Why Working at Weekends Might Be the Productivity Hack You Never Knew You Needed

Forget what you know about the classic 9-to-5. Ever wondered if breaking the mould could actually supercharge your productivity — and help change the world at the same time?

Let’s dive in. I’m Kevin, the Runpreneur, on a relentless mission: to go beyond Day 4,292, to run a mammoth 40,075km (that’s a full lap of the globe!) and, most crucially, to raise £1,000,000 for children’s causes. Every single day, I run, vlog, and share my journey — but today, let’s talk about the hidden power of working during unsociable hours.

Weekend Hustle: More Than a Necessary Evil

Picture this: It’s half past midnight on a Sunday. Most people are fast asleep, but I’m putting in some work. Not because I have to, but because I choose to. Why? Because these moments, when the world is quiet, are where the magic happens.

I don’t make a habit of working all hours (balance matters — trust me). But every so often, I carve out distraction-free weekend or late-night sessions. When emails stop pinging, phones fall silent, and no-one’s demanding my attention — that’s when I can zero in on the truly important, lingering tasks that drive my mission forward.

The Secret Sauce: Strategic, Not Sacrificial

I know what you’re thinking: “Isn’t this just burnout in disguise?” Absolutely not. This isn’t about glorifying hustle culture or giving up the things I love (like precious family time or my sacred late-night wind-down). It’s about strategic productivity. I use these unsociable hours like a hidden superpower — the key is that it’s occasional, intentional, and always with a purpose.

For me, it’s often a Saturday or Sunday session where, in just a few hours, I smash through twice as much work as I might during a hectic weekday. It’s not for everyone. Some swear by sunrise starts (all respect to the 5am Club, it’s just not for me — I’m a night owl at heart). But for those of us running epic challenges or striving to make a real impact, these windows can be game-changing.

Productivity Hacks from the Front line of the Runpreneur Challenge

Here’s what I’ve learned, balancing life, running, and a fundraising mission bigger than myself:

Eliminate Distractions: Use times when your world is quiet. You’ll be shocked by the laser focus you can achieve.

Don’t Overdo It: Reserve these power sessions for when you truly need to catch up or prep for a big push.

Protect Your Downtime: I cherish my evening wind-down — mental health is non-negotiable.

Family and Life Come First: Finding those pockets of time shouldn’t cost you the moments that matter most.

Do you have your own weekend productivity hacks, or do you swear by the traditional workflow? Drop a comment below. Let’s help each other find those hidden pockets of time and use them to chase down our biggest dreams — whether that’s running the world or changing it together.