Rethinking the 8-Hour Work Day (Because You’re Not a Robot)
An 8-hour workday doesn’t mean 8 hours of deep, focused work.
Most jobs require 8 hours of your time, not 8 hours of peak cognitive performance. And yet, many of us expect ourselves to be “on” the entire time.
Our brains aren’t built for that. Deep work uses energy. Energy runs out. Ignoring this leads to burnout, not better results.
This isn’t an invitation to do less. It’s about working more realistically and sustainably.
Know when your energy is highest and use that time for focused work.
Plan admin, email, or meetings for your lower-energy hours.
Build in short breaks to protect your brain and recharge.
Stop expecting yourself to be a robot.
