The Anti-9–5 Manifesto: Your Guide To Breaking Free and Taking Control.
10 practical tips to take back control
I am 35 years old. I have ~2,600 weeks left to live.
1,800 weeks done. ~500 of them in a soul sucking job. Enough is enough!
I want to reclaim whatever is left of my self-respect, my brain’s power to think & my heart’s desire to live a worth life.
This isn’t a cry for help, it’s a declaration of war. My escape plan is already in motion, and I won’t rest until I’m living a life fuelled by passion, not pay-checks.
I cannot quit. But I Take Back.
My 10 practical tips to take back your weeks — your time, focus and energy.
1. Do not check emails too often
Have dedicated slots in your working hours to check emails and chats. Do not waste time in checking them every now & then. Trust me, your colleagues will get used to this.
Till you are not saving lives, this is OK.
Why did that person need to ping again about this? What was it that they did not understand? Why are they not taking my NO for an answer, etc.
Really? I do not have any more time for this. Taking back 2 hours of worry each day.
2. Respond like AI:
Sometimes, this helps keep away personal issues from responding to pings. You can dedicate specific times and respond to them like a machine aka, sans emotions.
Its easy to do when you have 10 pings to close in 10 minutes and not everyone will respond at that time — so you have control on the messaging and how much to share!
10 mins x 3 everyday to respond. Not more. More than your colleagues — it will take you time to get used to it. So start now.
3. Do not explain:
I am a huge supporter of giving back shorter responses.
If someone is not taking a NO for an answer and you cannot go above them (aka complain), simply say — I shall try my level best.
Save time in the NO to do some sort of a less-than-shabby job for them. This is better than wasted precious hours saying NO, burning bridges and ending up doing that job because your manager forced you !
4. Interject side-hustle within work hours:
First a disclaimer: You have to be really smart. Playing in the company time and on company resources can cost a lot — up to the job.
A not-so-secret way : swap lunch hour with gym time, so you do not have to come in an hour early. Use that as an additional time to research some headlines for my articles. Or simply take notes from reading up a few.
Find these precious hours. I usually have a 1:1 everyday with my bestie which I use for my side hustle planning alone!
5. Do not encourage meetings:
This is a big one. It’s anyways difficult to avoid meetings. Avoid initiating one like a virus!. Quarantine from it.
I asked people if this could be a ping instead of a meeting, most of the 1:1s can be unless they are about a feedback or complaint. People can praise on pings, but need to see you and your reaction when they are complaining about you.
Use the time saved from these meetings to block a meeting room and catchup on some work.
6. Utilise the commute time.
It is a literal waste of a few minutes to a few hours everyday. We all do not have the luxury of living close to the office. Hence use these hours, instead of oogling others!
If you are on a bus or train and have a seat — this is the time to write. If you cannot find a seat, this is the time to read. If you are driving, this is a time to listen.
7. Simply gossip less:
Forget endless explanations and water-cooler chatter. In the game of office politics, silence becomes your secret weapon. No need for justifications or unsolicited advice — your actions speak louder than words.
Imagine the whispers: “How does she do it all?”. The respect earned through quiet, consistent results is far more potent than any verbal explanation.
Be the silent storm of efficiency, leaving everyone wondering how you achieve so much with so little fuss. This, my friend, is the true power play.
8. Do not fight where you are:
Yes, it is unfortunate they do not understand you. Yes, it is unfortunate they do not pay you as much as you deserve. Yes, it is unfortunate you do not have a better job.
But will can you do about this? Even better — what will you do about this?
Head-butting bosses who hold the power? Pointless. You do not win a rigged game. Instead, play your own hand. Accept the reality, take what opportunities you can, and remember why you have that side hustle simmering on the back burner.
When you’re stuck with bad cards, remember: you built another table.
9. There are no prizes for hard work:
Sweat doesn’t impress, impact does.
Delegate: Unleash the intern’s fresh energy, tap into an expert’s specialised skills, or even outsource if ethical. Remember, praise fuels collaboration, not micromanagement.
If you have it in you, show it in your own business not in someone else’s!
10. Share less about side hustle:
Talking about our goals gives us a false sense of accomplishment before we’ve done the work.
Why peak curiosity when there is no fire. First light it.Remember, the loudest roars come from hidden fires.
So, keep your head down, work smart, and let your achievements be the ultimate mic drop.
Imagine the buzz when colleagues gather round, awestruck by your accomplishment. “How did you pull this off?” they’ll whisper. Your answer? A sly smile and, “Just some good old-fashioned hustle, under the radar.”
Thats it!
2600 and counting.. what can you make of them?
