Want to Log Off Earlier Without Letting Work Slip?

So many small business owners find themselves shutting the laptop at 9pm. Not because they love late nights, but because the day has disappeared in a firefighting blur of answering questions from teams and clients.

Even with the best plan on paper, the reality is that strategy often gets squeezed into evenings and weekends. That means less time for family, friends, fitness or simply winding down - and more pressure building up day after day.

Why does this happen?

It’s inevitable business leaders do work longer than a 9 to 5. In fact, stats suggest small business owners put in around 10 extra hours each week compared to the average worker.

And that’s just the average. Many of the owners we work with are putting in far more hours.

But the real question is why.

For many, it’s not that the work itself is endless - it’s that the interruptions are. Constant questions, decision bottlenecks and firefighting eat into the day, leaving your own priorities to be pushed back until after 6pm (and often into the weekends).

That’s not the right kind of ‘long hours.’

Why 30 minutes works

Research shows that short, focused work blocks are far more effective than slogging through endless hours. The well-known Pomodoro Technique (25–30 minute sprints with short breaks) has been shown to improve focus, cut mental fatigue, and keep progress moving without overwhelm.

Time blocking methods like this don’t just feel good - studies suggest they can increase productivity by more than 50%, simply by reducing distractions and context-switching.

That’s why protecting just half an hour in your day for strategy can make such a big difference.

Try it this week

It doesn’t have to stay that way. There are easy fixes to test out. One small shift can help you bring your big priorities back into the working day.

Here’s a simple suggestion our clients tell us makes an impact:

• Write down the 3 priorities only you can drive this week.

• Share them with your team. Be clear about what you’ll handle and where you want them to step in.

• Protect those priorities. Block the time you need and help your team protect theirs - so nobody’s delivery slips out of hours.

This tip is built on our core approach: one focus, one fix, 30 minutes. Small, practical changes that make a real difference. Even half an hour of focused time in the day can put fires out and break the cycle of late-night catch-up.

Want the full checklist of 30-minute fixes?

Download your Leadership Style Fix

Final thought

Long hours might come with the territory of running a business. But losing your evenings and weekends to constant firefighting doesn’t have to.

By pulling strategy back into the daylight hours, you:

• Free up evenings for the things that recharge you.

• Make better decisions (because you’re not working on empty).

• Build momentum on the projects that actually matter.

One small fix could mean you don’t have to lose your downtime.

PS: If you’re curious, the Pomodoro Technique I mentioned is a well-known productivity method. You can read more about it here.