Finally, a Productivity Strategy That Prioritizes Rest

The 80/15/5 Method acknowledges that we can’t “rise and grind” forever

Photo: Noel Hendrickson/Getty Images

Our bodies and brains need breaks. Time to ruminate, rest, and rejuvenate. The problem is, we’ll never get those breaks unless we schedule them—and stick to that schedule. I often let my plans to recharge fall by the wayside when I’m presented with a challenge, a twist in my routine, or when I’m too “over it” to do what’s best for me.

I recently came up with the 80/15/5 model for holistic productivity and it’s helping me divide my workdays in a way that keeps me healthy, creative, and productive. Here’s how it works. (Note: I usually work a 10-hour day.)

• 80% of my time is spent working toward my goal of the day. I choose one goal per day (I day batch my two businesses, a la Elon Musk) and I work toward that goal 80% of my time. For me, that is 8 hours. For others, that might be a completely different number.
• 15% of my time is spent caring for my body. I usually spend about 45 minutes doing some sort of physical activity outdoors and 45 minutes preparing and consuming a healthy lunch. I don’t do breakfast because I do intermittent fasting and dinner happens at my leisure after “work time.”
• 5% of my time is spent completing what I call…