You want to work less but you can’t imagine how, especially since you feel like you’re already behind. Begin by deciding how much you want to work. Set a target range of hours — for example, 45–50 hours per week — and use that number as a stopping point. If choosing a weekly range is overwhelming, start small by focusing on an incremental goal, like leaving 15 minutes earlier each day. Then determine the tasks you need to accomplish on a weekly and daily basis within this schedule to feel comfortable ending your workday on time. If you find you’re still working late, identify what’s hindering you: Too many meetings? Interruptions? Not enough resources? Address the specific problem that’s holding you back. At first, these changes to your schedule will likely feel uncomfortable, but after a few weeks you’ll become less emotionally resistant to the reduced hours.
Adapted from "Give Yourself Permission to Work Fewer Hours," by Elizabeth Grace Saunders
