Down to two days a week in the office!

[Caesar_X]

A few months ago I left my job at a very successful entertainment software company because it was getting too regimented and stressful. There were a number of companies who quickly showed interest in me. But I ended up taking a 6-month 30-hour/week contract with another software company, and I'm so glad I did!

My last company finally closed the door on me working from home, and they expected butt in chair everyday. Those days were filled with meeting after meeting and I never felt like I was getting anything done.

But the new company is very telecommute-friendly. And I started my contract by working in the office M-W, telecommuting on Thursdays, and off on Fridays.

After my boss gave me a glowing review this week, I responded with, "You know, I'm really getting a lot done when I'm focused at home. Maybe I should work at home on Tuesdays as well." He just nodded and said, "Definitely. Whatever keeps you going is fine by me!"

So now I still go into the city twice a week for face time and to get my (few) meetings out of the way. And I have two stress-free days working at home (and one day off) where I have plenty of opportunities to work on my own projects, take a bike ride, or go to a cafe to write.

I really couldn't be happier, and all I had to do was ask!

[padma]

That's what I'm talking about! Great to see the 4hww in practice and it is a great motivational story.

[Randy McIntosh]

It's very impressive what can be achived by simply asking. Best of luck to you!

[workhunter455]

Great job! Another success story. Sounds like your happy,and they are happy too. Win-win. Keep up the good work. Would love to hear how your going to use that free time. Write a book? Work on your muse? Travel? Let us know. Your success inspires!

[nghs22]

congrats man. that's awesome!!

[Caesar_X]

Would love to hear how your going to use that free time. Write a book? Work on your muse? Travel? Let us know. Your success inspires!

Thanks for the positive thoughts, everyone! I feel very blessed right now.

I've certainly been keeping busy with my free time. Collaborative lunches with other experts in my field, informational interviews with other companies, brainstorming book and website ideas and writing whenever I can.

My wife is still working 40-50 hours a week, so mini-vacations are easiest for her. But we are also spending two weeks in Italy this summer, staying in a 400 year old converted farmhouse free of charge!!

Last year I lived one of my dreams when we stayed on a tiny deserted island off the coast of Belize. This year I plan on living another one of my dreams of driving a race car on the famous Nurburgring in Germany.

And back home I always make time for hiking in the hills or riding my bike along the beach where I live. And my wife loves that dinner is on the table when she gets home:)

You just have to squeeze the fun in wherever you can.

[EditorDude]

Absolutely - life is for living - and if anything, the 4hww is a reminder of that - well done.

[badhank]

good stuff!

[David-Andrew]

Sounds good! As this was your position in 2008, maybe you can write us a new thread about how you are doing today?

[Caesar_X]

Wow, it's cool to look back at this post almost a year ago. Thanks for the reminder!

I'm still in a similar situation as I was back when I posted this. "Working" Monday-Thursday with two (short) afternoons in the office and every Friday off. I get paid for 30 hours a week but really spend about 10-12 working.

And the kicker here is that when I reuped my contract late last year, I asked for and received a yearly review even though I am a consultant. So when I got my (excellent) review last month, I actually got a rate increase! Not bad in a down economy. (Remember, never hurts to ask)

In fact I just took a break last week to go skiing for a celebration and it was great!

This year I'm getting smarter and planning a number of short and medium length trips. Already I have planned Dallas, Seattle, Colorado (to spend a week on a 500 acre ranch riding horses) and two weeks in northern Italy.

I've been using my extra time writing, helping some friends out with their Facebook and iPhone games, and spending time with my little "niece" (best friend's baby) who we like to call Peanut.

I've been learning a helluva lot about internet marketing lately, and I am trying to separate the wheat from the chaff so I can get my own side business going.

Thank you for reminding me just how lucky I am:)

[David-Andrew]

Thank you for reminding me just how lucky I am:)

No thanks, you deserve it :-)

[officer_dibble]

Nice one. Well done. I managed something similar last year (although not perhaps quite so radical).

I managed to persuade my manager to allow me to work from one of our smaller offices - which allowed me to move out of London (away from the traffic, noise, people, long commute) and exchange it all for a walk along a river to work in a small quiet office.

It was a tricky thing as I manage a team myself but thanks to video conferencing, more effective use of email and meetings - I now only spend a couple of days a week in London (and increasingly reducing this to one).

I have a lot less stress and I'm considerably more productive (my recent performance review highlighted this) - which since I work for a charity is a much more effective use of this particular human resource - and also the reason I'm not really looking to work less (only be more effective in a job I love).

The next jump may be a tricker one to organise - I would like to eventually move overseas and timezones.