Are you ready for a four-day week?

Here in the UK we're about to have three bank holiday weekends in the next month. Three four-day weeks and only two full weeks in the month of May.

Are you more likely to try and squeeze five days of work in to four or will you be able to work four and enjoy the extra day off?

For those of you who’d like to work a four-day week … permanently, here’s your chance to build a four-day week habit.

We already know from surveys the majority of people only use 60-80% of their time productively in a 'normal' five day week.

All those interruptions, distractions and wasted time add up. As much as 1-2 hours every day. So effectively that's a four-day week right there.

If one day in every five is wasted by being unproductive, how would it be if you could work four days more productively?

You get the same amount of work done in a four-day week instead of five.

You don’t feel you need to work evenings and weekends to make up for it.

You're able to plan your work for four days and enjoy a three day weekend.

How much of your working week is wasted?

• Juggling multiple projects 
• Taking on additional responsibility
• Frequent interruptions and distractions

Plan for a four-day week

Make a choice. Plan your work to fit a four-day week.

Here are a few ways to achieve that.

Plan how you’re going to spend the time over the four days to complete the tasks you need to do. What big projects do you have coming up this month?

Plan in project work time in advance. Set aside one or two hours spread over the next few weeks instead of trying to do too much in one go.

Prioritise what you need to get done within the available time. Reprioritise tasks if you’re not going to get them done in four days. 

Reduce the distractions, interruptions and wasted time to get the same amount of work done in four days rather than five. Save that 1-2 hours each day.

Simplify. Are you taking on too much? Being aware that there are fewer working days in the month allows you to NOT take on as much in the first place, say 'no' (not right now) or at least schedule accordingly.

Delegate or outsource work so you're able to free up more of your time for the important work you need to focus on in a shorter week.

Front load tasks. Do as much as you can in the early stages of the week or month. The less you have to do at the last minute, the easier it is to manage.

If you’re under time pressure, can you move or renegotiate a deadline? Give people enough notice and it’s easier to do. If it's a pattern, what can you do to change it?

Avoid a last minute rush or squeeze to get everything done and then you end up working late or working the bank holiday anyway.

I've had numerous clients who've had a four-day week as a longer-term goal. If you want it to happen, make it happen. It may be quicker and easier to achieve than you think.

Plan ahead and enjoy the extra three days holiday without feeling stressed or overwhelmed.

Next Steps ...

--> Get in touch if you want to work a four-day week and want to make it happen sooner than later.

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