Are you prepared for productive 4-day work weeks this summer?
Your business goals, like any goals, require constant attention and nourishment. Summer is no time to throw it out the window and lose your momentum. However, you can work a 4-day work week these next few months and still be just as productive–if you plan your time wisely. You may even decide to keep this arrangement all year long!
Here are some tips to help you stay on track and still enjoy those summer breezes:
Set clear goals: What do you want to accomplish in your 4-day workweek? Having clear goals will help you stay focused and motivated.
Plan your time wisely: When you have less time to work, it’s important to make the most of it. Plan your workweek in advance and make sure you’re prioritizing your tasks. What are your top 3 Must Get Done items for each day of the week? My clients often hear me quote Michael Hyatt: “What gets scheduled gets done.”
Schedule blocked time: Plan out each day on your calendar with scheduled ‘appointments’ to complete the important items that require no distractions. These are the things that keep our careers and businesses growing.
Take breaks: It’s important to take breaks throughout the day, even if you’re working shorter hours. Get up and move around or step outside for some fresh air. Five minutes between tasks can be a boost to your brainpower.
Delegate tasks: If you have the ability to delegate tasks, do it! This will free up your time so you can focus on the most important things.
Communicate with your team Let your team know that you’re working a 4-day workweek and how it might affect your availability. Be sure to communicate your expectations and deadlines.
Stay organized: Calendar alarms, everything in its place and a dedicated workspace really do make ‘work time’ more efficient. And it’s even more important to have these in place when it’s tempting to ‘play hooky.’
Use that extra time for healthy habits: Make sure you’re getting enough sleep, eating healthy foods, and exercising. When you’re taking care of yourself, you’ll be more productive at work.
Remember those lazy summers as a kid when school finally let out and you have 10 or 12 glorious weeks ahead of you for sleeping in? Grab a bit of that feeling even while running a team or a business. It just takes a bit of planning, a touch of rearranging the schedule, and a whole lot of staying power.
Studies show that many employees want a four-day work week, and they believe they can still do their jobs with one less day at the office. Recent pilot programs have also shown that a shorter work week can actually boost productivity, or at least not decrease it.
Is this an idea whose time has come for you or your employees? If you are considering transitioning to a shortened week, it is important to develop a strategy that suits the needs of your business and your employees.
Reach out to me for a list of survey questions to ask people who may want to work a four-day workweek or for assistance in developing the strategy that will specifically work for your business.
READY: Start writing–Fill in your calendar with the ‘must do’ items such as family weddings, company meetings, and other commitments. Include time blocks for those 3 Must Get Done items.
SET: Set things in motion–Play around with a few ‘time block’ options. For example, reviewing communications at set times. Block out one hour every morning, or every other day as your final task, etc. See what seems to be most beneficial and manageable for you.
GO: A bit of inspiration–
Is this an idea whose time has come for you or your employees? If you are considering transitioning to a shortened week, it is important to develop a strategy that suits the needs of your business and your employees.
Reach out to me for a list of survey questions to ask people who may want to work a four-day workweek or for assistance in developing the strategy that will specifically work for your business.
Let’s get to it together.