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“Ending the ‘infinite workday'”

July 16, 2025 | by Ethan Rhodes

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"Ending the 'infinite workday'"










Ending the ‘Infinite Workday’


Ending the ‘Infinite Workday’

If you’re anything like me, at some point in your work life, you’ve felt the weight of a seemingly endless workday. It’s that creeping feeling that your task list never ends and the moment you try to clock out, more emails or meetings pull you back in. The “infinite workday” isn’t just exhausting — it’s unsustainable. Today, I’m sharing my insights on how to break the loop and reclaim balance without feeling guilty or falling behind.

Why the Infinite Workday Took Over

The boundary between work and life has become blurry, especially with remote work becoming the norm for so many. It’s tempting to think that just a few more minutes or one last email won’t hurt, but those minutes stretch into hours and days. The always-on culture is fueled by:

  • Technology: Your phone and laptop constantly buzz with notifications, pulling you back in.
  • Expectations: A workplace environment that subtly rewards overwork rather than results.
  • Personal Pressure: The harsh inner critic pushing you to do more, be more, and never rest.

Recognizing these forces is the first step — but next is action. Here’s how I suggest you start ending your infinite workday today.

1. Define Your Workday Boundaries, Loud and Clear

This means setting a firm start and end time and sticking to them like your productivity depends on it (because it does). Tell your team what hours you’ll be available — and more importantly, when you won’t be. Honor that for yourself as well.

Pro tip: Use calendar tools to block out “focus time” and “offline time” so everyone can see your boundaries visually. Treat these blocks like appointments you can’t miss.

2. Build the End-of-Day Ritual That Signals Shutdown

It sounds simple, but having a routine to “close the work chapter” helps your brain switch gears. This could be as quick as doing a five-minute tidy of your workspace, writing tomorrow’s top 3 priorities, or even shutting down your computer and physically moving away from your desk.

“The way you end your day is just as important as how you start it.”

Consistency here is key — don’t cheat yourself by scrolling through work Slack or your inbox after you’ve “signed off.”

3. Use Tech to Protect Your Time

Turn off non-essential notifications after hours. Set your devices to “Do Not Disturb” during personal time. Apps can help keep your work periods productive, making your working hours more efficient, so you don’t feel the need to carry work home.

4. Prioritize Deep Work Over Busy Work

One reason workdays stretch endlessly is because we often fill them with low-value tasks and distractions. Mine your calendar and task list for pockets of deep work time — those stretches where you can focus without interruptions on high-impact activities.

When your work is meaningful and effective during official hours, there’s less need to drag tasks into evenings and weekends.

5. Lean Into Self-Compassion and Imperfection

It’s tough to cut off work when you believe you should always be available or produce flawless results. Remember, your value isn’t just measured by your output or your availability. Giving yourself breathing room after work is an investment in your future productivity and creativity.

Next time you feel guilty for stepping away, remind yourself: rest is a core part of hustle.

Real Talk: The Challenge and The Reward

Breaking away from the infinite workday isn’t an overnight fix. It requires trial, error, and the courage to re-educate your mind and your colleagues about your limits. But here’s the payoff — more energy, clearer thinking, improved relationships, and a better separation between your work identity and who you are outside of the job.

When I took these steps myself, I found not only did my stress drop, but my peak performance hours became sharper and more intentional. That extra hour freed up at night or on weekends? Priceless.

Closing Thought

Work hard but don’t lose sight of what keeps you well and whole. Ending the infinite workday isn’t about working less—it’s about working smarter and living fuller. The next time your day threatens to spill endlessly, remember: you hold the power to draw the line and make your workday truly finite.

Let’s make healthy, purposeful boundaries the new normal. Your future self will thank you.

— Ethan Rhodes, Workplace Strategist & Productivity Coach


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