Time Boxing is Too Rigid

Time boxing doesn’t work for everyone.

One of my clients told me:
“It’s too rigid. Too boring. I need some spontaneity.”

As a leader, you can’t always stick to rigid plans. Your role demands flexibility. Sometimes, the moment you’ve blocked for deep work is the moment a teammate needs your time, or a client crisis pops up unexpectedly. That’s why I created a system that gave me both focus and flexibility.

✨ Focus Days: A System That Works for ADHD Leaders
Here’s how it works:
✔️ Choose four key leadership priorities you’re struggling to keep on track.
✔️ Assign one priority to each day for four days of the workweek.
✔️ Keep the fifth day as a Float Day to catch up, get ahead, or adapt to surprises.
✔️ On each Focus Day, prioritize that day’s theme—but you’re still free to work on others as needed.

This system works because it reduces overwhelm and guilt. Instead of wondering, “When will I get back to this?” you know each priority will get its turn. And if you don’t finish something, no worries because it’ll come back around on its Focus Day.

📖 When I Ran My Restaurant
I always had four ongoing leadership tasks to work on in the downtime between lunch and dinner service:
• Marketing and guest outreach
• Artistic projects
• Mentorship and team development
• Vendor and partner relationships

Each day I’d focus on one of these, but I was still free to work on the others if time allowed. Fridays were my Float Day. If I was caught up, I’d use it to get ahead.

This system helped me stay organized, lead with intention, and stay present for my team and guests. It strengthened our culture and kept the business thriving without the constant stress of unfinished to-do lists.

For my client who found Time Boxing too rigid, this system is helping her organize her time as she makes a major leap in her career.

💬 What about you? How would you adapt this system to fit your leadership style?

I have room for two new clients.

💪 Ready?
Book a free Exploration Call.

👀 Curious?
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