3 ms·

It’s a nice blog. I recently switched to a four day work week, which really takes back Mondays. I thought that’s what the author was going to say. I also only w

It’s a nice blog. I recently switched to a four day work week, which really takes back Mondays. I thought that’s what the author was going to say. I also only work 4-6 hour days, so it’s a 20 hour work week. I bill a tech rate but hourly. It’s enough to pay the bills (35yo, no family). I’d really like to see our conversations about the work week move towards a total reduction in hours. It has been life changing for me to work this schedule. Sometimes I think about working a normal job again, but I couldn’t stand the hours. Has anyone else here worked a shorter week regularly or considered it?

nil-sec 7y ago
Mind expanding on what exactly you are doing for work? Is this freelance work or are you employed? This work/life balance sounds fabulous.
- TaylorAlexander 7y ago
  I’ve found a single employer with a project that is not time bounded, but he wants to spend as little as necessary on it. I’m building a solar powered farming robot. It’s kind of a side project for him that will hopefully turn in to more. So while my specific situation is rare, I can attest that this work life balance is fantastic. We really need to be talking about reducing working hours. In the past 8 months at this job I’ve built an autonomous solar powered vehicle from scratch which can drive over the tops of plant rows. I did this while working 15-20 hours a week. I’d say that’s pretty good productivity. Later in the year I will be adding weeding tools to the inside of the vehicle. I’m hoping we can open source it, but that depends on whether or not we can get philanthropic funding. If anyone sees this and could contribute financially to open source it please let me know!
dpc_pw 7y ago
I worked 4 days (8 hours though) for a year, and it was just great. It is one day, but it makes you feel like half of your week is off (3 days of weekend, 4 days of work). I also think that politically speaking, lowering standard working hours would create a much needed inflation, boosted consumption and employment at minor cost of material well being, so it's an interesting policy to pursue.
- TaylorAlexander 7y ago
  Yeah the perpetual three day weekends is a game changer. And I agree this plays in to politics well. Reduced working hours would boost employment among other things. I’ve heard in some countries you can unilaterally declare how many hours you want to work and your employer is obliged to accept. I don’t know the details, but if it works it would be wonderful to have that here.

nil-sec 7y ago

Mind expanding on what exactly you are doing for work? Is this freelance work or are you employed? This work/life balance sounds fabulous.

TaylorAlexander 7y ago
I’ve found a single employer with a project that is not time bounded, but he wants to spend as little as necessary on it. I’m building a solar powered farming robot. It’s kind of a side project for him that will hopefully turn in to more. So while my specific situation is rare, I can attest that this work life balance is fantastic. We really need to be talking about reducing working hours. In the past 8 months at this job I’ve built an autonomous solar powered vehicle from scratch which can drive over the tops of plant rows. I did this while working 15-20 hours a week. I’d say that’s pretty good productivity. Later in the year I will be adding weeding tools to the inside of the vehicle. I’m hoping we can open source it, but that depends on whether or not we can get philanthropic funding. If anyone sees this and could contribute financially to open source it please let me know!

dpc_pw 7y ago

I worked 4 days (8 hours though) for a year, and it was just great. It is one day, but it makes you feel like half of your week is off (3 days of weekend, 4 days of work). I also think that politically speaking, lowering standard working hours would create a much needed inflation, boosted consumption and employment at minor cost of material well being, so it's an interesting policy to pursue.

TaylorAlexander 7y ago
Yeah the perpetual three day weekends is a game changer. And I agree this plays in to politics well. Reduced working hours would boost employment among other things. I’ve heard in some countries you can unilaterally declare how many hours you want to work and your employer is obliged to accept. I don’t know the details, but if it works it would be wonderful to have that here.