--- title: Here’s the Schedule Very Successful People Follow Every Day description: All too often, productivity tips are a dime a dozen. Some even conflict with each other. What we need is a system. What schedule do... canonical: https://time.com/2946226/heres-the-schedule-very-successful-people-follow-every-day/ author: Eric Barker article:opinion: true article:content_tier: free article:published_time: 2014-07-02T04:01:27.000Z article:modified_time: 2026-08-04T07:45:33.867Z article:section: Ideas og:title: Here’s the Schedule Very Successful People Follow Every Day og:description: What schedule do the pros use? og:url: https://time.com/2946226/heres-the-schedule-very-successful-people-follow-every-day/ og:site_name: TIME og:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltde093bcdab65f2d0/6988d9b9bc6cfc69913e2a3c/time-logo.jpg?branch=production og:image:width: 1200 og:image:height: 675 og:image:alt: TIME og:type: article twitter:card: summary_large_image twitter:title: Here’s the Schedule Very Successful People Follow Every Day twitter:description: What schedule do the pros use? twitter:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltde093bcdab65f2d0/6988d9b9bc6cfc69913e2a3c/time-logo.jpg?branch=production --- # Here’s the Schedule Very Successful People Follow Every Day > Sponsored content. 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It explains how TIME's journalism is made, from the first pitch through the editorial decisions behind a finished story or cover. #### How can I read about how TIME chooses its covers? Inside TIME is the newsletter where TIME's Editor-in-Chief explains cover selection and the editorial reasoning behind major stories. It is free at time.com/newsletters. #### Who is the editor of TIME? Sam Jacobs is TIME's Editor-in-Chief. He writes Inside TIME, a twice-weekly newsletter about the newsroom's reporting and editorial decisions. #### Is Inside TIME free? Yes. Inside TIME is a free newsletter, available at time.com/newsletters. A paid TIME subscription is separate and available at time.com/subscribe-agent. ## Video: The Founder of Reddit on His Life Motto [Watch (HLS stream): The Founder of Reddit on His Life Motto](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/Po7mfbI4.m3u8) (0:52)  _Published 2013-09-30. Alexis Ohanian, founder of Reddit, answers the question for Time, "What's Your Life Motto?"_ by [Eric Barker](https://time.com/author/eric-barker/) ## Eric Barker Jul 2, 2014 4:01 AM UTC by [Eric Barker](https://time.com/author/eric-barker/) ## Eric Barker Jul 2, 2014 4:01 AM UTC All too often, productivity tips are a dime a dozen. Some even _conflict_ with each other. What we need is a system. **What schedule do the pros use? What system does science say allows us to be most productive?** **What’s key is feeling in control and making sure your energy levels are matched to the importance of the task at hand.** Let’s assemble the expert ideas and research we’ve covered into a more cohesive schedule you can apply to your day. How do you do that? You may want to get your calendar out. We’ve got some changes to make. ## 1) The Morning Ritual [**Laura Vanderkam**](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007K3E2YK/ref=as%5Fli%5Fss%5Ftl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B007K3E2YK&linkCode=as2&tag=spacforrent-20) **studied the schedules of high-achievers. What did she find? They rise early. Almost all have a morning ritual.** You need to wake up before the insanity starts. Before demands are made on you. Before your goals for the day have competition. If you want to achieve work-life balance you need to [determine what is important and focus on that](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2014/03/work-life-balance/). (And research shows [goals make you happier](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2010/12/can-setting-goals-make-you-happier/).) **Having concrete goals was correlated with huge increases in confidence and feelings of control.** Via [The 100 Simple Secrets of Successful People](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FC10GG/?tag=spacforrent-20): --- > “” --- As I’ve [discussed before](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2014/06/most-productive-people/), the second part of your morning ritual is about mood. [That feeling of control](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2013/08/fearlessness/) is what produces [grit](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2012/11/secret-success-not-giving-up/) and makes people persist. Via [The 100 Simple Secrets of Successful People](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FC10GG/?tag=spacforrent-20): --- > “” --- (For more on morning rituals, click [here](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2014/06/most-productive-people/).) You’ve got your goal and you’re in control. Cool. But what about when you get to work? **I recommend you find somewhere to hide. Here’s why…** ## 2) Important Work First Thing — With No Distractions Many people arrive at the office and immediately get busy with email and meetings, leaving _real_ work for later in the day… Rookie error. Research shows that [**2.5 to 4 hours after waking is when your brain is sharpest**](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004H1UEP4/ref=as%5Fli%5Ftl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B004H1UEP4&linkCode=as2&tag=spacforrent-20&linkId=O3E3KE3MUVL5LAVW)**.** You want to waste that on a conference call or a staff meeting? --- > “” --- When I [interviewed](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2013/06/increase-willpower/) willpower expert [Roy Baumeister](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0143122231/ref=as%5Fli%5Fss%5Ftl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0143122231&linkCode=as2&tag=spacforrent-20), what did he have to say?**Early morning is also when you’re most disciplined:** --- > “” --- But does this really work? **In** [**studies of geniuses**](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2013/05/genius-work-habits/)**, most did their best work early in the day.** _“But why did you say I need to hide somewhere?”_ Because [distractions make you stupid](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2013/10/productivity-ninja/). These days it’s hard to do much _real_ work at work. [Jason Fried](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002MUAJ2A/ref=as%5Fli%5Ftl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002MUAJ2A&linkCode=as2&tag=spacforrent-20&linkId=4W7B3IBFPXTYU6B3) explains the modern workplace is an endless stream of interruptions. (Short on time? Watch the first 5 minutes): **Can’t do the work of your choice when the day starts? Get in early or work from home before you head into the office.** (For more on using your peak hours right, click [here](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2013/09/time-management-skills/).) **So you’re making progress on the thing that matters. But you can’t sprint for miles. What do you do when your brain gets tired?** ## 3) Regroup When You Slow Down Afternoon brain fog. We’ve all felt it. Why does this happen? Working too hard? Food coma? Often it’s just our natural circadian rhythm: First, take a break. Get [a snack](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2011/02/can-coffee-and-a-donut-improve-brainpower/) or a [power nap](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2014/05/naps/) if you can. **What you need next is a mini-version of your morning ritual. Review your goals and** [**the progress you’ve made**](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2012/05/are-small-wins-the-secret-to-conquering-procr/) **this morning.** Harvard research shows [nothing is more motivating than progress](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2012/12/motivate-you/). Appreciating how far they’ve come is what very persistent people do. Via [The 100 Simple Secrets of Successful People](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FC10GG/?tag=spacforrent-20): --- > “” --- (For more on fighting procrastination, click [here](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2013/07/chronic-procrastination/).) **You got a break, reviewed your goals and achievements, and now you’re ready to work again. What do you focus on now?** ## 4) Meetings, Calls and People Stuff In The Afternoon **When** [**energy is high**](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2013/09/time-management-skills/)**, that’s when you want to focus on creative, challenging work. When energy is low, do busy work.** [Scott Adams](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2013/12/how-to-fail-at-almost-everything-and-still-win-big/), creator of “[Dilbert](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0740777351/ref=as%5Fli%5Fss%5Ftl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0740777351&linkCode=as2&tag=barking-20)“, makes comics in the morning. By the afternoon, his brain is fuzzy and he shifts his objectives. Via [How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00COOFBA4/ref=as%5Fli%5Fss%5Ftl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00COOFBA4&linkCode=as2&tag=barking-20): --- > “” --- And research shows the afternoon really is the best time for meetings —[specifically, 3PM](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2009/10/lifehacker-tuesday-at-3pm-is-the-most-agreeab/). Need to power through some busy work but you can’t muster the willpower? This is when distraction can benefit you. **When tasks are dull and you’re feeling distractable, friends can make you more productive — even if they’re not helping.** Via [Friendfluence: The Surprising Ways Friends Make Us Who We Are](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0307946959/ref=as%5Fli%5Fss%5Ftl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0307946959&linkCode=as2&tag=spacforrent-20): --- > “” --- (For more on how to work smarter, not harder, click [here](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2013/08/work-smarter-not-harder/).) **So the work day is over. Is that it? Nope. There’s an optimal way to handle your schedule after the sun goes down too.** ## 5) A Relaxing Evening **Though successful people do** [**work long hours**](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2013/12/successful-people/)**, the greats almost all** [**take the evening off**](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2013/05/genius-work-habits/) **to recharge.** Before dinner, [Tim Ferriss](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002WE46UW/ref=as%5Fli%5Ftl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002WE46UW&linkCode=as2&tag=spacforrent-20&linkId=BPC4BNUYMEMMMFUQ) recommends [writing down your big goal for tomorrow](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2014/06/most-productive-people/). This will get your mind off work and allow you to relax. What does research say can help you chill out? Hint: don’t trust your instincts. **The things we frequently choose to reduce stress are often the least effective.** **What does work? Seeing friends and active hobbies. What doesn’t? More passive activities like TV, video games and eating.** Via [The Willpower Instinct: How Self-Control Works, Why It Matters, and What You Can Do To Get More of It](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1583334386/ref=as%5Fli%5Fss%5Ftl?ie=UTF8&tag=spacforrent-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1583334386): --- > “” --- **Past that, get to bed. Studies of world class performers** [**show they have boundless energy**](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2013/08/keys-to-success/)**, so get those zzz’s to be one of them.** No, [you can’t cheat yourself on sleep](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2011/04/how-little-sleep-can-you-get-away-with/) and not see negative effects. What does brain research tell us about cutting corners at bedtime? You’re basically [making yourself stupid](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0979777704/ref=as%5Fli%5Fss%5Ftl?ie=UTF8&tag=spacforrent-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399349&creativeASIN=0979777704): --- > “” --- (For how to make your weekends awesome, click [here](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2012/09/how-can-you-make-your-weekends-more-awesome/).) **So how do we bring this all together to be more successful?** ## Sum Up Here’s what a successful schedule looks like: 1. **Your Morning Ritual** 2. **Important Work First Thing — With No Distractions** 3. **Regroup When You Slow Down** 4. **Meetings, Calls And Little Things In The Afternoon** 5. **A Relaxing Evening** Sadly, we can’t all dictate our own schedule. That’s why there are no specific times listed above. But we can all opt to do some things before or after others. Stop focusing on just getting lots of random things done to pretend you’re making progress. All moments in your day are not equal, and all tasks are not of equal importance. **Knowing the best time to get the right things done is key.** **What will this schedule do for you? Well, when the day ends you’restill going to find that you didn’t get everything done.** **But that won’t bother you much because you did the things that mattered, and did them well.** (If you want a nice PDF of this schedule, join my weekly update [**here**](http://eepurl.com/o6uAD)**.** I’ll be sending one out with next week’s update.) **Join 45K+ readers. Get a free weekly update via email** [**here**](http://eepurl.com/o6uAD)**.** Related posts: [6 Things The Most Productive People Do Every Day](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2014/06/most-productive-people/) [How To Achieve Work-Life Balance In 5 Steps ](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2014/03/work-life-balance/) [8 Things The World’s Most Successful People All Have In Common](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2013/12/successful-people/) _This piece originally appeared on_ [_Barking Up the Wrong Tree_](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/)_._ _Read next:_ [_How You Can Function on Less Than 6 Hours of Sleep_](http://time.com/3544255/function-little-sleep/?iid=time%5Freadnext) [_Listen to the most important stories of the day._](http://time.com/newsletter/the-brief/?sl%5Fautoplay=true&xid=spl-fullbrief-article) ## Transcript The closest thing to life motto. I don't have it tattooed on me anywhere, yet, but, it's lives remaining zero. It's sort of a carryover from arcade games. Right? You put in a quarter or two, you get x number of lives. Once you run out of those, you put in more quarters. So, there are a lot of even console games, that had this sort of same, notion, of a finite number of lives. And one of the things that I noticed, is, that when you are on your last life, when your lives remaining , were zero, you would try , a lot harder, because, I knew, well, I didn't have any more lives left, I gotta make this one count. And at some point, I don't know, middle school, high school, it, I don't know, dawned on me that actually pretty similar, not withstanding all the people who believe in resurrection. This is similar to life, in that I do only have zero lives, remaining, and, you know, I ought to try to make the most out of it. 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