Monk Mode vs. Merchant Mode: How I structure my perfect day

I’ve got the hairline of a 13th-century Franciscan monk. Perhaps that explains how I work.

The first 90 minutes are the most valuable part of my day. I keep my morning clear. No calls. No Zoom meetings. And no distractions. I love seeing that white space on my calendar!

A while ago, I worked with a business coach who insisted on calls first thing Monday morning. I loathed that experience because I find it easiest to write and create content first thing. Creative work fuels me, whereas early morning calls and checkins drain me.

After walking with the kids to school, I meditate for 10–20 minutes using apps like Waking Up or The Way. Then, I enter Monk Mode for an hour and a half.

Fuelled up on caffeine, I picked a creative project to work on. I’ll write a few emails for my newsletter or prepare a sales page.

I still get distracted by the rush of Dopamine notifications on LinkedIn and Substack (my favorite networks for list growth lately).

So, I use an app like Freedom or Rescue Time to block internet access till the afternoon. Because phone scammers love getting after it first thing in the morning, too, I leave my phone in another room on permanent Do Not Disturb mode (only a few trusted contacts can get through).

I’ll work like that if the going is good for 90–180 minutes.

I use lunch as a natural divider to review what I created in Monk Mode before switching to Merchant Mode. I ship an offer, work with clients, host workshops, and use social media to grow my email list.

Monk Mode in the am.

Merchant Mode in the PM.

This approach unexpectedly improved my client relationships. By preserving my creative energy, I’m more present during afternoon calls, filling up on creative work, and revenue pours into my business.

I’ve shared my Monk and Merchant Mode routines because I’ve seen how they transform creative output and business revenue. For example, this month, I created and launched PromptWritingStudio, an AI-focused newsletter for creators.

Many creators struggle to balance making with marketing, ending up with great ideas that never launch or waste time on endless generic promotions.

If you’re ready to escape that trap and implement a two-mode workday that honors your creative and commercial needs, I’ve developed a simple system called Pro Creators Only, which expands on these principles.

I’m opening a few spots for Pro Creators Only soon. Reply with “MONK” if you want first access, including a personalized schedule audit. I’ll help you identify your optimal creation windows and build a workflow that multiplies your output while preserving creative energy.