In today's hectic world you have three choices to get productive work done:

1. Stay late to work

2. Arrive early to work

Schedule Sanctuary time is where you turn-off all communication and interruptions to get work done (Sanctuary can also be a total break from work to exercise, have a healthy snack and clear your mind.)

My preference and strong recommendation is to arrive early, but let me come back to that in a moment. All three of these intentional behaviors help you get more work done than during the majority of your typical work day. Here is why.

1. No phone calls, emails, instant messaging, texting or Twitter - and if there is, you should turn them all off

2. No distracting voices in the background

3. Nobody appears at your desk to ask a question

4. Quiet

Here is why I strongly recommend being an "early bird":

1. You gain a feeling of accomplishment to start the day, which reinforces a positive, can do attitude

2. Start early and quit early, or at least on time so you have hours with your babe, kids, family and/or friends

3. You are more likely to complete tasks that lead to your achieving your key annual objectives

Early birds rock! When I used to work on the floor of the stock exchange in San Francisco I was in at 5:30 a.m. and off by 2:30 p.m. My tennis game was never better and my wife looked great in her outfit. We loved it. How about you?

Consider being more intentional with some of your work time so your most important activities get done without overworking.