Here Are the First 5 Things I Would Do if I Were Offered a 4-Day Workweek to Maximize Productivity (And Make A Little More Money) Using a 4-day workweek, I plan ahead, learn new skills, network, and volunteer to maximize my productivity. And even make a little extra money.
By John Rampton Edited by Mark Klekas
Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.
The 4-day workweek is becoming increasingly popular. Businesses such as Buffer, Kickstarter, Microsoft, Shopify, and thredUP are now offering it. There's a good reason for that. Employees who work a 4-day workweek are more productive and less stressed, according to studies.
Additionally, 87% of U.S. workers say a four-day workweek would be appealing, and 82% think the idea would succeed, according to a survey of 1,047 people from Morning Consult. In addition, leaders such as Jamie Dimon have predicted that the next generation will likely work 3.5 days each week thanks to artificial intelligence (AI).
What would you do if you were allowed to work a 4-day week? These are the first five things I would do to maximize my productivity and make some extra money.
1. Plan my week in advance.
If you feel short on time, this is especially important. Take a few minutes on Friday to figure out what your priorities are for the next week. In particular, you should focus on:
- Set clear goals for each day. Make a list of your priorities, then break them down into smaller, more manageable goals. As a result, you can stay focused and avoid becoming overwhelmed.
- Block out your most important tasks first in your calendar. With a shorter workweek, it's more important to prioritize your most important tasks first. Add your top priorities to your calendar first to avoid scheduling less essential tasks.
- Batch similar tasks together. By doing so, you can save time and be more efficient. For example, all email tasks could be batch-processed together, or all writing tasks could be batch-processed together.
- Schedule breaks throughout the day. Even if you have a shorter work week, taking breaks is essential. Burnout can be avoided by getting up and moving around every 20-30 minutes.
- Delegate and automate as much as possible. Do not hesitate to delegate repetitive tasks or automate them if you can. As a result, you will have more time to focus on the important things in life.
Related: Want a 4-Day Workweek? This Scheduling Strategy is the First Step
2. Use my extra time to learn new skills.
Working four days a week gives me more time to invest in my personal development. After all, lifelong learning will make entrepreneurs successful. The reason? It'll give them the skills and knowledge to start and grow their businesses.
To improve your marketability and value to employers, you should learn new skills even if you do not own a business. For example, you could learn a new programming language, take a data science course, or start a blog.
3. Network with other professionals.
Regarding career advancement, 80% of professionals say networking is critical. However, 49% of these individuals did not follow up with their network because of insufficient time.
Personally, I find networking to be one of the most important aspects of any career. In addition to learning about new opportunities, I can develop relationships with potential mentors and collaborators. I might even be able to connect with prospective clients or customers.
I'd use my extra day off to attend industry events, connect with people on LinkedIn, or simply chat with people I admire.
Related: 4 Reasons Why Networking Is a Must for All Successful Entrepreneurs
4. Volunteer my time to a cause I care about.
Giving back to the community is a great way to improve your self-esteem. However, volunteering can also help you become a better entrepreneur.
- Volunteering allows you to work on a problem from the ground up, and design thinking is essential for any start-up to succeed.
- You can grow your business, expand your audience, or diversify your audience if you volunteer on the front lines.
- It is easier for volunteers to access social capital for entrepreneurship.
- Volunteering is a risk-free way for individuals to learn new skills and explore new fields.
- As a volunteer, you meet people whose interests align with yours.
- Soft skills can be acquired through volunteering.
I would volunteer at a charity or non-profit organization on my extra day off. Working at a soup kitchen, tutoring kids, or organizing community events could be part of this task.
5. Start a side hustle.
With a 4-day workweek, I can pursue my interests more or launch a side hustle. This could be anything from starting a blog, freelancing, delivering groceries, dog walking, or selling handmade goods online.
A side hustle can be an excellent way to earn extra income and build a portfolio of work. In addition, you can gain new skills and experience that you can apply to your career.
Take full advantage.
Besides these five things, I would also care for myself on my extra day off. In the simplest terms, this means getting enough sleep, eating healthy foods, exercising regularly, and enjoying life beyond work.
Overall, with a 4-day workweek, I can maximize my productivity by planning ahead, learning new skills, networking, and volunteering. And, who knows? Maybe I'll even make a little extra money through a side hustle.
