The Three Day Work Week

I recently read a rather staggering article on 20 Something Finance about American work life. Simply put… We work too much.

Americans work more than any other industrialized country in the world. As a result our health, wealth and lives suffer. At one time it was thought that technology would help improve the quality of our lives by increasing our productivity. Well, it did do one of the those. Increase our productivity. Recent findings show that Americans are 400% more productive than in the 1950’s, but we are still working longer hours.

According to the International Labor Index Americans work the longest hours among all industrialized countries. This is frightening and shows no sign of letting up. I see people working more hours in the workplace everyday. Maybe they think that by working more hours they will prove to their boss that they are dedicated to the company and deserve a higher position. I hear people bragging about how they have overworked themselves for the week and they are so glad it is the weekend. They do not have time to exercise, manage their finances and take care of their families. I also hear of many people that bring their work home with them for over the weekend. As a result they do not take a single whole day off from work during the week.

What if we could find a bubble of focus in all the surrounding distraction? A small little bubble in our mind where we could focus on what is most important at work three days a week. These three days would be dedicated to a ten hour work / play atmosphere where people loved their jobs. Not only that, but they would be working thirty hours per week and making a full time income, receive a whole month of paid vacation and have the ability to truly create their ideal life balance. This seemingly arduous idea is part of the vision I have for my successful business.

Many people would likely be lost with this much spare time on their hands. What could I possibly do with four days away from work each week? What would I do?

I cannot possibly imagine what I would not do with this time.

I would spend this time honing in on my ideal life balance. This would afford me the opportunity to spend a lot of time with my family that others really do not get to capitalize on. I would read more books about financial independence and personal development. I would write more. My health would remain a top priority and it would be necessary for me to enjoy all of the outdoor activities that I currently do. Trail running, rock climbing and skiing would remain a huge part of my passionate life.

Most importantly I would take time out of my week to spread the message of how a 3:4 work:free days ratio has been achieved in my life and work place. Is this impossible? Of course! I would not be writing about it if I was not passionate about this and believed that it could be attained within the next five years.


Summit as friends!
Scott