Most of our professional lives have cosily snuggled into the Monday-to-Friday workweek. It starts with a blue theme and ends with a yellow one. While it may seem normal to those living it, we could not help but ask “why”. Why do Monday mornings have to be sad and unwelcome, even for those who like what they do? So we asked our team why they hate their Mondays and the consensus was that they needed just one more holiday. And being the procrastinators that we are, we decided to use our valuable Monday morning planning a way out. The four-day workweek seemed to solve the problem with its hyperbolic promises of how it could fix your work-life balance. Pffff, sure. That said, we decided to try it and find out for ourselves.

The Proposal:

One fine Friday morning, the idea was plonked on the meeting table. Could the weekend end on a better note? It was met with excited ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ dotted with a few mumbling ‘Are you sure?”. For the majority, the prospect of an extra day off every week fuelled excitement and curiosity. After a thorough discussion, we decided to give it a shot for a month, hoping that this experiment would not only enhance our work-life balance but also lead to increased productivity during our condensed workdays.

Week 1: Navigating the Transition:

As we dove into our first four-day workweek, adjusting to the compressed schedule proved to be a challenge. The initial days felt like a race against the clock, with tasks piling up faster than we could tackle. However, as the week progressed, we started finding our rhythm. The reduced work hours forced us to prioritize tasks and optimise our workflows, resulting in a surprising boost in efficiency. This also meant people sacrificing their Instagram and even coffee breaks!

Week 2: A Glimpse of Freedom:

The second week brought a refreshing change as we began to experience the true benefits of the four-day workweek. Our extra day off provided us with the time to pursue personal passions, spend quality time with loved ones, and recharge our mental batteries. The newfound freedom outside the confines of the office walls invigorated our spirits. I realised it allowed me to love my work even more! I was excited to spend time with family, friends, on personal projects and to go back to work on Monday.

Week 3: Unleashing Creativity:

With three weeks under our belts, we noticed a remarkable shift in our approach to work. The condensed workdays fueled a sense of urgency, pushing us to make swift decisions. The increased focus on output rather than hours spent at the desk led to innovative problem-solving and a heightened sense of accomplishment. Along with the long break, a compressed schedule had uncorked a wellspring of creativity. 

Week 4: Reflection and Evaluation:

As the month-long experiment drew to a close, we gathered as a team to reflect on our experiences. The consensus was overwhelmingly positive. The four-day workweek not only improved our work-life balance but also had a tangible impact on our productivity and job satisfaction. The compressed schedule forced us to work smarter, not harder, and the results were evident in the quality of our output.

Conclusion:

The four-day workweek experiment turned out to be a transformative journey for our team. What began as a daring venture into the unknown evolved into a blueprint for a healthier, more sustainable work environment. It brought the team closer as everyone offered to help others navigate through the workload. We let go of the guilt around prioritising our well-being and embraced change. We were happier, more productive and loved life a little more. While we work on fixing smaller hurdles, we are going to stick with this in the long run. Guess we don’t hate Mondays anymore?