Work from Anywhere: The HBR Guides Collection (5 Books)

CHAPTER 13

Give Yourself Permission to Work Fewer Hours

by Elizabeth Grace Saunders

In 2007 I decided enough was enough. I had been running my own business for a couple of years, and I constantly felt stressed. I had no clear boundaries between work and personal time, and I rarely stopped working without feeling guilty. Although I enjoyed my work and was compensated well for it, the constant stress of overwork prevented me from feeling like a real success.

That year was a turning point for me. I made some changes in the way I worked, bringing down my hours from about 60 per week to 50. Over the subsequent years, I gradually reduced my hours to 40 per week. And even though I was working less, I was increasing my revenue.

Through my own experience ...