Monday is back again and after another weekend that was simply not long enough, it only makes sense to talk about the 4-day workweek. Iceland figured it out. Why can’t we?!

here* is what we’ve got this week:

• Jonathan Haidt casting call for young people to be in his ‘Anxious Generation’ documentary

• Expert-backed ways to get out of your own way with perfectionism

• Job opps we’re loving

• A call to action for normalizing the 4-day work week in the US

Mental health and work are ever-evolving (it’s exhausting). here* is the latest.

• In a recent study, the CDC found more mental health woes among white collar workers.

• The way you breathe may be as unique to you as your fingerprint.

• Jonathan Haidt’s team is making a documentary to accompany his best-selling book The Anxious Generation, and they’re looking for young people to tell their story. 

There are only 24 hours in the day. here* are your weekly wellness shortcuts.

• Traveling this summer? Consider keeping a travel journal.

• Next time you’re struggling to focus, take 10 seconds and try this hack, backed by neuroscience.

• If perfectionism is getting in the way of your productivity, take a look at this expert advice.

here* are some jobs we think are actually good for your brain.

• Purpose: Communications Manager with Ballmer Group Philanthropy, an org committed to improving economic mobility for children and families in the US.

• Progress: Account Manager with Better Together Agency, Black woman-founded, AI-forward communications agency built for this moment.

• Clarity: Account Executive role with Sprout Social, a powerful social media management platform for businesses.

Things we’re loving atm.

• These Loop ear plugs to help reduce noise for the overstimulated.

• This Pomodoro method timer perfect for when you’re burnt the f*ck out and can’t focus.

• My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh, a perfect summer travel read exploring real themes of loneliness and friendship.

It’s time to rethink full-time work.

The 4-day workweek is having a moment. Not because everyone suddenly got generous, but because burnout is expensive and turnover is annoying.

And also, because it works.

This shift is being led by organizations striving for better outcomes in performance, retention, and mental health and the leaders who are tired of solving burnout with toolkits instead of policy.

So what about Iceland?

Between 2015 and 2019, Iceland tested a reduced workweek for a group of public employees. Hours dropped from 40 to around 36. Pay stayed the same. Workers used the time to rest, care for family, and handle life outside of work.

Five years later, the model expanded. Today, nearly 90 percent of Iceland’s workforce has access to reduced-hour contracts. Productivity stayed steady or improved. Stress and burnout dropped. Sick days became less frequent. Job satisfaction increased.

The APA’s findings show similar results in the U.S. Four-day workweeks are linked to higher well-being, stronger engagement, and more stability. When asked what would help reduce burnout, workers consistently say the same thing: more time.

Can we please be next?!

Leaders worry about productivity. They don’t want to lose output. But the data tells a different story. In trial after trial, people get more done in fewer hours when meetings are streamlined and focus is protected. They stop spending energy pretending to be productive and start using their time more intentionally.

The challenge isn’t effort. It’s structure. If you’re in a position to influence how time works at your organization, now is the time to ask a few questions.

• Is the current schedule supporting your people’s ability to do good work?

• Do people have time to recover before their energy runs out?

• Are you measuring output or presence?

We’re here for you.

Our work supports organizations that want to test or implement 4-day workweeks. We help teams restructure meetings, clarify expectations, and track outcomes that matter. The process is simple. The shift is measurable.

If you’re ready to explore what shorter weeks could look like in practice, let’s talk.

Or send this to someone who’s trying to keep their team engaged while holding everything together.

That’s all for this week.

We’ll be back in your inbox next Monday. Until then, we’d love to hear from you. Let us know what content you liked or what you’d like to see more of in the next issue. You can always reply to this email for a response from me!

<3

Meg

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