It's a regular work day, 2pm hits and everyone hits their productive low on the job. A typical 9am - 5pm shift consists of 8 hours of work, no time to recollect or refocus - only time to work. If you're self-employed, you can expect 10-14 hour days.
I recently came across an interesting concept of The 4 Hour Work Day. The 4 Work Day Day consists of well, a 4 hour work day. So, I know what is going through your head right now - But that's not enough time! In terms of numbers - yes it looks like it may not be enough. But look at your days, how many days do the hours drag out work that you know could be done faster? I say this coming from a online homeschooling background: the 4 hour work day is possible. In fact - it is much more productive and effective.
An important note to remember is that your amount of hours don't necessarily reflect quality - your final product is what matters. Being about to refine the output within a smaller time sharpens the appropriate skills to shift from quantity to quality.
To some the work day condensed may not seem to the best option, but - this is where measuring comes in handy. Creating a list of what the regular 8 hours of work accomplishes gives insight into what is actually being done. Switching gears into the 4 hours will help to realize what is being done and how it is being done. Measuring comes through lists and deadlines, evaluating what actually was completed - and then the switch will have the same list. The important note is to include realistic expectations based on the 8 hours, allowing for items to be push to another day's list is a 'form of meta procrastination' - so knowing what is within your limit is key.
I struggle with this, even though I have a schooling background that really benefitted from the 4 hour work day. For those who are self-employed, we can manage the 8am - 12pm for shift 1 and then 4pm - 8pm for shift 2. From experience, I do get more down when I am given that freedom to stop and decide - the more work I have to do within a day, it overwhelms me and then I find myself on Pinterest for 6 hours. The important factor is to know what can be done, and to simply just get it done. That focus on getting things done improves productivity but requires effort to make it habit.
I've noticed that when I am doing work (photography or design) - I usually get more done within those 4 hours then when I do when I give myself a 5 week process for delivering wedding photos. How could I get that 5 week down into 2 weeks? I know I can, I just refuse that the sorting through 5,000 photos, selecting 800 finals, and then entering two rounds of edits can be done even more effectively. I know it can be - I have a list prepared... but why I don't I use? Same question goes to: I know I have 4 papers do this week - so why am I spending 8 hours on each when 2,500 can easily be done within a 3 hour time stretch?
The answer is not time management, the answer is knowing our methods of production.
While the actual book of the 4-Hour Workweek (link below) promotes easy retirement and riches - that is not my basis for working in the 4 hours. My concept of it isn't to make more money (though I'm sure having a refined schedule will help), or to retire early - it is to get what needs to be done, when it needs to be done, and self care. Actually, the most important element is safe care. If we work productively and we finish what needs to be done - we can live our lives. Sure, it seems like a lofty goals - but how many people who work tirelessly need that road trip? How many painters are itching to have that time? Productivity isn't limited to work and school, there's other aspects in our lives that could benefit from this: healthy outlets, hobbies, family, friends, and rest.
Reading material to check out
The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9 - 5, Live anywhere, and Join the New Rich
I recently came across an interesting concept of The 4 Hour Work Day. The 4 Work Day Day consists of well, a 4 hour work day. So, I know what is going through your head right now - But that's not enough time! In terms of numbers - yes it looks like it may not be enough. But look at your days, how many days do the hours drag out work that you know could be done faster? I say this coming from a online homeschooling background: the 4 hour work day is possible. In fact - it is much more productive and effective.
An important note to remember is that your amount of hours don't necessarily reflect quality - your final product is what matters. Being about to refine the output within a smaller time sharpens the appropriate skills to shift from quantity to quality.
To some the work day condensed may not seem to the best option, but - this is where measuring comes in handy. Creating a list of what the regular 8 hours of work accomplishes gives insight into what is actually being done. Switching gears into the 4 hours will help to realize what is being done and how it is being done. Measuring comes through lists and deadlines, evaluating what actually was completed - and then the switch will have the same list. The important note is to include realistic expectations based on the 8 hours, allowing for items to be push to another day's list is a 'form of meta procrastination' - so knowing what is within your limit is key.
I struggle with this, even though I have a schooling background that really benefitted from the 4 hour work day. For those who are self-employed, we can manage the 8am - 12pm for shift 1 and then 4pm - 8pm for shift 2. From experience, I do get more down when I am given that freedom to stop and decide - the more work I have to do within a day, it overwhelms me and then I find myself on Pinterest for 6 hours. The important factor is to know what can be done, and to simply just get it done. That focus on getting things done improves productivity but requires effort to make it habit.
I've noticed that when I am doing work (photography or design) - I usually get more done within those 4 hours then when I do when I give myself a 5 week process for delivering wedding photos. How could I get that 5 week down into 2 weeks? I know I can, I just refuse that the sorting through 5,000 photos, selecting 800 finals, and then entering two rounds of edits can be done even more effectively. I know it can be - I have a list prepared... but why I don't I use? Same question goes to: I know I have 4 papers do this week - so why am I spending 8 hours on each when 2,500 can easily be done within a 3 hour time stretch?
The answer is not time management, the answer is knowing our methods of production.
While the actual book of the 4-Hour Workweek (link below) promotes easy retirement and riches - that is not my basis for working in the 4 hours. My concept of it isn't to make more money (though I'm sure having a refined schedule will help), or to retire early - it is to get what needs to be done, when it needs to be done, and self care. Actually, the most important element is safe care. If we work productively and we finish what needs to be done - we can live our lives. Sure, it seems like a lofty goals - but how many people who work tirelessly need that road trip? How many painters are itching to have that time? Productivity isn't limited to work and school, there's other aspects in our lives that could benefit from this: healthy outlets, hobbies, family, friends, and rest.
Tips for the 4 Hour Workweek
1. Measure what your 8 hour day accomplishes.
2. Prioritize your week through goals, and make daily goals to get to your weekly output
3. Know what consumes your work time: Social media? TV? Kids? If you can't work without it - come up with procedures that keep your focus undivide.
4. Log your process and progress - and reflect.
5. Only place realistic expectations - biting off too much can trigger procrastination.
6. Reward yourself for your successes.
7. Work the 4 hours in shifts if work is too much, but do not work more than 4 consecutively.
Reading material to check out
The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9 - 5, Live anywhere, and Join the New Rich