29 August 2023

In today's society, the traditional 8-hour workday is no longer the norm. With the rise of the digital age, more and more people are finding that they can get their work done in a fraction of the time, thanks to the advances in technology.

The 4-hour workday is the new 8-hour workday. 

In the past, people would have to work 8 hours a day, 5 days a week (sometimes 7 days) just to get by. But now, with the internet and other digital tools, people are finding that they can get their work done in a fraction of the time.

There are several benefits to working fewer hours. For one, it gives people more time to focus on other important aspects of their life, such as their health, family, and hobbies. It also allows people to be more productive since they are not as bogged down by work. 

There are a few things to keep in mind however if you want to make the transition to a 4-hour workday. First, you need to be organised and efficient with your time. You also need to be able to prioritise your tasks and delegate when necessary. And finally, you need to have a good work/life balance.

A Shorter Workday Could Lead to Better Productivity

The 4-hour workday has been catching on in recent years as more companies aim to improve work-life balance for employees. The concept is simple: employees work four hours a day, instead of the traditional eight.

Having a shorter workday can lead to increased productivity. Studies have shown that employees are more productive when they work shorter hours. This is because they are less likely to experience burnout and can take more breaks during the day.

A shorter workday can also help to improve work-life balance. With less time spent at work, employees can have more time for their personal lives. This can lead to increased satisfaction with their job and less stress outside of work.

Having a shorter workday means that you'll need to make sure that employees are still able to get their work done in the shorter time frame. You'll need to make sure that employees are adequately compensated for their reduced hours.  This may require some changes to how work is structured, such as increasing the number of breaks or allowing employees to work from home. A shorter workday should not lead to a reduction in pay, however. Overall, a shorter workday can lead to increased productivity and improved work-life balance for employees.

4 hours is the new 8

It’s no secret that the average worker today is overworked. Many of us are putting in long hours, working late into the night and on weekends, and struggling to balance our work and personal lives, not to mention our incomings versus the outgoings when it comes to paying the bills. 

There are a few companies that have already made the switch to a four-hour workday, and the results have been positive. Companies such as Amazon, Microsoft, Basecamp, Shopify have moved to a shorter workday.  One company found that workers were more productive during the four hours they were working, and that they used the extra time outside of work to pursue their interests, resulting in a more well-rounded and happier workforce.

Of course, shorter workdays wouldn't be appropriate for every type of job. But for many office jobs, a shorter day could lead to better results. It's worth experimenting with in your own workplace to see if it makes a difference for your employees.

Making the switch to a shorter workday could be a win-win for both workers and businesses. It’s an idea that is worth exploring, and one that could have a positive impact on the way we work and live now and into the future.

More Time for Family, More Time for YOU

The workday is getting shorter. There’s no doubt about this.

Today, the traditional 9-5 workday is no longer the norm. With the advent of the digital age, many people are finding that they can work from anywhere at any time. This flexibility has led to a trend of shorter workdays.

One benefit I love in having a shorter workday is that it leaves more time for family and personal pursuits where I can learn or do something new. In a world where we are constantly connected to work, it can be difficult to find time to connect with loved ones let alone getting out and enjoying the outdoors or a new hobby. A shorter workday can help to alleviate that stress. It can allow for better connection with those who are important in your life and lead to more variety in your life.

In addition, a shorter workday leaves more time for YOU. We all need time to ourselves to pursue our hobbies, relax, and recharge. A shorter workday gives us that precious time back. So why not try out a shorter workday? You may just find that it's the best decision you ever made.

The Case for a 4-hour Workday: Less Stress, More Free Time, Better Health

The case for a 4-hour workday is clear. Less stress means more free time to enjoy life and better health. “The 8-hour workday is an outdated and ineffective way to measure productivity,” says psychologist and author Tony Schwartz. “It’s time for a new approach.”

The 8-hour workday was established during the Industrial Revolution to maximize worker productivity. But Schwartz says that it’s no longer relevant in today’s economy. “The 8-hour day was created more than a century ago for an industrial economy,” he says. “It makes no sense in today’s knowledge economy.” 

Instead, Schwartz advocates for a “4-hour workday,” which would allow employees to work fewer hours while still being productive. “The 8-hour workday is based on the false premise that the human brain can sustain focus for that long,” he says. “In fact, research shows that the brain can only sustain focus for about four hours at a time.”

Schwartz’s claim is backed up by research. A 2013 study from the University of Canterbury found that workers who were allowed to reduce their hours to four per day experienced less stress and better work-life balance. And a 2016 study from the University of Portsmouth found that workers who reduced their hours to four per day were more productive than those who worked eight hours per day.

So why isn’t everyone working four hours per day? Schwartz says that it’s because employers are still stuck in the “factory mindset” of the Industrial Revolution. “They believe that the only way to get more work done is to have employees work longer hours,” he says. 

'The Way We're Working Isn't Working': Tony Schwartz at TEDxMidwest

But this mindset is starting to change. In 2016, the internet company Basecamp switched to a 4-hour workday during the summer months and found that it was so successful that they decided to make the change permanent. And other companies are starting to experiment with shorter workdays as well. 

It’s time for employers to catch up with the times and adopt a shorter workday. It’s good for employees, good for businesses, and good for the economy. 

Conclusion

The need for an 8-hour workday is not as great as it once was, and the health benefits of a 4-hour workday outweigh the need for an 8-hour workday. There are many benefits to a shorter workday, including more time for family, friends, and personal hobbies. In addition, shorter workdays have been shown to lead to more productive workers which naturally leads to a much more well-oiled machine when it comes to leading a team and running a business.