How to Work Less Hours
It can feel like a distant, unachievable dream. But it is a real possibility for those who are determined to find a way.
Maybe you want to have more time to do things with the kids, protect family life, improve quality of life and just live life more.
But how do you go about reducing the hours you work when it seems that the demands of the business won’t allow it?
The first step to reverse this situation is to stop blaming the business.
The business operates the way it was set up. So with the risk of over simplifying the task, it is a matter of setting the business up to operate a different way and for you as the business owner to operate differently.
It isn’t about working hard, it’s about working smart.
Now, I am not suggesting you wake up tomorrow and decide you are working 50% less hours and just do it and to hell with the consequences.
What I am suggesting is that if managed correctly, reducing working hours is possible.
Here are some points that will influence how many hours you work:
1. Get clear on what you really want. Exactly how many hours a week and weeks per year would you ideally like to work? (Forget, “should” “must” and “ought to” – what is your ideal?).
2. How much revenue would you need to bring in each week if you only worked your ideal number of weeks?
3. Review your business model and revenue streams. Once you have the answers to question 1 and 2 brainstorm what changes you can make that will allow you to generate revenue more effectively to meet your ideal working hours. Get creative.
4. Increase your personal effectiveness. This factor is a significant contributor in reducing working hours so you can’t afford to ignore this area. Look for ways to upgrade the areas that directly impact your personal effectiveness.
5. Review your business processes and procedures. I know this subject bores the pants off many people, but like point 4, it is one of the keys to your ability to reduce your working hours. Look for ways to automate, outsource, simplify and improve the way your business operates.






