60 Seconds to FIRE - Edition 19

Junes here.... and we're halfway through the year....what have you done so far?

Jun 07, 2025

Welcome Back Geo-FIRE Crew!

This month I’m writing from a chilly New Zealand and I absolutely love it! As a former Kiwi, the weather here is perfect for being productive and spending time with family and friends. And after all, that’s what this financial freedom stuff is all about.

The old man loves a good walk in the park

Whether you're saving your first FIRE dollars or already scouting beach towns where your money stretches twice as far — you're ahead of the game. Every choice to live with intention is one step closer to freedom.

This month, we’re taking a break from the spreadsheets and Mr Kyosaki to get a bit… lazy. But don’t worry — it’s the productive kind. On a personal note, a good friend of mine Charlie and I have been joking for years about who is lazier, him or me. We both retired early and take pride in cutting the pointless things from our lives. This month’s book finally justifies this behaviour — and I’m not mad about it.

But..

Back to the Books: The Art of Laziness by Erwan Devèze

Let’s get one thing straight: this isn’t a book about binge-watching Netflix in your pyjamas (though if you're doing that in a hammock in Thailand, no judgment).

The Art of Laziness is about mastering your energy, your focus, and your attention — and using that mastery to live deliberately and achieve more with less friction. It’s easy to fall into the trap of constant screen time. But that’s the mouse wheel we’re trying to get off, right?

If you’re building a life of geo-arbitrage-fueled freedom, this book is like a meditation bell reminding you: you don’t need to do more — you need to do better.

Top Takeaways – The Goodies

1️⃣ You Don’t Have Time to Waste Being Busy

Devèze takes a hard swing at hustle culture. He reminds us that true laziness — not idleness, but intentional stillness — is a superpower. You’re not here to fill your day. You’re here to live it.

“You are not born to be productive. You are born to be alive.”

Early Retirement Insight:
The point of FIRE isn’t to stack your calendar with more tasks — it’s to buy back your time. Align your days with things that matter. Choose income streams, side projects, and routines that give you energy, not take it away.

Less hustle. More leverage.

2️⃣ Self-Responsibility is Non-Negotiable

This one hit hard. Devèze doesn’t sugarcoat it: no one’s coming to save you. Your focus, your mental noise, your energy leaks — they’re your responsibility to fix.

“You can’t outsource responsibility for your focus. In the end, your life is the sum of your attention.” So be intentional with where you direct it.

Early Retirement Insight:
Want a simpler life overseas? Want financial independence? You need to take full ownership — of your money, your time, and your distractions. The exit plan is yours to build. No one’s giving away any “Get Out Of Rat Race Free” cards.

3️⃣ You Need a Routine That Points to a Real Destination

Without direction, you drift. Devèze emphasises that intentional structure — small, consistent habits — is what keeps you aligned.

As Seneca wrote:
“If one does not know to which port one is sailing, no wind is favourable.”

Early Retirement Insight:
Design a routine that nudges your compass toward your goals. Ten minutes reviewing your budget. Fifteen minutes learning Spanish. Thirty minutes researching Portuguese real estate. It doesn’t need to be rigid. But it does need to be consistent.

4️⃣ There Are 3 Kinds of People… Which One Are You?

Devèze’s breakdown is simple:

Those who never start
Those who start but give up
Those who start and finish — no matter what

Guess which ones end up living the life they want?

Set your objective and just go for it, one foot in front of the other.

Early Retirement Insight:
Mini-retirements, early retirement, life abroad — none of it is perfectly smooth. Your first apartment might smell like old cheese. Your business might stall. Your visa could get delayed. But finishers win. Always.

Bonus Points… Try the One-Minute Rule

Devèze drops a few tactical gems too — and the One-Minute Rule is a winner.

If it takes less than a minute, do it immediately.
Reply to the message. File the paper. Move that $50 into your ETF.

Early Retirement Insight:
Momentum comes from action. Especially small ones. Micro-decisions keep your plan alive and unclutter your mind. If what you’re doing doesn’t serve you by moving you towards your goals, cut it! Don’t wait for the “perfect day.” Start now, even with something tiny.

💡 My Own Shift

This book struck a chord with me.

In my own journey — from desk job to options trading and geo-FIRE freedom — I realised that simplifying wasn’t laziness. It was clarity. By removing the noise, I had more energy for what mattered. Not just trading. But life.

A family walk with my goodest nephew, Zoomo 🐕‍🦺

And now? I live off my assets, wander the world, and spend my mornings in a cafe or writing instead of commuting.

🌍 Want income that funds travel, freedom, and your retirement? Comment “Course” to learn the exact strategy I use.

Discussion about this post

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