How a designer got back to deep work after meetings took over

Real change often comes from one clear rule. Here is a scenario that captures the idea: How a designer got back to deep work after meetings took over.

The Situation

Many people know they should focus more but keep getting pulled into email, chat, or feeds. The intention is there; the default environment is not. One person (or one team) decided to change the default for a fixed window each day.

What They Did

• One block. They picked a fixed time (e.g. first two hours of work) and blocked it on the calendar.
• One rule. During that block: no email, no social, no "quick" checks. Only one kind of work.
• Blocker on. They used a site or app blocker so distracting sites were off during the block. No negotiation.

The Result

The first hours became the highest-output part of the day. The rest of the day could stay reactive without burning the best attention. One block, one rule, one outcome.

Try This

Pick one day this week. Apply the rule above. One block, one outcome.

For blocking distracting sites and apps during focus time, StrictBlock can help keep your block clean.