#809: The 4-Hour Workweek Tools That Still Work — The Art of Refusal and The Low-Information Diet
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#809: The 4-Hour Workweek Tools That Still Work — The Art of Refusal and The Low-Information Diet

1:20:31 Apr 30, 2025
About this episode
This time around, we have a bit of a different format, featuring the book that started it all for me, The 4-Hour Workweek. Readers and listeners often ask me what I would change or update, but an equally interesting question is: what wouldn’t I change? What stands the test of time and hasn’t lost any potency? This episode features two of the most important chapters from the audiobook of The 4-Hour Workweek. The chapters push you to defend your scarce attention—one by saying no to people, the other by saying no to excess information.Sponsors:David Protein Bars 28g of protein, 150 calories, and 0g of sugar: https://davidprotein.com/tim (Buy 4 cartons, get the 5th free.)Our Place's Titanium Always Pan® Pro using nonstick technology that’s coating-free and made without PFAS, otherwise known as “Forever Chemicals”: https://fromourplace.com/tim (Shop their Spring Sale today!)AG1 all-in-one nutritional supplement: https://DrinkAG1.com/Tim (1-year supply of Vitamin D (and 5 free AG1 travel packs) with your first subscription purchase.)Timestamps:[00:00:00] Start.[00:07:24] The low-information diet.[00:09:45] Cultivating selective ignorance.[00:14:32] How to read 200% faster in 10 minutes.[00:17:09] Questions and actions: Go on an immediate one-week media fast.[00:21:05] Develop the habit of asking yourself, “Will I definitely use this information for something immediate and important?”[00:22:03] Practice the art of nonfinishing.[00:22:49] Comfort challenge: Get phone numbers.[00:25:14] Interrupting interruption and the art of refusal.[00:28:16] Not all evils are created equal.[00:29:36] Time wasters: Become an ignoramus.[00:30:09] Limit email consumption and production.[00:33:05] Screen incoming and limit outgoing phone calls.[00:36:10] Master the art of refusal and avoiding meetings.[00:38:33] In order of preference, steer people toward email, phone, and in-person meetings
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