How Rich People Spend Their Time

[kamakiri]

I was reading the Washington Post today, and came across a great article bearing the same name as this post. It really hit a note with me and reminded me a lot of many of the people I have seen come here to this forum. The following quote sums it up pretty well.

Kahneman and his colleagues argued that many people mistakenly allocate enormous amounts of their time and psychological focus to getting rich because of a mental illusion: When they think about what it would mean to be wealthy, they think about how enjoyable it would be to watch a flat-screen TV set, play lots of sports or get a lot of pampering -- our stereotypical beliefs of how the rich spend their time.

While the reality is that the poor do all of those things and the rich fill their time with things like exercise, child rearing, and shopping (not tom mention travel, learning, and personal development). I don't know why they call those activities stressful. I don't do much shopping, but I wouldn't trade the gym or time with my son for anything.

I think most of the regulars here know I have trouble filtering my posts from the distaste I show for people who's only goal appears to be making a muse so they can watch more TV, but I digress. The 4HWW is a lifestyle, and it pretty much takes working on many aspects of your life, not just the automation of income.

[JFrenzel]

Good Answer. That is so truem, one should focus on the many facets that life has to offer. From family to business, one should balance things according to what fits them best.


Jose

[ephigy]

Not having a TV for ten years now, I can safely rule that one out. I know myself enough to forecast what I'll do when struggling day to day to isn't required anymore. I'll do what I've always done. Continue to push the limit on my artistic skills and accomplishments.

Not having to work on a daily basis would allow me to put my creative juices to work on an art expo, printing out my creations which lie dormant on my hard drive. Having all that free time would allow me to create a animated picture using the tools I've learned over the past few years. I'd probably travel around the world while doing so and channel all the experiences into those artistic creations.

[Sven]

Sorry ephigy, that is crap. Creative juices flow when you get squeezed. Total relaxation kills it as does all out stress. You will become totally improductive if you do nothing.

It is just as you say, you will do what you have allways done. be lazy and be on wellfare. Getting the 4hww principle to work is about developing a way of working, not a way of doing nothing.

Oh, Chris, thanks for posting, another good one ;-)

[ephigy]

Sven, your assumption on my habits are just that assumptions. You might need to be told what to do to get something done, I'm just not like that. I'm always doing something, exploring the tools available to me (software in my case) and pushing them to the limits. I've always had a thirst for knowledge; I used to reproduce the anatomical man during lunch in high school just to learn how the human body functions and how to draw it. Then came motion and so on.

So don't pretend to know what I do or will do. And don't be so quick to judge my situation. you have no idea.

As for the 4hww principle, it's not about working for work's sake (w4w) it's about having a system that allows you the freedom to work as you please.

[Marcie]

Let's please remember:

"NO flaming. If you are mean or degrading to others, you will be banned. Feel free to be critical, but be civilized and suggest alternatives if you disagree with someone.

Be cool, be nice, and play hard!"

[Napsterbater]

I would say that your basic inspiration would come from hard times and struggle, but once you have your style and your art form and everything set, the brain requires relaxation and freedom to expand from that mold. A lot of rappers find that they run out of things to say very rapidly once they make it big. Some of them flame out, others manage to stick around, like Eminem. He's been talking about retirement ever since the Marshall Mathers LP! But he's finding new avenues to express his art and grow.

If you never had the struggle aspect of your life throw you into a creative mindset, I can see how suddenly getting rich would keep you from getting there if you wanted to be creative, but once you're in that creative mindset, freedom and room become ten times more important. Everyone's different of course, too. Anthony Kiedis of the Red Hot Chili Peppers never really had to struggle, except against addiction, and his fame and fortune predated his serious debilitating addictions. He just kind of fell into singing. He's just now hitting his stride after conquering his addiction. Their latest album simply blows all the other ones away.

[Napsterbater]

Oh to answer the question, I imagine I would spend my time doing much of what Timothy Ferriss does, spend time with family and friends, explore my creativity, learn new things, travel, date, raise a kid or two.

[EelKat]

I like your OP and it pretty much sums up my views as well. I think that the way you spend your time determines wither you succeed or flop too. I mean, how can you be successful if you just sit around in front of the flat screen tv all day? You got to get out there and actually DO something in order to succeed.

What do you feel is the reason for success in your life? It could be personal success or business success. I think personal and business success go and in hand, because if one is failing than the other will soon follow. For me, I'd have to say my top 5 would be:


#1) Family. Always putting family first helps keep your business in perspective and makes for a happy life.

#2) Passion. Do what you love. Love what you do. If it doesn't make you happy, don't do it.

#3) Knowledge. Know how to do everything yourself, even if you have someone else to do it. A boss who doesn't know the business will not be the boss for long!

#4) Lack of greed. Love of money is the root of all evil. If you start putting money first in your life, you'll start losing your personal happiness. Seek happiness first, the rest will follow.

#5) Kindness. Be kind to everyone and never let the sun set on your anger. Forgive, forget, and seek not revenge. Always treat everyone as you would want them to treat you.

Life isn't about making money, it is about what you do with it. All the money in the world is not worth a thing if you aren't happy and making others around you happy too. Happiness first, money later. Even though time is money, no amount of money can buy back time wasted, either.

[Stallion]

Happiness first, money later.

Money can make happiness.