Tim Ferriss

Quotes are word for word from the source.

• Value of lifestyle control

  “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.”

  Our noteTim explains how autonomy increases the practical value of wealth.

• Ask for forgiveness later

  “If the potential damage is moderate or in any way reversible, don't give people the chance to say no. Most people are fast to stop you before you get started but hesitant to get in the way if you're moving.”

  Our noteTim discusses taking initiative without waiting for permission.

• Effectiveness versus efficiency

  “Effectiveness is doing the things that get you closer to your goals. Efficiency is performing a given task (whether important or not) in the most economical manner possible.”

  Our noteTim defines the difference between doing the right things and doing things right.

• Busyness as laziness

  “Being busy is a form of laziness - lazy thinking and indiscriminate action.”

  Our noteTim argues that lack of focus is a mental failure.

• Observing distributed future

  “I'm never predicting the future. I'm just finding the seeds that are germinating that I think are going to bloom and end up spreading really widely.”

  Our noteTim clarifies that his method is about observation of existing signals rather than pure speculation.

• Power of documentation

  “I have what you might call hypergraphia. I just capture almost everything in writing and that was very useful”

  Our noteTim emphasizes the importance of keeping detailed logs for future replication and analysis.

• Value of practitioners

  “I like practitioners, not just the people with pretty theories. Although theories are important, I prefer to see someone who can actually put them into practice.”

  Our noteTim explains why he respects Kelly Starrett and other experts who embody their teachings.

• Low risk changes

  “I'm also looking for changes that are easy to make, that can have high adherence, that have very limited downside, which is very different from proving something.”

  Our noteTim describes his criteria for adopting new habits or health interventions.

• Conservative health approach

  “I've become a little more conservative with some what I do, including injections. I'm like, all right, let me think twice about the injections.”

  Our noteTim explains how a bad experience made him more cautious about invasive health treatments.

• Mastering the basics

  “follow the rules so you can break them later. So in the beginning, let's just say you can't drink calories.”

  Our noteTim explains the importance of strict adherence to rules when starting a new habit.