A Day in the Life of a Momentum Planner
Theory is one thing; practice is another. Let’s walk through a day to see how to use momentum for productivity in a real-world scenario. We’ll follow a marketing manager named Alex.
7:00 AM – 8:00 AM: Personal Block (Green)
Alex’s day doesn’t start with checking email. It starts with a personal block for a quick workout and breakfast. This is protected time to get centered before the day’s demands begin. No phone, no work. This builds personal momentum first.
8:00 AM – 8:30 AM: Commute Block (Gray)
Alex blocks out the commute. Instead of scrolling anxiously through social media, Alex uses this time to listen to a podcast or music, intentionally disconnecting before plugging into work.
8:30 AM – 9:00 AM: Plan & Ignite Block (Blue)
This is the most important block of the day for building momentum. Alex doesn’t jump into the biggest task. First, Alex takes 10 minutes to review the day’s calendar and the top 1-3 priorities. Then, Alex performs an “ignition task”: clearing out and responding to two specific, important emails that can be handled in under 5 minutes each. It’s a quick, easy win. The feeling of accomplishment provides a small dopamine hit, creating the motivation to tackle the first major task.
9:00 AM – 10:30 AM: Deep Work Block (Red)
Fueled by the small win, Alex moves into the first deep work session: drafting the strategy for a new campaign. Phone is on silent and in a drawer. Email tab is closed. This 90-minute block is for pure, focused output on a high-value task. Alex is leveraging the 80/20 Principle, also known as the Pareto Principle, by focusing on the 20% of work that will drive 80% of the results.
10:30 AM – 10:45 AM: Buffer/Break Block (Green)
The alarm goes off. Alex stops, even if not completely finished. It’s time for a scheduled buffer. Alex gets up, stretches, refills water, and looks out the window for a few minutes. This break is essential for cognitive function and preventing burnout, a concept supported by research into work-rest cycles.
10:45 AM – 12:00 PM: Meetings Block (Yellow)
Alex has batched two team check-in calls into this block. Because they are back-to-back, the context switching is minimal. The focus is entirely on communication and collaboration. After the calls, Alex uses the last 10 minutes of the block to send out recap notes, closing the loop immediately instead of letting it become a lingering to-do item.
The rest of Alex’s day follows this pattern: blocks of focused work, separated by intentional breaks and buffers, with shallow tasks batched together. The week is structured similarly, with Monday and Tuesday mornings reserved for the heaviest deep work, as that’s when Alex’s energy is highest. Friday afternoons are blocked for weekly planning and administrative cleanup, setting up the next week for success. The system isn’t about being a robot; it’s about being an intelligent energy manager.
