This One Tip Could Transform Your Workday in 2024

"It is 6 p.m.," I think to myself. "I started work at 8 a.m. this morning, but I haven't finished everything I wanted to do. Maybe I could squeeze in another hour if I skip the gym or order takeout." Sound familiar? All too often we wind up working a little later or starting a little earlier to try to keep on top of workloads that seem to grow even faster than the cost of living.

The trouble is that working extra hours often makes us unproductive and impacts our personal finances. You might think that working double the amount of time will mean you do double the amount of work. But we aren't robots. Working extra hours is like trying to squeeze extra flavor out of a tea bag -- it gets weaker and weaker the more you try.

Longer hours are not always the answer

According to Slack's Workforce Index of 10,000 desk workers, almost 4 in 10 wind up working outside of their company's standard hours. Unfortunately, the survey also shows that those longer hours can often make us less productive and increase the risk of stress and workplace dissatisfaction. Employees who felt they had to work extra hours registered 20% lower productivity scores and were twice as likely to burn out.

Our number one work tip for 2024? Make the most of your work day, then log off and go and do something else. A 35 to 40 hour work week will likely mean you get more done each day and have a better quality of life outside the workplace.

Today's work-from-anywhere culture makes it easier than ever to blur the line between work and home. For example, many of us check our work emails at night and send work messages from restaurants or other social situations. Not only that, but many work cultures applaud people who put in extra hours.

Don't get me wrong. Working hard is something to be proud of. And there are times when there's a crisis or particularly intense period when you might need to do more. But regularly working outside office hours can impact your productivity and put you at risk of burnout. The World Health Organization says that working more than 55 hours a week is a "serious health hazard."

How to work fewer hours

Speaking from personal experience, overwork can trap you in an ever decreasing circle. Putting in extra hours makes you tired and less productive, which can mean you work even more and become even less productive. If that's your situation right now, it might be time for a rethink.

Look for ways to improve your focus and productivity rather than slogging away even more. Here are some steps you might take:

• Beware of time creep: There's a concept called Parkinson's Law, which says that work often expands to fill the time available. Don't let the day stretch. Instead, make a plan and commit to switching off your computer at a set time. You may find you are able to get more done in less time.
• Use productivity apps and time trackers: Apps can help you to make lists, follow daily plans, and prioritize your work -- all valuable tools when it comes to getting more done in less time.
• Talk to your boss: If you are having trouble keeping on top of your workload, it may be that you have too much on your plate. Try to provide specific examples of where your time goes and what would make your life easier.

The cost of long days

Financially speaking, there's a cost to working longer hours. Sure, you may be earning more money, particularly if you're putting extra hours toward a side hustle. However you may also be spending more. I know that when I'm working long hours, I spend more on transport, takeout dinners, grocery deliveries, and ready meals. For example, an OwlLabs study put the cost of buying lunch from the office at $16 a day, compared with just a couple of dollars for bringing your own.

If you have kids, those extra hours may mean you have to pay more for child care. Plus, healthcare costs related to stress and burnout can also be considerable. Harvard Business Review estimates burnout accounts for between $125 billion and $190 billion in annual U.S. healthcare spending. It is hard to quantify how much long hours cost us -- a lot depends on your habits and bank account balance.

To give you another example, we compared the convenience costs of shopping on Instacart versus Target's pickup service. The same 10 items cost $42.96 on Target's site and $51.40 on Instacart -- that's a difference of 20% before we even include delivery costs and a tip. Given that the Bureau of Labor Statistics says the average American spends around $475 on food at home, the convenience of using Instacart alone could set you back over $100 a month.

Key takeaway

The idea of working fewer hours and logging off at the end of the day may seem easier said than done. But it is possible. Making that commitment to yourself in 2024 could transform both your work and your personal life. You may even find you can save money along the way.