1) Get up really early on weekdays. I wake up at 5 and start work at ~5.30. Nobody else is around until 8-9. During that time I try to work on a small list of

1) Get up really early on weekdays. I wake up at 5 and start work at ~5.30. Nobody else is around until 8-9. During that time I try to work on a small list of tasks ive created the previous eve, or over breakfast. The "thinking" tasks. When the "real" working day begins I just go with the flow, meetings, helping people, routine work etc. While still feeling Ive made progress. I also skive off at 3 or 4 so I have the entire eve with my children, and my playstation. Or for a quick beer with friends. In bed by 9pm and time for a book. 2) Get up really early on weekends Before everyone else is up and running I have time to focus on hobbies, side projects or (occasionally) a little bit more work. Then the rest of the day is relaxed. Again, the feeling that youve made some progress. Its a really old tip, "early bird gets the worm" and all that. But it works. PS as neuroticfish says, triage is important. Half the stuff we do is worthless in the long term. Take the time to figure out what things that are really important.