Time Blocking Across Time Zones: A System for Global Teams

The Color-Coded Calendar System

Use three color blocks that work across time zones:

• 🟢 Green (Flexible) — Deep work, can be moved. Block 3-4 hour chunks.
• 🟡 Yellow (Core Overlap) — The 2-4 hours where most team members overlap. Reserve for collaboration.
• 🔴 Red (Fixed) — Recurring meetings, appointments. Don't move these.

Finding Your Deep Work Window

Your best deep work happens when:

1. It's during your natural energy peak (morning person or night owl?)
2. Your collaborators are NOT overlapping (no Slack pings)
3. You have at least 90 uninterrupted minutes

Communicating Your Blocks to the Team

Share your typical schedule with the team. Example for IST:

Deep Work: 10 AM – 1 PM IST | Core Overlap: 6 PM – 9 PM IST (for US team) | Fixed Meetings: Fridays 8 PM IST