The Art of Letting Bad Things Happen (and Weapons of Mass Distraction)

Tim,

Glad to have you back! Excellent post!

I love the comment by John above because it shows you really are “dividing the camps” Tim. For anyone who read Tim’s advice and took it for granted, you should realize the majority of the world not only doesn’t think this way, they would think that TEACHING YOUR KIDS TIM’S CONCEPTS IS WRONG!

TIM, THIS IS WHERE YOU REALLY CROSS THE LINE!

“Make this trade a habit. Let the small bad things happen and make the big good things happen.”

This isn’t about finding more time, IT’S ABOUT STEALING time from one thing to give it to another. And you are allowing something bad to happen in the process. Stating it this way there is no longer any gray area. I can keep doing the unimportant list of to-do’s and sacrifice any future potential I have at getting my big project done (click my name if you want to see my plan to REVOLUTIONIZE HIGH SCHOOL PUBLIC EDUCATION!)

I can tell you from my own experience that trying to get it ALL right, all the tasks done, all the customer’s happy, means you will never grow nearly as big as you could, and that means less people enjoy your quality product or service.

All the 4HWW wisdom I’ve applied so far has paid off, so I guess I’ll jump right in on this one! thanks Tim!

Jesus Christ, can I get a priest to unbuckle my pants….

That is the best advice i have heard all year 2007. Just today, I had someone try to cut me loose and I was worried about the income loss, but then I saw your post and thought f*** her, I’m doing the right thing, living my life in a thoughtful, honest way. I’m not sacrificing my core beliefs just to make her commission. Really, it was great advice. Let the small bad s*** happen. And the email thing. No longer will i wake up early thinking about email. F*** it. If its in an email it ain’t that important anyway. I’m 58 yrs old and you are my guru/stand in stunt man. I’m working on being like you….Your are a f***ing genius. And when you come to San Antonio, I will get you in a kung fu wrist grab that you will NOT be able to get out of, and you will go home and have to tell your daddy! cause they all come to me to try. Wing Tsun can kick your ass! Maybe not me, because I’m 58 and (who did you say your daddy used to be)? Uh,.. sorry the alsheimers is kicking in and the piano is calling me.

>”One of our fulfillment companies has been shut-down due to the president’s death, causing a 20% loss in monthly orders and requiring an emergency shift of all web design and order processing.”

Was this a breakdown in automation, or a contingency that you had not factored in?

This rocks.

At first, I cringed, as I bet a lot of people did. But then when I read the list of what you did get done, I relaxed, and thought, “good on ya, mate!”

Seeing the All Blacks must’ve been awesome (same w/ the work in Japan, getting your book to #1 in Nippon, etc.).

Your work has inspired me to do much of the same; I’ve reduced my blogging frequency, put on hold (or killed) a few projects, and I’m close to launching my first muse, with three more lined up behind it.

Thanks for being the inspiration (and the kick in the a##) we all need.

Awesome post! Thanks Tim you are a great inspiration.

I read a great quote the other day it goes:

*The poor work for wages, and work for survial

*The middle class work for a salary, and work to be comfortable

*The rich work for financial freedom, and have their money & ideas work for them while they are away.

Tim,

That’s unfortunate news about your fulfillment partner shutting down. In case you’re shopping for a new fulfillment company to work with, I know that my mother’s company could take care of any web design and order processing you may need. I just thought I’d throw that out there.

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Thank you, E! It’s all set, but I appreciate the offer.

Tim

Couldn’t the joint venture / interview scenarios have been avoided by stating in your autoresponder that you are away until at least x date and won’t be available before then?

Your post was incredibly relevant and timely for me. Completely worth the wait and caused an important and overdue shift in my mindset both in and outside of work. Seriously, thank you very much.

I love it, “get in touch via secret means if absolutely necessary.” What sort of expectation setting excercises or training did you give your assistant (other than the chapter in your book regarding Interrupting Interruption)?

I carry two copies of your book in my laptop backpack: one copy that I have written all over in with notes and underlines, and the copy that is on my ipod. Thanks again for the inspiration Tim.

Hi Tim, just an additional thought if you wanted to sample your blog commenter demographic as you have in the past.

what % read only this blog

or 2-4 blogs / week

what % only comment on this blog

or comment on other blogs read.

personally this is the ONLY blog I regularly read, and I just about never do blog commenting, and here I do it on about 75% of the topics.

this to me says you’ve got some seriously interesting stuff that gets people thinking and wanting to express their own opinions.

cool!

~V

Tim,

Big Fan. You are my hero. Just finished your book. It Rocks! I read it the first time to acquire the theory and I will read it again to practice it.

Loved the video. It must have been a rush to use all those weapons. I never shot a gun before. But after this video, I might go to the local gun gallery and try it.

Hi Tim,

I love your blog posts man.

Every one makes gives me a “brain-tickle”.

Thats the phrase I have coined which means it wakes me up, makes me think and expands my horizons.

Thanks man.

Hi Tim,

I read the SAP interview listed in the odds and ends. Your comments about monitoring business metrics really caught my attention. I’d like to begin measuring such things myself, but I’m not entirely sure where to start. Are there any resources you can recommend for further information on this topic?

On a different note, I want to remind the critics of this post how much effort you’ve been putting into inspiring philanthropy recently. In my opinion, the selfish label just doesn’t stick. In fact, I appreciate your honesty in sharing these “unpleasant surprises” with us. I think it speaks to your courage and character, which ought to earn your readers’ respect, even if they don’t agree. The criticisms seem a bit petty in comparison.

Beyond that, I see your uncommon choices as being more grounded in our individual and collective humanness, not less. Instead of limiting your focus to your role as a CEO/Employer, you’re expanding your focus to your entire identity, which naturally includes many roles, goals, hopes and dreams. I think we’d all benefit from adopting perspectives of a similar scope.

And speaking of scopes, the back up gun rack is nuts! I can just see some shortsighted parent putting it within reach of their child…

What a party here in the comments, I’m glad this one got so many responses! Thanks for the shotout, Tim, it was a lot of fun indeed – always welcome.

The name of the shooting range is Strelnica Casta (Shooting Range in Casta). The list of weapons is on their site as well, not in English but you can probably figure it out. If not, ask!

There’s much to do here in Bratislava, including sports/exploration/underground clubbing (to list some of my favorites), so anyone who wants to shoot big toys or hang out is welcome! Just drop me a line at attila@emailias.com and I’ll try get back to you in a couple days.

To try to inspire some of you, I’ve recently kicked in a completely 4hww advocated lifestyle. It allows me to focus on crafting heavy beats full time, be able to travel, have fun like this and do all my work online forever. I’ve realised that with more than 9 years of experience in quality journalism, knowledge of four languages and a natural talent for writing (wrote a 100 page fantasy book when I was 6) it would be stupid not to use this to my advantage and help others in the process as well. A few days later I’ve quit working in the office for an internet marketing company and started my own ghostwriting and website promotion service for smaller businesses who want to gain more leads online. You can check it out on http://www.seoghostwriting.com – it’s ideal for increasing your success with muses and takes away the burden of having to worry about regular fresh quality content. It was all a matter of one no-brainer decision and maybe five hours in total working on the webpage and setting things up. Worthwile by all means if you ask me!

I’m on a mini-retirement in Hong Kong after two weeks in Paris. Doing some deep learning in French, and exploring more of Asia. The funny thing is I started reading your book after a friend at Burning Man recommended it, and several weeks after this trip was planned (I just didn’t know the correct “mini-retirement” term. I haven’t quite put my computer down, but I have just launched my first dry-test adwords/overture campaigns for a new product I’m planning (read: hoping) to develop. I guess I’ll see if the marketing results merit going forward with the project.

I’m also coming to see you in San Francisco next week. My dad’s a psychologist and sent me an invitation. Now my question is, if you don’t really check your email, can people really expect you to reply to your blog comments? 🙂

brett

Great to see a new blog entry, Tim.

Since you’re partly to blame–err, thank–that I’m typing this from month two at a kickboxing camp in Thailand, I thought you might want to see the blog I started about it – check out http://www.thehorneblower.com/

Amazing the things that have opened up after a month here — I got a new job offer back in LA, I got an invitation to a free 5-day stay at a luxury spa in Thailand, and I just got an email inviting me to freakin Bora Bora in March for a week to interview Kathy Griffin for a travel magazine. Life is GOOD.

OK back to getting kicked in the stomach. Whoo hoo!

This is a very strong point. Not getting caught up in the every small issue will save a person a great deal of drama and stress. However, Tim has a different lifestyle than most of us. There are very valid arguments here but sometimes I find the points in Tim’s book are a bit unrealistic.

Tim, you continue to be my hero. Thanks for the continued inspiration to live a low-info diet.

Silly Tim, I always do business over the phone. Or in person, because it’s the only possible way to be accurate. I’d rather look at the worksite so we can discuss how to approach any problems. We look at the blueprints. We evaluate materials. And no one fusses over a co worker on a day off– that’s what we’re working for.

“What is the most urgent thing right now that you feel you “mustâ€? or “shouldâ€? do?

-Can you let the urgent “failâ€? — even for a day — to get to the next milestone with your potential lifechanging tasks?”

Having a Mac with Safari provides interesting variations on the test for must, should and fail (ouch!).

Thank you for your blog entries. While taking care of hoohah, I enjoy some vicarious fun here.

Blessed Be Those Who Outwit the Abusers/Controllers/Liars/Poisoners,

Elena Haskins

I think it is often this fear of “looking bad” in front of a client or a customer or partner that cuases the problem, when you find good people that can handle the big issues for you within a few days, most things become not that important, and as long as you are ok, with not “looking good” all the time, focus can lead to amazing results.

Recently I allowed several small scale bug on the http://www.roxfitness.com website “stay live” for a few days despite the rick to “professionalism” and because I was un-distracted by the typos and polish I was able to get new landing pages for google campaigns designed and running in just a few days. frankly the most important people have my number, if the barn is really on fire, they will call, they always do.

I think it’s funny that the guys shirt in the video says Wisconsin on it. that’s where I went to college…what’s the connection?

Hey Tim (and everyone else);

My buddy and I own similar businesses and travel together occasionally because we both have the flexibility to do so. One trip took us to the Island of Curacao for two weeks (he wanted one week, I insisted that if he wanted a travel partner to split expenses with, that it HAD to be TWO weeks, & with a car!).

Soo., like clockwork every day, twice a day, my friend calls home to check his answering machine and then return calls to potential clients from Curacao while on his “vacation”., then, once back home he complains to me that when I am off traveling that he cannot reach me for work that he might have for me because I do not seem to share his same fervor for business (his take on the issue).

I explain to him that a vacation is not a vacation if one carries ones work along with them. He says, Well, why do you have a cell phone then? And I explain (to him AND to my clients) that the cell phone is for MY convenience and NOT for theirs. The last thing that I want is to be enjoying a wonderful long solitary hike in the mountains (with my Chocolate Lab named Buddha) and have my cell phone ring (my friends get the cell #, not my clients).

You are one of the first “business consultants” who I have heard advocate this premise and one that I believe in and practice wholeheartedly. Life is more important than business., even if your business is something that you love (like mine) and a part of your Life. All is a balance and one can easily maintain both while keeping everyone happy.

Peace~ &

Be Well~!

AK

Hey Tim,

After reading your book and wandering aimlessly through your website, I can’t help but feel you’re a kindred spirit. It was really driven home in your experience at firing the various guns (I used to manage a firing range and now am a bartender). At any rate, thank you for getting this information out there and throwing a path my direction. Modern slavery sucks.

Best Wishes

Cameron

Well, well….Wow!! You are truly amazing but I knew that when we met in Panama. I am in awe and proud of you. Everything makes sense now….besos

Okay, so this is pretty crazy. Post number 85 already started something that I just started today. I wasn’t aware of anyone else doing this but goes to show that many of us share in the same ideas! I wish you the best success “Rex Reed.”

Tim, it must feel pretty great to have this kind of impact on other people, huh? Enjoy the moment and keep producing great works so the moments will last forever.

Dude… You Rock.!!!

My name is Scott and I just hit 27 years earlier this month

This past week I received your book for xmas and I could not put it down…repeatedly it elucidated primitive ideas that have been bouncing around my head this past year.

..since finishing school in spring of ’06 and working 40 hours per week I became really discouraged at the prospects of saving and living low…disenchanted with the “deferred-life plan” you speak of..

..though I had switched jobs twice to increase my income and reduced my bills to 20% of income i was still not happy with the length of time I needed to save until I could use my 40 hours weekly in another manner…

I decided I would try to leverage my earning power and open a business in another country …

…I interviewed potential partners via videochat and my business partner and I formed a corporation and opened an Internet cafe in Manila…..

..guess how crazy that sounds to alot of people.. 🙂

..needless to say we are now breaking even and though I did not achieve my goal of an autonomous stream of income just yet….

.. I have made a lifelong friend and enabled someone to change their life permanently…

…also i have made a valuable contact in the corporate lawyer whos firm also handles patent law (the Phils. patent system is based on the US and the law fees are a fraction of the price)…though thanks to the 4HWW I will now pursue the Stephen Key method instead of saving to pay for full-blown patents..

..I really just wanted to say congratulations on your success…you are a real inspiration to the dreamers out there…if you ever need a place to stay or want to chill in downtown Toronto just drop a line….(lots of bike riding opportunities and pastries…) 😛

take care man and best wishes…Scott

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Scott, congratulations! I love the bold idea and how you followed through. “Crazy” ideas are usually the ones that create big change, whether personal or global. Keep on acting on those dreams 🙂

Tim

hi tim, i am yr new reader from hong kong. i just had a short break in taiwan and i found yr book.

yea, the topic is so brillant that no one can resist.

i feel excited with yr book…

cos i really feel dull in the current job.

i still haven’t finish yr book yet. but i am using my turbo.. i want to finish it assp and start a new life!!

oh, i have a question.. which tv show had u featured in hk?!

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Hi Grace,

I was on a TV series called “Human Cargo” in English. If you search for my “blogosphere self-defense” on this blog, you can see a screen shot. Good luck with all and thanks for joining us 🙂

Tim

Hey Tim

I started trying to do what I’ve now come to know as lifestyle design about two months ago when I fully committed to providing products and solutions that promotes environmentaly conscious consumption.

I have only had your book for 1 week. I am one page 100 and I have to say 1 week with just a few principles have negated the past two months of me pulling my hair out trying to set up an automated business. My computers are sick and tired of me swearing at them.

BY THE WAY, I’VE RIDDEN MOTORCYCLES AS MY PRIMARY VEHICLE FOR OVER A YEAR. MY BIKES: BMW 1150RT, AND 1150 GS ADVENTURE. I RODE IN A UTAH SNOWSTORM TO AND FROM MY YOGA CLASS THIS MORNING. I LOVE IT. DO YOU EVER RIDE OUT IN UTAH?

The reason I am contacting you is as follows. I am redoing my life utilizing lifestyle design.

Your book in combination with many of my own personal planets lining up in the most life changing event to DATE have led to the following conclusion.

I want to sell your book on my website and market in a way that are condusive to the principles in your book.

A few random ideas on my to do list:

Create a program focusing on disabled veterans that utilizes practical training that will improve their quality of life

Systematically put Walmart out of business and retrain employees how to market the right way. I want to drive past a store and instead of wanting to hurl, to smile smuggly.

Cookie Droppingsworth

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Hi Cookie,

Thanks so much for the kind words! The only simple method for selling my book on your site would be an affiliate program through Amazon or Barnes and Noble (there are probably others). Good luck on all of your LD projects and keep us posted on progress 🙂

All the best,

Tim

hi tim, finially i finished yr book. i feel excited but i also have many questions in my mind. cos yr book is based on US situation, which is quite far from hk. but i think it’s similar to taiwan.

as u know that hk is so small and condensed. online shopping may not be that popular. therefore, we may not have such comprehensive services as u mentioned in the book. for instance, our local courier provides basic services only – point to point delivery.

i really want to follow yr book and to be yr first successful fellow in hk. hopefully to draw more attentions about yr book and yr ideas.

if u don’t mind, i want to intro myself abit. i am 36yrs now. i graduated from US in 1994. then i return to hk and to be a journalist until 20001. then i stayed a yr in sdyney (mini retirement?!) to study aromatherapy. i return hk in 2002. i opened an aromatherapy clinic, however it closed 1 yr later. then i found a job in taiwan and stayed for another yr. i back to hk again in 2004. i guess i lost tract since then..

i want to quit job and fly to overseas again.. which is my usual practice. but i also want to start my own business again.. so that to save some money for mini retirement.

what is yr suggestion?

i must admit that i am not a stable person and i shifted job often. i only have “3-min passion” that is our chinese saying – i don’t have strong determination. does it a fatal drawback to have a successful business or life?!

btw, i have difficulty in reading yr chinese version. there are many terms which are different from hk. the translation seems more like a formal textbook. i am considering to buy yr original version, which i think maybe easier for understanding.

i am looking forward to hear u soon… and hope that i am not too greedy for yr answers!!

I’ve never posted to a blog or created a website before, please bear with me. I’m 35 and consider myself fairly tech savy, but I’m going nuts setting up my lifestyle so everything is automated. If anyone out there has any advice, i’d appreciate it.

I plan on figuring it out and then teaching other people how to do it. Working on getting a video camera mount for my bike. I went Snowboarding today, got home at about noon, worked for two hours and i’m done for the day.

Here’s my website, it need work, I’m trying to figure out the best way to do it. Hey Tim are you affiliated with lifestyledesign.com? I am also thinking about writing music for my business ideas. I am a guitar player with a bunch of vintage guitars and amps, but I’m pretty mellow. I would love to internet jam with anyone out there who knows how. Pretty amazing stuff especially in light of Radioheads accomplishments. I am big time into Built to Spill and Modest Mouse. I want to eventually hang out with my favorite players. Big dream, but now more achievable than ever thanks to THE FOUR HOUR WORK WEEK.

I want to post some pictures and video and will do so once I figure out how. I’m a new mac user for less than a month. It’s making me nuts because I’ve essentially got monster possibilities and need to integrate the mac.

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Hi Cookie,

I’m not affiliate with the LD website. Good luck with all 🙂

Tim

Whoops.

Misstyped webiste name in my last post – corrected above. Seems I was concentrating on the important stuff (my post) rather than my URL… 🙂