Four Ways to Escape the Trap of the Infinite Workday
Recently, Microsoft released their Work Trends Index report for 2025. One phrase from that report is getting a lot of traction across the internet: “infinite workday.” It describes how our workdays now stretch from earlier in the morning to later in the evening, and for many of us, it can really feel like our workday is infinite.
As a keynote speaker and author, I’m passionate about helping people make the best choices with their time so they can truly thrive. If you’re feeling the weight of the infinite workday, here are four suggestions that have worked for me. Quick disclaimer: These are four suggestions that work for me. Find what works for you.
1. Get Out of Your Echo Chamber
Who are you talking to about the challenges of your infinite workday? If you’re like most people, you probably talk to folks who say things like, “Yeah, that’s just the way life and work is these days,” or “I stayed up till 11:30 last night and was back at it at 4:00 a.m.” Those people are only confirming your suspicions.
Instead, try talking to people who have a very different perspective on how they get work done and about life in general. I intentionally have conversations with friends and colleagues each month who remind me that work can be done very differently. For example, I have a friend who works in a completely different industry and always finds time for hobbies and family—no matter how busy things get. Hearing their stories helps me see new possibilities for myself.
2. Create Healthier Boundaries Around Your Time
One of the most effective ways to combat the infinite workday is to set clear boundaries. For me, this means not checking email until at least 8:00 a.m. Those early hours are sacred: I use them to build up mental, emotional, and physical energy so I can tackle my inbox more efficiently later.
If you’re not sure where to start, try this:
Set a “no work” window. Maybe it’s the first hour after you wake up, or the last hour before bed.
Turn off notifications. This simple step can help you stay present with your family or yourself.
Schedule downtime. Block out time for exercise, hobbies, or relaxation—and treat it as non-negotiable.
Use some painter’s tape! In my Jones Zone video, I share with you how using a little painter’s tape can help you block distractions, move into a deeper focus and set clear boundaries.
3. Plan for All Three Rings
If you’ve followed my work in Juggling Elephants, you know I suggest you have a work ring, a self ring, and a relationships ring. Which one are you planning most intently for? For most of us, it’s the work ring. And is it any wonder that at the end of the day you think, “Well, I’ll just work a little bit longer, I’ll work a little bit longer”?
If you haven’t planned something important for yourself or your relationships, it’s easy to just keep working. So, make sure you plan for all three rings. For example, schedule a workout (self), a dinner with friends (relationships), and your work tasks. That way, you’ll have something to look forward to that will help you step away from work.
4. Find a Mantra or a Totem
Finally, find a mantra or a totem—something that reminds you that it’s not about working all the time. Here’s one for me: “There will always be more elephants.” I wrote that down a couple weeks ago on my notepad because I was feeling the pressure and needed to remind myself that work will always be there. I also have a vintage coffee cup from my aunt Liv. I got it from her house after she passed away a few years ago. She taught me so much about how relationships are important—it’s not just about work. Seeing that coffee cup helps me stop work when I should.
Take Action This Week
The workday might feel infinite, but your time is not. Try one or more of these strategies this week. And remember, what works for me might not work for you—experiment and find your own path to balance.
If you’re interested in learning more, check out Juggling Elephants for deeper insights into balancing work, self, and relationships.
