Why I Went Down to a 4-day work week, How I Prepared for It, and How I Still Grossed More Than I Ever Have Before | Photography Business Coach
In a world where hustle and burnout are often the norm, the concept of a 4-day work week might sound like a distant dream. But what if I told you that it's not only achievable but can also lead to a more balanced, fulfilling, and successful career in your business?
Transitioning to a four-day workweek while maintaining the same income requires careful planning and adjustments, but it is 100% possible to do with the right planning and foresight! In this week's post, I will share my personal journey, insights, and the strategic steps I took to transition to a 4-day work week without compromising on the quality of my work or my income.
Why a 4-day workweek?
My why: Motherhood.
Becoming a mother was undoubtedly the driving force behind my decision to adopt a 4-day workweek in my photography business. It became my "why," my central motivation, and the cornerstone of my pursuit of a more balanced life.
For many years, photography has been my passion and my livelihood. It consumed my time and energy, and I was accustomed to the relentless demands of a 5-day workweek. However, when I found out that I was going to become a mother, everything changed. The impending arrival of a little one shifted my priorities and ignited a powerful desire for a different kind of life—one that allowed me to be present for my child's milestones, to nurture them, and to be there as she grew. I worked around the clock during my pregnancy during the pandemic to fill in every single gap of every current system in my business. I brought my team, my editors, and my virtual assistant up to speed on the new changes, new systems of procedures, and my new expectations.
I didn't want my photography business to be all-consuming anymore. I wanted it to enhance my life, not overshadow it. I wanted to stabilize my income while working less, and that is exactly what I did.
Here' how this transition played out:
Reevaluating Priorities:
Becoming a mom forced me to reassess my priorities.
Work-Life Integration:
I realized that a 4-day workweek wasn't just about having one less day at the office. It was about finding ways to integrate my work with my newfound responsibilities as a mother. This meant automating and scheduling EVERYTHING.
Setting Boundaries:
As a business owner, setting boundaries is essential. Before becoming a mama, I didn’t always exercise the healthiest ones! I communicated my win to the office. This allowed me to create dedicated creative time, dedicated admin time, and dedicated family time every single day Monday through Thursday while taking Fridays off entirely to be with my baby girl (priceless in all ways).
Delegating and Empowering My Team:
Building a strong team, as mentioned earlier, played a pivotal role. Luckily, I started building a team well before I became pregnant because it was in my business plan and life vision. With a capable team in place, I had the confidence to step away when necessary, knowing that the business was in good hands. When I say tea, I mean both an editing and post-production team and a virtual team that was my VA, my CRM consultant, and an educational consultant who oversees the coaching and education in my biz to ensure top-notch digestibility and quality.
Quality over Quantity:
My approach to work shifted from the quantity of projects to the quality of work and client relationships. For example, a typically high-end 10K wedding became much more appealing than 4 small elopements where I was managing 4 clients, 4 commutes, and 4 projects…NO thanks! Biggest bang for my buck both financially and with my precious time. I became more selective about the projects I took on, focusing on those that aligned with my values and allowed me to balance my professional and personal life effectively.
LAST BUT NOT LEAST: Systems!
The most essential component to successfully transitioning to a 4-day work week in my photography business was the establishment of systems. Building a strong foundation of systems not only streamlined my workflow but also paved the way for the expansion of my small but mighty team. I am not just talking about editing systems…but brand, marketing, financial, client management, and client relationship systems. They are the backbone and building blocks of my business.
These systems allowed me to manage my workload more effectively, ensuring that tasks were completed on time and nothing fell through the cracks.
Here's how I approached it:
Workflow Analysis: I began by meticulously analyzing my workflow. I identified recurring tasks, bottlenecks, and areas where I could optimize my processes. This step was critical and helped me let go of the “it’ll just be faster if I do it” mentality.
Automation + Tech Tools: To enhance my efficiency even more, I integrated various automation tools into my daily routine. These tools helped automate repetitive tasks like email responses, appointment scheduling, and even some aspects of photo editing, allowing me to focus on more creative and strategic aspects of my work.
AI as a post-production tool, not a human replacement: AI has become an invaluable photo editing tool, seamlessly integrated into my broader creative process, without replacing my human editors. It serves as a supportive tool that enhances my efficiency for my team. More on this topic soon!
Task Management Systems: Implementing a robust task management system was another game-changer. It helped me prioritize tasks, set deadlines, and delegate responsibilities, ensuring that nothing slipped through the cracks. I use Google Tasks, Notion with my team, and G-suite (Google Docs, Sheets + Drive!). Please note that I also use task management for my personal life so I am being realistic about that side of my life, too!
Client Management: Maintaining strong client relationships is crucial y’all! I invested in a customer relationship management (CRM) consultant to support me in building out new workflows as I transitioned to 4-days and grew my business. We work together to this day and she is amazing! Highly recommend Amy Gould! She is on the East Coast and works virtually.
By using systems as a foundation and gradually building a team, I was able to make the transition to a 4-day work week without sacrificing the quality of my work or my client relationships. It has been a transformative journey that not only improved my life but also elevated the overall success and sustainability of my photography business. Not to mention quality time with my daughter and Fridays off for life!
In my upcoming blog post + video, I'll delve deeper into practical strategies and emotional aspects of this transformation, sharing how I maintained my professional reputation while embracing the joys and challenges of motherhood.
So, if you've ever wondered how to balance a thriving career with a fulfilling family life, stay tuned for more insights from my personal journey.
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