The 40 Hour Work Week Trap (And How To Escape)

You Can Thank Henry Ford For The 5-Day Work Week

Before you get mad at Henry Ford for inventing the 5 day work week, get this…

Did you know we used to have a 6 day work week?

It’s true, and Ford actually reduced that when he introduced the 5 day standard to Ford workers in the 1920s.

But times have changed.

We’re not in the industrial era anymore, where productivity was measured by how many hours you could put into an assembly line. That sh*t was over 100 years ago.

The 40-hour workweek is no longer the optimal way to get things done.

The problem with Ford's model is that it treats work as a linear process, something you can keep doing for 8 hours a day, 5 days a week, without a drop in quality. Just like an assembly line.

That might have worked in the factory setting, but it doesn't align with how people function in the modern world.

We’re in the digital age, where knowledge work, creativity, and strategic thinking are the currencies that matter.

Yet, most of us are still clinging to this outdated model like it’s the gospel of productivity.

If you want to get ahead and achieve real success, here’s how to break free from this framework.

Why the 5-Day, 40-Hour Work Week Is Too Much Today

We’re no longer on assembly lines, churning out products hour after hour.

Today, most of us are knowledge workers, creatives, or entrepreneurs.

Our work depends on focus, creativity, and strategic thinking.

And here's the hard truth: the brain isn't designed to operate at peak performance for 8 hours straight.

Research shows that the average person is only truly productive for about 3 to 4 hours a day.

That means the remaining hours are spent in a haze of low productivity...just going through the motions.

Yet, we’re stuck in this outdated framework, sitting at our desks for 8 hours because it’s what we’ve been conditioned to do.

It's not just a drain on productivity. It’s a drain on life.

You spend your best hours working, and by the time you clock out, you're too exhausted to pursue anything else…whether it’s a side hustle, personal development, or even just spending quality time with loved ones.

And we’re even taught to obey this structure from a young age all throughout school.

School systems are designed to mimic the 9-to-5 workday. You wake up early, sit in a classroom for hours, get a short break, and then go back to more tasks.

This is where we're taught to fall in line, follow schedules, and prepare for a life of working long hours.

By the time you enter the workforce, you've been conditioned to think that this is normal.

But just because something is the norm doesn't mean it's right or effective.

Other Countries Doing It Differently

If you think the 40-hour workweek is a universal standard, think again.

Several countries have realized that this model isn’t the best way to maximize productivity or ensure a balanced life.

Take Sweden, for example. They’ve experimented with a 6-hour workday, aiming to boost productivity and employee well-being.

The results?

Increased efficiency, less burnout, and employees who are more engaged when they are on the clock. It turns out, when people aren’t drained from long work hours, they get more done in less time.

Spain has a cultural tradition that stands out: the siesta. While not all Spaniards take a mid-day break in modern times, the idea of resting in the middle of the day to recharge is ingrained in their culture.

This break allows people to split their workday into more manageable chunks, offering time to rest and recover before diving back in. It acknowledges that people are not machines…they need rest to perform at their best.

And then there's Japan, known for its intense work culture. Interestingly, Japan has been pushing for "work-life balance" reforms due to the high rates of burnout and even death from overwork (known as "karoshi").

They've started to implement mandatory time off and encourage shorter working hours to address the issue.

This shows that even countries known for their work ethic recognize the dangers of the 40-hour model when taken to extremes.

Breaking Free From the 40-Hour Trap

To break out of this cycle, you need to reclaim your time.

The key is to recognize that work isn’t about the hours you put in, it's about the value you create.

And this is exactly how I escaped the 40 hour work week and started my online training business.

I simply got amazing results for people with less time, which allowed me to scale my business bigger and faster than anyone else.

If you can get your most important work done in four focused hours, why should you chain yourself to a desk for eight?

You need to challenge the system by restructuring your day and taking control of how you spend your energy.

And this is why I always preach about trading RESULTS for money instead of trading TIME. Because if you can create the results, why does it matter how much time was used up?

In fact, I’ve seen plenty of studies that have proven workers will waste up to 64% of their time on checking email, social media, and staring at the ceiling during a mandatory 8 hour shift. What’s productive about that?

My point is, we are in an age where we can get SO much more done in less time. And yet we are still chained to our desks working for a salary that’s based on time.

Here are a few ways to reclaim some of your time or even break free of the 40 hour work week:

Work in focused bursts and then take deliberate breaks to recharge.

It might look like working intensely for 90 minutes and then taking a 15-minute break to reset. This allows you to maintain high levels of focus without burning out.

One of the most popular methods to use is the Pomodoro Method. It works like this: choose a task, set a timer for 25 minutes, and focus on that task without interruption. When the timer goes off, take a five minute break.

Each 25-minute work session is called a pomodoro. After completing four “pomodoros” in succession, take a 30-minute break.

Another way to escape the 5-day grind is by setting up your week with more flexibility.

Consider adopting a 4-day workweek where you work longer hours for those four days and take the fifth day completely off.

Or, distribute your work differently throughout the week.

If you’re an entrepreneur, this flexibility allows you to carve out dedicated time for personal projects or skill building without sacrificing your income.

The Next "Henry Ford" of Work

The reality is, we’re due for a new revolution in how we work.

The next "Henry Ford" will redefine what work looks like in a world where technology and mental well being take center stage.

This person will understand that productivity isn't about time on the clock…it's about creating an environment where people can do their best work in less time.

Imagine a world where the standard is a 4-day workweek with 6-hour days, focusing on deep work and high output.

Employees have the flexibility to work during their peak hours, whether that’s early in the morning or late at night.

Offices are no longer designed for 9-to-5 occupancy but are places people visit when collaboration is necessary.

Otherwise, remote and hybrid models dominate, allowing people to work in settings where they feel most productive.

In countries like Iceland, where trials of a shorter workweek have shown significant success, the future of work seems more promising.

They saw not only maintained productivity but also improvements in well-being. If this trend continues, it's only a matter of time before these new work models gain traction in the U.S.

We’re not just talking about having Fridays off. We’re talking about a complete shift in how we view work life balance.

The future pioneer will challenge the outdated norms and push for schedules that recognize human limits.

This means more emphasis on outcomes over hours, flexibility in where and when people work, and the integration of rest as a vital component of productivity.

So if you’re one of those office workers tied to a desk for 8 hours a day with no escape or flexibility, waiting for the next champion of work life balance is your best bet.

Either that or quit your job like I did and start a business. Me personally, I couldn’t wait for sh*t to change anymore.

If the money really isn’t worth ALL the time you’re using driving, working, and sitting at desk, then drop it.

You’re limiting yourself because you subscribe to an archaic system that was invented over 100 years ago.

You can also try to find a part time job that’s remote and pays well. That’s the ultimate goal honestly if you don’t want to take the entire entrepreneurial plunge.

Then, incorporate a side hustle to supplement your income that you have 100% control over and set your own hours.

The BMM Takeaway

Henry Ford’s 5-day workweek was a step forward in its time, but it's become a cage for modern workers.

It’s up to you to break free and create a new framework for your life.

The 40-hour model is outdated, especially in a world that demands more creativity, focus, and flexibility. You have the power to redefine what work looks like for you.

Don't wait for the world to catch up. Be your own trailblazer. Challenge the norms, experiment with your schedule, and find what makes you the most productive and fulfilled.