The Four Day Work Week
Do you feel like you are working too many hours but not seeing the results you were hoping for? Are you working 5, 6 or even 7 days a week to get everything done??
Iceland has been conducting a study of a four day week for four years. According to Forbes, the trials in which workers were paid the same amount for shorter hours, took place between 2015 and 2019.
This is what they found:
- Workers reported feeling less stressed and at risk of burnout.
- Their health and work-life balance improved.
- They also reported having more time to spend with their families, do hobbies and complete household chores.
But what about the companies that they work for? This study was conducted on a variety of different industries such as offices, social service providers and hospitals. In all settings studies found productivity remained the same or even improved.
How can you apply this to your life?
When there are less hours to work, you need to be more intentional on what you spend your time on.
Set your goal at the beginning of each week
On Monday morning start by looking at the week ahead and setting the One Big Goal that you would like to complete. Everything that aligns with that goal should be the main focus of your calendar. It doesn’t align with your goal? Just say no.
Look at your meeting schedule
I have a coffee mug that says “I survived another meeting that should have been an email.” 😁 Although face to face or virtual meetings are important, some of them can be changed to an email or a shared google doc, which will save you and everyone else a lot of time. Make sure the meetings you do attend focus on your One Big Goal.
Create an agenda
Whether it’s for a meeting with your team or something that you are working on alone, start by creating an agenda or schedule. This way everyone stays on track and it’s clear when the meeting or the project is completed. Your main tasks each workday should get you closer to your One Big Goal of the week.
Limit distractions
We tend to become more distracted and take more breaks when there isn’t a deadline ahead. When you know that you have to finish a project by the end of the day in order to enjoy your long weekend, you will be less likely to be distracted.
Once you set your One Big Goal for the week and know what you need to complete by the end of the four days, you can stay more focused on getting the work done. When you’re ready to sit down to work, shut off all notifications and go somewhere distraction-free for the amount of time you need.
This may sound difficult if you have children at home, but if you can work fully focused for a period of time, you’ll be able to spend quality time with your family later (without checking your messages or feeling guilty).
Have you tried a four (or three 😌!) day work week? I would love to hear how YOU do it! Send me a message at lisa@lisademarcocoaching.com.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/jackkelly/2021/07/05/iceland-tried-a-shortened-workweek-and-it-was-an-overwhelming-success/?sh=a3f6cb13ac8d