New rules of Life

Book Title: The 4-Hour Work Week

Book chapter: D is for definition 

Author:Timothy Ferries  Reviewed by: Jason Cheng Qi Quan

          4 hour work week? Does it means we must work 4 hours per day? No no no! It means we can plan our life and  optimize it in a very special way. This book has shared about DEAL process. In this article, I am going to share about D which is definition. 

         New rich people live in a very special way. It beats the normal life that defines by society.The author encourages us to live according to the lifestyle that is special to us. The definition means to define the new rule or objectives in life. 

      First rule is mini-retirement. In society, most people work 8 hours per day and five days per week.Working life is boring and suffering to some people. However, some people enjoy their work. Working life is like a long journey. It occupies one third of our lifetime. 

        You may think that if we have X amount of money, you can start to do what you want.  Most of the time you haven't know what you want and continue working and be productive. That's why most  people work until death because they don't define what they truly want. The X figure will increase indefinitely because we seek  financial securities.We only live once in this world.  Although our life is occupied by work, it means we are prohibited to pursue our dreams in the middle of working life? No! Don't take retirement as a major goal. You can plan your mini-retirement activities throughout your life.Therefore, find a quiet time and think about the things that you are truly interested regardless it is profitable or not.  Not all meaningful activities can be measured by the amount of money return.  Sometimes it can return in terms of good feeling or personal satisfaction. Allocate a specific period and execute it. Enjoy the great moment every day instead of waiting for retirement.  Activity can be traveling,dancing cooking as long as you are feeling excited and happy. 

          It is like taking a small short retirement period in the middle of busy working life.  Plan some exciting activities after working hours or weekend. For example, I attend toastmaster club meeting to meet more energetic young people and learn from each other. It is a positive environment to learn public speaking. I always take this opportunity to raise my courage to present my opinion. I feel happy  when observing the smile on others people's faces. I am also satisfied when  I am seeing my efforts are able to help people to grow their confidence in public speaking. 

      Second rule is timing is never right.  Flowers are not always blooming all the time.The world  keeps changing constantly. We have a lot of crazy planning in our minds but sometimes you wait and tell yourself to wait for the correct timing. For example, take an online course, backpack traveling ,go overseas do volunteering and the list goes on.  You delay it because you wait for the correct timing.Don't wait! First,try to evaluate the planning that you wish to do.  Is it beyond your ability? Is it realistic? Think about it. If it is too crazy and unrealistic, forget about it and think again. If It is something actionable and you wish to do it. Just begin! Take a small step. Correct it along the way.  

       The biggest obstacle to try something new is fear. The first step is the most difficult.Why? New things mean unknown.  There is uncertainty and we fear the results.  Do something new meanschange. Changes mean struggling and the strike from the uncomfortable situation.At this moment, ask yourself  if you didn't take the risk, what do you feel if you allow time to pass and you know the things didn't fulfill you? Inaction is the greatest risk for all, Therefore, take some risks to start from somewhere and begin your new journey in life.

     Try something new cultivates eustress in our life. Eustress is  positive stress and supports our growth in life.  Stress can be view as positive way if you manage stress well. Eustress can be found in some exciting activities like the anticipation of marriage, the first-day report to work at the office. It is like a small trigger in our life that made us stay happy and positive to overcome challenges every day. 

      In conclusion,mini-retirement and don't wait for correct timing are the two new rules for new rich.  Lets us have a new rich mindset and embrace  our world!