I just finished reading an article at A List Apart titled Four Day Week.  This is a fantastic article for any of you who work for youself, or have the ability to alter your schedule with your employer.

As some of you might recall, I recently went from a 5 day work week, to 3 at my “day” job.  This was a huge adjustment because I had a hard time doing all my work in 5 days, so how the hell will I get it all done in only 3 days?  Somewhere along the line, I tricked my brain.

I’m a deadline sorta person.  The closer I get to a deadline the more alive I feel.  The rush to get it done and make it good in “this little amount of time” gets me moving and I end up doing some of my most productive work during that time.  Given more time, the ability to slack off, or procrastinate sets in and things seem to never get done.  Or Friday comes and it’s a mad dash to complete everything.  Now?  Thursday is my mad-dash, but since I only work Tuesday and Wednesday in my office, I am forced to get that much more done on those days so Thursday can be more relaxing and a nice transition into a 4 day weekend. 

Does it work?

I think it does, if you are focused and driven enough to get the job done.  Will there be work on Thursday that still needs to be done?  Sure!  But there used to be work on Friday that still needed to get done but had to wait until the next week.  There will always be more work, other things to get done, more paper being thrown in your direction.  You can let it keep you late, or work another hour.  Or you can let it go and remember that there’s always another day. 

I was talking to Sean about our first anniversary and how he’s getting a bit of shit for taking some time off (it’s their busy season, you know) and I said to him.  In 10 years or 20 years when you look back on your first wedding anniversary, will you be proud that you spent it working for one pool sale, or that we made a memory together that will be with us forever?  Will you say: Damn that was a great day at work, look at all the money I made or I got to spend a day with my wife, loving, remembering and celebrating the vows we made?

I know what I’d choose