Focus your energy. Master your time.
Get It Done
1-2-3 Get It Done: The Caffeine Timing Trick That Doubles Your Output
sent by Joaquín Kosegarten | May 12, 2026
Every second counts, so let’s get right to it. 1 idea, 2 ways it saves you time, and 3 steps to Get It Done:
1 Idea
Drink your first coffee 90 minutes after waking, not immediately, so you boost your natural alertness instead of fighting your biology.
2 Ways it saves you time
1. Your body releases cortisol in the morning, which naturally raises your energy. Drinking caffeine too early interferes with this process and creates a later crash. When you wait, caffeine works with your biology, which gives you smoother, longer lasting focus.
2. Delayed caffeine reduces the afternoon slump. Instead of needing a second or third cup, your energy stays steady, which helps you work faster and make fewer mistakes throughout the day.
3 Steps to Get It Done:
1. After waking, hydrate and move a little to activate your natural alertness.
2. Set a 90 minute reminder so you drink your first coffee at the right time every day.
3. If you want a second cup, have it no later than 10 hours before your bed time so it does not interfere with your sleep.
Conclusion
Caffeine works best when it supports your natural rhythm. Time it right, and you get clearer thinking, steadier focus, and more energy with fewer cups.
“But I need coffee immediately or I can’t function!”
It feels that way because your body is used to the habit, not because you lack energy. Your cortisol is naturally high in the first hour after waking, which already boosts alertness. When you wait a little, your biology does the heavy lifting and the coffee actually works better when you drink it.
As promised — 1 minute that can save you hours
Yours in Getting It Done,
Joaquin Kosegarten
Author of Get It Done
Creator of the 1-2-3 Get It Done Newsletter
P.S. Fun fact, caffeine does not create energy, it blocks the chemical that makes you feel tired. This is why timing it right matters more than how much you drink.
Join Me
Thanks for reading. You can get more time saving tips in my popular email newsletter. Each week, I share 1 idea, 2 ways in which it saves you time, and 3 steps to put it into action immediately. Enter your email now and start saving time!
P.S. Want daily ideas to help you get more done in less time without burning out?
The Caffeine Timing Trick That Doubles Your Output
About the Newsletter
1-2-3 Get It Done is a weekly 1-minute read trusted by busy professionals who want to achieve more in less time without burning out.
Each issue gives you 1 idea, 2 ways it saves you time, and 3 steps to put it into action immediately.