How to fix the economy...I have the secret

That's right--I know the secret to fixing the economy. The other day the boy and I got in a discussion about society and related ideas. The discussion involved how we think society should be and all the ways that it is silly.

Here's my idea on how to fix the economy. I know I have some pretty outlandish (so you say-psh) philosophies--things that would work in an ideal world, but not necessarily in reality. But, I think this might actually work.................if people would listen to me.

The economy would get better if we didn't spend so much time at work. Let it brew for minute--think about it--see! it makes sense! For those who don't get it, allow me to elaborate.

How much of your day is wasted while you are at work because you HAVE to be at work? (I'm talking about my salary workers. Hourly workers, I don't have a solution for you yet.)

Salary workers are typically expected to be at work 8-5 Monday through Friday or some other time frame.

And how many of those hours do you ACTUALLY do work? How many of those hours do you spend doing personal things or playing on facebook or texting or perusing Pinterest?
NO ONE DOES THAT, RIGHT????? wink wink wink wink wink.

There's no shame in that--it's impossible to work for 8-9 hours straight with no mental breaks-impossible and dangerous. You have to give your brain a break somewhere.

So honestly, out of the hours you spend at work each day, how many hours do you think you spend doing real work? Maybe half they day? 4 hours?

Now picture this:

Rather than staying at work for at least 8 hours every single day, we are only required to stay at work until we finish our work and then have an "on call" system when necessary for the rest of the business day. An outcomes-based system, if you will.

This would be beneficial for several reason:

1. Efficiency: employees would be more efficient at work. They wouldn't spend work time doing non-work things because they could go home to do non-work things.

2. Employer Resources: employees wouldn't be using work resources (i.e. computer) for non-work things. Also, this could even be extrapolated to the use of electricity and other utilities. If employees left work as soon as they finish, they wouldn't be using any employer resources.


3. Healthier America: If employees could leave work when they are finished (whether that is 2 hours or 6 hours), they'd end up having more of the day for free time. They could use this to work out, run errands, go shopping, cook dinner every night, etc. Think of how much healthier the population would be! We could work out more efficiently rather than skipping our workout or doing a piss-poor job at working out because we are tired. We would have the time to cook dinner every night. Oh the insanity!!

4. More time to spend money: With more spare time comes more time to spend money. How many times have you not gone out to do something because you were tired and wanted to stay home on your couch? Think of how we would go shopping more often, go to the movies more often, enjoy life more often!

It all makes sense. We'd be getting the same amount of work done and be at work less allowing us to enjoy life more. We'd be more alert at work because we'd get more sleep and be more efficient in our outcomes.

Who's with me?? How do we make this happen? I need to talk to someone important stat...

Best. Email. Ever.

I received an email today--quite possibly the best email I've ever gotten. Definitely the most intriguing.

"Hi Auntie:
I really love you and miss you. I like the calendar and card and i love everything you gave me.
Love,
[The Kid]"

Things to note: 

The Kid just turned 5 years old. 

This came from her personal email account. 

She's five. 

This came from her personal email account that was written on her personal tablet. 

She's fiiiiiiivvvvvvvvveeeeeeeee.

I'm highly confused and yet impressed by this event. Here's the kicker...both her Mom and Nana were at work when this email was sent. So now the question remains...who the aych-eee-double-hockey-sticks typed for her???

I don't even care. My level of amusement, intrigue, and delight from this event trump any desire to answer that question. I look forward to more emails and might start writing a book from them.