I don’t work Tuesday or Friday unless it’s a holiday that prevented me from working M/W/Th or I want to work some extra time for a specific purpose (let’s be real, I never want to do that unless it’s a speaking engagement, fun networking event, or I am onboarding a new team member and need to get them up to speed faster).
And I will be honest, I used to feel guilty about not working all the time. I remember what it was like when I did the 70-80-90 hours weeks, and I still get shit for nothing working all the time.
But no one, seriously, no one is sitting there on their deathbed thinking “you know…I should have put in more long hours at the office” And, especially for our lawyer colleagues (if not us directly)…the overwork accelerates that death bed to show up MANY years before it should.
So…and I cannot stress this enough…what’s the point of doing all of this if you’re just going to be miserable and working 24/7? There is no shame in going to work for someone else if that’s going to make you happy and more well adjusted and ultimately able to enjoy a better life.
But don’t take my word for it, here are 5 reasons WHY you should take a day off every week:
1) The Gandalf Gambit: Saying ‘No’ to Overcommitment 
Taking a weekday off forces you to be more selective about your commitments. It’s like Gandalf standing firm at the Bridge of Khazad-dûm, deciding what gets to pass and what doesn’t. This selective approach leads to more meaningful and impactful work.
Parkinson’s Law tells us that (absent an external limit) work expands to fill the time allotted. Well…what better limit than not working one day during the week?
This forces you to actually think about “should my firm be doing this?” or “should I be the one doing this?” If you don’t just allow yourself time to do MORE, and instead start thinking about what SHOULD fill that time with you can be more intentional and therefore have control over your work life.
Science backs this up: a study from Stanford shows that productivity plummets when we work long hours without a break. It’s like trying to force-push through a marathon without rest – even Luke Skywalker would need a breather!
2. The Coulson Catalyst: Inspiring Team Cohesion
Taking a midweek break can be likened to Agent Coulson’s pivotal role in ‘The Avengers’. Just as his absence (death…so don’t die) is what ultimately united the Avengers, stepping away from your firm can catalyze your team to come together and solve problems independently.
This absence is more than a day off; it’s a trust exercise that places faith in your team’s abilities, much like Coulson’s sacrifice did for the Avengers. It tests and reveals the strength of your team dynamics, policies and procedures, and training. It also might show you who slacks off when you aren’t around…
By stepping back, you provide an opportunity for your team to collaborate, innovate, and develop the confidence to tackle challenges head-on, strengthening your firm’s resilience and cohesion in ways that being constantly present never could.
3. “The Gandalf Gambit: Stepping Back to Move Forward”
Incorporating a midweek break is akin to Gandalf’s strategic retreats in ‘The Lord of the Rings.’ Just as Gandalf would withdraw to gather information or forge alliances, your time away is a crucial period for rejuvenation and reflection.
Harvard Business Review supports this with research suggesting that stepping away from work can significantly boost creativity and problem-solving skills.
So this isn’t just about giving your team space to grow (though that’s a fantastic benefit – see #2); it’s about enhancing your own leadership abilities. By stepping back, you’re sharpening your mind, you’re coming back with a new perspective and a well of cutting edge ideas, ready to lead your team with vigor, insight, and maybe a little extra patience.
4. The Flash’s Speedy Errands: Midweek Personal Time
Running errands on weekends is like joining a race you can never win. Flip the script and do them on your weekday off. You’ll be zipping through chores with the speed of The Flash, leaving your weekends free for relaxation or networking.
This applies to having fun too! As I write this I know almost half a dozen people in Orlando for spring break and they’ve all mentioned the long lines…well no better way to save that time in line then enjoying life during the week on a random day.
5. The Ghostbusters Gambit: Who You Gonna Call?
Weekends are prime time for networking, client meetings, and community events. By taking a weekday off, you’re free to attend that golf game or charity event, networking with potential clients who are only available on weekends, just like the Ghostbusters ready for weekend ghost-catching!
As I mentioned in my TopGolf article (or if that hasn’t come out yet…just tease it) sometimes you want to prioritize during the week networking…but other times you know people who just cannot “swing” it (yes that was an intended golf pun/dad joke).
To be clear, if you’re going to do this consistency you might take TWO days a week off (like Tuesday and Friday like a certain Hawaiian Shirt Wearing Lawyer you know and like)
So there you go, 5 reasons to take a day off during the week and still get more done. Who does this already? Who wants to be able to do this? Let me know by leaving a comment on this newsletter and I will see you back here next week.
Until then, have a great weekend!