

#4

0. Don't believe that you know what's best for others. I check and send email first thing. Starting the flow of communication starts me, personally, on the right foot, and gives the addressee more time to respond. I most always have a cell phone on me. I like people and have no problem ignoring a call if need be. And as for not answering unknown numbers, give me a break. People are shy and often don't like leaving vo…

Really? My take has always been: if it's important they'll either leave a voice message, call multiple times or try other methods of communication. It's rarely important (at least for me).

I used to agree with that line of thinking, but now I see that as a self fulfilling prophecy: if you don't make an effort to communicate with others, then others won't communicate with you (unless they have to).

Re: The not to do list: 9 habits to stop now

#5

0. Don't believe that you know what's best for others. I check and send email first thing. Starting the flow of communication starts me, personally, on the right foot, and gives the addressee more time to respond. I most always have a cell phone on me. I like people and have no problem ignoring a call if need be. And as for not answering unknown numbers, give me a break. People are shy and often don't like leaving vo…

Really? My take has always been: if it's important they'll either leave a voice message, call multiple times or try other methods of communication. It's rarely important (at least for me).

Or be insulted...some people expect an answer.

Re: The not to do list: 9 habits to stop now

#6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Really? My take has always been: if it's important they'll either leave a voice message, call multiple times or try other methods of communication. It's rarely important (at least for me).

Or be insulted...some people expect an answer.

Hmm but wouldn't I have those people in my phone? I'm just trying to think of someone I care about who I wouldn't have in my phone. Or someone who would actually be upset with me. If a friend had to borrow someone else's phone they'd probably either call twice or send me a text. Either way they wouldn't be insulted. I guess we associate ourselves with different people.

Re: The not to do list: 9 habits to stop now

#7
post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Really? My take has always been: if it's important they'll either leave a voice message, call multiple times or try other methods of communication. It's rarely important (at least for me).

I used to agree with that line of thinking, but now I see that as a self fulfilling prophecy: if you don't make an effort to communicate with others, then others won't communicate with you (unless they have to).

I've honestly never had any problems. Then again I make sure to save everyone's phone number in my phone, and I'm the opposite of important. I've never had any problems with having a good amount of friends or staying in touch. I've always preferred email any way.

I guess when you're getting biz dev calls or what have you every day it'd be different.

Re: The not to do list: 9 habits to stop now

#8

0. Don't believe that you know what's best for others. I check and send email first thing. Starting the flow of communication starts me, personally, on the right foot, and gives the addressee more time to respond. I most always have a cell phone on me. I like people and have no problem ignoring a call if need be. And as for not answering unknown numbers, give me a break. People are shy and often don't like leaving vo…

You guys are missing his points. Read his book and you will understand much better.

Tim Ferris is about CUTTING OUT THE CRAP. He is about efficiency. Tim ferris checks his email once per week. He did this while running a very profitable business. He got to where he is by employing these principles. And unlike other "gurus" that just make money on selling their "guru" information (like rich dad poor dad guy, tony robbins) this guy actually did A WHOLE LOT of things. Now he is sharing his experience on "lifestyle design".

His advice is meant to free up your time, to invest in things that actually matter, and actually produce returns. Do you mean to tell me that posting on yc, checking your email a billion times a day, and screwing around on your phone is productive? It's not, you can bash me all you want, but it simply is not.

Being up to date on news is bullshit. Sure its "nice to know", but does it really get you anywhere? Read his thoughts on "information overload" and you will understand.

All this stuff we are doing, its "nice" but its not efficient, and optimized. If you want to get anything done in this life, you need to be efficient and optimized.

Re: The not to do list: 9 habits to stop now

#9
post #8

0. Don't believe that you know what's best for others. I check and send email first thing. Starting the flow of communication starts me, personally, on the right foot, and gives the addressee more time to respond. I most always have a cell phone on me. I like people and have no problem ignoring a call if need be. And as for not answering unknown numbers, give me a break. People are shy and often don't like leaving vo…

You guys are missing his points. Read his book and you will understand much better. Tim Ferris is about CUTTING OUT THE CRAP. He is about efficiency. Tim ferris checks his email once per week. He did this while running a very profitable business. He got to where he is by employing these principles. And unlike other "gurus" that just make money on selling their "guru" information (like rich dad poor dad guy, tony robb…

I certainly agree he has some good ideas--but like everything else, what he says should be taken with a grain of salt.

He personally outsources much of his life, including personal e-mails and dating (http://www.fourhourworkweek.com/blog/2007/07/24/mail-your-ch...):

Online dating is largely a numbers game, so I hired virtual teams of people all over the world — India, Philippines, Jamaica, Canada, and others — to compete against each other and set dates for me on an online calendar. Each of them were assigned one of my accounts on either online dating sites like Match.com, or on social networking sites like Friendster, and there would be a $150 bonus to whichever team set the most good dates. Excluding the bonus, the entire experiment cost less than $200 dollars

If this is your thing then go for it, for me its too impersonal.

Re: The not to do list: 9 habits to stop now

#10

0. Don't believe that you know what's best for others. I check and send email first thing. Starting the flow of communication starts me, personally, on the right foot, and gives the addressee more time to respond. I most always have a cell phone on me. I like people and have no problem ignoring a call if need be. And as for not answering unknown numbers, give me a break. People are shy and often don't like leaving vo…

Really? My take has always been: if it's important they'll either leave a voice message, call multiple times or try other methods of communication. It's rarely important (at least for me).

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