5 Time management tricks I learned from years of hating Tim Ferriss
I have hated Tim Ferriss for a long time. I have hated him since we both had editors at Crown Publishing who sat next to each other and I heard how difficult he is.
I didn’t blog about it because first of all, I’m sure the buzz about me is that I’m difficult, too. And also, his book, The 4-Hour Workweek, was a bestseller and mine wasn’t. So I figured people would say that I’m jealous. And really, what author is not jealous sometimes? I mean, every author wants to write a bestseller.
But at this point, two years later, my hatred goes way beyond jealousy. My hatred is more selfless than that. And while I do understand that Tim is great at accelerated learning, the time management tips I have learned from him stem from the energy I have spent hating him:
1.Don’t hang out with people who don’t respect your time
This all started at SXSW conference in 2007, right before Tim’s book came out, when he was promoting the hell out of it to bloggers. Of course, this was not a bad idea, and to be fair, Tim was brilliant to start this book marketing trend. But that is beside the point. He approached me after my panel and said, “Can I get you coffee? I’d love to talk with you.”
I said, “Uh. No. I have plans.”
And he asked who with.
I wasn’t really sure. I knew there were cool people to hang out with after my panel, though, and I knew he wasn’t one of them. I gave a vague answer.
He said he was also meeting three people, and he name-dropped them. I can’t remember who they were. But they were fun, interesting, and I wanted to have coffee with them. So I said okay.
Then Tim couldn’t find them and I had coffee with only Tim.
Then I realized this was his strategy all along.
I told myself not to be pissy. I told myself bait-and-switch is the oldest sales tool in the world, and it’s my fault for falling for it.
I even wrote a blog post that included his book.
2.Cut to the chase: Tell people who are full of sh*t that they’re full of sh*t
When his book came out, there were vacuous, annoying comments all over my blog directing people to his book. Like, “The topic of priorities is an interesting one. I like how Tim Ferris handles that in his new book,blah blah” and then there’s a link to the book.
At this point I knew Tim, sort of. And I called him on his phone and told him to tell his employees to stop spamming my blog.
First he implied it was his fan base and he had little control.
I said that I thought he was full of sh*t.
He said he’d make sure there were no more comments like that on my blog.
3.Self-centered people are more likely to waste your time
Really, when I found he was spamming my site, I didn’t call him first. First, I emailed him. And I got some sort of crazy response about how he is only checking email twice a day and then instructions on what to do.
I emailed him back to tell him that I do not want automatic emails from him every time I try to contact him.
Which generated another, identical response about how he doesn’t check mail.
So I called him to tell him that he is generating spam back to me to tell me about his email checking and I don’t care. If he wants to check twice a day, fine, but don’t clog my in box with emails about it.
He said he’d take me off his list.
I am STILL getting this sort of spam from him. But the scope has widened. For example, now, he has commented on my blog and he forgot to say that he doesn’t want to be alerted to new comments. So every time there’s a comment, he spams everyone in the comments string, telling them that he doesn’t answer his email.
It’s insane. I cannot believe how many automated announcements I receive saying that Tim does not have a Blackberry. (Yes, the email really says that.) What if we all sent automated emails like that? Email would be totally nonfunctional. What if Tim just shut up about his email and if he thinks its fine to answer twice a day, then he should do that? And not spam everyone about it.
4.Productivity is about meeting your goals, not getting out of doing work
The week that Tim actually works a four-hour work week will be a cold week in hell. Tim got to where he is by being an insanely hard worker. I don’t know anyone who worked harder at promoting a book than he did. But the thing is, he didn’t call it work. Somehow, sliming me into having coffee with him to talk about his book is not work.
Fine. But then his four-hour work week is merely semantic. Because everything Tim does he turns into what the rest of us would call work, and he calls it not-work. For example, tango. If you want to be world-record holder, it’s work. It’s your job to be special at dancing the tango. That’s your big goal that you’re working toward. How you earn money is probably just a day job. So most weeks Tim probably has a 100-hour workweek. It’s just that he’s doing things he likes, so he lies to you and says he only works four hours. He defines work only as doing what you don’t like.
It’s childish. It’s a childish, semantic game. And it reminds me of him winning the Chinese National Kickboxing Championships by leveraging a little-known rule that people are disqualified if they stop outside the box. So he pushed each of his opponents outside the box to win.
He is winning the I-work-less-than-you game with a similarly questionable method: semantics.
5.Time management is about making time to connect with people
The idea of time management only matters in relation to how important the stuff is that’s competing for your time. The stuff that makes time management the most difficult is relationships. Which Tim does not excel in.
Fine. Not everyone has to be good at making real connections.
But Tim runs around telling people who have lots of relationships competing for their time how to think about work/not work, forgetting that in the real world, where people are not assholes, time management is not an equation or a semantic game because relationships really matter. And figuring out how to judge time in terms of competing values is the hardest thing of all.
Tim is all about time management for achievement and winning. But there are not trophies or measurements for relationships. There is only that feeling that someone is kind. And good. And truly connected.
And Tim is not.
Thanks for exposing this snake oil peddling, manipulative, self-obsessed, attention-whore con artist.
this guy must be popular, so many people love/hates him
Penelope I liked the second time management trick the most. :) Tell people who are full of s*it that they are full of s*it. Two benefit from that, he or she is not going to contact you anymore and you will not have to deal with their silly issues anymore.
Nice post.
I can’t stand self-promoting snake-oil peddling douchebags.
Like many, I stumbled upon your blog and found your ‘hate’ rant very interesting. I have read both of Tim’s books and found things in both that I can apply to my own, self-designed life. I do not sip koolaid. I take pearls where I can find them and do not bother with elements that do not serve my life. I do not concern myself with whether or not the author is a ‘jacka$$.’ I don’t care what Tim’s motives were or are. I really don’t. Not sure why you care either?
You are free to ‘hate’ Tim. If that brings curiosity to what you are doing, then you are self serving. Good for you. I will continue to read what Tim has to say and for that matter, I will read what you have to say. But the same goes for your work – I will take what I want from it and disregard what doesn’t serve me. Honestly, hating Tim doesn’t serve anyone….
I don’t think I’ve ever seen one single post generate so many comments over such a long span of time. It’s amazing really.
Incidentally, while we’re on the subject of blatant self-promotion and bestselling authors, I’d like to take this opportunity to ask that you consider taking a look at my self-published debut mystery novel IDENTITY CRISIS.
The ebook made the New York Times ebook bestseller list on March 20 and April 3 this year: http://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-books/2011-04-03/e-book-fiction/list.html You can find the book on Amazon at http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002BWQ676/?tag=ptrunk-20
Thank you! That is all. :)
Penelope, love you! I am soon to be a manager of a larger team than I am used to, and happened upon your blog. Would you be my mentor? :-)
I see so many of these *Tim* personalities on the web and in the web design industry, it makes me sick. The worst part is, they are the ones setting standards in a lot of cases. Awesome writers and completely full of shit. No talent other then telling lies or referencing other peoples work to make their “own idea” seem credible. The more they charge for their outsourced collage student produced garbage the more big spenders eat it up. Mass spread Dunning – Kruger effect.
That was a great and entertaining read — thanks for posting.
A friend had recommended Tim’s book. I’d heard about it, but it smelled like snake oil for some reason. Recently decided to have a listen, but now that I read this… I’m thinking I shouldn’t waste my time with it.
Thanks. :-)
My guess is that Tim realized how difficult you were while having coffee, and decided he didn’t want to pursue a relationship further…
…what’s the saying about a woman scorned?
Hah! Just kidding. But I love the guy and his book has already made a profound impact on my life–so, I’m very glad he’s doing what he does. More power to him!
yes totally agree. I love tim too. Well said
PHP Development
Thank you for calling a tool, a tool. It should happen more often.
Hilarious. I also hate Tim because his new book Four Hour Body sets out some good ideas on dieting and fat burning that I’d already figured out myself from being a compulsive yo-yo dieter, but sadly, now cannot take credit for without somebody saying: “Yah, I read that too…..”. Anyway, I think like everybody, Tim has some good tips and advice, but clearly, everything is about Tim being a cult celebrity type and really, I don’t fault him for that since, if I had better ideas, I’d probably have a website with my picture all over it also.
How many self help have primarily made there fortune from self help? It isn’t like Gabe Newall, Steven Jobs, or anyone that is actually running a fortune 500 company writing this books. Can you imagine a book from Steven Jobs about time management? I think it would be coming from actually experience. Of course writing books is not Steven Jobs cram to fame.
Somebody clearly has a huge crush on someone else…
I hate to admit it but as someone who lives and dies by sales so much of what is in this piece is true. Time is valuable and what you do with it affects your life in oh so many ways. I value my time and try to respect others. Standing around the water cooler or coffee pot gossiping doesn’t accomplish anything.
I think you make some good points but hate is a powerful and unhealthy emotion. I’m not sure how you can be objective under the influence of hate.
I noticed this blog when I googled Tim Ferriss, so I read it out of curiosity.
And I just want to say – I think you’re mean, and you shouldn’t spend your time dissing someone else.
Yeah, i agree. Being surrounded with people who have no goals and are self centered makes your life go crazy and I hate it!
I can’t help but to wonder if I’ll start receiving spam mail since it was mandatory that I include it to even post a response. I just recently picked up the 4-Hour-Body and have been avidly reading it – the sarcasm keeps the book entertaining through the mundane scientific data. The reality is that most of what Tim states in his book is common sense, logic, or developed through trial and error. I noticed you did not touch on the “15 minute orgasm” topic he includes – and you claim he doesn’t work to develop relationships…. tsk tsk
Even the most intelligent and successful people can use a little “reminder” now and again of simple logic. It reminds me of what my father always referred to … KISS – Keep It Simple Stupid! For example, when a child is acting out, parents these days seek medical and mental health professionals, oftentimes pumping psychotropic pharmaceuticals into the child. The reality (and simplicity) is that many of these kids would be fine if their parents actually spent TIME with them rather than working 60-80 hours per week chasing the American Dream of financial success.
Focus attention on the most important aspects and let the rest handle itself. Obviously, an important aspect of YOUR life is to cut down someone whom you disagree with. Whether you agree with Tim’s tactics, advice, and ethics or not – he is successful. I would not have even known who you were without HIS name attached to the title. Thus, the proverbial pot calling the kettle black – you’ve used HIS success to promote your own. At least he’s an honest bastard – I respect that more than your tirade. Reminds me of a four-year-old blaming his own bad behavior on his sibling’s actions.
“Sad little manatee…” (to coin a particularly humorous phrase from Tim)…
I wish you luck and success, but I would not buy your book or even read it if it were free. You’re too serious and bitchy – life is short… needs more humor.
I think the cooperation within the group is also influenced by certain things, such as support of all people, moods, psychology of each person, there are also external factors…
But difficulties can always be overcome…
First, I just want to say I am by no means a fan of Tim Ferriss or his work. I just wanted to say this blog post screams of a jealous writer who attempts to give career advice while unable to make the desired progress on her own. Ferriss strikes me as arrogant. I googled to see who else felt the same and found you…but you just seem bitter. Psychologically a defense mechanism for this is to do what you said and wait to make this post. Bite your tongue a bit. Purposely show restraint and give evidence in the beginning of your piece of writing as of to why you don’t feel the way that you do. I wouldn’t be surprised if the comments above actually were your own to be honest. My motive for writing this is simply that I observe jealousy and bitterness among colleagues often and hatred over the successes of others has always struck me as a problem with society. You need to spend less time on posts like these and more time writing better books…from what I’ve gathered from reviews they aren’t very good and that’s why you aren’t a best seller.
Quick side note on the lovers of this whole non”PC” approach. It’s great to tell it like it is, but there should be a level of sophistication to it. No, I’m not saying wear a bow tie, but your pissy level should be under control.
I'm sitting down over the next month to read Tims book – yep that's right I need a month – the osmosis of words from print to my brain is a gradual process.
Back to Penelope’s Blog and the 5 Time management tips (MT) – great insight, great suggestions.
I think that there is a 6th TM tip which Penelope and Tim both display extraordinarily well and probably could have been included in jest or self reflection. That is – Getting more done is easier when there is an emotional response'.
Penelope, I wouldn't mind betting, must have written different versions of this blog time and time again in her head. The jealousy stirring and whirling around, nearly uncontrollably at times, as their relatively tight nit industry swashed news of Tim's success through most available communication corridors. Then the feeling of being helpless to prevent the attack of Tim's depersonalized and automatically generated email messages, which popped up to consistently to block the flow of her critically loaded content to her blog.
Though let's not forget where would this blog be without this emotionally generated response that has enabled this great blog insight? A question to Penelope "Did the content of this blog flow so freely that you continually found yourself – pulling in the reins of an almost run away horse and cart?'
Likewise and I think it's obvious – Tim created a not-work strategy because he loves what he does. Though in this case Tim was the other side of the polar and its obvious he was – In Love' with what he was doing. Total emotional empowerment by the contribution he believed, without doubt, he was making to modern man kind.
Penelope you've touched on possibly at great topic here; just imagine for a mo – What is the key mental shift that helps one cross this lexicon of work to not-work?
my name is yogesh kumar i write a blog, here in this blog i found how to use and manage proper to your time for accomplish your target, i say thanks to the owner of this blog for made such kind of blog
Hi,
i love your post,very useful and beneficial post…..
Time Management
I read the Four Hour Workweek and thought many of his ideas were great, and the book had a lasting impact on me. I understand why people show hostility towards his methods. I understand how you, Penelope, can be frustrated with a man who tricked you into a cup of coffee and has fans that intersect with your own. I enjoy reading various blogs about productivity and how to improve your life, but because of the sheer unprofessional dialogue of your post, Penelope, I will never, ever read anything from this blog again.
finally!!!! i feel so relieved to hear i am not the only one not raving about this book. i love your post, and also giving an inside into who this guy is. i had a suspicion that what he preaches cannot be true and also the whole winning by cheating…seriously… that’s so 1980s greedy wall street advise. are we still there?
i tried some of his suggestions and i ended up a miserable, secluded, ignorant of what’s going on in the world person. maybe if you hate your job then you only want to work 4 hours a week but if you love what you are doing then why only do it for 4 hours? just sitting around the pool sipping a margarita 50 hours a week gets boring!
there are some good points, but the overall i was grossly disappointed and happy to hear i am not the only one!
I don’t see how either this post or disagreement with specific parts of the book’s ethics can disqualify the entire book. For starters, there is nothing new in the book: Pareto’s Law? Parkinson’s Law? time management? outsourcing? Ferris even says that the 4-hour work week isn’t for everyone or even attainable by everyone, naturally. It’s definitely industry-dependent and judging from the nature of the replies to the post, character-dependent as well. Most of the tactics described in the book are pretty familiar, where is the ruse? i used to be journalist. The more autonomy you have at work, the closer you are to controlling your efficiency and maximizing your time. If you’re in an industry that you love and or you need to be on-site then the 4-work week in its most literal sense is not attainable or appealing but that doesn’t make the book any less credible.
I know I come late to this discussion but want to add a sideways comment about her rules and view of Ferriss.
There is a guy that has a site called ‘Sales Caffeine’
4-5 years ago I had been reading his site for about six months, getting more and more fed up with his ideas about sales. He is much more into touting his own site than in actually giving sales advice.
He posted that he answered 250+ emails per day.
This got me to thinking so I figured if he spent ONE MINUTE on each email he was using up FOUR hours per day dealing with mail and this at a MINIMUM
This is absolute nonsense. NO ONE in sales or management spends AT LEAST FOUR HOURS PER DAY ON EMAIL.
So I called him out on it. He never responded but had some lacky write back that ‘Mr. Gitmer appreciates your input to his site and looks forward to your continued readership’.
What a crock.
Ive read both this article and his book and to be perfectly honest you guys just come across as Haters. I mean to hate a human being just because of a few “spam” auto-replys and beclause he coaxed you into having coffee with him is no reason to hate him. I mean in all honestly, you were probably the lucky one who got to have coffee with him (a bestselling author).
With regard to the tips in his book, I agree that a few of his comments resonated with me more than others. He doesn’t expect you to emulate everything he says in his book, just take from it what you like. And you have to admit, there were some pretty cool concepts in his book. And that kickboxing incident, who cares if you agree or disagree. It was just one example in his book and the ethical nature of his win is based on opinion, so move on.
And in the spirit of being honest and straightforward, this article makes you sound like the “childish” one.
The best comment I ever saw about him was on Twitter and I can’t remember who said it but basically “How to work a 4 hour week…Spend the other 96 hours out whoring your book everywhere possible”
It would be a better comment, if a week actually had only 100 hours :)
“How you earn money is probably just a day job. So most weeks Tim probably has a 100-hour workweek. It’s just that he’s doing things he likes, so he lies to you and says he only works four hours. He defines work only as doing what you don’t like”
?!?! What the…? But that’s what he’s…that’s the point! You have completely missed and gotten the point to an outrageous extent – he’s saying what you think of as ‘work’ should only take up 4 hours of your week. And that that ‘work’ should consist of managing a sustainable source of reasonably ethically-derived income which allows you in turn to live the life of your dreams (ie. spending 100 hours a week doing whatever on earth you want to do!)
Sheesh, cynics!
Valerie, ENFP
Well said!….I can see why you have so many subscribers…you’re honest and straight forward…refreshing!
Thx,
JoAnn
I commented similar feelings about Mr ferris on Amazon and somehow ended up getting on his mailing list! He is carney 2.0. Just full of s…t The disconcerting thing is that people who take the low road and follow the dictum to ‘win’ at all costs are so predominant in our culture. I just hope people keep exposing him and his dangerous fraudulent methods. How many people is he paying to do the fake reviews and forum posts? No way could he be doing it all himself !!
You sound like a bitchy teenager.
He probably makes you wet…
interesting write-up. still, I don’t understand the hate..
I agree – Awesome.
I like points 2-5; but number 1 just sounds ike bitterness about being caught by the bait-and-switch. If Tim had shown up late ON TOP of the bait-and-switch, then sure.
You shoud have been respectful of your own time by just saying “no thanks, not interested” :P
I read his book (Ok I actually listened to the audio version to save time) and well… Tim is a smart guy, but you’re right. It’s semantics. On a lighter note, he also seemed like an a-hole. Thanks Penelope!
This reminded me of something I was watching on the TV the other day.
Wow what a lot of hate comments in here, it seems that there an awe full lot of negative people in this world…
Erik you’re exactly right. A whole lot of negative comments about a man making it for himself. Thanks, Penelope, for encouraging people to hate Tim for being a bestselling author. I guess it’s true: the more success you have, the more haters you attract.
Ha, I don’t really know why I wasted time reading this silly post and a bunch of the comments but I sure hope you have gotten over your hatred of Tim Ferris. Pent up anger doesn’t do anyone any good. For the record, I read (rather listened) to his book and enjoyed it. Would I want to be his friend? Hmm, I don’t know, but he sure has some great tidbits of advice about streamlining your activities to get more quality time. Writers are all about semantics, so you shouldn’t hate on that! But something tells me you are secretly up late at night reading his new fitness book. ;)
That’s why I love Penelope’s blog.
Really some great tips. Thanks
This was awesome! I love your writing style, sad to admit I do have Tim’s book on my book shelf but god I’m now scouring your website due to your sheer volume of pride.
I thought he was arrogant when I first followed him on his blog but he kind of grew on me. But I can see where your coming from.
Hahaha, that is a truely honest inspiring post. some people would say blasphemy but i totally agree wiht each and every point. Tim go f**k yourself!
How is productivity just about meeting your goals? The very definition of it implies efficiency, and that definitely includes minimizing the workload. Tim Feriss couldn’t have become the national champion without any work at all, could he?
Then again, I’ve never heard of Tim Feriss before reading this post, which I actually really liked. In fact, it inspired to write a post of my own.
http://personaldevelopmentinsider.com/morals/when-does-thinking-outside-the-box-become-cheating#more-240