The 4/10 Work Schedule: Where Every Weekend Is a Mini Vacation

Imagine squeezing your full-time job into four days instead of the usual five. Sounds intense? Maybe a bit. But what if I told you that in return, you get a three-day weekend, every single week? Welcome to the 4/10 work schedule, where you work four days for ten hours each and then hit the pause button for a three-day chill fest.

Let's meet Jenna, a graphic designer who swapped her traditional schedule for the 4/10 life. "At first, I thought it was a typo in the HR email," Jenna laughs. "Ten-hour days sounded like a marathon I hadn't signed up for. But the promise of long weekends was too sweet to pass up."

The Day-to-Day on 4/10

Jenna quickly learned that the 4/10 schedule isn't just about surviving those ten-hour days; it's about thriving in them. "You find your rhythm," she says. "Coffee at eight, headphones on, and you're in the zone. Suddenly, it's lunch, more coffee, and then you power through the afternoon like a rockstar on a deadline."

"It's like being in college during finals week, except every week, and without the exams," she chuckles.

The Perks: More Time for, Well, Everything!

But it's not just about the work. For Jenna, the real magic happens when Friday rolls around, and while everyone else is groaning about one more day, she's already in weekend mode. "I can do a yoga class, a beach trip, and a Netflix binge all in one weekend, and still have time to dread Monday like everyone else."

The Challenges: It's a Sprint, Not a Stroll

Yet, it's not all sunny weekends and beach trips. Ten-hour days can stretch your stamina and test your sanity. "By hour nine, my playlist starts sounding like it's mocking me," Jenna admits. "And trying to schedule anything after work? Forget it. It's dinner, decompress, and bed."

The Adjustment: A Work in Progress

Jenna also notes the adjustment period wasn't just for her; her friends and family had to get used to her new availability. "My mom still calls me on Friday mornings to chat, forgetting I'm still at work," she says, smiling. "But they love that I can take a long weekend trip without using any vacation days."

Is the 4/10 Right for You?

For those considering a switch, Jenna suggests weighing your options. "If you can handle bursts of intensity and cherish those extra off days, it’s worth a shot. It’s a bit like high-intensity interval training, but for your work life."

So, if you're tired of the same old five-day grind and you're ready for a change in tempo, maybe it's time to give 4/10 a chance. Who knows? You might just find that having a mini vacation every week is exactly what your work-life balance needed.