Adam Fletcher

In The Freedom Figure Adam Fletcher aims to inform us on how to “Work less, live more, and thrive in a digital age.”

Part 1 of the book explains the why and how of the global job market shift. Personally this was my favorite part of the book. It was informative and thought provoking in way that I did not expect.

We are led into the book with a metaphor comparing the digital era to an overcrowded party. Fletcher takes a jab at everything from online based consulting/coaching to the old people who unfairly criticize millennials for wanting everything for free. He even brilliantly depicts the catch 22 of having recruiters turn their noses up at you for not having experience, knowing very well that experience can’t be gained unless you are given a chance to gain it.

Chapter 4, and the case study that follows it, is hands down the most interesting and real thing I’ve read all year. I would purchase the Fridge Figure just to read the information laid out here. Fletcher lays out the history of the job market in a relevant and interesting way, and then leads us into his explanation of why and how middle class jobs are being replaced with low income positions. It’s brilliant, and completely supported by the Amazon case study.

Part 2 is where he lays down the groundwork, and reveals to us the Freedom Figure. The Freedom Figure is an equation that depicts the exact amount of income you would need to live a life of contentment. What I love about this concept is that it’s not the “make a shit ton of money and live a life of extravagance” concept that so many are pushing these days. It’s quite the opposite. Fletcher urges you to cut back and cut out all of the unnecessary stuff that we think brings happiness to our lives, but doesn’t actually. He wants us to experiment with making drastic cuts with the goal of finding out what does or doesn't ACTUALLY add value to our life.

Part 3 is all about reaching your Freedom Figure with passive income, so that you can live more life and do more of what you love. This section mostly consists of examples of people who have done just that and how.

All in all I give The Freedom Figure 4 out of 5 stars because I was expecting the entire book to match or exceed Part 1. It didn’t for me, but it was still a decent read with some muse worthy information.

Note: I received and advanced reader copy from The Story Cartel in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. All opinions stated in the review are my own… (meer)