Work Less, Get More Done (Yes, Really)
Why remote work is less about hours logged and more about doing what matters
Why are CEOs so eager to get people back in the office?
Is it just to make use of that expensive real estate?
Is it a fear of decreased productivity?
Company leaders and employees can’t seem to agree on whether going back to the office is worthwhile. Many managers believe their teams slack off and are less productive at home, while remote workers often say the opposite: they’re happier, more focused, and even more productive.
So which is it? Are remote employees working less… or more?
And more importantly, what does this mean for your career and life if you work from home?
Today, we’re going to bust—or confirm—one of the biggest myths in the remote work world:
“Remote work means total freedom — you set your hours and work less.”
By the end of this post, you’ll know the real truth about remote work—and I’ll give you practical tools to optimize your time, energy, and output at work so you can do more in less time.
The Allure of Total Freedom at Work
Remote workers never have to work when they don’t feel like it.
They just wait for “inspiration” and do their tasks in little creative bursts. Sounds like the dream, right?
Actually… that sounds chaotic.
Without structure, work starts to bleed into life. You’re answering emails at 10:42 PM. Or staring at your screen at 2:30 PM, wondering where the day went.
I’ve had days like that where I didn’t plan. One day, I skipped lunch without realizing it. I’d spent hours tweaking a presentation that wasn’t due for another two weeks… while a key deliverable for Friday sat untouched. By the time the day was over, I felt drained, behind, and hungry.
Total freedom made my day worse, not better.
Remote work offers flexibility, not unlimited freedom. And flexibility is powerful—but only when managed intentionally.
Want to pick up your sick kid from school at 1:30 PM? Remote work might allow for that. But it also means you’ll need to make up the work later.
Total freedom? Not quite. More like structured freedom.
Ok, so remote work doesn’t mean total freedom, but it still means working less, right?
The Productivity Paradox
A 2023 Stanford study found that fully remote work is linked to a 10% drop in productivity, but hybrid setups showed no productivity loss at all.
On the surface, that might support the idea that remote workers work less.
But productivity is not a straightforward metric. How exactly do you measure productivity? Hours logged? Tasks checked off? Value delivered? Creativity sparked?
And even if you could measure it precisely, comparing the productivity of remote workers to in-office workers is not an apples-to-apples comparison.
You have to consider the costs saved on real estate, lower attrition and burnout, and access to better talent through global hiring. So, when these factors are considered, is there really a drop in productivity?
Plus, remote workers are often monitored more closely than their in-office peers. Many report feeling pressure to constantly prove they’re working.
A remote worker could crush deadlines, stay ahead on deliverables, but still feel anxious all the time. They feel like they have to prove they’re working constantly. If they step away for 15 minutes, they worry someone will think they’re slacking off.
So, remote work doesn’t automatically mean less work. In fact, it could mean more accountability and higher expectations.
The Verdict
Myth: Remote work means total freedom — you set your hours and work less.
Verdict: Busted! ❌
The truth: Remote work gives you flexibility, not unlimited freedom. Most remote professionals still work within standard hours to stay aligned with their team. You might spend less time in meetings or commuting, but the expectations for quality, consistency, and results haven’t gone anywhere.
In fact, remote workers often feel more pressure to prove they're productive because they're not being seen.
The lesson: Remote work doesn’t automatically make your life easier. But it gives you the opportunity to design a schedule that works better for your energy, your priorities, and your goals. Intentional design can help you get more done in less time. Here’s how.
How to Design More Freedom Into Your Remote Schedule
You can get more done in less time during your remote workweek—but it doesn’t happen by accident.
It starts with structure. Here are three proven ways to build it in:
1. End your day by planning your next
Instead of starting your day wondering where to begin, give your future self a head start. Before logging off, jot down your top 2–3 priorities for tomorrow.
This doesn’t box you in—it gives you a clear launchpad. You can always adjust. But starting with a plan keeps you focused and intentional, not reactive.
2. Protect Your Best Hours for Deep Work
Every job has tasks that demand full focus and some tasks that don’t.
Identify your peak hours (for most people, it’s the morning), and block that time for deep, high-value work. Leave shallow tasks—like email, Slack, or admin—for lower-energy times. If you do your hardest work when you feel sharpest, you’ll finish faster and feel better about what you’ve done.
3. Track What You Actually Accomplish
Progress is fuel. But when you're remote, it’s easy for good work to go unnoticed—even by yourself.
Keep a running list of completed tasks or wins for the day. It helps you stay motivated, gives you clarity on what’s working, and creates a paper trail of your impact.
Structured Freedom Means More Done In Less Time
You’ve seen the myth:
"Remote work means total freedom — you set your hours and work less."
And now you’ve seen the truth:
Remote work can bring structured freedom—but only when you bring structure, strategy, and intentionality to your days.
If you’re not careful, remote work can blur the line between work and life until both suffer. But with the right habits, you can increase your focus, thrive in remote work, and free yourself up to live with intentionality and purpose.
End-of-day planning, protecting deep work hours, or tracking your accomplishments are three powerful ways to find that freedom. You might be surprised how much clarity, peace, and momentum it brings.
Remote work is an opportunity. Don’t waste it chasing the illusion of freedom. Instead, design your workdays and life with intentionality and purpose.
This was week 1 of the 7 myths of remote work series. Subscribe so you don’t miss a week!
Next week, we will be exploring remote work myth #2: “Remote work was just a pandemic trend — it’s already dying out.”
The problem with many leaders is focusing on the wrong debate. Instead of remote vs. hybrid vs. onsite, they should have focused on solidifying their goals and targets first. I found that my remote days force me to protect my deep work time and clearly communicate my progress and challenges.