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Steven Claes – The A+ Introvert - The 10 AM Mistake That's Stealing Your Best Work (And How I Fixed It)

Steven Claes – The A+ Introvert - The 10 AM Mistake That's Stealing Your Best Work (And How I Fixed It)

Map your peak hours so work fits life, not the other way round.

Steven Claes
June 14, 2025 • Reading Time: 6 minutes

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Hey there!

Visualize this: It's 10 AM yesterday, my brain is firing on all cylinders, and I'm about to tackle the most important strategy work of my week.

Then my email notification pings.

"Just a quick check," I tell myself. "Two minutes max."

Forty-five minutes later, I'm deep in inbox quicksand, responding to scheduling requests, and somehow researching a software tool I don't even need.

My golden hour?

Gone.

My strategy work?

Pushed to 3 PM when my brain feels like it's running on empty.

Have you been here before?

Here's how I broke this pattern and reclaimed my power hours.

More importantly, here's how you can do the same starting today.

Today’s Focus

Peak hours beat long hours every time
Track your energy → Guard your peaks → Deploy strategically
Your energy rhythm is your leadership secret

Why This Energy Thing Actually Works

You already know when your brain works best.

You've felt those moments when ideas flow effortlessly and complex problems suddenly make sense.

The challenge goes beyond finding your peak hours; it's protecting them from everything else trying to steal them.

The 3-Step A+ Energy Map

Step 1. Track Your Power Hours (One Week Only)

For the next five workdays, set a phone reminder every two hours. When it goes off, quickly rate your energy and focus on a scale of 1-5. That's it.

No fancy apps needed, just use your phone's notes.

By Friday, you'll see your energy pattern clear as day.

Most people discover they have 2-3 peak windows they never knew they were wasting.

Step 2. Protect Those Hours Like Your Life Depends on It

Once you know your peaks, treat them like the most important meetings of your day.

Block them on your calendar with a simple "Deep Work" label.

Turn on Focus Mode.

Close your email completely.

Here's the script I use with colleagues: "I'm heads-down from 9-11 AM working on our biggest priorities. Ping me after 11 and I'm all yours, usually with better ideas too."

Step 3. Deploy Your Hardest Work During Peak Hours

This is where the magic happens.

Move your most challenging, creative, or strategic work into these protected windows.

Save email, meetings, and routine tasks for your lower-energy times.

When I started writing key important stuff during my 9-11 AM peak instead of random afternoon slots, something remarkable happened.

What used to take four scattered hours now takes two focused ones, and the quality is noticeably better.

My peers even commented that my recent writing felt "sharper and more strategic."

Quiet Fuel of the Week

Resource	What It Is	Why You Need It
Phone Focus Mode	Built-in app blocker.	Guards your peaks from digital distractions
When by Daniel Pink	Book on timing science	Shows you the research behind energy optimization
"Find Your Biological Prime Time"	5-minute YouTube video	Visual guide to mapping your energy in one week

Your 5-Day Energy Challenge

Ready to reclaim your power hours?

Here's your simple challenge:

Track: Rate your energy every 2 hours for five workdays
Protect: Move one important task to your highest-rated time slot
Report: Friday afternoon, hit reply and tell me: "Using my peak at ___ helped me ______"

Coming Next Week

Strategic Visibility — Show Your Work Without the Spotlight

Reveal results, not ego, and boost your profile while keeping your volume low.

Final Thoughts

Your best hours are like prime real estate: everyone wants them, but only you can decide who gets access.

Most people give away their mental prime time to whoever asks loudest.

But you're not most people.

Track your peaks this week.

Guard them fiercely.

Use them strategically.

The difference won't just be in your productivity, it'll be in the quality of everything you create.

What time of day does your brain feel most alive?

Hit reply and let me know in one sentence.

I read every response.

Stay sharp, work smart.

— Steven

P.S. Know someone who's always "busy" but never seems to get ahead? Forward this. Energy budgeting beats hustle culture every single time.

P.P.S. Want daily advice on career & leadership insights? Click here connect with me directly.

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