If I gave you back an entire workday each week, no strings attached, what would you do with it?
For most business owners, the idea sounds both dreamy and dangerous. Dreamy because we’d all love more time, and dangerous because the moment you step away, things might unravel.
What if it was possible to claw back a full day without losing momentum and not only that, but you might even gain it. When used intentionally, space in your schedule can drive sharper thinking, better decisions and ultimately, stronger results.
If your days are bursting at the seams, chances are you’re not overcommitted, you’re overloaded with low-value activity. It’s the endless check-ins that chew up your mornings, the spreadsheets you update but never use, the admin habits you kept from when things were simpler but never stopped to question.
These activities drain energy, dilute focus, and crowd out space for the strategic thinking your business needs.
No one ever talks about the hidden tax we pay for always being “on”. Every time we say yes to the non-essential, we say no to the meaningful and we end up being busy but not necessarily better off.
We’ve been taught to think that with progress comes doing more – more effort, more tools, more hours, but what if the real unlock is removing?
One of the biggest myths in business is that empty time equals wasted time. In reality, thinking space is one of the highest-yield activities you can invest in.
We’ve known for years, and the science confirms it, that our brains aren’t wired for non-stop output. Cognitive fatigue builds up over time, and without meaningful recovery, we lose clarity, creativity and decision-making quality. Taking a full day off isn’t indulgent, it’s necessary.
Extended breaks, not just lunch-hour pauses, allow your brain to reset fully. When you deliberately step back, you return sharper, more focused, and able to do in less time what would otherwise take double the effort.
6 ways to reclaim time without losing momentum
Here are six practical ways to reclaim time (and maybe a whole day) without losing momentum:
1. Audit a week of work
Track your time over five days. Look for repeat tasks, unnecessary admin, or habits that no longer serve the business. Most small business owners uncover at least five to 10 hours of reclaimable time.
2. Cut one recurring commitment
Pick one standing meeting, report or task that doesn’t genuinely drive outcomes. Cancel it or shorten it and protect that freed-up time from being refilled by default.
3. Batch admin and communication
Block out one to two dedicated windows each week for emails, approvals and admin. Avoid doing them on the fly. Batching shallow work opens up deeper time elsewhere.
4. Delegate or delay low-impact tasks
Ask yourself: “Does this need to be done? And do I need to be the one doing it?” If not, delegate or drop it. The more you offload, the more space you create.
5. Declare a low-touch day
Nominate one day a week (like Friday) for no meetings or minor requests. Let your team and clients know. Use it to plan, think, or take the day completely and watch how little breaks.
6. Automate one task
Choose one repetitive admin task, such as follow-ups, invoice reminders or scheduling, and automate it. Even saving 30 minutes per week adds up quickly over time.
Uncover smarter choices
The four-day workweek is catching on, and for good reason. When businesses remove the clutter of unnecessary meetings, repetitive tasks and outdated routines, they often discover that the real work gets done faster and better. With one less day in the week, teams become more focused, plan with intention, communicate more clearly, and cut down on wasted effort.
Working fewer days encourages smarter choices. Time feels more valuable, so people use it more wisely. With regular space to rest and recharge, they return to work with clearer thinking and better energy. I’ve seen teams become more productive, not because they’re pushing harder, but because they’re finally aligned with how humans actually work best.
Taking back time is a leadership move. Creating space signals to your team that thoughtfulness matters. That action without alignment isn’t the goal. That results come not from doing more, but from doing more of what works. A rested, focused leader or team will always outperform a tired, overextended one.
So, if you’re tempted to dismiss the idea of clawing back a day, ask yourself this instead: What could become possible if I did?
