Can’t Focus? You Might Be Mixing These Two Types of Work

Ever feel like you’re always busy, but somehow not getting anything done?

For years, I struggled to explain why I can’t be disturbed when I’m deep in the zone, whether I’m building a wireframe, writing a fitness eBook, or creating content from scratch.

I’d say, “I’m working on a project,” and people would instantly assume I was free to run errands, attend appointments, or help with something “quick.”

Why?

Because to them, if I wasn’t physically working in the clinic, then my schedule must be flexible.

And yes, I’m incredibly lucky. Thanks to my amazing team, I no longer have to work in my clinic, I get to work on it. But that doesn’t mean I’m always available.

To them, flexibility meant accessibility. To me, it meant guilt.

I’d feel bad for saying no, even though the work I was doing required deep focus and creative energy. It felt like I should be flexible. But every time I tried to “just squeeze something in,” my output suffered.

I’d go for a meeting, run a quick errand, come back… and stare at my screen thinking, What’s wrong with my brain?! Why can’t I focus?

The next day, I’d scrap the whole thing and redo it from scratch.

And suddenly, it would flow. It would make sense. It would actually be good.

Was it better because I had more sleep?

Was I in a better mood?

Was I just in a creative funk?

Eventually, I realised something simple but powerful - my schedule was empty that day.

That’s why the work turned out better.

You Can’t Switch Gears That Easily

Every time I attend a meeting and try to jump back into creative work, I struggle. My brain’s still in conversation mode and creative flow? Nowhere to be found.

If you’ve ever felt constantly busy but strangely unproductive, here’s why,

You’re mixing two completely different types of work,

Manager Work and Maker Work.

They demand different energy. Different mindsets. Different environments.

Trying to treat them the same is exactly what leads to overwhelm and burnout.

Where This Idea Came From

This concept isn’t new. Paul Graham, founder of Y Combinator, first wrote about it in his classic essay “Maker’s Schedule, Manager’s Schedule.”

He explained that managers thrive on hourly schedules filled with meetings.

Makers (creators, strategists, builders) need long, uninterrupted time blocks to produce anything meaningful.

Last year, I came across a video by Leila Hormozi that brought this concept back into focus, especially for entrepreneurs juggling both business and creative work. That video? A total aha moment.

Her advice was simple but powerful: Theme your time.

Block out entire days, or even specific hours - based on whether you’re in Manager Mode or Maker Mode.

The Two Modes

Manager Work = Reactive Mode

Fast. Fragmented. Essential for operations, but not typically where creative breakthroughs occur.

Examples:

• Meetings

• Admin

• Emails

• Approvals

• Project management

You’re reacting all day.

Maker Work = Deep Work Mode

Slow. Focused. Intentional. This is where breakthroughs happen.

Examples:

• Writing

• Filming

• Design

• Product strategy

• Building systems

You’re creating assets that compound over time.

Why This Matters

Manager and Maker work use completely different parts of your brain. Switching between them kills momentum. Every time you shift gears, you lose focus and it can take hours to fully recover.

So how do you protect your focus?

Theme your time.

• Theme your days (e.g., Mondays for meetings, Tuesdays for deep work)

• Or theme your hours (e.g., Mornings = Admin, Afternoons = Content Creation)

Even if you can’t block out an entire day, batching similar tasks helps your brain stay in the right zone longer and get more done with less mental drag.

My Own Experience

I’ve worked with colleagues who are mostly in Manager Mode. When I suggest handling something over WhatsApp or email, the response is often: “Let’s meet next week.”

Which is totally fine - if we’re all in Manager Mode. But I’m not.

I’ve said things like, “Unless it’s urgent, please don’t contact me during these hours, I’m deep in strategy work.” Or, “Feel free to attend the meeting without me.”

But these comments have sometimes been misunderstood.

At one point, a team member even told me, “The rest of the team thinks you don’t value their work, and that you’re… a little arrogant.” 😅

That’s definitely not the case.

I respect meetings. I value collaboration.

But the truth is - pulling me out of Creator Mode can cost an entire day of progress… and that means money lost for the company too.

As Paul Graham said, it would be ideal if everyone understood the difference between Manager and Maker schedules.

Because when they don’t, it creates unnecessary tension and it weakens the quality of the work.

What We Do at the Clinic

Even in our clinic, our Clinic Manager whose role includes the word “manager” operates in dual modes.

She handles meetings and operations, but she also creates systems, SOPs, and workflows. That’s Maker Work.

So we’ve made it clear to the team: When she’s in Maker Mode, she shouldn’t be disturbed.

We even adjusted her duties to minimise distractions during those periods.

And the results?

Clearer communication, better systems, and a clinic that’s evolving in the right direction.

The Bottom Line

I’m definitely not saying that Manager Work is less important than Maker Work. Without managers, a company wouldn’t run smoothly.

What I am saying is that we need to understand what mode someone’s in, so we can better respect each other’s time and protect our own.

If you’re feeling stuck, unfocused, or always drained, look at your schedule.

You’re probably not lazy or unmotivated. You’re likely just context-switching yourself into burnout.

So protect your deep work. Create space for it. Respect both Manager and Maker time, for yourself, and for others.

That’s how the best work gets made.

I hope this was helpful. Have you ever faced pushback for protecting your creative time? I’d love to hear your story. Let me know in the comments!

Your friend,

Juliana