9 to 5 mentality, what is it?
A familiar concept, but often people don’t know exactly what the 9 to 5 mentality is. In this blog you will read everything you need to know about it!
9 to 5 mentality: you’ve probably heard of it. Employees are often expected not to have this mentality, but to work for the pay that goes with it. But what is a 9 to 5 mentality anyway? You can read about it here!
What is a 9 to 5 mentality?
A 9 to 5 mentality is the mindset that you work for 8 hours in a workday: from 9 am to 5 pm. Vacancies almost always talk about this mentality; employers actually want you to have none. It is often seen by them as something negative. Employers are actually looking for employees who give 110% and prefer to stay at the office a bit longer.
Among entrepreneurs, this mentality is rare. One of the advantages of having your own business is that you get a lot more freedom. No one is checking what time you start and what time you end your workday. Despite the fact that the 9 to 5 mentality is almost non-existent entrepreneurs do not mean that they work less. Just the opposite! Many self-employed entrepreneurs start their day early and continue until late at night.
Benefits of a 9 to 5 mentality
Having a 9 to 5 mentality is often seen as something detrimental, but it also has benefits:
People need routine
People, including entrepreneurs, need routine. After all, it provides peace of mind in the midst of chaos. It makes life more predictable and secure. As a result, people have more to hold on to.
It has social advantages
Despite the fact that as an entrepreneur you are not stuck to these working hours, this is the period in which most people work during the day. Do you have an appointment with a client? Or do you want to consult with partners or other entrepreneurs/colleagues? Then chances are you’ll need to meet up with them during these hours as well.
It ensures better communication
As mentioned in the previous argument, most people are at work until 5 o’clock. If you choose to work earlier or later than the ‘normal’ working hours, there is a good chance that you will get into a knot with the communication within your company. Not only can communication then be awkward, but employees or colleagues may get stuck and thus be unable to continue with their work.
Disadvantages of a 9 to 5 mentality
Of course, a 9 to 5 mentality also has disadvantages. These I have also listed for you:
It makes for poorer concentration
A 9 to 5 rhythm can seem very sensitive. Not everyone has the same routines and rhythm. Think for example of the afternoon dip that many people suffer from. Flexible working hours can then offer many advantages.
It is less performance oriented
Because most people work between 9 and 5, this can also be seen as a social happening at the office. Working then becomes a social activity, which can also lower employee performance.
It is bad for the environment
It may seem far-fetched, but still there are daily traffic jams on the highway because everyone has to be at his/her work on time. The moment everyone leaves again at 5 o’clock, exactly the same thing happens. Flexible working hours or working from home can help: every little helps!
Now that you know what a 9 to 5 mentality is, you can think about whether you have one and what you would like to have. Is it an advantage or disadvantage for you? Also think about what you would like to see in your possible employees. Check out our other blogs to get the most out of your life as an entrepreneur!
