Picture being done with work by noon, leaving ample time for family, hobbies, or diving into a great book. A bit of a stretch, right? Not quite! Just a few years ago, I was struggling to keep up with my 10-hour workdays. It felt like I was endlessly sprinting on a hamster wheel. After some trial and error, along with a bit of inspiration from productivity experts, I discovered the 5-hour workday. It’s not about working less; it’s about working smarter. In this article, I will share practical tips accompanied by my personal experiences so you too can harness the power of a 5-hour workday.
Why Less Can Be More
The average 9-to-5 workday leaves us mentally and physically exhausted while we continuously get sidetracked by repetitive and unproductive tasks, draining our motivation. Productivity studies show people are focused for only 3 to 5 hours a day. When managing a marketing campaign, I noticed that while I was driven and motivated in the mornings, by the afternoon I was simply switching between spreadsheets. A 5-hour workday encourages you to think deeply about what you’re capturing and eliminates all the unnecessary parts. It streamlines your workday like an espresso shot.
Make Your Priorities the Night Before
Planning is crucial for any successful 5-hour workday. Each evening, I take 10 minutes to outline the three most important priorities of my day. For example, while I was launching a blog, my outlines included writing a post and scheduling social media content. With the help of the Controlio app, my tasks are clearly laid out, and taking into consideration the time it takes allows for better time management. This new habit makes a world of difference. You will start making massive improvements without the need for an hour of “settling in” time.
Time Blocking Paired with a Time Tracking App
Ever since I began using time blocking, my need to get sidetracked has diminished significantly. For my freelance work, I set very specific time slots for tasks, like writing from 9 to 10 a.m. During particularly busy times, I practiced the Pomodoro Technique, which suggests working for 25 minutes and then taking a 5-minute break. I have also tried the Controlio app when using a time tracking app. With it, I was better able to schedule workloads by seeing how long tasks really took. It felt like I had a personal efficiency coach on call.
Dismantle Interruptions
For me, distraction is the number one killer of productivity. Personally, I check notifications and “quick” social media sites all too often. For the past two years, I have been silencing my phone and avoiding social media during work hours. Creating quiet corners with noise-canceling headphones is also a great way to zone out the world. And if you work in an office, telling your colleagues your focus hours is often helpful too. Last month, this boundary helped me cut the time I needed to prepare a presentation down to half.
Work During Your Most Productive Times
Everyone has times when they are sharpest. A good example is the author who wakes up early, so they schedule their 5-hour work schedule from seven to noon. Identifying peak hours is great because it optimally aligns your workday with peak productivity levels. I’m a late riser myself.
Focus on Results, Not Time Spent on Tasks
A 5-hour workday is not intended to be skimping on tasks; instead, it is geared toward achieving set goals. During my era of sharpening client pitches, I focused on creating a compelling proposal instead of sweating small details like emails. Focus on achieving the larger goals first, then micromanage from there.
Final Note: Embrace the 5-Hour Revolution
Adopting a 5-hour workday can significantly improve your quality of life and productivity. With proper planning, scheduling, and focusing on critical value tasks during your Controlio app peak periods, you will achieve outstanding results. Making the change to this lifestyle approach meant my afternoons were free to stroll, read, or take a refreshing nap while still achieving my goals. It’s about living better, not working less. Let me know how it feels to reclaim your time after one week of my approach!
