Being productive in business no longer relies wholly on human labor. Instead, technology is doing more and more of the heavy lifting when it comes to productivity. As Inc. magazine points out, for decades studies and economists have shown that working 40 or more hours a week actually is less productive than working less.
Globally, the average work week and actual productivity varies from country to country. According to PGi, the world’s largest dedicated provider of collaboration software, the Danes, Dutch and Norwegians work some of the fewest hours of any nationality, but consistently top global rankings of happiness, while each country is doing relatively well economically. A Dane is quoted by a Washington Post reporter researching global productivity that, “Here, if you can’t get your work done in the standard 37 hours a week, you’re seen as inefficient.”
Old school rationale says longer hours bring more productivity, but new research tells a different story. According to the Organization for Economic Co-Operating and Development (OECD) and The Economist, it actually means the exact opposite.
Statistics compiled by PGi show that Germany leads in productivity even though the country averages only 35 work hours per week. In fact, the statistics show that overall, productivity and disposable income seem to increase as annual hours worked decrease! This is counterintuitive, especially in the traditional work force where long hours often are perceived by employers as a sign not only of high productivity, but also of commitment.
The question is obvious: why do fewer work hours per week lead to increased productivity? The answer, in a nutshell, is that employees who work shorter hours tend to suffer less stress and illness, and therefore are more productive hour for hour. Employees who work shorter hours also have a far lower risk of burnout, are happier overall and tend to stay with a single employer, longer.
According to PGi, work hours and personal hours are no longer easily distinguishable. For example: work emails, schedules and documents are now easily accessed on mobile devices and laptops, bringing the workplace to virtually any place that has an internet connection.
That said, network marketers have always been at liberty to work fewer than the standard 40 hours weekly. Network marketers have always been able to decide for themselves how much or little to work: the decision is not dictated by the company, because network marketers are self-employed—the true definition of Independent Business Owners!
As the workplace evolves, the lines between business and personal lives become more and more blurred. Again, this mixing of business and personal lives defines network marketing. For example, certain high-achieving LifePharm IBOs recently completed a Mediterranean cruise from Barcelona, Spain to Rome and Naples, Italy. The trip was an incentive they earned, so would you call this luxurious trip, “work”? Would you call it a “personal vacation”? If you talk to the participating IBOs, virtually all will tell you, “both.” And they will tell you this is one of the main reasons they continue to work hard—the rewards are great and they are in charge of their own hours.
How can you be sure you are being as productive as possible in your business? Collaboration experts have determined there are a few essential facets to working smarter and not longer.
Many LifePharm IBOs work their businesses part-time, while others not only work it full- time, but even eat, sleep and breathe their businesses. Either way, commit to leading a balanced life, not just focused on work—you may be surprised that your productivity goes up.