The tyranny of office time

How do you value that inspiration you had in the middle of the night? Or the time that your subconscience is thinking about a client's problem whilst you are trying to attentively listen to your child?

Are these moments any less valuable than non-productive "Face Time"?

Bruce McEwen discusses this Business Week article and cites a lawyer bemoaning that he doesn't have time to reflect and consider problems any more, clients want instant answers.

There's no doubt that the idea of being chained to a desk ignores the fact that people can't be productive for hours on end.  It also ignores the fact that clients just want to be communicated with: as long as they understand the problem and what you are doing to solve it, they are willing to give you reasonable time to do so. That assumes there is a relationship of trust between you.