Third Month Detailed Schedule

Weeks 9-12: Phase 1B - Habits & Personal Effectiveness

You’ve learned HOW you think (Phase 1A). Now learn how to CHANGE what you do. This month builds the systems that transform insight into lasting change.

How to Use This Schedule

Daily Time Commitment: 30-60 minutes

• Morning option: During baby’s first nap
• Evening option: After baby’s bedtime
• Split option: 15 min morning + 15-30 min evening

Flexibility Rules:

• Miss a day? Just continue where you left off
• Behind schedule? Skip optional items (marked with *)
• Ahead? Move to next day or go deeper on current material

Icons:

• :movie_camera: Video/Course
• :books: Reading
• :headphones: Audiobook-friendly
• :memo: Writing/Reflection
• :wrench: Setup task
• :brain: AI practice
• :zap: Quick task (< 15 min)

Week 9: Atomic Habits - Build Systems That Stick

Goal: Complete “Atomic Habits” + Begin Habit Audit

Day 57 (Monday)

Key insight: “You don’t rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.” - James Clear

Day 58 (Tuesday)

The 4 Laws:

• Cue: Make it obvious / Make it invisible
• Craving: Make it attractive / Make it unattractive
• Response: Make it easy / Make it difficult
• Reward: Make it satisfying / Make it unsatisfying

Day 59 (Wednesday)

Habit Audit Question 1: What do you do in the first hour after waking? Write down EVERYTHING.

Day 60 (Thursday)

Key concept: Temptation bundling - Pair something you NEED to do with something you WANT to do.

Day 61 (Friday)

TED Talk: The Power of Believing You Can Improve

Key concept: The Two-Minute Rule - Start any habit with a 2-minute version.

Day 62 (Saturday) - Lighter Day

Key concept: Habit tracking - “Don’t break the chain.”

Day 63 (Sunday) - Review + Apply

Habit Stack Exercise: “After I [CURRENT HABIT], I will [NEW HABIT]”

• Example: “After I put baby down for nap, I will read for 10 minutes”
• Create 3 potential habit stacks from your audit

AI prompt:

Based on my habit audit, I do [current habits]. Help me identify
3 habit stacks I could create for my MBA learning. Ask me
clarifying questions first.

Week 9 Checkpoint

Before moving to Week 10, you should have:

• Finished “Atomic Habits”
• Completed 3-day Habit Audit (morning, naps, evening)
• Created 10+ flashcards on habit formation
• Designed at least 1 habit stack
• Watched Carol Dweck TED Talk

Celebrate: You now understand the science of behavior change!

Week 10: Deep Work - Master Focus in a Distracted World

Goal: Complete “Deep Work” + Schedule your first deep work sessions

Day 64 (Monday)

Key insight: In the new economy, the ability to perform deep work is becoming rare. At the same time, it’s becoming valuable. That creates an opportunity.

Day 65 (Tuesday)

Shallow vs. Deep Work:

• Shallow: Email, meetings, admin tasks - easy to replicate
• Deep: Concentrated, cognitively demanding - creates value

Day 66 (Wednesday)

The 4 Depth Philosophies:

1. Monastic: Eliminate or radically minimize shallow (for researchers, writers)
2. Bimodal: Alternate deep periods (weeks/months) with shallow
3. Rhythmic: Daily deep work blocks (best for most people)
4. Journalistic: Deep work whenever you can fit it (requires training)

For new mothers: Journalistic or Rhythmic usually work best.

Day 67 (Thursday)

Key insight: The ability to concentrate is a skill that must be trained. Every time you reach for your phone in a moment of boredom, you’re weakening this muscle.

Schedule now:

• Session 1: _____________ (day/time)
• Session 2: _____________ (day/time)
• Session 3: _____________ (day/time)

Day 68 (Friday)

TED Talk: How to Gain Control of Your Free Time

The Craftsman Approach to Tools: Don’t use any tool unless it has substantial positive impact on what matters most.

Day 69 (Saturday) - Lighter Day + Deep Work Experiment

Deep Work Session #1:

• Remove all distractions (phone in another room)
• Work on something cognitively demanding
• Set a timer for 30-60 minutes
• Track how you feel during and after

Day 70 (Sunday) - Review + Deep Work Practice

AI prompt:

Help me design my ideal deep work schedule given these constraints:
[baby's nap schedule, partner's work, your energy patterns, etc.]
What depth philosophy makes sense for my situation?

Week 10 Checkpoint

Before moving to Week 11, you should have:

• Finished “Deep Work”
• Identified your depth philosophy
• Completed at least 2 deep work sessions
• Created environment for focus (phone away, etc.)
• Watched Laura Vanderkam TED Talk
• Created 15+ flashcards (cumulative for Phase 1B)

Insight: Even 30 minutes of deep work beats 3 hours of distracted work.

Week 11: Essentialism - Do Less, But Better

Goal: Complete “Essentialism” + Create your “Stop Doing” list

Day 71 (Monday)

The Core Idea: “Less but better.”

Non-Essentialist: “I have to” / “It’s all important” / Says yes by default Essentialist: “I choose to” / “Only a few things matter” / Says no to almost everything

Day 72 (Tuesday)

Key insight: If it isn’t a clear YES, it’s a clear NO.

The 90% Rule: When evaluating options, if it’s not a 90 out of 100, it’s a zero.

Day 73 (Wednesday)

Essentialism Audit - Step 1: List ALL your current commitments (work, personal, social, projects, etc.)

Day 74 (Thursday)

For each commitment, ask:

1. Is this essential to my goals? (Y/N)
2. Would I start this today if I wasn’t already doing it? (Y/N)
3. Rate: 0-100. If not 90+, it’s a zero.

Day 75 (Friday)

TED Talk: The Happy Secret to Better Work

Stop Doing List: Based on your audit, list 3-5 things you will:

• Stop doing entirely
• Delegate or minimize
• Say “no” to going forward

Day 76 (Saturday) - Lighter Day

AI prompt:

Ask me about my current commitments and help me identify:
- What's truly essential?
- What should I say no to?
Challenge me if I resist letting go.

Day 77 (Sunday) - Review + Apply

The Power of “Let me check my calendar”: This simple phrase buys you time to evaluate rather than auto-agreeing.

Week 11 Checkpoint

Before moving to Week 12, you should have:

• Finished “Essentialism”
• Started “Hidden Potential”
• Completed Essentialism Audit
• Created “Stop Doing” list
• Watched Shawn Achor TED Talk
• Completed 3 deep work sessions total
• Applied 90% rule to at least one decision

This book is CRITICAL for new mothers: You cannot do everything. Essentialism gives you permission and a framework to choose.

Week 12: Hidden Potential - Unlock Your Achievement

Goal: Complete “Hidden Potential” + Phase 1B Reflection + Transition to Phase 2A

Day 78 (Monday)

Key insight: We focus too much on natural talent. Character skills (being proactive, prosocial, disciplined, determined) matter more.

Day 79 (Tuesday)

The Myth of Prodigies:

• Early achievement doesn’t predict peak achievement
• “Late bloomers” often surpass prodigies
• The tortoise beats the hare more than we think

Day 80 (Wednesday)

AI prompt:

I'm learning about "scaffolding" for growth from Adam Grant's
Hidden Potential. What structures could help me learn more
effectively during my MBA journey? Ask me about my current
supports and challenges.

Key concept: Scaffolding - coaches, mentors, practice structures, and feedback loops that accelerate learning.

Day 81 (Thursday)

Character Skills Audit: Rate yourself 1-10:

• Proactive: Seeking challenges ___
• Prosocial: Helping others learn ___
• Discipline: Persisting through difficulty ___
• Determination: Maintaining effort toward goals ___

Day 82 (Friday)

Day 83 (Saturday) - Lighter Day

The Odyssey Plan (Optional): Create 3 different 5-year life plans:

1. Current path - Continue as-is
2. Alternative - If #1 wasn’t possible
3. Wild card - If money/opinions didn’t matter

Day 84 (Sunday) - Phase 1B Completion + Transition

TED Talk: The Puzzle of Motivation

Phase 1B Reflection Questions

Complete these before moving to Phase 2:

1. What’s ONE habit you will commit to building?

   • Habit: _______________
   • Cue: _______________
   • Craving: _______________
   • Response: _______________
   • Reward: _______________

2. What’s your Deep Work philosophy? (Monastic / Bimodal / Rhythmic / Journalistic)

   • Why does this fit your life? _______________
   • Your typical deep work window: _______________

3. What will you STOP doing to make room for essential priorities?

   • Stop #1: _______________
   • Stop #2: _______________
   • Stop #3: _______________

4. After reading “Hidden Potential,” what character skills do you need to develop most?

   • Skill #1: _______________
   • Skill #2: _______________

5. Your MBA Learning Habit Stack:

   • “After I ____________, I will ____________“

Week 12 Checkpoint

After Week 12, you should have:

• Finished “Hidden Potential”
• Completed Phase 1B reflection questions
• Created 70+ flashcards (cumulative)
• Completed at least 3 deep work sessions
• Have working habit stacks in place
• Created “Stop Doing” list
• Updated PROGRESS_TRACKER.md - Phase 1B complete!

Month 3 Complete!

What You’ve Accomplished

Phase 1B (Weeks 9-12):

• “Atomic Habits” - James Clear (habit systems)
• “Deep Work” - Cal Newport (focus mastery)
• “Essentialism” - Greg McKeown (doing less, better)
• “Hidden Potential” - Adam Grant (unlocking achievement)
• 3 TED Talks (Carol Dweck, Laura Vanderkam, Shawn Achor)
• 70+ flashcards (cumulative)
• Practical exercises: Habit Audit, Deep Work Sessions, Essentialism Audit

Time Invested

• Month 3 Total: ~25-30 hours
• Daily average: ~45 minutes
• Running total: ~80-90 hours

You Now Have Systems For:

• Building and breaking habits (4 Laws)
• Creating deep work conditions
• Saying no to non-essential commitments
• Developing character skills for achievement

Phase 1 Complete!

Full Phase 1 Accomplishments

Phase 0 (Weeks 1-3): Learning how to learn Phase 1A (Weeks 4-8): Understanding your psychology Phase 1B (Weeks 9-12): Building personal systems

Total Books: 7 books Total Courses: 1 full Coursera course Total TED Talks: 10+ Total Flashcards: 70+ Total Hours: ~80-90 hours

Next Steps: Phase 2A Preview

Phase 2A: Motivation & Drive (Weeks 13-16)

You’ve learned to understand and improve YOURSELF. Now learn to understand OTHERS.

Upcoming books:

Transition Day 85: Begin “Drive” by Daniel Pink

Continue to Phase 2A: Motivation & Drive

Troubleshooting

”I’m behind schedule”

This is completely normal! Options:

1. Compress: “Atomic Habits” and “Essentialism” have excellent audiobook versions
2. Prioritize: If you can only read 2 books: Atomic Habits + Essentialism
3. Extend: Take 5 weeks instead of 4 - the content isn’t going anywhere
4. Skip: “Designing Your Life” is optional (marked with *)

“Deep work seems impossible with a baby”

• Even 20 minutes counts
• Try during longest nap or after bedtime
• Nap when baby naps for ONE nap; deep work during another
• Ask partner for protected time on weekends

”I can’t stick to the habits I’m trying to build”

• Apply the 2-minute rule (make it tiny)
• Use habit stacking (attach to existing habit)
• Design your environment (put book on pillow, remove phone)
• Track visibly (calendar X’s, habit tracker app)

“Essentialism is hard - I feel guilty saying no”

• Remember: Every yes is a no to something else
• “Let me check my calendar” buys you time
• Protect your “yes” for what truly matters
• Guilt fades; resentment from overcommitment doesn’t

Quick Reference Card

Daily Routine (30-45 min)

1. Flashcard review (5 min) - Do this first!
2. Main reading (25-35 min) - Current book
3. Quick reflection (5 min) - One insight to apply

Weekly Routine

• Monday-Friday: Main reading
• Saturday: TED Talk + lighter reading/audiobook
• Sunday: Review + catch-up + reflection + deep work session

The 4 Laws of Behavior Change

1. Cue: Make it obvious
2. Craving: Make it attractive
3. Response: Make it easy
4. Reward: Make it satisfying

Essentialism Mantra

“If it’s not a clear YES, it’s a clear NO.”

Three months down. You’ve built learning skills, self-awareness, and personal systems. Phase 2 shifts focus from understanding yourself to understanding others - the foundation of leadership.

Continue to Phase 2A: Motivation & Drive

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