The 4-Hour Workweek is not for Photographers
This is not an in-depth book review. Before you ask, yes, I read the book. Actually, I listened to the audio book.
In the book, author Tim Ferriss outlines his plan for escaping 9 to 5 drudgery and joining what he calls the new rich. While there are a few worthwhile observations and productivity techniques scattered about, I'd recommend you read other books on these topics (see below).
Briefly, here are two issues I have with the book–and its relevance to photographers.
Photographers aren't Dilbert
Ferriss's book seems aimed at educated knowledge workers trapped in meaningless 9 to 5 jobs and taking orders from middle managers. Think Dilbert or the movie Office Space.
I'm going to go out on a limb here and say, you became a photographer because you're an artist, a creative, and because you love photography. If that sounds right, this book isn't going to do anything for you–except cause you to doubt your calling and begin an obsession with material possessions and free time.
If you became a photographer for the money ... well, I'm sorry but you've got issues that this book isn't going to solve. If its wealth you're after, you should quit photography immediately, become a stock broker, go back to school, read this book, or find something else to do.
If You Outsource Everything, You're No Longer a Creative
One of Ferriss's recommendations for joining the new rich is to outsource as many aspects of your life and business as possible. Thanks to a few "baby Ferrisses" in our industry, this is now a very popular avenue for photographers. You can now outsource just about every aspect of wedding photography.
I have more than a few issues with the outsourcing paradigm–but I'll simply say this: if you outsource most aspects of the photographic and creative process, you're no longer a photographer. You're just a business person.
Now, before you ask: yes, I make websites for photographers. If you want to call that outsourcing, go ahead–but making a website isn't part of the photographic process. Neither is building tools or providing infrastructure that makes photographers more efficient. Second, I'm not saying a photographer must handle every aspect of their business in-house. Using a lab for your prints makes perfect sense. I'm saying there's a line when it comes to outsourcing. In my mind, you can't hand every creative aspect off to someone else (post-processing, editing, retouching, album design, etc.) and still call yourself an artist.
Read These Instead
Instead of reading The 4-Hour Workweek, I'd recommend reading these books instead:
Getting Things Done by David Allen
Naked Economics by Charles Wheelan
Have a great weekend.