Why Most Entrepreneurs Struggle with Productivity
Ever wonder why some meetings feel like they destroy your entire day whilst others seem perfectly fine? Why a
Ever wonder why some meetings feel like they destroy your entire day whilst others seem perfectly fine? Why a simple “got five minutes?” Can a request derail hours of important work? The answer lies in understanding two fundamentally different approaches to any productivity system for entrepreneurs that most people don’t even know exist.
Entrepreneur Alex Hormozi breaks down this productivity puzzle sharing insights from his experience building multiple successful businesses. His insights reveal why so many talented people struggle to move their biggest projects forward, despite working longer hours than ever.
The Manager vs Maker Divide
According to Hormozi’s framework, there are two distinct types of workers, each requiring completely different approaches to time management within any effective productivity system for entrepreneurs:
The Manager Schedule Managers thrive on filled calendars. They divide their day into small chunks, often 15 minutes to 90 minutes, handling everything from coordination to decision making. For them, an empty time slot represents a missed opportunity. Their work happens during meetings, calls, and collaborative sessions.
The Maker Schedule Makers need large, uninterrupted blocks of time. These are the people creating content, developing software, writing copy, or building systems. Unlike managers, makers do their most important work when they’re off meetings, not during them. For makers, an empty calendar isn’t wasted time; it’s prime productive real estate.
The problem? Most workplaces operate entirely on manager time, creating a productivity nightmare for anyone trying to create something meaningful.
Why “Got Five Minutes?” Kills Any Productivity System for Entrepreneurs
Here’s where things get interesting. When a manager asks a maker for a quick meeting, the true cost isn’t just those five minutes. According to Hormozi’s analysis, it’s the entire work block.
Makers typically have only two major work blocks per day. When you interrupt one with a meeting, you’ve eliminated 50% of their productive capacity for that day. Meanwhile, the manager has used just one of their 20+ daily time slots.
This creates what Hormozi calls a “disproportionate trade” where one person’s small request becomes another person’s major productivity loss.
The Hidden Costs of Poor Time Management
The entrepreneur explains how this misunderstanding creates vicious cycles. When makers fall behind, well-meaning managers often respond by scheduling more check-in meetings, which further destroys the maker’s ability to catch up.
Even worse, makers often feel pressured to accept these interruptions to maintain relationships, leading to longer hours, weekend work, and eventual burnout.
Three Strategies for a Better Productivity System for Entrepreneurs
Hormozi outlines solutions for different stages of entrepreneurial growth:
Stage 1: The Hustle Phase When you’re starting out, protect maker time by working early mornings, evenings, or weekends. It’s double duty, but necessary for building the foundation systems your business needs.
Stage 2: The Split Schedule As you grow, try dividing your day: maker time in the morning when your energy is highest, manager time in the afternoon. Schedule meetings from back to front to preserve your morning blocks.
Stage 3: The Dedicated Days At advanced levels, dedicate entire days to each mode. Hormozi himself operates on four maker days per week and one intensive manager day, allowing for deep focus whilst still handling necessary coordination.
Making It Work in Organisations
For companies wanting to implement these concepts into their productivity system for entrepreneurs, Hormozi suggests several organisational changes:
- Establish “quiet days” where certain teams can’t be interrupted
- Create standard meeting times so makers can batch their collaborative work
- Train managers to understand the true cost of interrupting maker work
- Develop language around “maker’s no” so declining meetings isn’t seen as being uncooperative
Finding the Right Balance
The key insight from Hormozi’s productivity system for entrepreneurs isn’t that one approach is better than the other. Both managers and makers are essential to business success. The problem occurs when these two productivity styles clash without understanding.
As Hormozi puts it in his video, the most successful entrepreneurs learn to switch between both modes depending on what their business needs at any given time. The crucial part is being intentional about which hat you’re wearing and structuring your calendar accordingly.
For entrepreneurs struggling to move their biggest projects forward, the solution might not be working harder or finding better focus techniques. It might simply be understanding which type of work you’re doing and protecting the time it requires.
The next time someone asks if you’ve “got five minutes,” you’ll know exactly why your answer matters more than they realise.
This article is inspired by concepts from Alex Hormozi’s video “If You Struggle with Focus, Try My Productivity System.” All insights and framework credit goes to Hormozi. For the complete explanation and additional details, watch his original video.
