Do You Brush Your Teeth Before Or After Coffee?
I’ve spent my life working hard. First, in uniform as a military officer, where every hour was accounted for. Now, as a family man and professional, where the workday often stretches beyond the clock, and the real mission begins when I walk through the door at home.
Here’s the truth I’ve come to accept: we’re running ourselves down. As a nation of workers, we’ve built routines that leave us exhausted Monday through Friday, only to “recover” Saturday and Sunday—if that. And even then, weekends often turn into chores, errands, and the busywork of life.
So here’s the question: what if we restructured the week itself? What if we permanently extended the weekend, shifting to a three-day or even four-day work week?
The Military Lens: Efficiency Over Time
In the Army, we learned that productivity is not about how many hours you log but how effectively you execute the mission. A well-trained team could accomplish in six hours what another might drag through in twelve. The same principle applies in civilian life: meetings that could be emails, work stretched thin across five days, and burnout that actually reduces performance.
If we cut one or two days from the workweek, we would be forced to focus on outcomes, not hours. Deadlines would sharpen, priorities would become clearer, and wasted time would disappear.
Health as an Asset, Not a Side Note
As a father, I’ve seen how much energy it takes to raise kids, coach little league, and be present at the dinner table. But by Friday, I often show up tired. My health—physical, mental, and emotional—has already been taxed by the week.
Science backs this up: shorter workweeks are linked to lower stress, better sleep, and reduced risk of chronic illness. A rested worker is not only happier but sharper. And a healthier society doesn’t just save lives—it saves billions in healthcare costs.
More Time, Stronger Families
Family is the unit of readiness in civilian life, just as the platoon is in the military. When families are strong, communities thrive. When parents are stretched thin, kids suffer.
Imagine an America where every parent has an extra day to attend games, teach life lessons, or just sit with their kids over breakfast. Where couples have an extra day to recharge together instead of running from task to task. Where elders are cared for because someone actually has the bandwidth to show up.
That’s not laziness—it’s leadership.
The Economy Adjusts—It Always Has
The 40-hour workweek was once radical. Now it’s the norm. But history shows that economies adapt. Technology, automation, and better workflow tools mean we’re more productive per hour than any generation before us. We can afford to recalibrate.
And think about it: with an extra day or two off, people will spend more. They’ll travel, eat out, start side businesses, volunteer, and engage in their communities. Extending the weekend could ignite whole new sectors of the economy.
The Veteran’s Conclusion
I don’t believe in working less—I believe in working smarter, with purpose. We should permanently extend weekends not because we’re weak, but because we’re strong enough to admit when the old model no longer serves us.
For me, it’s about showing up better—for my family, my work, and myself. Three to four days of work, paired with three to four days of life, might just be the balance that makes us healthier, sharper, and more productive than ever.
And that’s a mission worth fighting for.