Reader,

We are conditioned for business.

Constantly going, always 'on'.

Proving we are up to the task.

The reality is most things we do, just shouldn't be done at all.

Here's the truth: Being busy isn't a badge of honor.
It's sophisticated servitude dressed up as achievement.

Every "quick check" of email...
Every "this meeting could have been an email" moment...
Every "I'll sleep when I'm dead" decision...

They're all withdrawals from your life's most precious bank account: your energy and attention.

And you're overdrawn.

If you feel this - Here's your tactical liberation plan:

Log your activity

Today, right now, take a quick inventory of the day to day activities that take up your time.

• The meetings
• The emails
• The activities
• The face time

Get a perspective on which ones are serving your goals and which are distractions.

Then make your Not To Do List.

Engineer Your Energy Environment

First, map your natural energy patterns:

• High Focus Hours (typically early morning)
• Natural Lulls (post-lunch)
• Drained Periods (late afternoon)

Then, ruthlessly align your calendar to these patterns:
• Deep work during peak hours
• Meetings during lulls
• Administrative tasks when drained

Use Strategic Unavailability

Counterintuitive truth: Your value increases with strategic scarcity.

• Block 2-hour deep work sessions
• Create "no meeting" days
• Set "office hours" for non-urgent requests

Pick one and test it out. You think you can't, but you're wrong.

Master the Win-Win "No"

Getting time back means saying "no".

But you can make no a win-win - good for you, and good for the company.

Your new response framework:

• Acknowledge the request
• Explain your current priorities
• Offer alternative solutions
• Reinforce your commitment to quality

Remember: You don't need more time.
You need more sovereignty over the time you have.

The goal isn't to do more.
It's to do what matters.

Your family doesn't need you to be busy.
They need you to be present.

Your work doesn't need you to be available.
It needs you to be impactful.

Time to break free from the busy trap.

Ready to take back control?

Start with this: Block out tomorrow morning's peak energy hours (typically 8-10am) for YOUR most important work.

Not email.
Not Slack.
Not meetings.

Just you, focused on what actually moves the needle.

Watch what happens to your energy, impact, and sense of control.

Breaking work starts with breaking busy.

Light that 🔥,

​
Mike

P.S. If you're ready to go deeper into my complete Time Sovereignty system, my book "Just Leave Me Alone So I can work" drops in September! Click this link to get notified: https://careercloud.kit.com/eb61fab26b​