Your time won’t protect itself

Most people never pause to figure out when they do their best work—yet that one insight can change so much.

By identifying and protecting your most productive time (often mornings, but not always), you can get meaningful work done before distractions take over.

The key isn’t perfection—it’s consistency.

Start small, track when you feel most focused, and create simple systems to protect that time, even if you're working for someone else. This is how you make real progress—one focused block at a time.

Why This Matters

We all have a time of day when we’re at our best—but most people never stop to figure out when that is.

For many, it’s the morning. But if that’s not true for you, the important thing is to notice when you feel clearest and most focused.

That’s your edge.

Protecting that time, even just 30 minutes, can make a huge difference in your career, your goals, and your stress levels.

This Week’s Favorite

How to Protect It

Here’s how to find and protect your most productive time:

• Track how you feel: For a week, note when you feel most focused. Use sticky notes, a journal, or even voice memos.

• Start small: Block 30 minutes during that high-focus window. Don’t try to overhaul your entire schedule at once.

• Decide what to do: Have a plan or list ready for that block of time—don’t waste it figuring out what to work on.

• If you’re employed:

  • Ask for protected focus time (frame it as a productivity boost).

  • Schedule meetings outside your focus window.

  • Silence Slack, email, and phone notifications.

• Build the habit: One block a day is better than a few long sessions you can’t sustain.

• Move meetings over time: Start shifting meetings out of your focus zone—even one at a time helps.

Remember: no one else will protect this time for you. That’s your job—and it starts with one calendar block.

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P.S. Looking for resources to improve your productivity? Check out the tools I use right here.