Turning forty can be a daunting milestone, and for the American entrepreneur, investor, and writer Timothy Ferriss, it was no different. He found himself in a bleak period of his life, having lost several people close to him. Having survived a near-death experience in college, he didn't believe he would make it to forty. As a result, he was left without a blueprint for his future and a sense of direction.

Life's stages are often marked by personal crises. On the internet, you can find plenty of information about the midlife crisis or the retirement crisis. During these times, individuals often grapple with existential questions. Is this the life I wanted? Could I have saved time by not planning too much? Is it too late to reassess my priorities? Ferriss found himself wrestling with these questions and many more. Thus, he embarked on a journey to seek unconventional wisdom and alternative paths to understanding.

While everyone's life goals are unique, the path to achieving them is often similar. Ferriss began by drafting an ambitious ten-page list of dream interviewees. There were no restrictions, but he also avoided the unachievable or overly challenging. His list included the Dalai Lama, Temple Grandin, Neil Gaiman, Ayaan Hirsi Ali, and other renowned and unique figures. The plan was to tell these figures—“Be in my book” and hope they agree. Understanding the riskiness of the idea, he reassured the publisher that if his idea didn't work out, he would return the advance.

With his list in hand, Ferriss sent out 11 questions to some of the world's most eclectic minds. He invited them to answer their favorite three to five—or more if they felt inspired. The first question was about the books that had the most impact on their lives. Then, Timothy was curious about the failures that served as catalysts and motivation for their actions. There were also questions about their useful beliefs and habits in the last five years of their lives. He also asked how they regained focus during periods of burnout. The question remained: would they respond?