The 9–12 Blueprint – 3 Hours Is all You Need
Since I started working less, I’ve found myself accomplishing more… much more
I get more done in 3 hours than I used to get done in a whole traditional working day.
It might sound too good to be true, but the secret isn’t in working harder—it’s in working smarter. We’ve been stuck in the grind of the 9–5 for years, convincing ourselves that long hours equal productivity. But deep down, we know that’s not the case. (Well, not me; I left that world 20 years ago!)
The truth is, we only have a few truly productive hours each day. The rest is often wasted on distractions, meetings, or busy work that doesn’t really move the needle.
Even as a content creator, I got in the rut of thinking I needed to work a 9-5 job and felt guilty if I didn’t work all my hours.
That’s why I started experimenting with a different approach: a mini-workday from 9 to 12. It involves three hours of deep, focused work on what matters most, followed by a day designed around freedom and balance.
When I made the shift, everything changed. My mornings became incredibly productive, my afternoons opened up for family, hobbies, and creativity, and the stress of feeling “on” all day melted away. Let me walk you through how it works and why it’s so effective.
I’ve tried other work patterns, but three hours in the morning seems to work best for me.
It also allows my to vary my schedule based on the weather, in summer I’ll usually go for a coffee at 8.30 then work from 10-1 while now that it’s colder I’ll work from 9-10:30 go for a coffee and then work from 12 – 1.30
Here is my schedule for today
Wake at 7 am and check the news, just to make sure the world hasn’t ended! Then I have a shower etc.
7:30 -8.30 Chill with a bit of Fallout 76
8:30- 10 Write, including this article (it’s 9:20 as I write this)
10 – 11.30 Walk to town for coffee
11.30 – 1.00 pm Write a newsletter and create a video
Then lunch and time to do what I want.
Why Focus Beats Hustle
There’s a saying that work expands to fill the time you give it. If you allow yourself a whole day to finish a task, it’ll stretch out, dragging along unnecessary distractions and wasted moments. But if you set tight boundaries—like a focused three-hour window—you create a sense of urgency and clarity.
You zero in on what truly matters.
This shift isn’t just about productivity; it’s about energy. Long hours drain your mental and physical resources, leaving you exhausted and uninspired. In contrast, shorter, intentional bursts of effort leave you feeling accomplished and energised.
I get far more done working fewer hours than when I thought I had to work a full day.
The Anatomy of a 9–12 Workday
The magic of this approach lies in its simplicity.
Each morning, I start with one question, What’s the most important thing I need to accomplish today? Not ten things, not five, just one. That clarity keeps me focused and eliminates the temptation to jump between tasks.
The night before, I make a quick plan. I jot down my priorities for the next morning, clear my workspace, and ensure nothing will slow me down when I start. It’s a small ritual, but it makes a huge difference.
When it’s time to start, I’m ready. I treat this time as sacred—no emails, notifications, or interruptions. For three hours, I immerse myself in work that matters. Whether it’s writing, planning a new project, or solving a tricky problem, I know these hours are my best chance to make real progress.
And then, at noon, I stop.
The Power of Stopping
There’s something liberating about drawing a line in the sand and saying, “That’s enough.” When I close my laptop at 12, I feel a sense of accomplishment that carries through the rest of the day. More importantly, it frees up my afternoons for everything else that matters—walking, reading, spending time with my family, or exploring new ideas.
It’s not that I never work after lunch. But the difference is, I don’t have to. The heavy lifting is done, and anything else is a bonus.
Why This Works
At its core, the 9–12 workday is about focus and intention.
It’s about protecting your most valuable resources—your time and energy—and using them wisely. When you start each day with a clear purpose and give yourself permission to stop when the work is done, you create a rhythm that’s sustainable and deeply rewarding.
This isn’t just a productivity trick; it’s a lifestyle shift. It’s a way to work with your natural rhythms instead of fighting against them. And it’s a reminder that success isn’t about how much time you spend working—it’s about what you do with the time you have.
So, here’s my challenge to you: Try it. For one week, give yourself the gift of a 9–12 workday. Start each morning with a clear goal, focus deeply for three hours, and then step away. See how it feels, what you can accomplish, and how much more alive the rest of your day becomes.
You might be surprised at just how much you can get done—and how good life can feel—when you embrace the power of less.