One Simple Idea

by Stephen Key

Stephen Key is touted as a sort of acolyte of Timothy Ferriss, he of The 4-Hour Workweek, Expanded and Updated: Expanded and Updated, With Over 100 New Pages of Cutting-Edge Content. fame. Key's key (sorry) idea is very similar to the 4HWW: It is possible to break free of a workaday, humdrum life and have everything you want without becoming a corporate drone working for a paycheck by working for "the man". Simple Idea, however, is different in its methodology. Rather than the "do the same things better, become more efficient through outsourcing, spread out, travel, work globally, and become rich" approach in 4HWW, Key's approach is that you become a source of ideas to people who will pay money for them. All you have to do is think of things that nobody else does, then market the idea yourself or license or sell it to somebody else so they make money for you. Key's plan is achievable, concrete, well-formulated, and certainly executable. But again, due to the similar nature of Simple Idea to the 4HWW, the majority of readers will simply not have the skill set, determination, or willingness to make the sacrifices needed to fully implement the strategies in this book. This is not to say that the ideas, strategies, and their approach and methodology. are unrealistic. In fact, Key's made millions (he says) doing just what he spells out in the book. That may be true, but what's for sure is that Key has been teaching his plan in college courses and many of his students have successfully implemented his ideas and plans, so it is difficult to doubt the veracity of his claims and the feasibility of his plans (which again, is like 4HWW in that its author, Timothy Ferriss, as also the living proof of his book’s tenets). One Simple Idea itself is well laid out and efficiently organized. The writing is crisp and clear, like you would expect from an educator, but it may be just a little bit too pushy and repetitive for some readers. (The beginning goes on endlessly with rah-rah-ing: "You can do it. You can do it.") Still, all around, this is an excellent book that I enjoyed reading, and learned a lot from, even though I know I'm not going to be much of an idea-monger in the near future. That is why I do not hesitate to give it five dollar signs and recommend it to anyone who enjoyed 4HWW or is interested in motivational, self-help, or contrarian lifestyle information. Key gives you the information you need. What you do with it is up to you. (Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher.)