Many people I coach often express concerns about not having enough time and the consistent feeling of overwhelm. They face a barrage of emails, distracting messages, and back-to-back meetings, leaving little room for deep thinking. Instead of focusing on important objectives, they constantly react to their inbox and calendar.

According to Adam Grant, an expert from The Wharton School of Business, this situation is known as “Time Confetti.” It scatters bits of time everywhere, making it challenging to concentrate and engage in meaningful work. While it may seem like you have no control over your schedule and Time Confetti is unavoidable, there is a way to change that. By carefully planning and managing your calendar proactively, you can take charge of your time.

TAKE ACTION: Starting with the first week of next month, create recurring meetings on your calendar to block out time for focused work and finding your flow. Schedule multiple 90-minute blocks each week and make sure you protect those periods from interruptions.

Here are three things to consider as you implement this approach:

  1. Find Your Prime Time: Think about when you feel most energized and alert during the day. Identify those moments when you can concentrate and be most productive.

  2. Collaborate Smartly: Take into account how you work with others. Do you often collaborate with people in different time zones or regions? If so, consider scheduling your deep work sessions to align with those collaborations. For example, you could plan early morning sessions for global teams or adjust your schedule to accommodate teams or customers on the West Coast.

  3. Tailor Your Plan: Consider the nature of the work you need to do during your deep work sessions. Are you creating sales presentations, writing product documentation, analyzing data, or simply responding to emails? Each type of task may require different times of day, access to information, or collaboration with colleagues.

By intentionally setting aside dedicated time for focused work that suits your strengths and aligns with your collaborations, you can create an environment that enhances productivity and innovation. With proactive calendar management, you can regain control of your schedule and reduce the impact of Time Confetti on your professional life.

More about Time Confetti Adam Grant: How to stop languishing and start finding flow | TED Talk