# 16 Hours of Work per Week By:: [[Brian Heath]] 2023-01-23 Many studies show that deep work is hard to come by when one is constantly interrupted. Often this deep work reveals something critical or insightful that has the potential for significant impact. Yet, work is full of interruptions in the form of meetings that stop deep work from happening. On average, I have spent nearly 60% of my time in meetings since entering corporate America. That number continues to get larger as one climbs the ladder. If we assume people spend 40 hours per week at work, then we are only working 16 hours by my estimation. This is eerily close to what famed economist Keynes estimated the average work week would be in 2030 based on economic productivity gains in the last century. This makes me wonder if we haven't actually far exceeded Keynes's estimate of 15 hours per week because our work day is such an unproductive disaster of interruptions. If we had eight solid hours of uninterrupted work, would that be enough for the entire week? Instead, we only get to work in 30-minute increments, and it takes 15 minutes to remember where you left off. However, 16 hours of work is probably about right in a well run self-organized venture. Each person gets one full uninterrupted day to perform deep, meaningful work, followed by one day to communicate, collaborate, and integrate with the rest of the team. What do you do with the other three days? Develop, learn, grow, and rest. The best ideas come when you aren't trying to make them happen. They happen when you take a walk or talk with a loved one. "Sunday Scaries" will be gone. Instead, I guarantee we'll start looking forward to the next work day. #### Related Items [[Work]] [[Business]] [[Economics]] [[Productivity]]