Why a 15-Hour Workweek Could Be the Key to Your Happiness (And Society’s Future)

Imagine a world where your workweek is just 15 hours long. Sounds like a dream? For many, it’s a radical departure from today’s reality, where long hours, burnout, and stress have become the norm. Yet this idea has a strong historical and economic foundation, championed by thinkers like John Maynard Keynes who predicted technological progress would enable drastically shorter workweeks by the 21st century. Even Henry Ford proved in the 1920s that reducing work hours could boost productivity and worker satisfaction.

However, despite remarkable advances in technology, most people today work as much or more than their grandparents did. Smartphones and laptops have blurred the line between work and home, extending the workday and increasing stress. This paradox, known as the “leisure paradox,” shows that more technology hasn’t automatically translated into more free time.

Why does this happen? Cultural norms that equate long hours with success and economic incentives for employers to maximize labor output keep us locked in this cycle. Moreover, as more women enter the workforce, dual-income households face intensified pressures balancing paid work and domestic responsibilities.

But there is hope. Research shows that shorter workweeks can improve gender equality, reduce carbon footprints, and increase social engagement. Policy innovations like universal basic income could provide the economic security needed to make reduced hours feasible without sacrificing living standards.

Reimagining work is not just about personal well-being; it’s about creating a society that values time, creativity, and human connection as much as money. The 15-hour workweek offers a compelling vision for a future where prosperity and happiness go hand in hand.

Ready to explore how this vision could reshape our world? Let’s dive deeper into the economic and social transformations needed to make it a reality.

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