Have you read the 4 hour work-week, by Ferris? His idea is to spend lots of time setting up a business and automating it so that it takes little time to maintain.
Which, hypocritically and ironically, Ferris does not live by. He works almost constantly, and his business isn't automated and entirely dependent on self-promotion. I wouldn't call a company with a bus factor of 1 and which requires physical speaking appearances and engagements automated. McDonalds is automated. Amazon is automated. Writing, speaking engagements, podcasts, is the opposite of automation.
The 4 hour work week is a lesson in marketing not automation: Selling desire (not having to work) is very, very effective. Another way to look at it: What made Tim Ferris famous and rich? Selling the 4 hour work week.
I've heard of it, I think it's about time I read it, haha. I've been spending a lot of time thinking about business as a way to achieve what I want. Thanks for mentioning it, I'm going to check it out.
He skips the bit about how to set up the successful business - that’s an assumed prerequisite - but goes into a lot of detail about reducing the hours.
The 4 hour work week is a lesson in marketing not automation: Selling desire (not having to work) is very, very effective. Another way to look at it: What made Tim Ferris famous and rich? Selling the 4 hour work week.