The 5PM Rule
Inspired by on Lenny's Podcast
A CPO knows that 5-6pm is her worst time of day, so she never schedules difficult work then - and that's the same window when most toddler meltdowns happen, which maybe isn't a coincidence.
Anneka Gupta manages her energy, not just her time.
'5-6 PM is my worst time of day and I know that about myself, so I'm not going to schedule my most difficult meeting or writing up a strategy deck for that period of time because I know that's not going to be my best.'
Now think about the witching hour. 4-6 PM. The time when every toddler in the world simultaneously loses their mind.
Maybe it's not just them. Maybe you're also at your worst. Maybe you're both running on fumes.
'Being able to manage my energy levels and figuring out how to schedule my time for my energy has really allowed me to have that abundant mindset in all situations.'
Don't schedule the hard parenting work for when everyone's depleted. Don't have the discipline conversation. Don't try the new food. Don't tackle the cleanup.
5-6 PM is survival mode. Save the hard stuff for when you've both got capacity.
PM Theme: Energy management over time management
Parenting Theme: Timing hard things for high-energy moments
“5-6 PM is my worst time of day and I know that about myself, so I'm not going to schedule my most difficult meeting or writing up a strategy deck for that period of time because I know that's not going to be my best.”Anneka Gupta · 00:06:15
