I've been doing a 4-day work week (working 80%) and it's great. If you're in a circumstance that allows you to do this (and I recognize that most people aren't)

I've been doing a 4-day work week (working 80%) and it's great. If you're in a circumstance that allows you to do this (and I recognize that most people aren't), I strongly recommend it. It gives me much more time to spend with my family - I know it's a cliche, but kids will be gone before you know it so spend time with them while you can. The 4-day work week also gives me much more time (nonlinearly more) to spend on side projects. A few disadvantages: First, I only get paid 80% as much. Second, it took a fair bit of effort at work to set this up; management was supportive, but they'd rather I worked 100% and it took multiple levels of approval. Third, this basically puts me off the career fast track. Fourth, from a social/cultural point of view, people don't really understand working 80% and I find it's better not telling people about it (thus the throwaway). Finally, I feel sort of a personal pressure to make the most of the extra day - I no longer have an excuse for not accomplishing more. E.g. why am I on HN when I could be writing a book :-)