Maker's Schedule
Work in blocks
The maker's schedule is a way of using time that is common among people who make things, such as programmers and writers. It involves working in units of at least half a day, and avoiding meetings and interruptions during that time. This schedule is necessary for makers because they need large blocks of time to focus and be productive. The maker's schedule is in contrast to the manager's schedule, which is more fragmented and involves frequent meetings and interruptions.
- Work in large blocks of time to maximize focus and productivity
- Avoid meetings and interruptions during work time
- Use office hours or other scheduling tools to manage interactions with others
- Be willing to compromise and adapt to the needs of others
- Communicate clearly with others about your schedule and needs
- Identify your schedule typeDetermine whether you are a maker or a manager, and what type of schedule you need to be productive. Makers need large blocks of time to focus, while managers need to be available for frequent meetings and interruptions.Pro tipUse a calendar or scheduling tool to block out large chunks of time for focused workWarningBe careful not to overcommit yourself and leave too little time for focused work
- Schedule office hoursSet aside specific times for meetings and interactions with others, and use the rest of your time for focused work. This can help you avoid interruptions and minimize the impact of meetings on your productivity.Pro tipUse a signup tool or calendar to manage office hours and ensure that they are scheduled efficientlyWarningBe careful not to schedule too many office hours, as this can leave too little time for focused work
- Communicate with othersClearly communicate your schedule and needs to others, including colleagues, managers, and clients. This can help you avoid misunderstandings and ensure that everyone is on the same page.Pro tipUse email or other written communication to confirm schedules and arrangementsWarningBe careful not to be too rigid or inflexible, as this can make it difficult to adapt to changing circumstances
- Be willing to compromiseBe willing to adapt to the needs of others and find ways to compromise when necessary. This can help you build strong relationships and achieve your goals.Pro tipLook for ways to find mutually beneficial solutions that meet the needs of all partiesWarningBe careful not to compromise too much, as this can undermine your productivity and focus
Paul Graham, the author of the essay, used to work on his startup in the 1990s. He would program from dinner till 3 am, and then sleep till 11 am and work on business stuff until dinner. This schedule allowed him to have two workdays, one on the manager's schedule and one on the maker's schedule.
Y Combinator, a startup accelerator, runs on the maker's schedule. The founders, including Graham, use office hours to manage interactions with others and minimize the impact of meetings on their productivity.
The concept of the maker's schedule was first introduced by Paul Graham in his 2009 essay. Graham, a programmer and entrepreneur, noticed that he and other makers were often frustrated by the way that meetings and interruptions could disrupt their work. He realized that makers need large blocks of time to focus and be productive, and that the traditional manager's schedule was not suitable for them.