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.
yep, It gave me the same feeling like these 2 following post.
And, what about to call ‘Tim’ like very close person, instead that MF! or maybe something not that rude, but… Tim? Seriously.
And after read the whole thing, I couldn’t find out what you learned actually. Sorry, honest opinion. That’s all, don’t take it personal. It’s like a lack of ‘going straight to your point’, but finally I know that guy for your comment. Sad. Yep, seems to a douchebag too.
Just loose your stress and sing with me:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hw1ncADC9KM
What if you consider having more friends as more productive…. I mean goals are goals, and if one wants to have a million friends as a goal , then by God , go for it ! You can apply the principles, to relationships , based on the ones you consider the more enjoyable… In tim’s defense, in his final chapter he mentions, serving others as the pilar of his book , and getting money in an efficient way was an effective way of you having more time to give back to humanity ! How can you call someone who has more than 100k followers on twitter disconnected? Have you checked the guys facebook page, seems to me like a people’s person and an effective one !!
Ps: what a troll ! But i guessed. It worked !
What if you consider having more friends as more productive…. I mean goals are goals, and if one wants to have a million friends as a goal , then by God , go for it ! You can apply the principles, to relationships , based on the ones you consider the more enjoyable… In tim’s defense, in his final chapter he mentions, serving others as the pilar of his book , and getting money in an efficient way was an effective way of you having more time to give back to humanity ! How can you call someone who has more than 100k followers on twitter disconnected? Have you checked the guys facebook page, seems to me like a people’s person and an effective one !!
Ps: what a troll ! But i guessed. It worked !
What if you consider having more friends as more productive…. I mean goals are goals, and if one wants to have a million friends as a goal , then by God , go for it ! You can apply the principles, to relationships , based on the ones you consider the more enjoyable… In tim’s defense, in his final chapter he mentions, serving others as the pilar of his book , and getting money in an efficient way was an effective way of you having more time to give back to humanity ! How can you call someone who has more than 100k followers on twitter disconnected? Have you checked the guys facebook page, seems to me like a people’s person and an effective one !!
Ps: what a troll ! But i guessed. It worked !
What if you consider having more friends as more productive…. I mean goals are goals, and if one wants to have a million friends as a goal , then by God , go for it ! You can apply the principles, to relationships , based on the ones you consider the more enjoyable… In tim’s defense, in his final chapter he mentions, serving others as the pilar of his book , and getting money in an efficient way was an effective way of you having more time to give back to humanity ! How can you call someone who has more than 100k followers on twitter disconnected? Have you checked the guys facebook page, seems to me like a people’s person and an effective one !!
Ps: what a troll ! But i guessed. It worked !
Need more tips on time management? Head over to our blog to find out more! http://www.sldoyle.com/time-management-skills-for-the-corporate-world/
Hate is a strong work, don’t you agree?
“I” (and probably many good psychologists, and perhaps an introspective “you”) think that this article is a great case study in projecting one’s insecurities. Maybe not, I don’t know. Still, it is something very sad and somewhat hypocritical. Posting something that is shorter, less senselessly angry, and more value-added would be nice :)
Quick tid-bit…if your read or re-read Tim’s book you might be able to avoid a lot of the above-mentioned frustration…just saying. I don’t think he’s nearly as frustrated by you as you are by him :)
Kudos on getting lots of comments and turning it into a Pro Ferriss vs. Anti Ferriss debate though!
Who cares if he is a douche? His 4 hour body book is amazing and has transformed lives. You sound like you are jealous and possibly in love with Tim Ferris. Hahaha.
What you describe is the difference between the people who are most successfull and the people who are not. It is not about being most intelligent, work the most or be at work the longest time. It is all about persistence, determination and not beiing a nice guy.
Tim Ferriss is a narcissist, and a borderline sociopath.
What people who ‘game’ social systems don’t realize is that in order to have a system in first place you have to have social cohesion and trust. If you don’t the whole thing falls apart.
Take for example the review system on Amazon. Its incredibly beneficial when people use it honestly. Ferriss manipulated review system so any legitimate criticism of his books were either deleted or drowned in a sea of vanilla five star reviews. I particularly noticed this on the four hour body – which i read (a library copy thank goodness) when the book came out and bad reviews started to pour in, at one point it was about 30 % bad (very high for amazon) , and like ‘magic’ 700+ five star reviews swamped the system.
Secondly guys like Ferriss and other success coaches who are famous for being success coaches- there is little or no proof any of their claims are effective, in fact as other posters have pointed out here, Ferriss actually appeals to people’s worse instincts (laziness, shortcuts, narcissism)
I suspect, lone day we’re going to find out that Feriss is doing more than just tweaking rules here and there.
Nice post. I especially love the last one. Time management is not just about getting things done but more importantly it is about making good relationships with people. I’m glad i read that. What i don’t like is the hatred in this article. i hope this has changed.
hi thanks for the interesting info.
fun that i got to this blog by typing tim ferries organiser on google.
seems like your getting hits on your blog thanks to tim.
Just noticed this article, although it is a couple of years old, it is still very relevant.
I will be sure to bookmark this page for further use. Thanks dude.
Writing public hate posts. Ask yourself would truly great people do that in any way.
This post is ridiculous. There is a clear understanding of Timothy Ferriss here, so why aren’t you getting it?
It doesn’t matter if it’s semantics or not. He makes a clear indication in his book (which by this post I’m doubting you have read due to the lack of knowledge on what your talking about) that HE considers the time doing things he finds enjoyable, not work. That’s a very personal thing, and people are stupid to not immediately understand that. He also makes CLEAR indication that the intent is on freeing up your time and making your job as efficient as possible so that with the rest of your time, you can do AS MUCH or AS LITTLE as you want.
You want to talk about semantics? Are YOU stupid?
Lets put it this way. Everything requires some amount of effort in some form of energy. Thus no matter what we do with our life and time, EVERYTHING is then work.
As far as the email goes, that is VERY standard practice. You got an auto message from someone who does not respond to email regularly.
Why would you then send another asking him not to do that, full well knowing you would get another auto-response back?
Connection with people is great, its fantastic and rewarding and needed. But sometimes, the only relationship you need with people IS an efficient give-take, business-like relationship.
Trying to make a strong emotional connection with everyone we meet is wrong. There is nothing right about it. It will exhaust and halt your progress in the long run, anybody knows that.
This post offers silly excuses for just generally not liking someone and their methods.
Useless.
This post is ridiculous. There is a clear understanding of Timothy Ferriss here, so why aren’t you getting it?
It doesn’t matter if it’s semantics or not. He makes a clear indication in his book (which by this post I’m doubting you have read due to the lack of knowledge on what your talking about) that HE considers the time doing things he finds enjoyable, not work. That’s a very personal thing, and people are stupid to not immediately understand that. He also makes CLEAR indication that the intent is on freeing up your time and making your job as efficient as possible so that with the rest of your time, you can do AS MUCH or AS LITTLE as you want.
You want to talk about semantics? Are YOU stupid?
Lets put it this way. Everything requires some amount of effort in some form of energy. Thus no matter what we do with our life and time, EVERYTHING is then work.
As far as the email goes, that is VERY standard practice. You got an auto message from someone who does not respond to email regularly.
Why would you then send another asking him not to do that, full well knowing you would get another auto-response back?
Connection with people is great, its fantastic and rewarding and needed. But sometimes, the only relationship you need with people IS an efficient give-take, business-like relationship.
Trying to make a strong emotional connection with everyone we meet is wrong. There is nothing right about it. It will exhaust and halt your progress in the long run, anybody knows that.
This post offers silly excuses for just generally not liking someone and their methods.
Useless.
This post is ridiculous. There is a clear understanding of Timothy Ferriss here, so why aren’t you getting it?
It doesn’t matter if it’s semantics or not. He makes a clear indication in his book (which by this post I’m doubting you have read due to the lack of knowledge on what your talking about) that HE considers the time doing things he finds enjoyable, not work. That’s a very personal thing, and people are stupid to not immediately understand that. He also makes CLEAR indication that the intent is on freeing up your time and making your job as efficient as possible so that with the rest of your time, you can do AS MUCH or AS LITTLE as you want.
You want to talk about semantics? Are YOU stupid?
Lets put it this way. Everything requires some amount of effort in some form of energy. Thus no matter what we do with our life and time, EVERYTHING is then work.
As far as the email goes, that is VERY standard practice. You got an auto message from someone who does not respond to email regularly.
Why would you then send another asking him not to do that, full well knowing you would get another auto-response back?
Connection with people is great, its fantastic and rewarding and needed. But sometimes, the only relationship you need with people IS an efficient give-take, business-like relationship.
Trying to make a strong emotional connection with everyone we meet is wrong. There is nothing right about it. It will exhaust and halt your progress in the long run, anybody knows that.
This post offers silly excuses for just generally not liking someone and their methods.
Useless.
Spot on! I have yet to add my comment but I would struggle to have put it better myself.
This is funny to read, but you sound bitter…he’s extreme but he’s a quick thinker…and what does his success take away from you? You might want to loosen up a bit. I don’t think I’ll come back to this blog; but his is always positive and upbeat and never trashes others. :) Laugh more, and maybe you will write a bestseller one day!
He has never said work is bad in itself, he only points to choosing your work, not doing what you feel you must to do to get ahead in corporate America. Unfortunately looks likes you are building a career on the latter. Don’t limit yourself so much!
I had the same reservations about Tim at first, and I agree with some of what you’ve said wholeheartedly. Relationships are the time-consuming things that the lifestyle he advocates defies. However, his message is still useful. Some of those time-saving tips do work, whether you really automate your role down to a 4 hour week or not, they can be valuable. Most importantly, the larger message of the book is to stop delaying your gratification until you are too old to enjoy it. It’s a rejection of the US work ideology…an idea that’s rarely if ever embraced in typical self-help/career writing.
That’s why I love Penelope’s blog
excellent article ! Their is no short cut to a well lived,fullfilling life!
Wow!! I have never commented on one of these things as never felt the need to but Christ woman you sound like a stamping her feet in a tantrum!! There is little coherence to what you have written and it seems less in the interest of giving in advice and more in the interest of airing your angst!! Get a grip- hate is a strong word! You clearly fall on the other side of the fence but you should know a best selling author twice over is not an idiot! I happened to love both his books, four hour work and body and even just for entertainment reading it was worth the time and money is hard back on both!! I’m no soppy chick falling for coffee pick up lines but I’ve taken a lot from his works enough to write on your silly venting blog…!
I reality, Penelope and Tim are in cahoots with one another.
They basically sat down and plannned this whole “beef” because they knew that people would get emotional and take sides. They are both profiting from all of the additional web traffic from this whole incident.
Wake up people! Tim and Penelope are marketing gurus and you have just bought into the whole thing by going to each website, making comments, and buying books. Penelope and Tim are both bright and sophisticated people who do not care about you guys one way or another.
With that being said, I need a scheme to make me rich and famous. Any ideas?!?
removals great post thanks for sharing thanks ithelps alot
removals great post thanks for sharing thanks it helps alot
This is a great post. Thanks for taking the time to write this.
Sorry, who are you?
What do you expect for a guy named Ferris?
you’re *way* cuter than Tim Ferriss.
I just read about Tim Ferriss about 20 minutes ago. My thoughts revolved around thinking that he was an insufferable asshole and unbelievably full of shit. Great post, I agree with you 110%. This man is a fucking fraud, but people with that confidence and social skill will always be successful in the world of neurotypicals.
Thanks for this post!
While I have enjoyed Ferriss’ blog in the past, and have enacted some of his suggestions, would I want to be in the same room as him?…Obviously not. And what if everyone was like Tim….shit, we’d be a society of buck-passing, work-shirking, sociopaths…oh wait, that’s America.
i can’t believe i just read your negative CRAP – what a dumb chick.
lotsa negativity here – deffo will not visit your blog again, go find something friggin useful to write and share.
Tim Ferriss kicks yo ass any day.
Wow. You sound so bitter.
Sounds like a whiner to me.
I love Tim. He’s got great advice and is very positive. A trait I’d like to see from more bloggers. Some bloggers use his name in a negative blog title to take advantage of his popularity… hint, hint, hint.
This is the absolute worst blog post I have ever read. Your negativity, jealousy, and hatred for Tim is absurd. Give it up and move on with your life.
Thanks for some other excellent post. Where else may anyone get that kind of information in such an ideal approach of writing? I have a presentation subsequent week, and I’m at the look for such info.
Great posting… Your writing is refreshing and continues to be relevant to your blog’s niche. Relating oral to work and Tim’s douche-ness to time management is a talent and I wish more people could see that.
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Great review, you write all nicely. thank u for sharing this usefull things
Excellent guide and hints. Looking ahead to lose a few pounds. I’ll provide some feedback after i consider this. With thanks!
Very good information and tips. Looking onward to get rid of a few excess weight. I’ll give some reviews immediately after i try out this. Kudos!
Thanks for the tips. I especially like number two :)
Good for you. I need to stick up for myself more often and I’m even more inspired now. I was thinking about reading his book but now I’m having second thoughts. It sounded too good to be true anyway.
Who cares if he is a douche? His 4 hour body book is amazing and has transformed lives. You sound like you are jealous and possibly in love with Tim Ferris. Hahaha.
excellent points all. #1 and 2 are the most important time management skills – you have to be vigilant and always be winnowing out the chaff.
tim seems like the kind of person you would not want to be seated next to on a long flight. that being said i have to say i learned about the kettle bell thru him. so he was a gateway to other authors and actual experts on the subjects he touched upon.
Idk seems to me what Tim writes adds value. Tim definitely does not invent everything he writes down, but he actually tells the reader this is what he does, and EVEN tells them to do it too. Tim isn’t an expert on everything in the 4hr body or the 4hr ww, but what he is is someone who will add value to your life with his books. Even his workout which I didn’t like that much taught me the value of Negative lifts, and his stuff on time management, diet, and testosterone boosting is magic gold
P.S. as for the marketing machine stuff, I’d never heard of the book until I pulled it out of a shelf at a bookstore where it WAS NOT being featured. It was anonymously tucked in with a bunch of other business books.
No credibility. You turn jealousy into hate, and then you use the hate for this person to market a blog post, and ultimately a blog.
Waste of time
Sounds like you’ve got a serious crush on Tim Ferriss. Seriously.
Wow, I thought this would be worth a read, but ultimately just spiteful drivel. Amazingly spiteful.
There’s defintely more to your hate than a cup o’ gravy.
My modus operandi when taking advice from any supposed neo-self-help guru; make sure their advice is grounded in solid experience where they achieve the outcome they wanted.
Why would you post tips on time management “stem[ming] from energy” you spent hating a guy? And why give him real estate on your blog if you despise him and his products so fervently? Seems you don’t have that much skill in avoiding people you find a waste of time afterall. Why would I take this advice on board?
Deeper issues than “time management” at play for sure. Had you focussed on those issues, some more rational explanation as to your hate, say in the form of well planned criticism, you’d have a new reader but based on this blog, I think I’d take Ferriss over you anyday, even if his kickboxing title is sketchy.