Breaking the 9-to-5: Work Sucks, Let’s Change It

We’re Stuck in an Old System

Let’s cut straight to the point: Work, as we know it, is outdated as hell.

In my last post, I talked about AI and where it’s leading us. But here’s the real thing I’ve been building toward: We’re in the middle of two massive shifts—one technological, one psychological.

On one hand, AI is making it easier than ever to get things done faster and more efficiently. On the other, millions of people—especially Millennials and Gen Z—are waking up and asking, Why the hell are we still working this way?

The numbers don’t lie: By 2030, automation and AI could replace tasks accounting for up to 30% (I think it’s likely more) of hours worked across the U.S. economy, a shift accelerated by generative AI. But instead of working less, many companies are still demanding full-time, outdated schedules (source: McKinsey & Company).

AI at Work

Meanwhile, The Great Resignation saw over 50 million Americans leave their jobs in 2022 alone, with the largest increase in resignations coming from workers between 30 and 45 years old (source: Harvard Business Review). People aren’t just quitting for better jobs—they’re quitting the entire system.

We inherited a work structure built for a world that no longer exists. The old dawgs at the top are trying to hold on for dear life, using remote work as their hill to die on. They preach about collaboration, culture, and productivity, but let’s be real—what they really want is a “sense” of control.

Case in point: When Elon Musk forced Twitter employees back into the office, many quit or burned out, leading to mass resignations and operational chaos. Meanwhile, companies like Atlassian, GitLab, and Basecamp continue to thrive with fully remote or flexible workforces (source).

The kicker? All relevant research shows that autonomy leads to better results.

Daniel H. Pink (author of Drive) breaks this down in his research on motivation: The three key drivers of high performance are autonomy, mastery, and purpose—not micromanagement and mandatory Zoom check-ins. Companies that empower their employees to choose how and when they work see higher productivity, better retention, and increased innovation (source).

Here’s a pro tip for the old-school execs: Stop resisting. Adapt. Or do as Luda suggests and “Move, bitch, get out the way!”

Get Out The Way

The 8-Hour Workday is a Joke

Look, I’m all for putting in the effort. I actually believe in working hard—but only when it makes sense. What I don’t believe in is wasting time just because we’re stuck in a system that hasn’t adapted.

I can’t tell you how many days I finished my work in four or five hours and then had to sit around pretending to be busy. Or how many times I watched the clock, knowing I was required to stay put even though there was no more value to add. I can assure you, if I had the flexibility and autonomy to go about my day as I saw fit, I’d very much still be at my previous role delivering above expectation results!

The wildest part? This isn’t just my experience—it’s the reality for millions of people.

And the data backs it up:

• A Stanford study found that remote workers were 13% more productive than in-office workers, largely because they had fewer distractions and more autonomy (source).

• Microsoft’s Work Trend Index reports that 87% of employees feel just as productive or more productive working remotely, while 85% of leaders struggle to trust that productivity is happening (source).

• A UK trial of a four-day workweek found that 92% of companies that tested it decided to keep the model because productivity increased or stayed the same (source).

The takeaway? The number of hours you work is irrelevant. Results are what matter.

So, why does it matter when, where, or how we get our work done, as long as the results are there? If AI and automation are making things faster, why are we still tethered to this arbitrary eight-hour structure?

It makes no sense.

The Future of Work: More Freedom, More Life

Let’s project forward for a second. Say we actually win this battle, and the old way of working collapses in favor of a Results-Only Work Environment (ROWE).

What does that look like?

You work when you’re actually productive, not when you’re told to.
You have full control over your schedule, as long as you’re delivering results.
You don’t need “permission” to take a vacation—you communicate, plan, and go.
You work less, but create more.

This isn’t some utopian pipe dream—it’s already happening in small pockets.

• Atlassian and HubSpot champion flexible hybrid models, giving employees significant autonomy in deciding their work environment—leading to higher productivity and satisfaction (source).

• A FlexJobs survey found that 77% of workers believe their productivity is higher when working remotely compared to a traditional office (source).

• Iceland (as have many other countries) ran a massive four-year study on shorter workweeks and found that productivity remained stable or improved across nearly all workplaces (source).

When work is structured around actual productivity instead of arbitrary time constraints, we win—as individuals, as businesses, and as a society.

A World Without the 9-to-5: Life in a Future-Forward City – Generated by DALL-E

Prompt Used to Generate Image:
“A lively, modern city filled with greenery, where people are happily going about their day as if the traditional 9-to-5 work schedule no longer exists. The scene captures a seamless blend of work and life—some people are casually working on laptops at outdoor cafés, others are engaging in social activities, exercising, or strolling through parks. The atmosphere is bright, relaxed, and full of energy, emphasizing freedom and autonomy. There is no visible rush—just people naturally balancing productivity, leisure, and community in a harmonious, future-forward cityscape.”

How Do We Get There?

Step 1: Challenge the Current System

Stop accepting the 9-to-5 as some universal truth.

It was designed for factory work in the 19th century—not for modern knowledge workers in a world with the internet, AI, and automation (source: Smithsonian).

Step 2: Build the Example

Instead of just complaining about the old way, we need to create a new way—one that proves this model works.

Can we build a company that operates entirely on results, not hours worked?
Can we create a system where people work smarter, not longer?

I believe we can. In fact, we have to.

Because work and life shouldn’t be competing forces—they should be aligned in a way that makes sense. Not just because it’s better for our well-being, but because it’s better for the world. When people are healthier, happier, and more engaged, productivity soars. That means the problems we’re working to solve—climate change, energy crises, innovation, and beyond—get tackled faster and better.

We’re at a tipping point. AI, automation, and new ways of thinking are pushing us toward a choice: Stick with an outdated system that drains our potential, or build something that actually works for humans.

The best time to change course? Right now.

It’s time to break the cycle and redefine work—not as a rigid obligation, but as an integrated part of life that empowers us.

Anyone else on board? I want to do this – like seriously, bro!

What’s your take? Drop a comment or share your thoughts—because this conversation needs to happen.