Imagine being more creative, more focused, and better at problem-solving by working less. For us, the decision to transition to a four-day workweek wasn’t initially about productivity or quality of work—it was about creating a work environment that prioritised well-being, a healthier work-life balance, and more time with our young family.
Like many others, we’ve felt the strain of modern work culture: long days, time away from family, and even burnout. The last thing we wanted was Staygold to go down that path. So, we asked ourselves, “What if we could work smarter, not harder?”
In this article, we’re sharing why we made the leap, the challenges we faced, and the surprising benefits of embracing a four-day workweek. Whether you’re curious about trying it out for yourself or simply want to find out more about us, we hope our journey might inspire you to rethink how you work.
The idea of a four-day workweek wasn’t just another trend for us—it came from a pivotal moment in my life. Burnout forced me to rethink what success really meant, serving as a wake-up call to question the conventional approach to work and life.
The turning point came with the birth of our first child. How could we spend more time with this tiny new person? Did we really need five days to accomplish everything? Could we deliver the same quality—or even better—with fewer hours? Around the same time, we came across stories of companies experimenting with shorter workweeks and seeing incredible results: happier people, higher productivity, and most importantly, better work-life balance.
The more we thought about it, the clearer it became—we couldn’t ignore the possibility that working less might actually work better. So, we decided to give it a shot. Not to follow a trend, but to align our work with the life we wanted to lead.
We knew implementing the four-day workweek wouldn’t be as simple as cutting a day off our schedule; it would require us to rethink how we worked entirely. To make the transition successful, we focused on four key areas: Tracking our time, maximising our energy, mastering focus and deep work, and finally, embracing intentional rest.
There were challenges, of course. It took time for us to learn to say “no” and shake off the urge to squeeze in more work. But by remaining flexible, we were able to refine our approach and make the transition stick.
The key takeaway? A four-day workweek isn’t about working less—it’s about working better. By focusing on outcomes over hours, we created a system that truly worked for us, and our clients.
The benefits of transitioning to a four-day workweek have been transformative. Our productivity went through the roof as we focused on high-value tasks and eliminated busywork, while both Krysa and myself improved our well-being, with more energy, motivation, and time for personal hobbies.
An unexpected benefit was the creative boost. With more time to think and less pressure to “just get it done,” we found ourselves coming up with better ideas and solutions. The extra day to step back gave us space to reflect and approach problems with fresh perspectives.
Most importantly, the shift aligned with our core values of balance, proving that success doesn’t require sacrificing health or happiness. This change not only improved the quality of our work but also deepened our client relationships by allowing us to deliver even better results.
As with any significant change, transitioning to a four-day workweek came with its fair share of challenges. It wasn’t exactly a smooth, effortless shift, and there were lessons along the way that we hadn’t anticipated.
One of the biggest we faced, was the temptation to squeeze five days of work into four. We initially struggled to adjust our expectations and resist the mindset that we had to be "busy" every day. But we quickly realised that the key wasn’t to fill every minute but to focus on what truly mattered.
Another important lesson was learning to say "no" more often. With fewer hours in the week, we had to be much more selective about the tasks and commitments we took on. Saying "yes" to everything no longer fit into our new structure, so we became more intentional about evaluating what aligned with our goals and values. This required setting clearer boundaries and being confident in turning down opportunities or projects that weren’t a priority.
While it was difficult at first, saying "no" allowed us to focus on the work that drove genuine value.
As we continue to adjust the four-day workweek, we’re excited about what lies ahead. The biggest realisation has been that our work and lives aren’t separate—they’re intertwined. By focusing on well-being and intentionally rethinking how we work, we’ve made room for a more fulfilling life, both professionally and personally.
We’re also aware that the four-day workweek is not a one-size-fits-all kind of thing. It’s not about cutting back to a set number of hours for everyone—it’s about creating a structure that supports the life you want to lead. For us, this approach has helped us achieve a balance that allowed us to truly thrive.
The decision to transition to a four-day workweek has been a game-changer for Staygold. It wasn’t an easy shift, but the benefits have far outweighed the challenges. By prioritising well-being, focusing on what truly matters, and embracing rest and intentional energy management, we’ve built a work environment that fosters creativity, productivity, and happiness.
If you’re thinking about trying a shorter workweek for yourself, take the time to evaluate what works for you. It may require some trial and error, but the payoff is worth it. Working less doesn’t mean sacrificing success—it can be the key to unlocking even more.
Ultimately, it’s not about how much time you spend working, but how well you use the time you have. And if we’ve learned anything from this transition, it’s that less truly can be more.
And if you need some advice with the transition, just hit us up. We’d love to hear from you and share what we’ve learned along the way!