How to Cut Your Work Hours in Half Without Sacrificing Your Income
Is your calendar packed with back-to-back client sessions? Are you spending every spare moment on admin, marketing, and business management? If you're nodding your head, you're not alone. Many successful coaches and therapists find themselves trapped in a cycle of working longer hours to maintain their income.
When I started my business during my son's bone marrow transplant, I quickly learned that working more hours wasn't sustainable. Today, I help my clients create profitable businesses working 20 hours or less per week. Here's how you can do the same.
The Hidden Cost of Long Working Hours
Before we dive into the 'how', let's be honest about what those long hours are really costing you;
Your health and wellbeing suffer as stress becomes your constant companion
Family time gets squeezed into whatever hours remain
Creative thinking and innovation take a back seat to keeping up with client work
Your energy for clients diminishes, affecting the quality of your work
Why Working Less Can Actually Increase Your Income
This might sound counterintuitive, but when you work fewer hours;
Your energy and presence with clients improve dramatically
You have time to focus on high-impact business development
Your creativity flourishes, leading to better solutions for clients
You can charge premium rates because you're operating at your best
The Framework for Reducing Hours While Maintaining Income
1. Restructure Your Service Model
The key is moving away from trading time for money;
Create a signature program that delivers better results in less time
Package your expertise in a way that serves clients more effectively
Structure your offers to maximise both client results and your time
2. Optimise Your Client Hours
Quality over quantity is essential;
Identify your peak performance hours
Batch your client sessions into focused blocks
Build in proper recovery time between sessions
Set clear boundaries around your availability
3. Streamline Your Operations
This is about working smarter, not harder;
Automate repetitive tasks
Create templates for common communications
Develop systems that run without your constant attention
Outsource tasks that drain your energy
4. Transform Your Pricing Strategy
Reducing hours doesn't mean reducing income:
Price based on value, not time
Create a premium signature offer for your ideal paying clients
Structure packages that benefit both you and your clients
Build in semi-passive income streams
Real Results from Real Transformation
When I started my business, I knew I needed a model that worked for my life, not one that drained me. I focused on one signature offer and committed to showing up consistently with simple daily actions. In just five months, I reached my first five-figure month—without overworking or burning out.
Now, I help my clients do the same - build a profitable, sustainable business that allows them to work less while earning more.
Common Fears and How to Override Them
I often hear concerns like;
"My clients won't pay higher rates"
Truth: When you're energised and focused, clients receive better value and are happy to invest more
"I'll lose clients if I'm less available"
Reality: Limited availability often increases your perceived value and attracts more committed clients
"My income will drop"
Fact: Your income doesn’t correlate to your work hours
Creating Your Transition Plan
The key to successfully reducing your hours while maintaining income is having a solid transition plan:
Start by identifying your ideal working hours
Review your current client load and income
Design your new service structure
Create a phased implementation timeline
Communicate changes positively to existing clients
Now’s the Time to Transform Your Business into One that Gives you Time Freedom and a Sustainable Income
I'd love to help you create a business model that lets you serve your clients deeply while working fewer hours.
Book a free Strategy Call so that we can chat about how you can start making this transition in a way that feels aligned and sustainable.