The guy behind the '4-hour workweek' thinks you should work for 4 hours at WeWork
Tim Ferriss made his name on productivity: how to get the most out of your workday, and your life, in just four hours. The Silicon Valley investor—in startups like Uber and TaskRabbit—moved to become a hyper-productivity guru with his books The 4-Hour Workweek, The 4-Hour Body and The 4-Hour Chef.
Now, Ferriss is partnering with co-working chain WeWork on their new Creator Awards, which will give out $20 million to startups who compete. He answered a few questions from Mashable about why WeWork is his next project, and how to be productive there.
Why are you working with WeWork?
I’ve long been a fan of WeWork’s mission to help people make a life, not just a living. I also believe that we are the company we keep. What’s so powerful about The Creator Awards, and WeWork as a platform, is the ability to connect individual entrepreneurs who might otherwise be going it alone…or who might feel alone. Supportive communities are just as vital as money, and I'm excited to work with WeWork to bring great people together.
How can you maximize your productivity at a WeWork?
WeWork spaces are designed to be highly functional and collaborative—this naturally fosters productivity. Some of my staff work out of WeWork spaces full-time, and I often work out of WeWork spaces while on the road. Members have access to a community of more than 100,000 creators from different industries and walks of life who help one another’s businesses by sharing advice and ideas. The more people in the community, the more opportunities there are. Last but not least, it’s like the best coffee shop you can imagine, all without the headache of hoping your favorite table is available, or having to deal with that loud guy using his outdoor voice right next to you. It’s the best blend I’ve found.
Would you ever work at a WeWork? Have you?
Absolutely. I’ve been at SXSW this past week, and I’ve come since 2007. It’s hectic, high-energy, and amazing, but for some meetings, podcast recordings, and sanity checks, I needed a private and predictable space. I was able to book conference rooms at WeWork Congress (in downtown Austin) as I needed them. My week wouldn’t have worked without it.
Why do you need to work at a WeWork if you’re only working four hours a week?
The tools in my first book (The 4-Hour Workweek) have always been for maximizing per-hour output, not promoting idleness.
What can you do in four hours at a WeWork?
This week? I recorded all the podcasts I need for an entire month of “work.”
If you’re working for four hours at WeWork, where should you go for your four-hour body?
One needn’t go anywhere, really. If you have a floor and your body, you can get in great shape. I suggest Gymnastic Strength Training (GST) if you’re flying solo, AcroYoga if you have a partner, or both. For bonus credit, grab a 35-pound and 53-pound kettlebell and you have all you need. Two kettlebells will take up about two square feet of space in a corner, and you can start with two-handed kettle bell swings. Just remember that 90%+ fat loss is diet. So, keeping it simple, here’s all you need: slow-carb diet, plus GST and kettle bell swings Mondays and Friday.
