Why the Spartan Week works
Most people don’t fail from lack of motivation — they fail from lack of structure.
The Spartan Week is a simple rhythm that removes daily decision fatigue:
- Deep work happens by default
- Admin doesn’t leak into everything
- You review and adjust weekly, not emotionally
This isn’t about doing more. It’s about doing the right thing consistently.
The Spartan Week (overview)
Every week has four parts:
- One focus (your “Main Battle”)
- Three deep-work blocks (minimum)
- Daily admin block (contain the chaos)
- Friday review (Keep / Kill / Start)
If you do nothing else: do the deep blocks.
Step 1 — Choose your “Main Battle” (5 minutes)
Pick one outcome that would make everything else easier.
Examples:
- Finish the 90-Day Reset article + publish it
- Lose fat while keeping strength (3 workouts + sleep base)
- Fix one key relationship issue with one conversation
- Prepare for a job move or promotion
Rule: If you pick more than one, you pick none.
Write it as a sentence:
“My main battle this week is: _______________________”
Step 2 — Book your Deep Work blocks (the shield wall)
Deep work is where progress actually happens. Put it in the calendar first.
Minimum: 3 × 90-minute blocks per week
(If 90 minutes is too hard right now: do 2 × 45 or 2 × 25.)
Deep Work rules (non-negotiable)
- One task only
- Phone away (or airplane mode)
- Full screen
- Timer on
- Start with a Spear (2-minute first move)
Want the starter method? Read Spear & Shield and use it to launch every block.
Example weekly layout
- Mon: 90 mins — Deep Work
- Wed: 90 mins — Deep Work
- Fri: 90 mins — Deep Work
Step 3 — Contain admin with a daily block (30 minutes)
Admin expands to fill your life unless you cage it.
Daily Admin Block (30 mins)
- Emails and messages
- Small errands
- Scheduling
- “Quick tasks” and follow-ups
Rule: admin doesn’t get to steal deep work. It has its own box.
Step 4 — Build your “Battle Plan” (Monday, 15 minutes)
Your weekly plan is short.
Monday Battle Plan (template)
- Main battle: ______________________
- This week’s 3 deep-work outcomes:
- Daily tiny win (5–15 mins): ____________________
- One health anchor: sleep base / walk / training session
- One relationship anchor: one message / one conversation / one boundary
Step 5 — Friday Review: Keep / Kill / Start (20 minutes)
This is where the system becomes you.
Keep: what worked and should stay
Kill: what wasted time / drained energy
Start: one small tweak for next week
Friday review questions
- What moved the needle most?
- Where did I leak time?
- What can I remove next week?
- What’s the one improvement I’ll protect?
Send yourself a 3-line recap: Win / Lesson / Next step.
The 48-Hour Field Test (start today)
In the next 48 hours:
- Choose one main battle
- Book one 90-minute deep-work block
- When it starts: do a 2-minute Spear, then run the timer
- Do a 30-minute admin block afterwards (not before)
Scorecard
- Main battle chosen
- Deep block booked and completed
- Admin contained to its block
Common problems (and fixes)
“My job/kids make this impossible.”
→ Use 3×45 or 2×25 blocks. Consistency beats duration.
“I keep reacting to messages.”
→ Set two message windows per day + keep phone out of reach during deep work.
“I don’t know what to work on.”
→ Your main battle becomes: “Define the plan.”
Deep block #1 is used to outline the next steps.
“I feel behind, so I do random tasks.”
→ That’s panic productivity. Book deep work first and trust the plan.
Mini-FAQ (use an FAQ/toggle block for schema)
How many deep blocks should I aim for?
Start with 3 per week. Add more only when that’s automatic.
Is 90 minutes required?
No. 45 or 25 works if you protect it properly.
Should I do admin first to clear my head?
No. Deep work first. Admin later. Momentum follows priority.
Next step
Pick your main battle and book your first deep-work block today.
- Read Spear & Shield to start fast and protect momentum
- Grab the free guide or book a 15-minute call for a personal weekly plan
Spear & Shield · Free Guide · Book a 15-min Call
Optional: One-page Spartan Week template (copy/paste)
Main battle: ___________________________
Deep work blocks (90/45/25):
- Block 1: ___ / ___
- Block 2: ___ / ___
- Block 3: ___ / ___
Daily Admin Block (30 mins): time: ___
Daily tiny win (5–15 mins): ___________
Friday Keep / Kill / Start:
- Keep: __________________
- Kill: __________________
- Start: ________________