{"id":879,"date":"2021-01-20T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-01-20T05:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/niftypm.com\/blog\/is-an-80-hour-workweek-beneficial-for-anyone-60e63765694b\/"},"modified":"2021-10-25T15:20:09","modified_gmt":"2021-10-25T19:20:09","slug":"80-hour-workweek","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/niftypm.com\/blog\/80-hour-workweek\/","title":{"rendered":"Is an 80 Hour Work Week Beneficial for\u00a0Anyone?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p id=\"ceaa\" class=\"graf graf--p graf-after--figure\">How many hours a week do you work? Do you happen to have an 80 hour work week!? While most workplaces say that they average around 40 hours, it\u2019s not uncommon to hit 50 or 60 hour weeks, or even an 80 hour work week depending on your field. There\u2019s still a perception that working long hours is synonymous with productivity and hard work, even as we see data that proves the opposite.<\/p>\n<p id=\"876c\" class=\"graf graf--p graf-after--p\">Modern-day work environments have asked for more and more of their teams, but at what cost? A dramatic increase in hours can lead to mental burnout and decreased productivity as you burn the candle from both ends. When resources are stretched thin and everything is a priority, how do you balance your productivity and efficiency?<\/p>\n<p id=\"ff33\" class=\"graf graf--p graf-after--p\">Although it might sound cliche, working smarter, not harder, is vital when you consistently find yourself working past 6 PM. You don\u2019t always need an 80 hour work week schedule. <a class=\"markup--anchor markup--p-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/niftypm.com\/blog\/how-to-manage-remote-teams-for-ultimate-productivity\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-href=\"https:\/\/blog.niftypm.com\/how-to-manage-remote-teams-for-ultimate-productivity-in-2020-93bf0b041198\">Managing your time and projects effectively<\/a> while setting boundaries can help you prioritize your time while remaining productive. Below are some tips to implement when you find that things are getting a little crazy at work.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"e53a\" class=\"graf graf--p graf-after--p\"><strong class=\"markup--strong markup--p-strong\">Time Management &#8211; An Alternative To Working A 80 Hour Work Week<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload alignnone wp-image-845 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/niftypm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/time-Tracker.png\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/niftypm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/time-Tracker.png\" alt=\"Time Tracker for an 80 hour work week\" width=\"1033\" height=\"438\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271033%27%20height%3D%27438%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%201033%20438%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%271033%27%20height%3D%27438%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/niftypm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/time-Tracker-200x85.png 200w, https:\/\/niftypm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/time-Tracker-300x127.png 300w, https:\/\/niftypm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/time-Tracker-400x170.png 400w, https:\/\/niftypm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/time-Tracker-600x254.png 600w, https:\/\/niftypm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/time-Tracker-768x326.png 768w, https:\/\/niftypm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/time-Tracker-800x339.png 800w, https:\/\/niftypm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/time-Tracker-940x400.png 940w, https:\/\/niftypm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/time-Tracker-1024x434.png 1024w, https:\/\/niftypm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/time-Tracker.png 1033w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-orig-sizes=\"(max-width: 1033px) 100vw, 1033px\" \/><\/p>\n<p id=\"016c\" class=\"graf graf--p graf-after--p\">Our brains naturally ebb and flow in terms of energy and attention span. On some days, it might be easier to enter a flow state and knock out a project, while on other days, you might get repeatedly distracted by social media and the news. Crafting a robust time management system helps you to be more intentional with your workload, thereby streamlining your day and allowing you to get more done.<\/p>\n<ul class=\"postList\">\n<li id=\"9a07\" class=\"graf graf--li graf-after--p\"><strong class=\"markup--strong markup--li-strong\">Make a to-do list.<\/strong> I recommend doing a brain dump of everything you need to accomplish and then sorting it by the due date and priority level. Sometimes it helps just to see all of your tasks mapped out instead of letting them live in your head. Nifty allows you to track your tasks and add deadlines and different tags to help you prioritize.<\/li>\n<li id=\"06da\" class=\"graf graf--li graf-after--li\"><strong class=\"markup--strong markup--li-strong\">Turn off your distractions.<\/strong> Easier said than done, especially when we live in a world that seemingly has a life-changing news event every day! By turning off your phone or committing to staying off of social media or news sites, you streamline your focus and can then project it onto whatever needs to get done. We\u2019ve all been in that situation where a quick scroll turns into much longer than it ever should have been\u200a\u2014\u200aremove that temptation by blocking or turning off the sites that are most likely to distract you.<\/li>\n<li id=\"5329\" class=\"graf graf--li graf-after--li\"><strong class=\"markup--strong markup--li-strong\">Break your day into intervals. <\/strong>Techniques such as Pomodoro can help you break your day into intervals to facilitate smaller bursts of intense focus. By dedicating your full attention to shorter periods of time, you can minimize distractions while breaking down complex projects or scratching off smaller items on your to-do list.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 id=\"468b\" class=\"graf graf--p graf-after--li\"><strong class=\"markup--strong markup--p-strong\">Project Management &#8211; A Alternative To Working An 80 Hour Work Week<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload alignnone wp-image-1443 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/niftypm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/EcommerceSegmentation.png\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/niftypm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/EcommerceSegmentation.png\" alt=\"example of employees working an 80 hour work week\" width=\"1006\" height=\"410\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271006%27%20height%3D%27410%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%201006%20410%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%271006%27%20height%3D%27410%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/niftypm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/EcommerceSegmentation-300x122.png 300w, https:\/\/niftypm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/EcommerceSegmentation-768x313.png 768w, https:\/\/niftypm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/EcommerceSegmentation.png 1006w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-orig-sizes=\"(max-width: 1006px) 100vw, 1006px\" \/><\/p>\n<p id=\"e736\" class=\"graf graf--p graf-after--p\">Basic <a class=\"markup--anchor markup--p-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/niftypm.com\/blog\/choosing-the-best-project-management-methodology-types\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-href=\"https:\/\/blog.niftypm.com\/choosing-the-best-project-management-methodology-types-b46f1adeb9b2\">project management types<\/a> are also essential to helping you work more efficiently while maximizing productivity. Defining project scope, delegating, and streamlining your project updates helps everyone get on the same page about what needs to be done and reduces the chance of you working on something that has little to no relevance.<\/p>\n<ul class=\"postList\">\n<li id=\"f068\" class=\"graf graf--li graf-after--p\"><strong class=\"markup--strong markup--li-strong\">Define project scope.<\/strong> A well-defined project scope enables you to execute on your overarching project goals and vision. A lack of exact parameters here means that you\u2019ll keep getting pulled into tasks that divert your attention and steal valuable time and energy. Without a defined scope, that 1-month project can transform into two months that keep you in front of your computer until late while other projects fall to the wayside.<\/li>\n<li id=\"5130\" class=\"graf graf--li graf-after--li\"><strong class=\"markup--strong markup--li-strong\">Make sure to delegate. <\/strong>No man is an island, and no one person can complete every single task or project on their own. We\u2019re not saying to shove your work onto your teammates or direct reports, but make sure to use them as a resource. Choose the right person for the job, articulate the desired outcome, and watch how they uncover information that you wouldn\u2019t have even known was missing.<\/li>\n<li id=\"939e\" class=\"graf graf--li graf-after--li\"><strong class=\"markup--strong markup--li-strong\">Give project updates often.<\/strong> Structure your project updates so that your team is in the loop about how they need to contribute. By keeping open channels of communication, other team members can assist and share information more easily. Nifty\u2019s chat function makes it easy for team members to stay in touch on key priorities to ensure that things are done efficiently and effectively.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 id=\"04cc\" class=\"graf graf--p graf-after--li\"><strong class=\"markup--strong markup--p-strong\">Set Boundaries &#8211; Another Alternative To Working 80 Hours A Week<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p id=\"d3ef\" class=\"graf graf--p graf-after--p\">Setting boundaries is key to managing your time and not letting it slip away from you. That might look like saying \u2018No\u2019 or even \u2018Not now\u2019 to projects that come your way. You might also consider setting up standard procedures for ad-hoc projects to execute them strategically and efficiently. Whichever you choose, firm boundaries are an essential piece of the puzzle when bringing your working hours back to an average amount.<\/p>\n<ul class=\"postList\">\n<li id=\"0c75\" class=\"graf graf--li graf-after--p\"><strong class=\"markup--strong markup--li-strong\">Learn how to say \u2018No.\u2019 <\/strong>We\u2019ve all been in that situation where our plates are a little <em class=\"markup--em markup--li-em\">too<\/em> full, and a co-worker sends an email asking if we can get something to them by the end of the week. You might be inclined to reply with a quick \u201cNo problem!\u201d and then proceed to spend the next hour wondering how you\u2019re going to get all of this done. By learning how to set boundaries with co-workers, you reserve more time for your own work. It\u2019s a tricky practice, but it gets more comfortable with time.<\/li>\n<li id=\"ed3f\" class=\"graf graf--li graf-after--li\"><strong class=\"markup--strong markup--li-strong\">Establish procedures for<\/strong><a class=\"markup--anchor markup--li-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/niftypm.com\/blog\/how-to-develop-an-ad-hoc-project-management-workflow\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-href=\"https:\/\/blog.niftypm.com\/developing-an-ad-hoc-project-management-workflow-df8b56b3d8d5\"><strong class=\"markup--strong markup--li-strong\"> ad-hoc projects<\/strong><\/a><strong class=\"markup--strong markup--li-strong\">.<\/strong> Another way to set boundaries is to develop operating systems for those last-minute projects that seem to pop up when you least expect them. By having teammates follow set processes instead of just blindly accepting work, you can work new tasks into your existing workflows without derailing current projects.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p id=\"bf63\" class=\"graf graf--p graf-after--li\">\u2014<\/p>\n<p id=\"6e7d\" class=\"graf graf--p graf-after--p graf--trailing\">An 80-hour workweek is not sustainable. While your boss might be impressed, by the end of the week, you\u2019re walking away with more stress, less energy, and less productivity. So what\u2019s the lesson to be learned here? Working smarter\u200a\u2014\u200anot harder\u200a\u2014\u200ais the real key to standing out and impressing your team. Manage your time and projects, and don\u2019t be afraid to say \u2018No\u2019 once in a while. You\u2019ll end up accomplishing much more than you thought you could.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>How many hours a week do you work? Do you [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":930,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[197,21],"class_list":["post-879","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog","tag-80-hour-work-week","tag-productivity"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/niftypm.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/879","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/niftypm.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/niftypm.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/niftypm.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/14"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/niftypm.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=879"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/niftypm.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/879\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/niftypm.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/930"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/niftypm.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=879"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/niftypm.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=879"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/niftypm.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=879"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}