How to Avoid Drowning at Work: Guard Your Gates
By Rod Patterson
Are you busy or are you buried? The inbox won’t stop. Meetings multiply. Notifications chirp like a thousand birds. And somewhere in the chaos, your actual work, can easily get lost.
I’ve been there. That’s why I built a system that helps you breathe again. It’s called Guard Your Gates, and it’s about protection. You’ve got three gates that shape your day: your email, your calendar, and your phone. If you don’t guard them, they’ll guard you right out of your purpose.
Here’s how I break it down:
• Organize what’s coming in.
Your inbox isn’t your to-do list. Sort it into Action, Reference, and Archive. Clear your desk at the end of each day—one touch, one place. Block time for deep work like your life depends on it. Because sometimes, it does.
• Defend your time like it’s sacred.
Set rules that filter the noise. Turn off what’s not urgent. Check your phone on your terms, not everyone else’s, but check it often! And don’t be afraid to say “no” or “not now.” Delegation is an art and the sign of wisdom.
• Guard what matters most.
At the end of the day, ask: Did I move the mission forward? Did I stay focused or did I allow myself to get sidetracked? Adjust your boundaries accordingly. Productivity isn’t about doing more—it’s about doing what matters.
This is what I use. It’s what I teach. And it’s what’s helped leaders, teams, and professionals stop surviving and start leading. When your gates are guarded, you don’t struggle to perform, you perform in the struggle!
If you’re tired of gasping for air, it’s time to guard your gates.
Guard Your Gates 