The average full-time U.S. worker actually works 47 hours/week instead of 40. FIFTY PERCENT of full-time salaried workers work more than 50 hours/week.  — Gallup

“The Research Is Clear: Long Hours Backfire for People and for Companies” — Harvard Business Review

We need to slow down so we can catch up: Shorter work weeks are more productive, better for families, and fire up your creativity. Countries like Germany, France, and The Netherlands already have shorter work weeks.

I want to start a revolution: The 4 day work week. Too many of us are overworked with undernourished spirits. Burnout has become a badge of honour. It’s just…gross. I can’t put it more poetically than that.

For two years in a row, Team D worked “Summer Hours” for June-July-August: Fridays off or “flexible” — work if you’ve got to hit a finish line, but otherwise, you’re not expected to show up online. Now…it’s summer all year long ‘round here.

We get it done in 4 days. Mostly. We’re saner, healthier, happier. As productive and cohesive as ever. Even more so. Do we work on some Fridays? Sure. Big push launches and surprises call for extra time. Some of us check in on Friday mornings to tidy up. Some of us use Fridays for creative meandering and fun research. But mostly, Fridays are See ya! Time. Sanity. Maintenance. Space. More living.

I spoke for a retail group a few weeks ago and the CEO pulled me aside afterwards and asked how I prepped the team to transition into a 4 day week. “We already feel like there aren’t enough days in the week.” I didn’t really understand the question. “Just…um…start. I mean…stop. Stop working on Fridays…they’ll figure it out.” I couldn’t put it more poetically than that.

Time bends to your will. Try it. Life is waiting and the rest can…wait ‘til Monday.

“Fridays off are so delicious. I take longer walks, read so many books, take courses, go to acupuncture, talk to my coach, and sometimes — I just let Friday be part of a 3-day weekend! Knowing Friday is there, waiting wide open, creates the conditions for me to focus on my work in a bigger way during the week. The extra space keeps me motivated, inspired, and always feeling fresh. What a gift! I wish everyone had this sort of freedom.” 

– Angie Wheeler, Creative Marketing + Strategy

“As someone who wears the Operations Leadership hat during the week, my day-to-day is focused on problem solving which leaves little to no room for the actual business planning aspect of my role.

Having Friday off allows me to disconnect from being always on the go. I sit down with a cup-o-java, chill out, and think about the big picture strategy. I have time to figure out where we’re going as a company, and heck… about where I’m going as an entrepreneur, executive, partner, and a friend.

Fridays feel like a gift of time, and we ALL want more time. It’s the day to focus and go within, check in with my heart and soul, and align them with my brain. It’s a day to ensure I have a vision for my life and career, I have a plan to bring that vision to life, that it still excites me, and I am on track. I can’t really do this on any other day.” 

– Victoriya Bobbitt, President of Danielle LaPorte Inc.

“Fridays off make me a TIME WIZARD because I can fit everything I need to in those four very productive days. I love to save Friday mornings for tasks that I want to do in a quiet space. No pings or emails. Just full on focus.

Oh baby, life is so short. Having that extra day really makes me feel like I have so much sovereignty over my time. Fridays are for choosing what my body + soul need most.” 

– Renee Masur, Desire Map Content + Community

“Free Rein Friday means 52 extra days off each year to do whatever I desire. Maximizing results early in the week fosters an environment of teamwork, organization, and productivity. Nothing fills me up more than the sense of purpose and accomplishment when I look back on a productive day. Soul fulfilling. The upsides to downtime are endless.” 

– Dee Bailey, Marketing + Communications Manager

“Fridays are a chance for me to take a breath and catch up on life. I do whatever I like…Sometimes it’s chores or other projects, sometimes it’s sitting in the sun with my dogs. And yes, sometimes it IS a little work, but it doesn’t matter because it’s a choice. The freedom to choose is big, and that’s why it feels so great. It definitely makes me more productive and focused during the week knowing I need to fit everything into 4 days. And it works… nothing has broken, been lost, or been missed.”

– Tracea Ahearn, Director of Operations