Working 9 to 9

Working 9 to 9

I was working with a group of leaders recently talking about culture.

The conversation drifted to that “quiet hour” at night.

You know the one.

Kids finally asleep.
House calm.
Laptop glow.
Inbox waiting.

Someone said,
“I actually love that time. I can finally get my emails done.”

And I nodded.

Because I’ve done it too.

I’ve sat there at 9:47pm feeling wildly efficient.
A productivity ninja.
A corporate bat.

But while they were talking, in my mind I was (multiple choice):

A – Hearing Dolly Parton’s9 to 5but remixed to
“Working 9 to 9… what a way to make a living.”

B - Imagining their Outlook calendar sending them a thank-you card:
“Congratulations on your 4,732nd after-hours email. We see you. Your family does not.

C – Wondering when “peace and quiet” became code for
“The only time no one needs me except my inbox.”

D – Picturing my past self saying,
“It’s fine. I’ll just send one more email,”
…like that’s ever been true in the history of humanity.

E – All of the above

Let’s be honest.

There is a very specific dopamine hit that comes from clearing emails at night.
It feels controlled.
Tidy.
Responsible.

But here’s the uncomfortable bit.

Every time a leader sends emails at 10:12pm, culture shifts.

No memo required.

No policy update.

Just a quiet recalibration of “what good looks like.”

And I say this as someone who used to think exhaustion was a personality trait.

I’ve eaten the pizza in the office at 8:30pm.
I’ve told myself I was modelling commitment.
I’ve called it ambition.

Sometimes it was.

Sometimes it was just poor design.

Maybe the question isn’t:
“How do I get more done once the kids go to bed?”

Maybe it’s:
“Why is my day structured in a way that I have to steal from my night?”

We don’t build healthy cultures by accident.

And we don’t burnout by accident either.

Anyway.

If you’re sending emails at 10pm tonight…

No judgement.

Just know Dolly is softly shaking her head. 🎶

And your nervous system might be.