James Laughlin argues that leaving work at 5pm sharp makes you more productive during the day. Time pressure forces focus, and guaranteed non-work hours improve health and engagement. He recommends hobbies and family time as essential to both balance and better work.
I find when you know you can work till 6 or 7, you're not very efficient during the hours of 9 to 5 because you'll, you'll just say I'll string it out. But if I tell you you have these responsibilities and it has to be done and you know every day you're going to go home at 5 because I want you to have a balanced life. When you have a balanced life you're a better team member, you're more engaged, you're living healthier, you're more inspired, you're more useful to the company when you have a balanced life. So that's the reason I want you out of five. I want you to have hobbies. I want you to go with your family. I don't you feel resentful? This place I found I worked way more productive between 9 and 5 than I ever did when I knew I could work till 7 or 8 if I had to or work weekends.
