Maker vs Manager Schedule

What it is

The Maker vs Manager Schedule comes from Paul Graham's classic essay. A maker's schedule is built around long, uninterrupted blocks for deep work. A manager's schedule is broken into meetings, calls, and check-ins. Founders often live in both worlds, but without conscious planning the manager mode eats the maker mode.

When to use it

Use this framework when your calendar starts looking like Swiss cheese. If you're struggling to make progress on core work because of fragmented time, this schedule helps reclaim creative blocks.

How to apply (3 to 4 steps)

1. Look at your weekly calendar. Highlight the hours already lost to meetings and admin.

2. Block out at least three 2 to 3 hour maker sessions each week for deep, creative work.

3. Push recurring meetings into manager blocks (afternoons or specific days).

4. Defend your maker blocks like investor calls - no casual scheduling allowed.

Try it now (Micro task)

Open your calendar. Pick one morning this week. Block it for a 3-hour maker session and protect it.

Founder story

"My calendar was full of 30-minute calls. I couldn't finish a product doc in weeks. Once I shifted meetings to afternoons, mornings became untouchable maker time. Progress - and morale - doubled."

Why it works (Evidence)

Research on flow states shows it takes 20 to 30 minutes to ramp into deep focus. Fragmented time kills productivity. By separating maker and manager modes, you reduce context switching and increase meaningful output.

Related models

• Energy Budget: Spend energy where it compounds, not where it leaks
• Minimum Viable Operations: Protect only what's essential when energy is low
• Boundary Rehearsal: Guard rails that keep deep work blocks safe