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 that 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
Start with 3 per week. Add more only when that’s automatic.
No.45 or 25 works if you protect it properly.
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: ________________