How many hours of actual work do you believe you get done a day? Think about it, if you work a standard 9-5, how many hours during that day are you working on something truly productive?
Imagine if you could get all your work done in 3 days instead of 5.
It seems like it’d be impossible to even bring this idea up to your boss. I’ve found a way that worked for me. I constructed my work week so that I work 3 days and have 4 consecutive days off.
My boss had no other option but to consent, and yours will be the same way. I’ll show you how I cut my 5-day week down to a 3-day week with a simple 3-step blueprint.
The excitement of life at the office lasts for about the first month until it turns into a dreadful chore. At least that’s how it used to be for me.
Whether you work 9-5 or something a little more unconventional, this blueprint will show you how to double your productivity, while chopping your work week in half so you have more time to do the things you like with the people you love.
You’re going to make it seem like you’ll be working from home at first, but you’ll actually reach a point where you’ll be completing all your work in the 3 days in the office, leaving the rest of the week and weekend free to do what you like.
No matter how strict or old-school your boss is, they can’t say no to extra productivity—it’s what they strive for.
If you can make your boss look good in front of his boss, you’ll have the freedom to do as you please.
So here’s your simple 3-step blueprint of how you can cut down your work week, and expose yourself to freedom.
Step 1
This step is all about testing out the process.
Take 2 sick days in the middle of the week—Tuesday-Wednesday or Wednesday-Thursday—and make sure you inform your boss that you’ll be doing all your usual work while you’re home.
The idea of taking two midweek days squashes any conspiracy of you taking a long weekend for vacation, and the working from home pledge indicates that you’ll actually be home and not playing hooky.
This first step shouldn’t be too difficult, as everyone is entitled to sick days.
During these days off, make sure you complete more work than you usually do when you’re in the office—this is very important, as it’s going to be part of your 3-day work week presentation.
It also shouldn’t be too hard if you apply my special “2 on, 1 off” method that I’ve constructed.
My “2 on, 1 off” method is a simple productivity enhancement tool that I like to use when I need to get work done.
It’s very simple. I work consistently on one task for 2 hours and then take an hour break. During the 2 work hours, I cut out all contact from the world: phone off, and no e-mail checking.
The hour between the work hours must be completely work-free in order for this to work.
This is how I’m able to be more productive in less time.
During a normal work day, you probably complete a total of 1-2 hours of work in the 9-5 timespan. This is because the office is full of distractions and multi-tasking.
Step 2
The second step is all about presenting your theory.
Compile a PowerPoint for your boss that outlines your productivity in the two days that you were working from home.
Your angle needs to be how you surprised yourself with how much work you got done—if your boss ends up finding out your sick days were bogus, you could get in a lot of trouble.
Make sure you emphasize that you got more work done because you were less distracted. They can’t be upset when productivity is through the roof.
This is a perfect time to propose your temporary 4-day work week. Politely drill home the fact that you were twice as productive, and that it’s a temporary 3-week trial. Ensure them that if it doesn’t work out, it can always be reversed.
This step’s success is based largely on the language you use. You need to make your boss think that it was their idea for allowing you to cut your workweek down.
So, after you propose the 4-day work week, ask them which day they think would be best. Whichever day it is, accept it. Agree with them that it’s the best day of the week to be out of the office, regardless. You can change the days later on.
Let your boss understand that this isn’t something you’ll be spreading around the office, as it probably won’t work for everybody, and you don’t want to be that person who caused an uproar and got your boss in trouble.
Step 3
During the 3-week trial run of 4-day work weeks, make sure that your productivity is through the roof. Compile another PowerPoint of your success and diligence to show your boss after the trial is over.
Again, they cannot argue with productivity.
In light of this extra productivity, it’s time to lock in a second day off.
Again, this is proposed as a trial-run and can be revoked at any sign of a lack in productivity.
As long as you keep your productivity rising, with help from my “2 on, 1 off” strategy, you’ll have no issues at all.
You may need to test-run having Mondays and Fridays off, or any other combination, but you should keep in mind that you control the productivity, and you can present them in your favor.
For example, in your next presentation: “If you look at my productivity from home on Mondays and Fridays, it’s 1.5 times my productivity when I’m home on Wednesdays. If you think it’s a good idea, we should try Mondays and Fridays from home.”
You must increase your productivity during each trail-run in order to solidify this 3-day work week, but it’s absolutely possible.
When you feel comfortable with this new schedule, start using the “2 on, 1 off” method at work. Do everything you can to focus on one single task for 2 hours straight. You’ll be able to get all your work done in 3 days, while enjoying a 4-day weekend, every week.
Your boss’s bosses will be happy with the overall rise in productivity, and it’ll come off like it was a productive and profitable tactical move for the company. You may or may not get credit, but who cares, you’re living the good life.
