Cut Your Work Week to Get More Done

This post was written by Glen Stansberry of LifeDev. LifeDev is a personal development blog, with a complementary Productivity Tools blog.

Many times we’re faced with more than we think we can possibly handle during one workday. And common sense says that more time you spend working, the more you’ll get done.

Not true.

Sure, sure… there are a few robotic exceptions to the rule, but generally speaking most of us can’t just work hard for 8 hours straight. It’s just not healthy. But more importantly, breaks can help you be more productive. In fact, I’d argue that the less you work, the more you can get done.

Shrinking the Workday
I work on the web all day, and I’ve found that the more I’m away from my computer, the more I get done. Sounds ridiculous, right? I assure you, good readers, it’s not. If I set limits to how long I’m slaving away on the internet, it will pay off as the day drags on. I have more focus, more stamina, and doggone it… I just have more fun.

For example: when I’m at work, I tend to get bogged down with details. For some reason, the more time I think have to work on something, the less work I do. This is what we like to call Procrastination. Everybody knows what this is. Some of us embrace it, others are scared to death of it. Regardless, it’s not a good thing. In my case, I’d spend all day doing virtually nothing, and stay up until the wee hours of the morning finishing deadlines. So, I decided to try a week of turning off my computer after 5pm. Long story short, it was a very good thing. My brain had to come to grips with the fact that it couldn’t rely on that late-night crutch, and it forced me to get more done.

Tiny Breaks, Big Results
Aside from limiting the actual amount of time I can work on the computer, I also take more breaks every hour. I use a spiffy little tool that makes sure that I take a 30 second break every 8 minutes, and a 10 minute break every 50 minutes. However, I’ve found that taking breaks doesn’t just mean going over to the water cooler. It’s during these 10 minute breaks that the real magic happens.

For starters, I make sure to get away from the computer (or whatever tool I’m using at the time). I’ve found that if I do mind-numbing tasks like unloading the dishwasher or folding laundry, it gives my mind a chance to unwind and to start thinking outside of the box. It’s during these times that I can solve issues that I’ve been working on for the previous 50 minutes. For some reason, removing yourself from the situation tends to give your mind an opportunity to solve problems. I think it’s the fact that stepping away gives your mind a chance to look at the situation as a whole.

I’ve come up with some of my best ideas for websites not by looking at other sites, but while running, doing housework, driving to the bank… anywhere but sitting in front of the computer. The key is writing what you find down. If you can capitalize on these break times, you’ll work through many problems in tiny bits of time that would have taken much longer otherwise. And you might even come up with some good ideas in the meantime.

If you liked that post, go and check out more at LifeDev … and try subscribing to his feed.

Cut Your Work Week to Get More Done

This post was written by Glen Stansberry of LifeDev. LifeDev is a personal development blog, with a complementary Productivity Tools blog.

Many times we’re faced with more than we think we can possibly handle during one workday. And common sense says that more time you spend working, the more you’ll get done.

Not true.

If you liked that post, go and check out more at LifeDev … and try subscribing to his feed.

Posted on 20 April 2007 in Technology |
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Comments (16)

jeremiads Says:

April 20th, 2007, 8:57 am

This is so true.

I recently started utilizing my time by working for 45 minutes followed by a 15-minute break. In that break, I do something that isn’t related to my work or any other tasks to relax. It makes me focus during those 45 minutes, improving my productivity and the 15-minute break gives me an incentive.

It may sound harsh to cut my working time by 25%, but I’ve been happier and have accomplished much more.

jeremiads Says:

April 20th, 2007, 8:58 am

Also, I apply this to about everything I do. It’s how I manage to work through my MIT (thanks Leo!) and daily lists.

Legaleagle Says:

April 20th, 2007, 13:05 pm

I’ve heard this excellent tip from a couple of sources, and I generally agree that this is great for curbing procrastination. However, I work in the legal industry, where billing is by the hour, and compensation is tied to the number of hours billed (folks in my job are expected to bill an average of 10 hours a day, 5 days a week — which generally means a minimum of 12+ hours spent at work). In this case, the problem isn’t getting more done in less time, it’s getting more done in more time. Any tips on how to maximize productivity and focus (and prevent burnout) when fewer hours isn’t an option?

Glen Says:

April 20th, 2007, 14:39 pm

Legaleagle,

That’s a toughie, and is a good indicator why “old school” thought about productivity (ie More time = more work) is still around. You’re right… burnout is almost a certainty at that pace.

It’s hard to say anything other than… take more breaks ;) No seriously, it’s a necessary for avoiding burnout, which if I had to guess is going to be your biggest problem. Get up and walk around the office, go outside, even steal “bathroom” breaks just so you can get away. Anything to get you physically up and away from the desk.

Hope that helps…

Leo Says:

April 20th, 2007, 15:10 pm

Hi Legaleagle … I agree, that’s a tough one. If I were you (and I’m not, so I’m not recommending you follow these actions), I would do one of the following:

* If I were married, I would consider changing professions … long hours can be hard on a marriage (I’ve done it a couple of times and I know) and it’s hard to spend that much time away from your family. The type of person I am, I would simplify my life and find another profession that wouldn’t lead to burnout.

* If I were single, I would work even longer hours, live as frugally as possible, and invest the difference with the plan to retire early (if you live frugally enough, I bet you could retire in 5-7 years — the book Your Money or Your Life — I did a review of it, just look in the “Book” category on the left).

However, these might be too drastic for you. So Glen’s advice of taking more breaks is good … and also make sure you take your vacation every year, or even split it into 2-3 chunks.

A couple other tips I would give to avoid overstressing yourself and too much burnout:

* don’t multi-task — it leads to more stress — focus on one task at a time
* learn meditation methods and methods of being more present
* learn relaxation methods such as deep breathing or self-massage
* exercise to burn off stress
* find a hobby to give your life some kind of joy beyond work
* be sure to find time for family and loved ones — they’re more important than work
* simplify the amount of information coming into your life, and the physical clutter, to reduce stress

Good luck, Legaleagle, and I hope that we’ve helped!

Leo Says:

April 20th, 2007, 15:13 pm

I didn’t get a chance to say, in my last comment, how much I enjoyed reading this post by Glen … it really connected with me, as I’ve been thinking about similar topics and ways to cut back on my time online, and my overall work hours. Great job, Glen, and thank you for the inspiration. I may write more about this topic in the future, as I’m experimenting with similar ideas.

Habben Says:

April 20th, 2007, 16:28 pm

You have no idea how perfect your timing is on this one. I really needed that. It’s been nagging me all week how much unproductive time I spend at my desk and in front of my computer. I work at home so there is no official time to start and end the work day. Your ideas give me a good starting point for making some changes. Thanks again.

David Hollingworth Says:

April 20th, 2007, 18:02 pm

A great post, thanks Glen.

In an attempt to get myself to take breaks I’ve and random affirmation that pops up every so often that exhorts me to do just that - a 15 minute break every hour.

Trouble is I still don’t do it.

As a result I have major neck and shoulder problems that I know are exasperated by too much time at the computer.

So I’m going to give Glen’s spiffy little tool a try and see if I can tear myself away from the key board. I’m sure it will keep me fresher if I can do it.

Monica Ricci Says:

April 20th, 2007, 22:12 pm

Love this post! I always tell my clients that there will ALWAYS be something else to do. Heck, you could stay awake and work 24 hours a day and you’d still never be caught up. So yes, limiting your work time indeed FORCES you to be as productive as you can absolutely be, because you know your time is going to be UP soon enough!

There is truth to the old saying, “If you want something done, give it to a busy person”. People who have “all day” to do something, will generally take all day to do it. This is the meaning of Parkinson’s Law.

~Monica

Dan Says:

April 21st, 2007, 1:08 am

Yes, I’d agree this is a very good idea, and something I learned the hard way. Exercise is also a good way to keep the energy up if it’s an option. This year I started taking a mid-afternoon jogging break (which replaced a coffee-and-snickers break), and it’s made my time at the desk far more productive. And I think just being less fat is helping me keep the energy levels up throughout the day.

Another thing is to find some sort of work-related project to devote a certain percentage of your time to. I’ve heard that this is a company policy at Google, but I don’t see why it can’t be initiated by an individual employee. Just about everyone who cares about their work has some project they’d like to undertake, but haven’t gotten to because they’re too busy pushing the rock up the hill. Carve out a chunk of Friday afternoons when you’d just be counting the seconds to happy-hour anyway and work on some long-term, head-in-the-clouds initiative that’s been eating away at you forever. Even if it ends up being totally frivolous, you’ll still get to do something fun at work, and your momentum will probably carry over into other tasks as well.

Lodewijkvdb Says:

April 21st, 2007, 19:16 pm

I like the idea of the breaks a lot. However, I have times where I’m working on stuff I really like and I get into that state of flow of creativity, that gives a lot of energy and is really productive. During those moments I don’t want to take breaks, and usually time flies by very fast in that state. In general I fully agree with the multiple breaks.

I’ve also noticed that the real breakthrough ideas about topics occur when you’re not actively working on them. Showers work well for me, and DIY work on my home as well and that doubles my productivity :)

Jess Robinson Says:

April 23rd, 2007, 5:36 am

I do like the sound of this idea, but it seems to be mostly for people working for themselves, or at home, who don’t have to fit in around other people, or explain to their bosses where they’re wandering off to..

Any clues on how to work this in a large company? I can’t exactly wander off and do the laundry or mow the grass.. :(

Jess

Lodewijkvdb Says:

April 23rd, 2007, 14:22 pm

Hi Jess,

I work at a mediumsized company. Stuff at work that seems to work for me, is going through my reference archive to see if stuff needs to be re-evaluated or tossed away. Instead of putting stuff in the outbox, take it to the person personally (this gives you a walk, a talk and speeds the information flow with a day). And maybe obvious, get a round of tea or coffee for your colleagues :)

I work one day a week from home, it is a lot easier that day, I have to admit. But it can be done at work.

Girish Says:

April 26th, 2007, 7:39 am

Hi Glen,

This is a great post. I have been doing this for a long time and I really find time to do even more work!
As for solving problems, I write down the problem on a paper in short sentences, step by step. Then just before going to bed I concentrate on the problem and steps that needs to be taken and then go to sleep. Believe it or not I will have a solution in the morning! Just try it…..