Prioritization Frameworks
| Framework | How It Works |
|---|
| Eisenhower Matrix | Urgent/Important → Do. Important/Not Urgent → Schedule. Urgent/Not Important → Delegate. Neither → Delete. |
| Ivy Lee Method | End each day: write 6 tasks for tomorrow, prioritize, do in order. No multitasking. |
| Eat the Frog | Do your most dreaded task FIRST — everything else feels easy after. |
| 1-3-5 Rule | Each day: 1 big task, 3 medium tasks, 5 small tasks. Realistic, not optimistic. |
Deep Work Protocol
| Element | Setup |
|---|
| Time block | 2-3 hour uninterrupted block — morning when willpower is highest |
| Environment | Phone in another room, notifications OFF, single focus |
| Ritual | Same time, same place — trains your brain to enter deep mode |
Calendar Blocking
| Block Type | Example |
|---|
| Deep work | 8-11 AM — no meetings, no email, no Slack |
| Shallow work | 1-3 PM — email, admin, quick tasks |
| Meetings | 3-5 PM — batch all meetings into one window |
| Buffer | 11-11:30 AM, 3-3:30 PM — transition time |
Energy Management
| Time of Day | Best For |
|---|
| Morning (peak energy) | Deep work, creative tasks, decisions |
| Afternoon (slump) | Meetings, email, routine tasks |
| Evening (second wind) | Planning tomorrow, learning, light reading |
Pro Tip: Your brain has 3-4 hours of peak focus per day. Protect those hours ruthlessly. If you spend them in meetings and email, you've traded your best asset for other people's priorities.