Since I have been an Internet inhabitant for most of my adult life, the majority of this book was not new or groundbreaking for me.

It’s interesting to read a book for the first time, though, and realize how much of it you’ve become familiar with just through how commonly dispensed it is in certain circles.

I have mixed feelings about it. On one hand, I love the concept of creating a life that’s not dependent on having a job. On the other hand, what’s possible for a young healthy white man with a support network that makes risk-taking doable is not necessarily possible for many others. So. There’s that.

Here are a few points that stand out to me:

1. The sooner you trust yourself to make your own rules, the sooner you start living the life you want to live.

“The commonsense rules of the”real world” are a fragile collection of socially reinforced illusions.

The manifesto of the dealmaker is simple: Reality is negotiable. Outside of science and law, all rules can be bent or broken, and it doesn’t require being unethical.

The important distinction is that between official rules and self-imposed rules.”

2. The obvious and/or popular path is usually the one to avoid.

“The options are limitless, but each path begins with the same first step: replacing assumptions.”

3. There’s good stress and there’s bad stress.

“Role models who push us to exceed our limits, physical training that removes our spare tires, and risks that expand our sphere of comfortable action are all examples of eustress—stress that is healthful and the stimulus for growth.”

4. The fear of discomfort will stop you far more often than discomfort itself.

“The luxury I advocate has nothing to do with money. It cannot be bought. It is the reward of those who have no fear of discomfort.” (quoting Jean Cocteau)

“There is a direct correlation between an increased sphere of comfort and getting what you want.”

5. An important note on defining happiness: look for excitement.

“It’s a matter of specificity.”What do you want?” is too imprecise to produce a meaningful and actionable answer. Forget about it.

Excitement is the more practical synonym for happiness, and it is precisely what you should strive to chase. It is the cure-all. When people suggest you follow your “passion” or your “bliss,” I propose that they are, in fact, referring to the same singular concept: excitement. This brings us full circle. The question you should be asking isn’t, “What do I want?” or “What are my goals?” but “What would excite me?””

6. Choose your partners—whether friends or colleagues—carefully.

“If someone isn’t making you stronger, they’re making you weaker.”

There is lots of other good practical advice and motivation about things like language learning, reading, learning in general, being effective and efficient, hiring and delegating, focusing, building a business, making decisions, and more. If that sounds like interesting stuff to you, read the blog or get the book and dive in.

Highlights: 📖 Ferriss - The 4-Hour Workweek