11/04/2025

The Workday Is Becoming Infinite

Here’s how to switch from trying to thriving

Fact: The 9-to-5 is fading, replaced by a fragmented cycle of early logins, late-night pings, and weekend catch-up. Microsoft's latest Work Trend Index shows the "infinite workday" is no longer an edge case. It is the norm for many knowledge workers - association professionals included.

Unfortunately, it seems the COVID pandemic-era "triple peak" work pattern—morning, afternoon and an evening spike—has stuck. After-hours activity is rising. Meetings after 8 p.m. are up 16 percent year over year, and by 10 p.m. nearly one-third of active workers are back in their inboxes.

Weekends are not even off-limits: Among those working weekends, about 20 percent say they check email before noon on Saturday and Sunday. During the week, prime focus windows are being eaten alive. Half of meetings land between 9 and 11 a.m. and 1 and 3 p.m.—the very hours when some people are naturally sharpest.

Please select this link to read the complete article from Fast Company.