189: Why Entrepreneurs Need Work Hours

An argument for ‘work hours’ We like the idea of freedom, but does freedom really mean working all day every day? I don’t think so. But that’s what typically ends up happening when we become an entrepreneur -- we let the work creep into everything, because that’s easy when you love it. But what if you’re actually being wayyyy less productive because of it? The typical 9-5 makes us cringe because we sit there for hours doing shit we don’t care about, or sitting for hours doing nothing but need to be in our chairs to save face around the office. But not anymore...yet we end up working 6am-11pm instead, and most of the time don’t have much to show for it. What if you implemented work hours? They don’t have to be super rigid like a 9-5 per say -- but even just limits on how many hours you’re working ON your business each week and mapping them on to the calendar? How much more productive are you when you know you only have 45 minutes to get something done? WAYYYY MORE PRODUCTIVE. This is called Parkinson’s law -- we’ve talked about this in previous episodes too -- check out episode 67 here --http://adriennedorison.com/67-parkinsons-law-voodoo-how-to-use-it-to-your-advantage/ The more time you give yourself to do something, the more time it will take...so if your work hours now are ALL THE TIME -- then you’ll fill that time. I even hear people say {self-included} that oh I will have more free time when I outsource this stuff -- or when I quit my job -- or when I … when I … etc. It’s just not true -- and that’s not to say you shouldn’t start outsourcing, you should, but you are an entrepreneur, so you’ll end up filling that time with other THINGS to do, because that’s your default {it's mine too...no judgement zone} -- just be conscious of it. Here’s some things that you might want to do so that you can work less but still get the same, if not BETTER results: 1. Set real work hours {and stick to them} 2. If work hours aren’t your thing, set a cutoff time {and stick to it} 3. Decide HOW MANY hours per week you’re working on your business -- and then map it out on a calendar vs the stricter work hours idea 4. Do the reverse --- plan your off / rest time so that you actually do it ! 5. Deadlines + Rewards 6. Work in 90 minute increments {One of the things most of us easily forget is that as humans, we are distinctly different from machines. At the core, this means that machines move linearly and humans move cyclically. For an efficient work day, that truly respects our human nature, the first thing to focus on are ultradian cycles. The basic understanding is that our human minds can focus on any given task for 90-120 minutes. Afterwards, a 20-30 minute break is required for us to get the renewal to achieve high performance for our next task again. 7. Stop multi-tasking -- working on too many things is keeping you from actually being PRODUCTIVE. multitasking may seem efficient on the surface but may actually take more time in the end and involve more error. Meyer has said that even brief mental blocks created by shifting between tasks can cost as much as 40 percent of someone's productive time. American Psychological Association Article. Which one are you going to try? I would love to hear from you over in my FREE FB community -> www.adriennedorison.com/community