#809: The 4-Hour Workweek Tools That Still Work — The Art of Refusal and The Low-Information Diet

This time around, we have a bit of a different format, featuring the book that started it all for me, The 4-Hour Workweek . Readers and listeners often ask me what I would change or update, but an equally interesting question is: what wouldn’t I change? What stands the test of time and hasn’t lost any potency? This episode features two of the most important chapters from the audiobook of The 4-Hour Workweek . The chapters push you to defend your scarce attention—one by saying no to people, the other by saying no to excess information. Sponsors: David Protein Bars 28g of protein, 150 calories, and 0g of sugar : https://davidprotein.com/tim (Buy 4 cartons, get the 5th free.) Our Place's Titanium Always Pan® Pro using nonstick technology that’s coating-free and made without PFAS, otherwise known as “Forever Chemicals”: https://fromourplace.com/tim (Shop their Spring Sale today!) AG1 all-in-one nutritional supplement: https://DrinkAG1.com/Tim (1-year supply of Vitamin D (and 5 free AG1 travel packs) with your first subscription purchase.) Timestamps: [00:00:00] Start. [00:07:24] The low-information diet. [00:09:45] Cultivating selective ignorance. [00:14:32] How to read 200% faster in 10 minutes. [00:17:09] Questions and actions: Go on an immediate one-week media fast. [00:21:05] Develop the habit of asking yourself, “Will I definitely use this information for something immediate and important?” [00:22:03] Practice the art of nonfinishing. [00:22:49] Comfort challenge: Get phone numbers. [00:25:14] Interrupting interruption and the art of refusal. [00:28:16] Not all evils are created equal. [00:29:36] Time wasters: Become an ignoramus. [00:30:09] Limit email consumption and production. [00:33:05] Screen incoming and limit outgoing phone calls. [00:36:10] Master the art of refusal and avoiding meetings. [00:38:33] In order of preference, steer people toward email, phone, and in-person meetings. [00:38:59] Respond to voicemail via email whenever possible. [00:40:50] Meetings should only be held to make decisions about a predefined situation, not to define the problem. [00:41:53] If you absolutely cannot stop a meeting or call from happening, define the end time. [00:43:00] The cubicle is your temple — don’t permit casual visitors. [00:44:24] Use the Puppy Dog Close to help your superiors and others develop the no-meeting habit. [00:46:48] Time consumers: Batch and do not falter. [00:50:05] How much is your time worth? [00:50:45] Estimate the amount of time you will save by grouping similar tasks and batching them. [00:51:14] Determine how much problems cost to fix in each period. [00:53:02] Empowerment failure: Rules and readjustment. [00:59:44] Questions and actions: Create systems to limit your availability. [01:01:55] Batch activities to limit setup cost and provide more time for dreamline milestones. [01:02:25] Set or request autonomous rules and guidelines with occasional review of results. [01:03:18] Tools for eliminating paper distractions, capturing everything. [01:05:28] Tools for screening and avoiding unwanted calls. [01:07:12] Tools for scheduling without back-and-forth. [01:08:23] Tools for choosing the best email batching times. [01:09:13] Tools for emailing without entering the inbox black hole. [01:10:20] Tools for preventing web browsing/internet use. [01:11:10] Comfort challenge: revisit the terrible twos. [01:12:07] Lifestyle design in action. * For show notes and past guests on The Tim Ferriss Show , please visit tim.blog/podcast . For deals from sponsors of The Tim Ferriss Show , please visit tim.blog/podcast-sponsors Sign up for Tim’s email newsletter ( 5-Bullet Friday ) at tim.blog/friday . For transcripts of episodes, go to tim.blog/transcripts . 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