In this episode, I sit down with Dave Rhoads, Founder and CEO of Blue Street Capital, to discuss how he implemented a five-hour workday and saw an increase in revenue and productivity. Dave hired me 12 years ago, and I was part of the initial five-hour workday experiment in 2016. Today, you’ll hear his perspective on how it transformed his company, his employees, and his personal life.

We also dive into personal and professional development, the power of focused work, and how optimizing time can lead to a more fulfilling life. Whether you’re a business leader, entrepreneur, or simply looking for ways to work smarter, this episode is packed with insights!

Timestamps & Key Topics:

0:00 - Introduction

• Introducing Dave Rhoads and the five-hour workday experiment.
• Reading an excerpt from Shorter by Alex Pang, highlighting Blue Street Capital’s journey.

2:00 - The 5-Hour Workday Experiment

• Dave shares the backstory of how and why he implemented the five-hour workday.
• The challenge of cutting work hours while maintaining full salaries.
• The inefficiencies of the traditional 8-hour workday.

6:00 - Removing Workplace Inefficiencies

• The impact of distractions like unnecessary meetings and interruptions.
• The concept of "Got a minute?" and how eliminating these interruptions increased productivity.
• How focusing on deep work changed the company culture.

10:00 - Why the Five-Hour Workday Works (But Isn't for Everyone)

• The need for discipline and planning to make shorter workdays successful.
• The balance between deep work, teamwork, and administrative tasks.
• How the five-hour workday creates true work-life integration.

15:00 - The Science Behind It

• Referencing Peak by Anders Ericsson: top performers only engage in 4-5 hours of peak work per day.
• How companies can cut work hours without cutting output.

20:00 - Personal Development & Optimized Workflows

• The importance of structuring work: creative work first, teamwork second, admin work last.
• The benefits of AI and technology in enabling a shorter workweek.
• The growing movement toward work flexibility and freedom as the ultimate "flex."

26:00 - The Role of Personal Development

• Dave’s journey into personal development, starting with Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill.
• The power of asking the right questions: "What do I want?" and "How can I get there?"
• The importance of continuous experimentation and learning.

30:00 - Daily Routines & Success Habits

• Dave’s morning routine: meditation, journaling, and planning with the Carpe Diem journal.
• Structuring the day around energy, work, and relationships.
• The power of making decisions once: "100% is easy, 99% is a b$tch."

35:00 - Final Thoughts & Takeaways

• The 5-hour workday is a tool, not a one-size-fits-all solution.
• The importance of work-life synergy and intentionality.
• Encouragement to experiment and find what works best for your lifestyle and business.

Resources Mentioned:

• Shorter by Alex Pang
• Rest by Alex Pang
• The Ultimate Sales Machine by Chet Holmes
• Peak by Anders Ericsson
• The One Thing by Gary Keller
• Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
• The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey
• The Heroic Personal Development Platform by Brian Johnson

Connect with Us:

• Follow Dave Rhoads on Linkedin @ https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidrhoads/
• Follow Me on Linkedin @ https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-gafford-09b2b87/

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