The Grafton Voice

“Work Less and Play More” By Janet Tanguay In 2004, I left a job I had held for ten years. just one month shy of my tenth anniversary. I just couldn’t imagine myself working there one more day. There are a myriad of reasons I left that I won’t get into here. Leaving this job was the best decision I’ve ever made. I’ve never looked back. I’m writing this essay now to advocate for the shorter work week. When it came time for me to find a new job, I knew that negotiation was going to be key and negotiated a four-day work week. At the time, this was a unique concept. I also own a small business, Art n Soul, www.artnsoulinc.com, and I wanted to keep Fridays open to concentrate on my business. I’m a Creativity Coach, Fun is part of my business. I create art and help others understand the business of art by representing creative types in getting their work seen in galleries and corporate office space. Now, I have a large office with a window in an environment that respects a flexible schedule. Then, the entire company decided to ‘go green’ and save gas by encouraging everyone to take a four-day work week. We are one of the few companies in the area to do this. A four-day work week requires us to work longer but we’re all in it together. The way I see it is that if I have to get up in the morning to go to a job anyway, I might as well stay as long as I can. Plus, I love having what feels like a vacation every week. Over the hump day is on Tuesday afternoon and Thursday is now my Friday. I look forward to coming to work on Monday because I’ve had enough time off to relax, do what I need to get done and I sometimes actually miss going to work. I help people start new businesses and I’m incredibly refreshed by new business concepts and the energy of entrepreneurship. I wonder why more companies aren’t adopting the four-day work week. The benefits far outweigh the risks. You just have to get out of the 9 to 5 mindset. There’s a book out there called “The Four Hour Work Week” by Timothy Ferris. That’s what I’m aiming for. You can find ways to earn money while sitting on a beach. For instance, I’m a rep for SendOutCards.com. I get paid every time someone sends out a birthday card. I have royalties from books, CDs, and posters. . I’m an affiliate for companies I do businesses with like Moo.com.. All of this gives me a mobile lifestyle. I can go anywhere and still operate my business. I’m having a mini-retirement and my life is filled with more of the important things in life. People take themselves and their jobs too seriously. Unless you’re a rocket scientist, your job isn’t rocket science and the world probably won’t end if you don’t get that paperwork finished. This essay, “Work Less and Play More,” by Janet Tanguay, a proponent of the four (or three) day work week. This essay was read by Mike Schwabe. If you truly want to live your dreams, start creating them now by working less and playing more. To order Janet Tanguay’s CD “Getting Unstuck: Creative Ways to Work Less and Play More” visit www.artnsoulinc.com and order it on her Products page. This essay is under copyright by janet Tanguay and is used here by permission of the author.