The Real Meaning of the Workweek: Why Gratitude for the Weekend Starts with Owning Your Days

Let’s Take You Back to Where It All Began: The Evolution of the Workweek and Why It's Time to Compete with a New Mindset

The original mindset around the workweek? It wasn’t the balanced, semi-cushy, Monday-to-Friday grinds you know today. In the early days of industrialization in the 19th and early 20th centuries, the concept of a "workweek" was raw, grueling, and entirely output-driven. Six days on the assembly line, 10+ hours a day, with Sunday as your only escape. This wasn’t about your well-being. It was about production—pure and simple.

The workweek, as we know it, wasn’t built on the idea of a balanced life; it was constructed on the notion of "How much can we squeeze out of you before you collapse?"

The Early "Workweek" Structure:

Before industrialization, there wasn’t even a concept of a formal “workweek.” People worked based on the seasons, the availability of sunlight, and the demands of their trade, most of which revolved around agriculture. Work wasn’t tied to a clock but rather to necessity. When the job was done, it was done. There was no “weekend” because there was no structured week.

But then came the Industrial Revolution—a time when the factory and assembly line took over, and productivity became the name of the game. The workweek became a harsh reality for many. Six days of non-stop labor, 10 to 12 hours per day, with a single day off, typically Sunday. This wasn’t for your mental health or personal rejuvenation; this was simply because even machines need time to cool down. You were expected to work until you could barely stand and then do it all again the next week.

Labor was about who could stay in the grind the longest. There was no consideration for balance or quality of life. The only goal was output.

The Ford Revolution

Then came a pivotal shift.

In 1926, Henry Ford—a visionary not just in automobile manufacturing but in understanding human nature and economic mechanics—implemented a five-day workweek at his factories. But let’s be clear: Ford wasn’t driven by altruism. He knew something crucial about productivity and human behavior. By giving workers more time off, they weren’t just happier; they were more productive. They would rest, come back more focused, and—here’s the kicker—they would have more time to spend money on the very products they were helping to create.

This was less about caring for worker well-being and more about fueling the economy. But regardless of his intentions, Ford’s decision would change the landscape of labor forever. He understood that downtime wasn’t just a luxury—it was essential for better output.

Ford’s insight fundamentally shifted the mindset around labor, setting the stage for the modern workweek. Productivity and balance were no longer mutually exclusive concepts.

The Labor Movement:

But that was just the beginning. The labor movement of the early 20th century continued to push for shorter work hours, fair wages, and humane working conditions. Workers and unions fought for more than just survival—they fought for respect, autonomy, and balance. Their efforts culminated in the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, which legally introduced the 40-hour workweek in the United States.

This was the first time that work was recognized as something that should have boundaries. It wasn’t about how much you could grind anymore; it was about how well you could work within a designated time frame. The mindset had evolved: workers were no longer just cogs in a machine; their well-being was now a factor in the productivity equation.

The Shift in Mindset is Today

The original mindset was about how much you worked, not how effectively you worked.

A study from Stanford University revealed that employee productivity sharply declines after working 50 hours per week. In fact, productivity drops significantly after 55 hours, and there's virtually no point in working beyond that. Employees working up to 70 hours accomplish little more than those working 55 hours. (Pencavel, 2014) Stanford University Study

For decades, the grind was glorified, and output measured success. But as labor reforms swept through and companies like Ford showed that balance could actually lead to better results, the idea of how we work started to shift. Rest and recuperation weren’t seen as a detriment to productivity anymore—they were now the very tools that fueled it.

This is where we see the evolution of the workweek mindset. The focus shifted from output for output’s sake to a more balanced approach where well-being, rest, and focused work took priority.

"The end of labor is to gain leisure."— Aristotle

Compete vs Surrender in Today’s Workweek:

Fast-forward to today and the workweek is being questioned again. Four-day work weeks, remote work and flexible hours are all on the table. The pandemic forced us to rethink the traditional office structure, and many businesses realized that employees could be even more productive outside the rigid 9-to-5.

But here’s the catch: As the workweek continues to evolve, we’re also seeing a resurgence of hustle culture—this idea that to be successful, you have to be “on” 24/7, that if you’re not constantly competing, you’re falling behind. But that mindset, frankly, is outdated. Just like Ford revolutionized the workweek nearly 100 years ago, we need a new mindset that balances competing and surrendering.

What This Means for You:

So, what does this mean for you as a leader, entrepreneur, or executive? It’s not just about competing in the traditional sense. It’s about competing wisely. It’s about knowing when to push forward and when to surrender. It’s about picking your battles.

The hustle culture has glorified constant grinding, but as we’ve seen over the past 100 years, the most productive moments often come when you pull back, reassess, and let go of the unnecessary.

You need to ask yourself: Are you competing for the sake of it, or are you competing with a strategy?

Competing is necessary in business, but knowing when to surrender is equally important. Surrendering doesn’t mean giving up—it means recognizing when something is no longer serving you and shifting your focus to where you can have the most impact.

The mindset around the workweek has evolved dramatically over the past century. What started as a grueling, six-day grind has transformed into a more balanced approach that recognizes the importance of rest, well-being, and strategic focus. As we continue to redefine what work looks like, one thing is clear: success is no longer just about competing all the time. It’s about knowing when to compete and when to surrender.

Adopting a mindset that balances both is the key to thriving in this evolving work landscape. Compete where it matters, surrender where it’s needed, and watch how that balance transforms your results.

Pencavel, J. (2014). The Productivity of Working Hours. Stanford University.