The 4-day work week is different for the entrepreneur.  We don’t have traditionally paid holiday leave.  We often have 5 days worth of work that we MUST complete in only 4 days.  We need ultimate productivity in order to continue to gain ground — even during short weeks. And the week of Labor Day is just one of  the many four day work weeks we contend with throughout the year.  As a mom, I’ve got not only national holidays, but teacher work days, child sick days, child doctor / orthodontist / eye doctor appointment days. So four day weeks abound.  Today, I’ll lay out a battle plan for us ‘treps… in an effort to make the most of these short weeks.

Be Sure to Plan Your Week for Optimum Productivity

I’ve long advocated for  a Sunday Night Business Meeting.  But on short weeks, these planning sessions take on an even more critical significance.  So, whether you plan on Sunday night — as usual — or push it back (as I did this week) until Monday night, be sure to take 30 minutes and map out your week.  Here’s an additional article regarding this important planning session and this article is about planning a SUCCESSFUL business day.

Keep a Morning Routine for Optimal Productivity

I have a morning routine for every morning… but during short weeks, I can’t afford to deviate from my “morning rituals” that keep me focused, productive and driven.  Short weeks mean that my normally busy days are 20% MORE busy.  So, be sure to wake up early.  Eat well.  (I’m currently at the tail end of a “Whole 30” challenge and I can’t tell you how much our food choices impact mental clarity, energy dips, and more.) I’d love to hear about YOUR OWN morning rituals. What is most important for you? Exercise? Prayer? Devotion? Meditation?  Let me know in the comments below.

Avoid Blank Calendar Syndrome

During short weeks, I’m tempted to skip the “calendaring” of my week.  “After all,” I tell myself, “I’ve got too much to do and not enough time to do it.”  I don’t relish the opportunity calendaring will give me to feel this time crunch afresh.  But, when you take your to do list and assign each item a time on your calendar, something magical happens:  It forces you to actually budget your (limited) time.  Every item on your to do list is given a start AND an end time.  Important appointments are scheduled in advance, making last minute “fitting in” fiascos a thing of the past.   Take 20 minutes and fill in your calendar.  Yes, it will look pushed to the max. It will feel like the time equivalent of trying to squeeze into your skinniest of skinny jeans.  Do it anyway.

Eliminate Distractions

As entrepreneurs, self-bowsers, business owners, our available time is always lacking. There’s always MUCH to be done, many opportunities to pursue, leads to follow up with, and trains to be run. It’s the nature of our world.  Opportunities abound, to do lists grow, and distractions are a constant threat to our productivity.  So, eliminate them.  Plan for those conversations with your mom.  Turn your social media notifications off. Stay focused. Stay productive.  Friday is coming, and you’ll LOVE going into your weekend knowing you kicked this week’s butt.

Essentially, these are things we can and should do EVERY week… they just become much more important during short weeks.