The benefits of becoming fluent in a foreign tongue are as underestimated as the difficulty is overestimated. Thousands of theoretical linguists will disagree, but I know from research and personal experimentation with more than a dozen languages that (1) adults can learn languages much faster than children when constant 9-5 work is removed and that (2) it is possible to become conversationally fluent in any language in six months or less. At four hours per day, six months can be whittled down to less than three months.
—Tim Ferriss
Topics: Persona, Learn, Work, Rest, Zen
Short, sweet, and to the point. Clear writing, and therefore clear commands, comes from clear thinking. Think simple.
—Tim Ferriss
Topics: Think, Thinking, Work
Options—the ability to choose—is real power.
—Tim Ferriss
Topics: Work, Power
Don’t suffer fools or you’ll become one.
—Tim Ferriss
Topics: Work
Language learning deserves special mention. It is, bar none, the best thing you can do to hone clear thinking.
—Tim Ferriss
Topics: Thinking, Best, Learning, Think, Work, Learn
Lack of time is actually lack of priorities.
—Tim Ferriss
Topics: Work, Act
In all cases where doubt crops up, ask yourself, “If I had a gun to my head and had to do it, how would I do it?” It’s not as hard as you think.
—Tim Ferriss
Topics: Work, Think, Doubt
Dreamlining is so named because it applies timelines to what most would consider dreams.
—Tim Ferriss
Topics: Dreams, Lies, Dream, Work
There is a direct correlation between am increased sphere of comfort and getting what you want.
—Tim Ferriss
Topics: Work
I’m not a big believer in long-term planning and far-off goals. In fact, I generally set 3-month and 6-month dreamlines. The variables change too much and in-the-future distance becomes an excuse for postponing action.
—Tim Ferriss
Topics: Work, Believe, Act, Change, Future, Dream, General, Goals, Action
Tomorrow becomes never. No matter how small the task, take the first step now!
—Tim Ferriss
Topics: Work
Money is multiplied in practical value depending on the number of W’s you control in your life: what you do, when you do it, where you do it, and with whom you do it. I call this the freedom multiplier.
—Tim Ferriss
Topics: Life, Money, Act, Freedom, Work, Control
The key to having more time is doing less, and there are two paths to get there, both of which should be used together: (1) Define a short to-do list and (2) define a not-to-do list.
—Tim Ferriss
Topics: Doing, Work
If you are insecure, guess what? The rest of the world is, too. Do not overestimate the competition and underestimate yourself. You are better than you think.
—Tim Ferriss
Topics: Rest, Better, Think, Work
Believe it or not, it is not only possible to accomplish more by doing less, it is mandatory. Enter the world of elimination.
—Tim Ferriss
Topics: Believe, Work, Doing
A person’s success in life can usually be measured by the number of uncomfortable conversations he or she is willing to have.
—Tim Ferriss
Topics: Success, Work, Life
Which 20% of sources are causing 80% of my problems and unhappiness? Which 20% of sources are resulting in 80% of my desired outcomes and happiness?
—Tim Ferriss
Topics: Sin, Desire, Happiness, Work
Learn to ask, “If this is the only thing I accomplish today, will I be satisfied with my day?”
—Tim Ferriss
Topics: Learn, Work
People are smarter than you think. Give them a chance to prove themselves.
—Tim Ferriss
Topics: Think, Give, People, Work
Emphasize strengths, don’t fix weaknesses.
—Tim Ferriss
Topics: Work, Weakness
The most important actions are never comfortable.
—Tim Ferriss
Topics: Work, Act, Action
Slow down and remember this: Most things make no difference. Being busy is a form of mental laziness—lazy thinking and indiscriminate action.
—Tim Ferriss
Topics: Action, Thinking, Think, Work, Busy, Act
Resolve to do one thing every day that you fear.
—Tim Ferriss
Topics: Fear, Work
I open each class with an explanation of the singular importance of being a “dealmaker”. The manifesto of the dealmaker is simple: Reality is negotiable.
—Tim Ferriss
Topics: Work, Sin
Focus on being productive instead of busy.
—Tim Ferriss
Topics: Work, Focus, Busy
Being selective—doing less—is the path of the productive. Focus on the important few and ignore the rest.
—Tim Ferriss
Topics: Work, Focus, Rest, Doing
What we fear doing most is usually what we most need to do.
—Tim Ferriss
Topics: Doing, Work, Fear
Personally, I now aim for one month of overseas relocation or high-intensity learning (tango, fighting, whatever) for every two months of work projects.
—Tim Ferriss
Topics: Work, Persona, Learn, Learning
Just a few words on time management: forget all about it.
—Tim Ferriss
Topics: Time Management, Work, Management
It isn’t enough to think outside the box. Thinking is passive. Get used to acting outside the box.
—Tim Ferriss
Topics: Act, Thinking, Acting, Think, Work
Wondering Whom to Read Next?
- Seth Godin American Entrepreneur
- Sheryl Sandberg American Executive, Author
- Jim Collins American Management Consultant
- Michael Porter American Management Theorist
- Robert Kiyosaki American Businessperson
- John C. Maxwell American Christian Professional Speaker
- Steve Pavlina American Motivational Speaker
- Clayton M. Christensen American Academic, Business Consultant
- Max De Pree American Businessman
- Jerry Seinfeld American Comedian
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