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I read the New York Times – Sunday edition – yesterday. The article was on the cover of the “Styles” section titled “Too Much Information? Ignore It. Silicon Valley stops and listens to a 4-hour-workweek guru.” I think the reason why I read it is that it is so enticing to think that is possible to change the world in 4 hours instead of 40 or 60 hours like most entrepreneurs. At the end of the article, it turns out that it is too good to be true. The author, “guru” Tim Ferriss works 60+ hour weeks, but swears that everyone else should only work 4 (that’s right, FOUR). How, only check super important email for 20 minutes once per day. Outsource everything, including online dating if necessary. Don’t get all those RSS feeds – get your news from waiters at restaurants.

Intriguing. It captured my attention, but left me wanting. Why? Because people need to practice what they preach to be truly believable. It’s the same reason why Al Gore got crucified for using 10x the energy of the average American (100x the average global citizen), even though Gore was the catalyst behind the green, sustainable movement sweeping the country through his movie and book “An Inconvenient Truth.” (Full disclosure: I’m a huge Al Gore fan and a Democrat, but disappointed that he could have avoided some hypocrisy by changing his habits or acknowledging that he will change his energy-guzzling habits). Long story short – practice what you preach, 4-Hour-Workweek guy, or change your message to be realistic for us entrepreneurs like 2 weeks of 4-hours working (a.k.a. vacation) followed by 2 weeks of 50+ hours working. To me, working includes non-profit, charitable work and work in the community – not just working to make money.