Skip to content

Break Quote by Diane Ackerman

“Working from home meant we could vary snack and coffee breaks, change our desks or view, goof off, drink on the job, even spend the day in pajamas, and often meet to gossip or share ideas. On the other hand, we bossed ourselves around, set impossible goals, and demanded longer hours than office…” quote by Diane Ackerman
Download Open image
“Working from home meant we could vary snack and coffee breaks, change our desks or view, goof off, drink on the job, even spend the day in pajamas, and often meet to gossip or share ideas. On the other hand, we bossed ourselves around, set impossible goals, and demanded longer hours than office jobs usually entail. It was the ultimate "flextime," in that it depended on how flexible we felt each day, given deadlines, distractions, and workaholic crescendos.”

Diane Ackerman

About This Quote

Source Essay: The Flexibility of Remote Work, 2020

Remote work offers freedom and chaos: flexible schedules, informal dress, and spontaneous collaboration, but also self‑imposed pressure, unrealistic expectations, and blurred boundaries.

In simple terms: Working from home gives freedom but can lead to overwork.

Key Takeaway

Set clear limits and schedule breaks.

Themes

flexibility work‑life balance productivity boundaries

Mood

reflective critical optimistic

Type

advice observational

When to use this quote

  • home office
  • creative brainstorming
  • team meetings
  • deadline crunch
  • personal productivity

Key Concepts

remote work self‑management organizational culture

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do you protect personal time while working remotely?
  • What boundaries keep flexibility healthy?
A Different Perspective

The freedom can mask exploitation and burnout if not managed.

3.2 out of 5 (7 ratings)

More by Diane Ackerman

Explore all 304 Diane Ackerman quotes

More Break quotes

Browse all 8,188 Break quotes