My reaction when Charlie Gilkey told me he recommends a max of 5 projects.
Last week inside The Conspiracy, I invited my friend Charlie Gilkey to join me for a conversation.
Charlie’s the author of Start Finishing and a kind, wise human who talks about productivity in a way that feels deeply compassionate, not hustle-y or shame-y.
There were so many takeaways (including the very real moment I discovered I’m juggling 12 projects … Charlie recommends no more than five … oops).
But one idea has stuck with me all week:
Time blocking.
Or more specifically: time blocking for humans (not robots).
The Four Time Blocks (and How to Use Them)
Charlie shared a simple, human-centred insight: not all time is the same. And if we treat every hour like it’s interchangeable, we end up exhausted and out of alignment.
Here’s how he breaks it down:
Focus Blocks
Time for your most meaningful work — the stuff that needs attention, energy, and a little bit of courage. Whether it’s writing, planning, designing, or building, this is where your Worthy Goal gets fed.
Admin Blocks
Tasks that need doing but don’t require your best thinking. Emails, forms, scheduling, laundry. Handle them with intention so they don’t creep into your Focus time.
Social Blocks
Time with others — connecting, collaborating, or just being in community. This includes meetings, coaching, coworking, or a conversation that helps you think out loud.
Recovery Blocks
The block most people skip. Rest, movement, play, or simply doing nothing. This is what refuels your body and brain so you can keep going without burning out. Deeply personal to whatever nourishes you … naps for some people (ahem, me), crossfit for others.
Try This Today
Before you overhaul your calendar or download another app, try this:
Look at the next 3 days.
Can you find (or create) at least one of each type of block?
- When are you recovering?
- Where are your windows for real focus?
- How will the life admin happen?
- What are your sacred times for connection?
Success Pact, anyone?
Here’s what’s delightfully amusing (and kind of brilliant): all four of these blocks are already built into The Conspiracy.
- Focus / Admin: Our Momentum sessions are flexible time blocks where you choose what matters most — deep, meaningful progress or clearing admin clutter that’s in the way. Either way, you’re not doing it alone.
- Social: With 300+ smart, kind humans, and tons of facilitated and member-led opportunities to exchange and connect, there’s always someone around to think with, cheer you on, or remind you you’re not alone in the work.
- Recovery: We work an agile cycle of 6 weeks on, 2 weeks off. That reset isn’t an afterthought, it’s by design.
One of Charlie’s other human-centred productivity hacks is what he calls making a “success pact” — surrounding yourself with people who nudge, encourage, challenge, and champion you.
I call those people Conspirators.
If you’re interested in joining this cohort (the last one of 2025), I encourage you to join the waitlist.
Once you join the waitlist, you’ll get a few more bonus trainings from me before the doors open on August 12th. The first is How to Keep Going (When the Going Gets Tough), and the other is a coaching session I did, taking a Conspirator through a very stuck spot using my version of the Immunity to Change process.
I hope you’ll check us out and consider joining us when doors open next week.
