Can you do self-insemination at home ?
In the summer of 2019, I began to feel a shift in my work routine. My workload started to resemble a more manageable schedule rather than a frantic race to finish tasks in every available moment. This change coincided with my children growing older, which meant fewer distractions while I worked from home. I became more adept at organizing and prioritizing, focusing on one task at a time instead of juggling multiple responsibilities.
One week, I decided to work extra hours to take a Friday off and enjoy a day at the beach with my kids. It was absolutely wonderful. Lying on the soft sand, I realized that as a self-employed individual, I had the flexibility to do this regularly if I chose. The following Friday, we spent the day at a friend’s pool, and the next week, we enjoyed back-to-school shopping while relishing oversized pretzels and refreshing smoothies inside the mall.
When my kids returned to school, I made the decision to keep my Fridays free. I felt more at peace and more like myself. The prospect of a three-day weekend kept me motivated to handle my workload during the four days leading up to it. My productivity surged, as I no longer found myself wondering when I would have time to wash the car, schedule dental appointments, or do grocery shopping—I knew I could tackle all of that on Fridays.
For those who are not self-employed, the ability to control your schedule may seem out of reach. However, many companies are now experimenting with the four-day workweek model, which could become a more common practice in the future. The challenge of achieving a healthy work/life balance is well-documented, impacting both mental and physical health.
According to reports, earlier this year, the Spanish government initiated a small nationwide trial of a four-day workweek, aiming to iron out the specifics in March. This concept is not new; it has been a goal for many progressive political parties since the early 20th century. Notably, economist John Maynard Keynes suggested that increasing efficiency would eventually free up more leisure time in industrialized societies.
For example, Microsoft Japan adopted a four-day workweek and experienced a significant boost in employee productivity. Similarly, Shake Shack has launched a pilot program that allows some supervisors to enjoy a shorter workweek, which has positively impacted their quality of life and finances by saving on child care costs. CEO Randy Garutti notes that this flexibility has also attracted more job applicants.
Wildbit‘s co-founder and CEO introduced a four-day workweek a few years ago, and the results have been promising. They reported shipping more features and enhanced productivity, leading them to continue with this model. When asked about the four-day workweek, many in the Scary Mommy community expressed excitement about the possibility.
One individual, Jake M., shared that his shorter workweek has been transformative; he finds that two extra hours of work do not significantly affect his mental health, but an additional day off makes all the difference. Others echoed his sentiment, preferring to work longer hours over four days in exchange for a full day to relax or catch up on personal errands.
Kylie R. and her husband, who run their own business, offer their employees a four-day workweek with ten-hour shifts. Their employees love it, reporting high productivity levels and returning to work refreshed. Sarah J. currently works three twelve-hour shifts per week and asserts she would never return to a five-day schedule due to the toll it takes on her.
Of course, implementing a four-day workweek comes with challenges, especially for companies in retail and service industries that would need to hire additional staff to maintain operations. Still, many of us are eager for change and wonder why it has taken so long to adopt such a beneficial work model.
For me, this shift has significantly improved my life. I feel more rested, less stressed, and I can actually enjoy my weekends without the burden of unfinished tasks.
Are you interested in a four-day workweek, or do you prefer the traditional five-day model?
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