“Americans who travel abroad for the first time are often shocked to discover that, despite all the progress that has been made in the last 30 years, many foreign people still speak in foreign languages.”
-Dave Barry
Chilling on a Smithsonian research island in Panama. Heaven on earth? Perhaps, but there are hundreds of places like this.
After Memorial Day weekend, many Americans will return to the office and fantasize about taking more time off. If only we could travel the world and experiencing life to its fullest!
What if you could travel the world — and make it a better place — for free?
Swimming with dolphins in New Zealand? Skiing in the Andes? Sumo wrestling and sushi sampling in Japan? Here’s your chance. The first — and possibly last — 4-Hour Workweek Global Challenge.
How would you use 36 extra hours per week?
If you can answer that question in 350 words or less, you could win a roundtrip anywhere in the world, private consulation with me to plan it all, and $1,000 for the cause of your choice.
My goals with this are 1) to get people to take action towards their dreams, and 2) to help people to develop a global consciousness and feel the rewards of contribution.
THE PRIZES:
Grand Prize (one person):
-Roundtrip airfare anywhere in the world, sponsored by the good folks at the BootsnAll Travel Network, who specialize in around-the-world airfare, hostels, travel blogs, and inspiration to get you going on that trip of a lifetime
-Two hours of consultation with me for planning the entire adventure and making it unforgettable…
-$1,000 to contribute to the causes/charities of your choice at your chosen destination (the destination need not be international)
Runner-up Prizes (nine people):
Free DVD copies of the groundbreaking round-the-world travel film, A Map for Saturday. This movie is one of the few cinematic journeys that truly captures the deeper meanings and benefits of travel.
THE JUDGES:
Me, Tim Ferriss, author of the New York Times bestseller, The 4-Hour Workweek
Charles Best, CEO and Founder of educational not-for-profit, Donors Choose
Sean Keener, CEO and Founder, BootsNAll Travel Network
Noah Kagan, Director of Marketing Evangelism, Mint.com
Brook Silva-Braga, Filmmaker, A Map for Saturday
THE BASIC RULES OVERVIEW:
Criteria:
Your answer needs to satisfy the following criteria:
1. It must not only add fulfillment and excitement to your life (and your family’s, if applicable), but also improve the world in some way.
2. It must be 350 words or less. No exceptions.
3. It must be submitted as a comment to this post or via postal mail (the latter for silly legal reasons). No e-mail submission is allowed, and such submission will be ignored. Sorry, but this can’t be a full-time job for the judges. If you have a blog, feel free to encourage your readers to respond on your blog, then pick the best and paste them as comments here. Postal submissions are not preferred.
Selection:
The judges will select the top ten finalists, and readers will vote to determine the grand prize winner.
Deadlines:
All responses to “How would you use 36 extra hours per week?” must be received (as comments on this post or postal mail) no later than June 15th. The top ten finalists will be announced no later than June 25th, and the grand prize winner will be determined no later than July 4, 2007, Independence Day.
Who can’t enter this contest?
For more silly legal reasons, entrants must be a permanent lawful resident of one of the 48 continental United States or District of Columbia and be 18 years of age or older. Entrants under 18 years of age are ineligible. Contest is void in Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, U.S. territories and possessions outside the 48 continental United States or District of Columbia, and where prohibited or restricted by law. By participating, entrants agree to these official rules and the decisions of the judges, which are final and binding in all matters related to this contest. My apologies to the rest of the world, but our legal system makes it too much of a hassle to do this any other way.
FINE PRINT — THE OFFICIAL RULES:
THIS IS A CONTEST OF SKILL. NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT OF ANY KIND IS NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN THIS CONTEST. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING.
1.CONTEST TERM AND DEADLINES: Contest begins May 26, 2007 at 12:00:01 a.m. (Pacific Time [PT]). Online entries must be received by June 15, 2007 at 12:00:01 p.m. PT. Online entries received after June 15, 2007 at 12:00:01 p.m. PT will not be eligible. If mail-in method of entry is chosen, entries must be postmarked on or before June 15, 2007 and received on or before June 21, 2007 to be eligible. Entries will be judged by the panel of judges June 16, 2007 through June 25, 2007. Prize winners will be announced on or around July 4, 2007.
2.
2.ELIGIBILITY: The contest, and any web site pages and advertisements relating thereto, is intended for viewing only within the 48 continental United States or District of Columbia. To enter the contest and qualify therefore, entrants must be a permanent lawful resident of one of the 48 continental United States or District of Columbia and be 18 years of age or older. Entrants under 18 years of age are ineligible. Contest is void in Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, U.S. territories and possessions outside the 48 continental United States or District of Columbia, and where prohibited or restricted by law. By participating, entrants agree to these official rules and the decisions of the judges, which are final and binding in all matters related to this contest.
3.
3.there are two (2) Methods by which to enter this contest:
a. On-Line Method of Entry: Entrants may log on to www.fourhourworkweek.com/blog (the “Contest Website”), click the blog entry for this contest and follow the on-screen directions, then submit their entry as a comment on that post. Only one entry per person. Entry length is limited to 350 words.
b. Mail-in Method of Entry: Entrant may also mail his or her entry to: “4-Hour Workweek Challenge” 1702-L Meridian Ave., Box 126, San Jose, CA 95125. Entries must be postmarked by June 16, 2007 and received on or before June 21, 2007 to be eligible. Entry length is limited to 350 words.
4.
4.SELECTION OF WINNERS:
1.
a.The entries will be judged by a panel of judges in their sole discretion according to the Judging Criteria. The top 10 finalists will be posted on the website, at which point the grand prize winner will be selected by reader (www.fourhourworkweek.com/blog) voting to end no later than July 4, 2007.
5.
5.JUDGING CRITERIA FOR ENTRIES: The entries shall be judged based on the following Judging Criteria with equal weight:
a. It must not only add fulfillment and excitement to your life (and your family’s, if applicable), but also improve the world in some way.
b. It must be 350 words or less. No exceptions.
Odds of winning depend upon the number of eligible entries and the quality of the entries.
6.
6.PRIZES: One (1) Grand Prize: Roundtrip airfare anywhere in the world, sponsored by the good folks at the BootsnAll Travel Network; two hours of consultation with Tim Ferriss for planning the entire adventure;$1,000 to contribute to the causes/charities of their choice at your chosen destination (checks to be issued directly to the charities or causes). Nine (9) Runner-up Prizes: Free DVD copy of the groundbreaking round-the-world travel film, A Map for Saturday.
Actual Value of prize may vary depending upon city of origin. Prizes cannot be assigned, transferred, changed or redeemed for cash value. No substitutions of prizes permitted unless prize cannot be awarded as described for any reason. Prizes will not be fulfilled outside the 48 continental United States or the District of Columbia. Tim Ferriss, judges, and any other sponsors reserve the right to substitute a prize of equal or greater value at their sole discretion, unless prohibited by law.
7.
7.NOTIFICATION: Prize winners will be notified by telephone and/or email no later than July 10, 2007. If a potential prize winner cannot be reached within twenty-four hours from the first notification attempt, then such person may be disqualified at the judges’ sole discretion and the contestant with the next highest score may be awarded such prize.
8.
8.PRIZE CONDITIONS: The Winners will be required to execute an Affidavit of Eligibility and a Liability Release (“Affidavit/Releaseâ€?). If a potential prize winner does not complete an Affidavit of Eligibility and a Liability Release by July 21, 2007, then such person may be disqualified at the judges’ sole discretion and the contestant with the next highest score may be awarded such prize.
9.
9.CONDITIONS OF PARTICIPATION/RESTRICTIONS: Any entry containing obscenity, crude language, depictions of a sexual nature, pornographic depictions, violence or other inappropriate conduct or language (as defined solely by the judges) will not be accepted and will result in disqualification. Entrants represent that the entry submitted is the entrant’s original creation, has never been published, has not previously won any other contest award, does not infringe third party rights, and is suitable for publication, does not violate any decency or obscenity laws, and the right to submit it is not restricted. Entry may not defame, libel, slander or invade publicity rights or privacy of any person, living or deceased, or otherwise infringe upon any person’s personal or proprietary rights, including trademarks. No mechanically reproduced, illegible, incoherent, unusable, or incomplete entries will be accepted. The judges reserve the absolute right to reject any submission for any reason it deems it to be inappropriate. No correspondence regarding submissions will be entered into with entries except as described herein or otherwise at judges discretion.
10.
10.WARRANTIES/RESTRICTIONS: Each entrant represents and warrants that he/she is eighteen (18) years of age or older, and is eligible to enter. If a prize winner is under the age of majority at the time the prize is awarded, consent must be provided by parent or guardian prior to award. Judges will not be responsible for lost, misdirected, illegible, incomplete, or delayed entries. Limit of one (1) entry per person and per authorized e-mail account holder. In the event there is a dispute over who submitted any given entry, “authorized e-mail account holder” means the natural person who is assigned to an e-mail address by an Internet access provider, Internet service provider, or other organization (e.g. business, educational, government, institution, etc.) that is responsible for assigning e-mail addresses for the domain associated with the submitted e-mail address. If more than one entry is received from the same person, then he/she will be disqualified. Only complete entries will be accepted. If a submission is incomplete or does not comply with the specifications and rules described herein, then the submission will be disqualified. Neither the judges nor Contest Entities will verify receipt of entries. Entrants should retain a copy of all materials submitted for the contest. All mailed entries become the property of judges and will not be returned.
11.
11.LIMITATION OF LIABILITY: Judges and Contest Entities are not responsible for late, lost, damaged, misdirected, incorrectly addressed, incomplete, illegible, undeliverable, or destroyed materials, for any human error which may occur in the processing of entries, or the acts or omissions of any other entity’s computer(s), or other telecommunications malfunctions which may limit or prevent an entrant’s ability to participate. Judges may prohibit an entrant from participating in this contest or winning a prize if, in its sole discretion, it determines that said entrant is attempting to undermine the legitimate operation of this contest by cheating, hacking, deception, or other unfair practices (including the use of automated quick entry programs) or intending to annoy, abuse, threaten or harass any other entrants or judge representatives, or if entrant has or had attempted to submit malicious code, .exe files, or any file that contains malicious code. If for any reason this contest is not capable of running as planned, including, but not limited to, infection by computer virus, bugs, tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud, or any other causes beyond the reasonable control of judges, which corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness, integrity, or proper conduct of the promotion, then judges reserve the right at its sole discretion to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend this contest, except were prohibited by law. No responsibility is assumed for any canceled, rescheduled, unavailable or postponed travel or celebrity availability, production or programming.
12.
12.RULES/WINNERS LIST: To view the Official Rules and/or obtain a list of the winners of this contest, send a self-addressed stamped envelope in a separate, first class stamped envelope to: “4-Hour Workweek Challenge,� 1702-L Meridian Ave., Box 126, San Jose, CA 95125. Please specify “Rules� or “Winners List�. Winners list available after July 21, 2007. Limit one (1) rules request and one (1) winners list request per person/household.
13.
13.CONDITIONS OF PARTICIPATION: This contest is subject to all applicable federal, state and local laws. All federal, state and local taxes are the sole responsibility of the winners. Except where prohibited by law, each winner’s entry or acceptance of the prize constitutes permission for the Contest Entities to use, publish, and display the winner’s submission, name, voice, photograph, and other likeness and/or any biographical information the winner may provide, and any statement the winner may make concerning this contest or the prizes, in any and all media now known or hereafter discovered, worldwide and on the Internet and/or the World Wide Web, in perpetuity, for promotional and marketing purposes, without notification, review, approval or compensation, all as detailed in the Publicity Release. Entrant further agrees to permit Contest Entities the right to reproduce such submission in full or to crop or otherwise edit or modify submission for reproduction at judges’ sole discretion. By participating, entrants agree to be bound by these Official Rules and the decisions of the judges, (including interpretations of these Official Rules), the judges and the Contest Administrator, and waive any right to claim ambiguity in this contest or these Official Rules. Winners and contestants also agree at all times, to release, discharge, indemnify and hold harmless the Contest Entities and judges, their respective parent entities, subsidiaries, and affiliated companies, advertising and promotion agencies, broadcast affiliates, and all of their respective officers, directors, employees, representatives and agents of each, from and against any claims, actions, demands, damages or liabilities of any kind whatsoever (including without limitation, attorney’s fees, court costs, settlement and disbursements) due to any injuries, damages or losses to any person (including death) or property of any kind resulting in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, from acceptance, redemption, possession, loss, misdirection, misuse or use of any prize or participation in any contest-related activity or participation in this contest, including any claims relating to use, misappropriation or disclosure of any materials submitted herein. All decisions of the judges and the Contest Administrator are final in all matters relating to this contest. If for any reason this contest is not capable of running as planned, then judges reserve the right at their sole discretion to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the contest. Judges and Contest Entities shall not be liable to any prize winner or any other person for failure to supply a prize or any part thereof by reason of any act of God, any action, regulation, order or request by any governmental or quasi-governmental entity, equipment failure, terrorist acts, earthquake, war, fire, flood, explosion, severe weather, hurricane, embargo, labor dispute or strike, labor or material shortage, transportation interruption of any kind, work slow-down, civil disturbance, insurrection, riot or any similar or dissimilar event beyond their reasonable control.
14.
14.CAUTION: ANY ATTEMPT BY AN ENTRANT TO DELIBERATELY DAMAGE THE WEBSITE, SUBMIT MALICIOUS CODE, .EXE FILES, OR ANY FILE THAT CONTAINS MALICIOUS CODE, OR UNDERMINE THE LEGITIMATE OPERATION OF THE CONTEST MAY BE IN VIOLATION OF CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LAWS AND SHOULD SUCH AN ATTEMPT BE MADE, SPONSOR RESERVES THE RIGHT TO SEEK REMEDIES AND DAMAGES (INCLUDING ATTORNEYS’ FEES) FROM ANY SUCH ENTRANT TO THE FULLEST EXTENT OF THE LAW, INCLUDING CRIMINAL PROSECUTION. IN NO EVENT WILL SPONSOR, JUDGES, THE CONTEST ENTITIES, THEIR PARENT, AFFILIATED, SUBSIDIARY AND RELATED COMPANIES, THEIR RESPECTIVE ADVERTISING OR PROMOTION AGENCIES, BROADCAST AFFILIATES, OR ANY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, REPRESENTATIVES AND AGENTS, BE RESPONSIBLE OR LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES OR LOSSES OF ANY KIND, INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF YOUR ACCESS TO AND USE OF THE WEB SITE OR DOWNLOADING FROM AND/OR PRINTING MATERIAL DOWNLOADED FROM www.fourhourworkweek.com. WITHOUT LIMITING THE FOREGOING, EVERYTHING ON THE WEB SITE IS PROVIDED “AS IS� WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR NON-INFRINGEMENT. SOME JURISDICTIONS MAY NOT ALLOW LIMITATIONS OR EXCLUSION OF LIABILITY INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OR EXCLUSION OF IMPLIED WARRANTIES SO SOME OF THE ABOVE LIMITATIONS OR EXCLUSIONS MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU. CHECK YOUR LOCAL LAWS FOR ANY RESTRICTIONS OR LIMITATIONS REGARDING THESE LIMITATIONS OR EXCLUSIONS.
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Comment Rules: Remember what Fonzie was like? Cool. That’s how we’re gonna be — cool. Critical is fine, but if you’re rude, we’ll delete your stuff. Please do not put your URL in the comment text and please use your PERSONAL name or initials and not your business name, as the latter comes off like spam. Have fun and thanks for adding to the conversation! (Thanks to Brian Oberkirch for the inspiration.)
Just found out about this; responding at the encouragement of friends with extremely common interests globally. I would do what I do now, only on a greater scale with much more mobility, helping children to recognize their own innate powers in more places, in greater numbers over much less time. The difference would be great peace of mind sooner than may have occurred otherwise, as I’m in the process of doing what I love or fulfilling a chosen purpose against uncommon odds.
Have found out through mediums I’m sure we have all seen in one form or another (thus our being here, at this site at this time), that great accomplishments are a team effort by those who have been through what we wish to prevent from happening to others, as our time on this planet is too short for as much suffering as we have witnessed. When we feel from the depths of our souls the same feelings when seeing a child cry from a hurt that was not a necessary life lesson, but harm that was of no service to them, the result of indifference or apathy from others, or worse, the pain that rises to the surface of our skin and surpasses any remotely comparable physical pain is a calling in and of itself, though not for everyone who feels it, thus our differences.
There can be great triumph in ‘differences’, as great power comes from the combining of individual strengths in creating a greater whole in the spirit of empowering others to do the same. My immediate dream here would be to include the healing of a family in demonstrating these same truths so they may understand within themselves some hint of such spirits, so that they will no longer be afraid, free to love and give more to those within their spheres: the ones they will meet in their travels going forward, in continuation. When this is not within our immediate grasp or cannot be facilitated peacefully in the moment, a child is always indirectly affected, and can be prevented. Thank you for this opportunity.
Hey David Bachman,
Thanks for the positive feedback! I believe we are a lot closer to a workable fusion reactor than most people realize. One interesting method being researched is acoustic inertial confinement fusion, or “sonofusion”. There is also research into creating fusion reactions using pyroelectric crystals which seems very promising. We live in exciting times!
As a new playwright I would work with grassroot groups to stage my play (www.beastwalk.com) for the children. Someone said you change the world through one child at a time. I would try to help children and their parents understand that we’re all connected and we must find a way to live together in peace no matter where we live on the planet. I would then travel, along with the two kids the play is dedicated to, to whereever the play is being staged to engage in a dialogue with the audience. I would listen,learn and collaborate. I would commit a portion of all funds raised to local children’s causes.
Jeremy (189)…
Visited your vision vat (it was quite an eye-opener when I compared it to the colors in my PDA!!!) Am revising my color scheme and schedule today so I actually begin to slot in time to work on the ideas that are perking in my brain so I can accomplish my 36-hour week.
Thanks for sharing ^_^
For Roger (#170): Truly inspired entry, would be interested to talk — noticing a lot of parallels in our situations. Assuming you also live in Philly by your mention of Love Park. Shoot me an email.. dvd215[at]gmail.com
Sorry Tim, don’t mean to turn your entry into a message board 🙂
I personally like Entry #25 making something last that continually pays it forward.
Okay-36 hours a week-a ? will they count as extra hours tagged on the 24 per day? I hope so!
Here’s what I’ll do:
Since I am a breast cancer survivor, I’m putting together a book of stories and artwork from breast cancer survivors. One goal is to raise funds for a scholarship for survivors-there is none in this country, and someone’s gotta do it!
I’m trying to reach survivors in other countries,too, to tell their stories in picture or words- to have readers get a truly firsthand experience.
So. I would use the time to reach more people, hopefully in person. Travel would be part of it; to speak to third worlders, have-nots (here and globally) and get a real picture of this disease and how to help survivors function in all ways, especially financially (reason for scholarship).
Writing and art are what I do- it’s my way of making a difference. This would be the jump-start.
I hope to create an art show with all the artwork. My plan is to pay contributors perhaps $25 each before book is published, get it published, get a big gallery show in NY City and give women and men who’ve survived this a chance to change their lives thru the scholarship and their writing and art.
That shouldn’t be so hard, right?
Imagine the words and pictures of Afghanis, Iraquis, Russians, Americans, French, Brits, Brazilians-and on and on. What will their stories be? Wonderful, sad, enlightening, horrifying, and all beautiful!
That’s my plan in 254 words.
Stephanie
Good luck finding a winner- these entries are all wonderful. I hope we all find our 36 hours!
Everyone’s ideas sound great! Key is: If you can dream it, you can achieve it. Each person has the tools to make it happen. The dream wouldn’t “call” to you otherwise. Much success to all! ;o)
Everyone’s ideas sound great! Key is: If you can dream it, you can achieve it. Each person has the tools to make it happen. The dream wouldn’t “call� to you otherwise. Much success to all! ;o)
Anyone know when Tim will be posting the finalist??
I have my first commercial site up & running and have a master marketing plan…a lot of it local as it is directed to the vacation / travel market and I live in 1 of the timeshare capitals of the world…This is the first step toward my 4HWW.
BDF
If I had 36 extra hours per week, I would do what I have to take time off work to do – help serve meals at the Homeless Assistance Center in downtown Miami. Currently, I have to leave work early to make the preparation time. I would skip most of the day and help with the cooking as well as the serving.
I would spend regular time with middle school kids in urban Miami, taking them on field trips to places they don’t know exist to do things they never dreamed of like sailing, backpacking, snorkeling, and seeing Broadway musicals and modern dance companies. I would tutor them and help them discover how beautiful and valuable they are. I would encourage them to share their voices, shine their lights, live life full and make their dreams real.
I would take language lessons and seek out native speakers. I would take Tango lessons and belly dance classes. I would join the morning cyclists. I’ve always wanted to learn to swim, so I would sign up right away for a semester. I would spend a lot more time being the “cool� mom – cooking and hanging out in the background with my teenage son and his friends. I would play tennis twice a week with my 80 year old Dad and have dinner and watch movies with my 83 year old mom.
Instead of waiting for a lull in the day (around 2am), I would find a regular time to write Finally, I would regularly take the time to do very little or nothing, to reflect and take in the beauty of the people around me, the world I live in and my place in it. I would sit in silence without guilty so that I could feel the direction towards which my inner compass is steering me.
If I had 36 extra hours a week, I would squeeze the life out of every precious minute in them. My every thought, word and action would convey my gratitude, because having 36 extra hours a week would amount to giving me a life.
The adventure: Purchase and deliver a kerosene-powered refrigerator to the Luang Namthan province near the Lao-Myamar border.
Why a refrigerator? Because refrigeration is a necessary and critical link in the pharmaceutical “cold chain� that delivers drugs to remote and tropical areas. Working like the old pony express, each station along the cold chain has a refrigerator for storing the drugs, as well as for supplying ice packs for the next stage of the journey. Since many of these areas lack electricity, special refrigerators are available that run on kerosene.
The stations in the cold-chain tend to get weaker as you get farther away from the major cities. The situation becomes worse at the end of the drivable roads, where health-care couriers must carry the drugs in insulated back-packs and hike the trails or paddle boats to the remote villages. Then the medicines must be administered quickly before they heat up and spoil. It is in one of these areas that I hope to deliver the refrigerator.
Why Luang Namthong province? Located in the heart of the infamous “Golden Triangle�, this wild province is at the trade crossroads that connects Laos, Myamar, Thailand and China. Being isolated and poor, this area has received very little health care in the past.
Drug resistant strains of malaria and tuberculosis have developed due to previous immunization efforts that were started but not carried to completion, thus developing “super strains� of the diseases. Due to increased trade with neighboring territories, the diseases are being carried to other parts of Asia, and eventually, around the world.
Will this help save the world? No, not if viewed as an act by itself. However, if this adventure gets some attention and acts as a catalyst for other adventure-seekers-with-a-conscience to do the same, then it might actually have a measurable impact.
T
he point of this adventure: If you’re going to travel to some remote corner of the world (and use up a lot of jet fuel while getting there), why not do something worthwhile when you get there? Laying on the beach and swimming with dolphins are wonderful self-indulgences, but they aren’t helping anything.
(a.k.a. commenter #111 in this contest thread)
Hi Tim,
Don’t mean to be off-topic, but I didn’t know where else to post my THANK YOU for the exercises in chapter 3 “Dodging Bullets.”
Your book arrived in my life precisely at the time I’m ready to ACT on the information (and not just “study” it.) With a major life change begun, I was feeling that I really needed to sort out my worst-case scenarios. But some of my new-agey friends admonished me “don’t think negative thoughts!” kind of denial that limits creative problem-solving. (They’ve all seen “The Secret” and totally misinterpretted it, but I digress.)
So your chapter arrived right when I needed it, and I spent a couple hours today *really* writing it all out. Time well-spent! In the process of it, a weight was lifted off my shoulders (that anxiety that’s been waking up up at night as my subconscious is trying to create a worst-case scenario plan on its own.) Then I had a couple AMAZING and easy-to-implement ideas! It was goose-bumpy, and I just knew that I can get through this transition by doing what needs to be done.
So HUGE thank yous!!!!
Jaya
(And really, I’m not trying to suck up, but I really would like to win that planning session with you, so scroll up to comment #111. I’ve already got some ideas about how to outsource a product company that will also help my favorite philanthropic cause, but I’d love your guidance.)
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Hats off to you for providing this wonderful opportunity for someone to travel and improve life on the planet at the same time. I was so jazzed to see the announcement of the contest and then bummed in equal measure to see that I had missed the deadline. I just bought your book yesterday and went to the website and found out about the contest. Have you and the judges picked a winner yet. I will look forward to seeing the lucky individual’s entry to see where they chose and what type of charity they will be involved with. I will be continuing to seek other such opportunities to travel and make a difference. I have one particular organization in Guatemala and Nicaragua in mind. It is Quetzal Treckers, the provide guided hikes to eco tourists and use the money earned from the hikes to support an organization that helps street children in the two countries where they are located.
Thanks for your inspiring book, I am currently doing the exercises and learning lots about myself. It is uplifting to know that I can live the life I dream of and help others at the same time. I wish you continued happy travels!
Peg
I’m here in San Diego visiting with some friends. They kicked me out for the evening, likely to enjoy some tantric sex.
Little did I know I wound up at Borders, on the floor, for the longest 10 seconds before politely securing Brittany’s phone number! (the perfect 10, more approachable than a hundred 7’s!!)
For the same price of 36 hours, I will continue my experiments with affordable solar applications for 3rd World and US.
Why are Federal tax credits for solar devices limited to “approved vendors”? Because they are priced too high!!
I hold designs for preheated water, flowing naturally to your hot water tank, that are economical without tax credits.
For the 3rd World, there is hot water, hot air, distilled water and even solar ice machines!!
Oil, Fossil Fuels and the NeoCons can not stop a determined man with 36 hours per week!!
There is a World to Save and Global Warming that must end now.
Either that or Brittany????
your pal, Tim
[…] all about the 4-Hour Workweek Global Challenge, including the rules (every contest has rules, much as we’d like to avoid them). The deadline […]
With 36 more hours in my week i would invest my time into ataining a higher standard of living for those who are less fortunate than most in the developed world. Key areas i would target would be the the continent of Africas poverty stricken countries and example of one of these would be Zambia. I would use my skills as a fininace grad to assist the countries in developing programs which could possibley promote economic growth in turn creating jobs for those willing to work and take control of their finances.
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I’d use those extra 5.14 or so hours a day to slave away in an office,working for someone else-helping to make others richer…you know putting people before profit…the usual.
Sike.
(Who says sike anymore?)
My life is about living moments,one after another.To often people live their life separate from their dreams and their passions become only hobbies,I’ve made it my mission to not let that happen to me. I’d use that extra time to continue learning and exchanging ideas and seeing new places.
Time’s all we got that matters so what would I do with it?
I’d appreciate it,I’d enjoy it and I’d make the most of it-living for what I love,not what they tell me to.
I didn’t enter this contest but I would like to tell you what I plan to do. Reading your book has given me the motivation and self confidence that I needed to achieve a life-long goal.
When I was seventeen the world showed me just how cruel things in life could be. Since then I have wanted the freedom to be able to help others in some way. I had such wonderful dreams of traveling into different parts of the world to help the hungry or to help the unfortunate people who are stuck in horrific places of the world.
Because of my lack of self-confidence I have not achieved that goal. Instead, I married, had four children and took care of everyone else and let my own thoughts and dreams move to the end of my dream list.
Now move ahead twenty-five years…. I want that dream back to number one of the list.
My first task is to get rid of the JOB – no – make that my second task. My first task was to encourage others to start paying attention to their dreams and not put them on the back burner like I did.
I started a web site to encourage everyone to make their “Second Act” in life a lifestyle change – free to do whatever it is that is important to them.
Thanks for the encouragement, Tim!
Linda
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I met the love of my life and she moved away and thanks to money getting out there its imposible with that extra time. I spend every night talking to her and thinking about her. I would go out there and use the money on schools because I went to a horrible school, everything was junk and i felt they need the most improvment.
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What would I do with 36 extra hours a week? Well, I could do a lot with that time, however, let me focus on a couple of things. I believe culture and diversity should be a part of every person’s life. Too many people live in what I like to call “clear pink colored boxes.” They only see life the way everyone else tells them. However, once you climb out, the real problems and issues are only apparent.
So, how do you change things, without changing people? You talk to people, get to know what is on their mind, live among them, study their way of life, dine with them, learn their language. Don’t try to take over the country, just learn what you can, and by your knowledge you can spread the truth for others to know.
For example, since 9/11, all Muslims are frowned upon as heathens. That is simply not true. Just like any religion, you have your corrupt followers and your corrupt leaders. Since Islam is on the rise, maybe it would be nice to really get to know the peoples of the Arab nations, go in their homes, see how they live, and then tell the world, what is it all about. People are too afraid of what they don’t know. This makes more sense then sending our sons and daughters to war.
Sure, helping AIDS victims and living among the poor, would be beneficial. However, I think the real issues at hand right now include the Islamic populations. I know for certain, if someone could go into an Islamic nation, like Egypt, they would be seen as peaceful people, and not the violent-natured peoples they are being portrayed as. Actually, they are no different than you and me. They just practice something different, something clearly unknown by western civilization, but they still believe in God, the Creator, and isn’t that what life is all about?
If i had an extra 36 hours a week what would I do with it.
Well most people my age, (21) would probably sleep. Yet I am not like most others. Sure I enjoy spending time with friends and family. I love my home town of Revere Mass, but my passion in life is to travel. What does this have to do with an extra 36 hours a week? I would use every second of it to help myself learn about others, meet others, and to travel around the world. Giving men and women the opportunity to learn, and ultimatly help the world in general have a better global understanding of all human beings. The most important thing in life (to me) is to enjoy life and to help people as well as animals and the environment. With an extra 36 hours a week i could do just that. I know this is a hypothetical question, but it makes you think of how important your 168 hours (a week) are in reality, and how I want to spend them.
Well I know it is too late may be and not for us as I am from India. I would spend the 36 hours of the week to travel as much as I could. As travelling for you all is not as hours long. I love to travel. I would selects 2 places at least pre planned and then will try to see, taste, smell, hear and feel the creation of God in that place. I would try to coummunicate to them in their signs to show the love of God and the duty of Mankind. Will try to be a blessing by just being their and giving my time.
God bless!
If i had 36 hours a week I would, finally do the things that i have always wanted to do and prove everyone else wrong. Id like to brush up as a photographer even if its a disposible camera from walgreens. I would take the time to think out my moves in chess, and relax a lot more. Id get my thoughts together, and make a few plans, see the world, and experience new things. Id also learn how to cook, because I jsut dont have the time. Id like to enjoy a sunrise like i did 8 years ago without worrying about anything at all. I think id try meditating again, and writing. I used to write so much. Id take the time to visit the places where my father lived. I guess this is a hard question because there are just way too many things that i want to do and that i would do. Id just have to take it little by little, but at least i know that i wouldnt waste the time.
Tim,
I personally would use my 36hrs in a way that is unthinkable. I have been a young business owner for a couple of years now, and my ultimate goal and wish is to travel to the great continent of Africa. Sometimes it amazes me, how many individuals in our country take things for granted. With 36hrs, I would like to go around to different tribes and communities to take digital images of small children who have never seen a picture of themselves nor looked themselves in the mirror.
I have learned that if you know who you are and you can see yourself visually you become more confident and it defines who you truly are. I want to take thousands or even millions of pictures on my Nikon camera, and give them away to all of the children. Something this simple would always be cherished in these children’s hearts.
Therefore, with 36hrs of free time, I would like to travel to different parts of Africa capturing beautiful smiles and giving away free pictures. This quote along defines me and says so much about who I am, “Your calling isn’t something that somebody can tell you about. It’s what you feel. It is the thing that gives you juice. The thing that you are supposed to do. And nobody can tell you what that is. You know it inside yourself.”
Will Edmond
Almost a year later, here’s my follow-up comment, since one of your contest goals was to “to get people to take action towards their dreams.”
At the start of May 2008, we left Texas and drove over 2100 miles to Maine where we’re currently looking for housing and work that will fit our personal goals. It was a “leap of faith” move with no safety nets, but your book, The 4-Hour Workweek, has been one of our inspirations.
My one-man art show is scheduled in York, Maine during July and August; we already spent a (volunteer) day helping the local art association repaint their building.
I could go on & on about what’s changing in our lives. It’s scary but also exhilarating. Thanks for this contest (everyone’s a winner who makes big improvements in their lives) and your book!
I have had several close friends die way too young in my life. Traffic accidents, health problems, freak accidents… An extra 36 hours a week would allow me to spend more time with family and friends. Anytime you leave family and friends everyone always says, ‘Come see us,’ or ‘Let’s get together,’ etc. And everyone really intends to, but how often does it happen? I have a friend that has a rock band that tours, that I only get to see perform a few times a year. An extra 36 hours would allow me to catch a few more shows.
I don’t spend enough time with my niece. An extra 36 hours would allow me to take her fishing or shopping more often. My grandmother is 92 years old, I would have more time to spend with her for the time she has left. I would have more time to read books that I have yet read such as the “Illiad.” I would have time to spend a few hours a week learning Spanish as I plan on traveling to Latin America soon.
I would have some time to spend on reconnecting with old college friends via Facebook and Myspace. I would be able to stop by that high school friends house for that beer I always promise him. I could spend more aftternoons running around in the country in my Jeep with the top down. I could make more day trips to the beach, more fishing trips, more pick up basketball games, a little more golf, perhaps I would learn tennis, or take up fly fishing. Actually, keep the 36 hours, I’m gonna figure out a way to do all of these things anyway.
Tim,
After taking a large does of Fukitol™, I would take my wife and four children (from teenage to 4) to Northern Italy, where we would rent a humble villa and learn the language and culture together for a couple of months.
After reading your book, this has become my dream.
It would better our (family) lives because we would bond even closer relationships as we struggled together to learn something that is otherwise out of reach. Our lives would be enriched as we learn to slow down and smell the roses, from the culture who invented ‘smelling roses’. We would have no one to turn to other than ourselves and any newfound friends, much like the sailing family you mention in your book.
Benefit to the world? Six lives will be changed forever. Our six lives will impact an inner circle of about 150 people, who in turn will share an incredible story of ‘letting go’ with their friends, potentially influencing thousands of people. Our change in perspective will result in the betterment of everyone we touch, as missionaries to the world that there is more to living than 9-5.
Perhaps you have already done enough, but winning the contest would be exciting, nevertheless.
I am a single parent and my son is 15. I never married his dad and he was born during college when I was 20 years old. When he was 5, I went to law school. I have been practicing law for 7 years now. During this time I have worked in some pretty horrible law firms where I was expected to slave away 70 hours a week – like a battery to keep the firm alive and the partners fat. I have struggled and worked hard and finally have opened my own law office, which is a dream come true.
During the past 7 years I have also volunteered as a child advocate for foster kids. Two years ago a child came into my life and, after suffering great atrocities at the hands of his parents and then the system, the court asked me if I would like family visitation rights so this little boy could come stay with me on the weekends and at holidays (before this I was only allowed to visit him and report to the court). He still lives in a foster home but has been a part of our family now for 2 years. I plan on helping him the rest of his life. I also have a commitment to making a difference for foster kids in our country – and to mending families – as the system now just discards these people.
My plan is to create a foundation that attorneys can donate to that will make a contribution to a charity in the name of each client after a case is settled or won at trial. In this way the client will see that their hurt made a difference in the world and the world can see that trial attorneys are not all money hungry ambulance chasers. My contributions will go to foster kids.
If selected, my son and I will go to Japan. We have wanted to do this for some time and we have never taken a big trip together. We even learned a little Japanese (nijong goga scoshi wakadimas)!
It is a pity that i cannot participate since I live in the Netherlands!
How ever…just after finishing my breakfast on this nice wednesday my mind is wondering off to that that could or would be.
I think i would use the extra hours to take live more easy, to talk to the lady at my near by shop about the weather..to finish the book i am reading…and maybe get on the train home and visit my father. He has a diary farm in the North of the Netherlands in a part of the world that belongs to the Friesians.
I will go and lend him a hand getting the cows from the meadow and help him milk them and do the little choirs that need to be done every day.
I will chat a little with my grandmother who lives next door to my father and help my grandfather (who is 85 and still gets up at 5.30 every morning to go to work at the farm) count the sheep and be sure none of them have fallen into the water. (We have an abandance of water in the Netherlands)
After that my neighbour girl and me will take the horses and go for a nice outdoor ride.
That would be nice……
I have finished the coffe and will take a shower soon.
Wishing everybody a good day,
Hanna
In 36 extra hours I would:
¨Go to Lake City, Colorado, and rent a terrific cabin with a view.
¨Write and submit the article about giving the gift of words that I’ll always remember kicked my butt to live my dreams.
¨Be confident I have skills and training necessary to write well.
¨Remember at least twenty unbiased people have told me my writing is clear and engaging. Do not discount, rather count, gifts of authentic encouragement to write.
¨Recognize and reject each thought immediately that smacks of lies, negativity, and laziness: I don’t have time. I don’t know how to submit. I need to wait until I get a better laptop, or find my pencils, or clean my office, or do the laundry.
¨Replace untruthful, procrastinating thoughts with: I will write an hour today and I will learn at least one thing about submission in thirty minutes today. I’ll still find time to do whatever else is absolutely necessary. Writing helps me live who I am.
¨Nourish a daily writing schedule to continue for the rest of my life.
¨Create a ceremony to mark the milestone of working to sell my writing.
¨Donate $1000 to Community Presbyterian Church, the oldest protestant church on Colorado’s western slope, to begin a “writer-in-residence” program, in which I will participate and fund every summer thereafter with my profits from my writing. This program will encourage boomer writers like me, who may have excused themselves from publishing and now think it’s too late, to accept responsibility to use their gift for writing pieces fit for consumption.
ANOTHER 36 HOURS
I’ll be early to bed and early to rise;
Jog morning beaches and study night skies.
Languages wait to be learned and applied,
Foods to be tasted, wines to be tried.
I’ll read Hemingway by campfire light;
Tackle Tolstoy with all of my might.
Emerson, Cooper, and Locke are in line . . .
Guess reading will devour a lot of that time.
I’ll learn why the English love to drink tea,
Swim the cool waters of the Aegean sea.
I’ll fly to experience a day without night —
Alaska or Iceland in summer’d be right.
I’ll dance with the Maori, hike in Peru,
Scale the Great Wall — do anything new.
I’ll infect others with humor and wit,
Laugh every day and cry just a bit.
I’ll be slow to anger and quick to love;
Learn to have patience when push comes to shove.
All of these things are just part of the plan —
The goal is to be there for my fellow man.
The small things are where it’s important to start
In this world where people grow farther apart.
No more excuses and no more regrets,
No more “I’m busy”’s and no more “forgets.”
I’ll help out a stranger who seems to be down,
And mentor the children throughout my hometown.
Time will be given to an organization
That helps out the poor — no matter which nation.
I’ll donate more blood and donate more labor
To national parks, schools, and my neighbor.
My life will be lived with courage and zest;
Others may judge but I’ll know what’s best.
Tim,
I would use the opportunity to travel to Bangladesh/China/India (depending on the time frame) to spend time with the Grameen Bank, the world leader in micro-finance. Poverty is devastating whether it occurs in the Bronx or in Burma. Their one-month training program is a fundamental step in understanding Grameen’s methodology and how to port it to other locations (including the U.S.)
Part of the trip would be about the things you take back home with you – powerful memories, granted, but knowledge that can change the world. With the training from Grameen (which isn’t available any other way but flying halfway around the world), I would help community development leaders start micro-finance projects that would help build healthy communities in urban areas that are in desperate need of revitalization.
I’ve spent time with community leaders in my home city of Houston and they are all desperate for a way to connect deeper with those they are trying to assist.
So why Grameen and why half way around the world? Because many organizations that currently practice micro-finance won’t share their methodology without a substantial price tag (think several tens of thousands of dollars.) They want organizations to pay for the methodology and instruction. For people who want to change the world with a grass-roots idea, most of these organizations are amazingly anti-grassroots and lack transparency. Grameen leads the pack in transparency and desire for distribution of workable projects and ideas. The only trick is getting there to see it with your own eyes.
I would use the consulting time with Tim to figure out how to support others who desire to start micro-finance programs (with a virtual component.) Developing help-guides, walk-throughs, networks, etc. Thinking through how we could use the knowledge gained from the trip in the most effective way to distribute it to the most people possible.
Learning is as much about what you are able to share as what you now know. Essentially, living with an open hand with the knowledge that personal finance and small loans can change the world.
Thanks for the consideration.
Warm regards,
Christopher
Every minute of my precious extra 36 hours would be cherished. I get goose-bumps just thinking of the difference I will make. I have an extreme -to-do- list of things to accomplish in my life-time, however most of this time will be set aside for the things that will inspire others and evoke some emotion in this amazing life!
Having several young friends pass on in recent years, I often think about them and remind myself to live with Passion, Love Everyone.. for No Reason…Everyday AND Enjoy Life… As a result I DREAM BIG!
I would dedicate at least:
12 hours Personal Time:
– Learn something new. (Intellectual: New languages, business strategies +)
– Physical/Mental Health: (Yoga, Pilates, Tennis, Golf, Rock Climbing,
Capoeira, Dancing, travel +)
– Personal Growth: (Participate in motivational and spiritual groups and
activities that expand and challenge my thinking, meet at least 10 new
people each week and listen with intention)
12 hours Family/Spiritual Time:
– Spend quality time with my parents, grandparents & siblings, doing nice
things for them for no reason.. I wouldn’t be here without them!
– Spend more time in my church community, participate in their events more
often and share God’s word with others that may not feel worthy of God’s love.
12 hours Giving Time:
Since we learn 95% of what we will ever know before we are 18 years old (attitude, behavior, personality), I really want to focus most of my efforts on the world’s youth.
– Create a summer program for young students to travel to foreign countries
to learn other cultures, languages, no boundaries and also teach them
giving—we will always have a mission to impact lives wherever we go
(charity work, etc.)
– Also, our earth needs big attention. I will facilitate groups of people to tear
down vacant, ugly buildings and plant trees…MILLIONS of TREES! I’ll call
it: –Operation: Replenish Mother Earth— I would highly publicize these
events, NOT for credit, but to influence others to follow my cause.
Thank you for everything Tim, your book and blog is amazing. You inspire me.
I am deeply concerned about the dwindling fresh water supply in our country and worldwide. Although water is essential for life to exist on this planet, I have not seen this issue get much attention from the politicians or from the government. With an extra 36 hours per week, I would spend at least half of that time working as a water conservation activist to raise public awareness about water issues and lobby politicians to take action. The other half of my precious free time would be spent teaching music to kids in an after-school program, learning Capoeira (a longtime dream), working with Habitat For Humanity and researching my family history (Salt Lake City has world-class facilities for this kind of research).
Thanks for opening up this topic for us!
Any word on this yet? Curious if I’m a finalist. =)
Who won?
I am morbidly curious.
if i have 36 houars more for week…..well i don t know yet what i ll do…maybe bored….but i don t think so cause for sure meet i ll find some funny things to do…i can t say what cause we can t say what we ll do but maybe with that time more we ll can try to get the world better
One “workday” per week would be spent on my bicycle. In seven hours, I can go from Walled Lake to Ann Arbor, grab a falafel, and go back. In the same seven hours, I could go from Ogaki to Kusatsu Japan (one way), or circle Ogaki and Gifu. With one full day per week dedicated to riding, I would find many interesting places to go. Riding would likely occupy a few more hours on most other days, and learning Japanese would take up to eight more per week. There is a three hour weekly investment class that I would like to take at the local community college, with three more hours of studying. Approximately ten to twelve hours would be set aside for tutoring the English as a second language students at the college.
Seems like a dream…but I know, it CAN be done!
Hi,
I am so sorry I am one of the few who has not purchased your book, knows very little about you and am not a american. I live in Vancouver BC, yes its beautiful here, I cannot tell a lie. Well how do I sell you? I need a trip, I am inspired by personalities, and I feel I have not had the opportunity to have world experience in my field.
I am, a Mental Health Caregiver, with much humor,yes I am almost at burn out. I love my career believe it or not. I had plans to work in a research lab in Peru and work with the river kids in a small communities, but I became ill and cancelled all my plans. wow-36 whole hours, I could say total self indulgent, cheap 1 hour massages on the beaches of Thailand..but I wont. I wont tell you my hardships in life either, but I will tell you this..I do not have a extra 5k, 10k or even 3k to travel.
I would write; film and educate myself as much as I could and travel to beautiful places, simple customs that I care to see first hand. I would request your presence to educate me on world travel. I would study animals, people and customs, and I would try to find disabilities that are rare to Canada and document the information.
After the 36 hours, I would hope that I would have enough knowledge to actual take real time and work in some of these places with the people there. I would finally feel whole, as now I feel incomplete,
And this would give me peace.
GVixen From Vancouver 🙂
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Regards,
David
I couldn’t resist commenting. Very well written!