Taking emphasis off of the recent “get rich quick” trend,Timothy Ferriss’s book The 4-Hour Workweek is a breath of fresh air that instead hones in on entrepreneurial efficiency, streamlined processes and automated system management in order to minimise hands-on time and increase mobility both on and off the clock.

At its core, Ferriss’s book presents a new perspective on the idea of wealth and business management, calling fellow entrepreneurs to emphasise strengths over improving weaknesses, as well as measure success by relative income rather than an annual paycheck. However, he adds authority to the mix by detailing step-by-step how he has made his unique strategies work, and outlining practical examples of time-honored principles in action (Pareto’s Principle, for one).

It is here, in the meat of the book, that Ferriss is able to explore the main components of his titular work-lifestyle balance, dividing The 4-Hour Workweek into 4 sections that walk through the stages of transitioning into a shorter, more productive workweek: Definition, Elimination, Automation, and Liberation.

Altogether, while the specifics of Ferriss’s 4-hour methodology are not applicable to or obtainable by everyone at every stage in the entrepreneurial pattern, and neither are his bevy of other un-related achievements, his overarching principles have a great deal of validity that make this book well worth the read, if only for the gem ideologies that fill the text.

In fact, simply by shifting the emphasis of the traditional workweek from making money to earning time (which equals money), Ferriss embraces entrepreneurship and redefines the economic cycle in a way that is accessible to everyone at every stage of employment.

Notably, in the section “A is for Automation,” Ferriss divulges one of his primary secrets for escaping the typical 9-5 routine: virtual assistants. As Ferriss reveals throughout his book, he is not only a major supporter of passive income – the ability to structure a business in such a way that one earns money while sleeping/eating/competing in Papua New Guinea in a world kickboxing championship – he is also a major VA advocate for the simple reason that a well-trained virtual assistant can free up immense chunks of time to be invested elsewhere, especially if trained in the efficiency methods he outlines in the rest of the book.

From sorting emails and making reservations, to calling up the bank to question suspicious activity, even researching minor purchases or new technologies, writing complaint letters and  follow-ups, proofreading, scheduling, and setting reminders… such simple tasks add up to countless wasted, unproductive hours. And as Ferriss notes, time is money, which is why in The 4-Hour Workweek, Ferriss highly recommends utilising virtual admin of all skill levels – from basic admin to doctorate-level staff – in areas that sabotage the majority of a business’s daily payroll.

While the coveted 4-hour workweek is a stretch for many business owners and employees in the initial stages, the idea of utilising the unique tools and skillsets that virtual staff offer as just one step towards streamlining company processes is one that is applicable to visionaries of nearly any industry.

By recruiting, training, and placing virtual staff in areas of one’s business that best suit each member’s strengths,  Ferriss demonstrates with personal experience that any team is able to become more efficient and united, allowing for greater growth potential and profitability in the long run. And, of course, freeing up your valuable time to be invested elsewhere in your company, or like Ferriss, invested into areas outside of the office.

That being said, Ferriss’s book is a win-win. If the title seems appealing to you (and it should), give The 4-Hour Workweek a try – you may be surprised just how useful many of Ferriss’s principles are, and how readable and relatable his street-smart tips for staying focused on one’s goals to achieve an effective, productive, and meaningful work-life balance. If nothing else, his insightful approach to simplifying and automating workflow to master business efficiency will no doubt motivate you to take a closer look at your own company’s infrastructure, and perhaps revitalise it for the better by adding a new virtual staff member to the team.