The early Friday

It starts Friday morning, with the knowledge that unlike the rest of the week today's different. Perhaps it's because you can wear jeans, perhaps it's because today is "Hawaiian shirt day" or because today they bring in the cake to celebrate the birthdays for the month. Maybe it's just the underlying feeling that after you finish work you can start the best part of your week: the weekend. 

There's only one thing standing between you and that coveted break from the cycle: choosing the right time to leave. 

Everyone feels a little guilty about ducking out early on Friday, but they still look for every opportunity to do it. Some come in early so they can feel justified in leaving early, others check email throughout the rest of the day and into the evening to ensure that any last-minute fires get squelched. Some will announce to everyone "I plan on leaving early today" followed by the qualifier: "as long as I can get everything done." 

In my experience, if you leave early on Friday you need to do it by 1 o'clock, if not then a mountain of work will find its way onto your desk. It seems that no matter how domai day has been, how many projects I might've already completed, there's always something that seems to come up at 3 PM on Friday. That project will take you into the evening to finish, and possibly longer. 

My advice to you: get out now!  Leave before that 3 o'clock project shows up, check your email later that evening and respond "sorry, didn't see this until after I left. I will get to it first thing on Monday" 

If you don't, you're going to regret it…