How many of us end the week wondering where the time went?

If your calendar is packed with urgent tasks, last-minute meetings, and firefighting — you’re not alone. But here’s the truth:

You don’t need more time.
You need to design your ideal week — before it fills up for you.

Most Calendars Happen by Default — But Not the Right Kind

We’re all operating from a “default diary” of some kind. For most people, that means reacting to whatever comes up — emails, calls, interruptions, and admin.

But what if your default was intentional?

The Default Diary technique flips the script. It helps you schedule the work that moves your business forward before your week gets hijacked.

That’s the difference between a reactive week…
And a results-driven one.

How to Design Your Ideal Week

Here’s the process we teach in coaching — and what we follow ourselves at Fox Coaching.

1. Start with your strategic goals

What needs to shift in your business? Is it lead generation? Team performance? Client retention?

Whatever your priorities, your calendar should reflect them.

2. Decide your focus areas

Split your week into meaningful categories — marketing, delivery, team, leadership, development. Assign percentages based on your goals.

Example:

  • 40% marketing

  • 30% delivery

  • 20% leadership

  • 10% admin

3. Block your time

Open your digital calendar (or print one out). Block time for each focus area. Don’t forget personal commitments like lunch, workouts or school runs — they’re part of designing your ideal week too.

4. Stick to the plan (mostly)

Life happens. But even if you stick to your default diary 80% of the time, you’ll be amazed at what changes. You’ll feel calmer. Focused. In control.

Why It Works

Designing your ideal week removes the stress of constant decision-making. You don’t waste mental energy figuring out what to do next — because the time for it is already protected.

You stop being pulled in a hundred directions.
You start showing up as the leader your business needs.

Want Help Getting Started?

This week’s free workbook walks you through building your own Default Diary step-by-step — from choosing focus areas to blocking out your week.

👉 Download the Default Diary Workbook
👉 Watch the video: “The Diary That Gives You Your Life Back”

You don’t have to do more.
You just have to do more of what matters.

Go design your ideal week — and take back your time.

Thanks for being part Take Back Time.

Let us know how your new Default Diary is working — join the conversation on LinkedIn and share your progress with the community. Check out last weeks blog.

Until next time,
— The Fox Coaching Team