plan-my-day
Generate an energy-optimized, time-blocked daily plan based on circadian rhythm research and GTD principles
By brianrwagner · 419 installs
npx skills add brianrwagner/ai-marketing-claude-code-skills --skill plan-my-day
Source repository · Upstream listing
Plan My Day
Generate a clean, actionable hour by hour plan for the day based on priorities, energy patterns, and constraints.
Mode
Detect from context or ask: "Quick priorities, full day plan, or full plan + weekly structure?"
Mode What you get Best for
quick Top 3 priorities + rough time blocks, 2 min Morning sprint, already know the day
standard Full hour by hour energy optimized plan Default daily planning
deep Full plan + energy pattern analysis + weekly structure recommendations Overhauling your schedule, high performance week
Default: standard — use quick if they say "just help me prioritize." Use deep if they want to rethink their week, not just plan today.
Why This vs ChatGPT?
Problem with "just asking": You get a different plan each time. No consistency, no memory of what works, no optimization over time.
This skill provides:
1. Consistent methodology Same decision framework every day (Top 3 priorities, energy windows, buffer rules)
2. Energy aware scheduling Automatically matches high cognitive tasks to your peak hours
3. Constraint aware Respects your existing calendar, energy patterns, personal boundaries
4. Learning memory Can track what scheduling patterns work best for you over time
5. Evening reflection built in Forces accountability on what actually got done
You can replicate this by writing the same detailed prompt every day, manually checking your calendar, remembering your energy patterns, and tracking completion rates. Or use this skill in 2 minutes.
Usage
With custom energy profile:
Planning Principles (Research Backed)
1. Circadian optimization Cognitive performance peaks ~2 3 hours after waking (Roenneberg, 2012)
2. Ultradian rhythms Work in 90 minute blocks with 15 20 minute breaks (Ericsson, 1993)
3. Decision fatigue prevention Schedule high stakes decisions before 3pm (Kahneman, 2011)
4. Implementation intentions Specific time+task combinations increase completion by 2 3× (Gollwitzer, 1999)
Energy Windows (Default Customize Yours)
Peak Performance (Morning): 9:00 AM 12:00 PM
Deep work, strategic thinking, complex problem solving
Highest cognitive capacity
Schedule your 1 priority here
Secondary Peak (Afternoon): 2:00 PM 4:00 PM
Focused work, meetings with decisions, creative work
Still high capacity but slightly lower than morning
Administrative (Late Afternoon): 4:00 PM 6:00 PM
Email processing, light tasks, 1 on 1s, planning
Lower energy, avoid complex decisions
Recovery Blocks: 12:00 PM 1:00 PM, 6:00 PM+
Meals, exercise, walks, recharge
Non negotiable for sustained performance
Wind Down (Evening): After 7:00 PM
Reflection, reading, light planning for tomorrow
No high cognitive work
Process
1. Gather Context (30 seconds)
Check existing calendar events
Review yesterday's incomplete tasks
Identify any fixed commitments or deadlines
Note current project priorities
2. Identify Top 3 Priorities (60 seconds)
Ask for each potential priority:
Impact: Does this move a key metric or deadline?
Urgency: Must it happen today?
Effort: Can I complete it in available time?
Filter: Pick the 3 with highest impact×urgency score
3. Build Time Blocked Schedule (90 seconds)
Sequencing logic:
1. Place fixed commitments (meetings, calls) first
2. Assign Priority 1 to longest peak energy block
3. Assign Priority 2 to secondary peak or next available
4. Assign Priority 3 to remaining focused time
5. Add 20 minute buffers between major blocks
6. Schedule admin work (email, Slack) in low energy windows
7. Protect breaks and meals (non negotiable)
Buffer rule: Only schedule 80% of available time
4. Apply Constraints
Personal boundaries: No work before 8am or after 7pm (customize)
Meeting limits: Max 4 hours of meetings per day
Focus blocks: Minimum 90 minutes for deep work (no interruptions)
Break enforcement: 15 minute break every 90 minutes
Output Format
Real Examples
Example 1: High Output Day (Founder/Exec)
Context: Product launch week, high stakes demos, team coordination
Example 2: Deep Work Day (Individual Contributor)
Context: IC developer, needs 6+ hours of uninterrupted coding
Example 3: Meeting Heavy Day (Manager/Director)
Context: Leadership role, multiple teams, coordination day
Real Case Study
User: Marketing manager at B2B SaaS company, struggled with reactive days
Before using skill:
Average day: 6 8 hours in meetings, 2 hours of "work" squeezed in
Top priorities rarely completed
Constant email/Slack interruptions
15% weekly goal completion rate
Felt productive but accomplished little
After implementing plan my day:
Used skill every morning (2 3 minutes to generate plan)
Protected 9 11am deep work block (calendar marked "Focus Time")
Set clear Top 3 priorities each day
Added evening check ins to track completion
Results after 8 weeks:
74% weekly goal completion rate (+59 points)
Meetings reduced from 6 8 hrs/day to 3 4 hrs/day
Deep work blocks protected 4 days/week (vs 0 before)
Self reported energy levels: 8.2/10 (vs 4.1/10 before)
Team feedback: "You're more present and decisive"
Key insight: "The daily plan gave me permission to say no. If it wasn't in my Top 3, I deferred it. That one change unlocked everything."
Configuration Options
Standard Mode (default)
Balanced energy windows
8 hour workday assumption
20% buffer time
High Output Mode
10 hour workday
More aggressive scheduling
10% buffer time
Best for: Launch weeks, crunch periods
Deep Work Mode
Maximum uninterrupted blocks
Minimal meetings
30% buffer time
Best for: Individual contributors, creators
Meeting Heavy Mode
Meeting first scheduling
Work blocks fit around commitments
25% buffer time
Best for: Managers, executives, client facing roles
Installation
No dependencies required Pure planning logic.
Future Integrations (Coming Soon)
Google Calendar sync Auto import existing events
Completion tracking Analytics on your planning accuracy over time
Energy pattern learning Adapts to when you actually perform best
Team coordination Sync focus blocks across teams
Pro Tips
1. Run it FIRST thing Before checking email or Slack. Set the day, don't react to it.
2. Protect Peak hours Block 9 11am as "Focus Time" on your calendar. Decline meetings here.
3. Track completion rates Use evening check in data to improve your estimations
4. Adjust energy windows Default is 9 11am peak, but if you're different, customize it
5. Combine with "shutdown ritual" Evening check in + tomorrow's prep = mental closure
6. Don't over schedule If plan shows 7 hours of tasks for 8 hour day, you're on track
Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Planning too much If you schedule 100% of your time, you'll fail. Always leave 20% buffer.
❌ Ignoring energy windows Putting hard thinking work at 4pm sets you up for failure.
❌ Skipping breaks 90 minute focus blocks REQUIRE 15 minute breaks or performance drops.
❌ No evening reflection Without check ins, you can't improve your planning accuracy.
❌ Changing Top 3 mid day Unless genuinely urgent, stick to morning priorities.
Quality Checklist
A good daily plan has:
[ ] Clear Top 3 priorities with measurable outcomes
[ ] 1 priority scheduled in peak energy window
[ ] 20% buffer time (not every minute scheduled)
[ ] Breaks scheduled every 90 minutes
[ ] Protected lunch break (minimum 30 minutes)
[ ] Evening check in template included
[ ] No work scheduled after 7pm (personal time protected)
Support
Issues or suggestions? Provide:
Your typical day structure (work hours, meeting load)
Top 3 priorities example
Energy pattern (when you're most focused)
What's not working in current output
Built on circadian rhythm research (Roenneberg), deliberate practice principles (Ericsson), and GTD methodology (Allen).
Plan your day in 2 minutes. Execute with focus. Win consistently.