Embracing a New Work Routine: From Early Starts to Expanding Side Ventures

Ashley Couto recently modified her work hours to align better with her European employer. The decision to begin her workday at 5 a.m. and finish by 2 p.m. has proven pivotal not only for her professional growth but also for her personal life.

Having spent several years in remote roles with North American firms, Ashley transitioned in January to lead growth at a European tech company focused on creators. This career move realigned her with sales and tech ambitions, ticking both boxes efficiently.

Initially, despite having the option to work from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Time, her interactions with colleagues in Europe on Central European Time were limited. To bridge this gap, she opted to shift her schedule earlier.

Waking up at 4:30 a.m. wasn’t too large a hurdle, given her natural predisposition as a morning person. Though the first several weeks were tiring, she adapted by ensuring she gets ample rest by 9 p.m.

This early start paid off when she was promoted to head the professional services arm, managing multiple teams primarily based in Europe. The schedule change facilitated her ascent within the company.

Optimizing Mornings for Productivity

Adopting an earlier start transformed how she utilized her mornings. Where she once frittered away time with casual scrolling, she now strategically engages in early team meetings or collaborates closely with leading teammates.

With an hour before her North American teams come online, she optimizes her time by checking everyone’s schedules and adjusting workloads to prevent burnout. Her goal is to streamline active deals to meet targets.

By 9:30 a.m., at their team kickoff, she already has a clear agenda laid out, having resolved issues and established priorities for the day, thus being wholly available to assist the team.

Balancing Work with Business Flexibility

Although her official workday wraps up around 2 p.m., the demands of management sometimes stretch beyond this. Nonetheless, she remains accessible through Slack for urgent team inquiries, typically handling such matters swiftly after hours.

The transition to a European work culture also introduced her to distinct work-life practices. Unlike her previous experiences where work interruptions were frequent, now she enjoys uninterrupted lunches and flexible leave policies.

Her European colleagues often disconnect completely during vacations, highlighting a stark contrast to her previous encounters, where contact during leave was a norm. Ashley herself managed a trip to Paris, where she minimized work checks to twice in two weeks.

A Lifestyle Choice with Travel Perks

Travel is another facet of her job that she cherishes. Visiting the company’s Berlin headquarters offered her a blend of business collaboration and cultural exploration, enriching her work experience while boosting her personal joy in traveling.

Cultivating a Thriving Side Business

Aside from her primary role, Ashley sustains a financially robust side enterprise. Her ventures in career consulting and strategic growth advising for AI bring in significant income, providing varied opportunities to assist both job seekers and professionals aiming for advancement.

Additionally, as a contributor on topics of career development, leadership, AI, and travel, she engages with a wide audience, further branching into B2B influences on LinkedIn—a platform where she boasts significant influence.

Previously, her side projects would consume her evenings post a 9-5 schedule, leaving weekends as her sole downtime. The shift has now reclaimed afternoons for her business, ensuring she has evenings for herself.

Now, by organizing her commitments from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., she delivers optimal focus to both clients and her digital community, effectively managing her entrepreneurial and personal priorities.