Swimming with Dolphins When You're a Bear (Productive Flourishing Pulse #502)
Navigating seasonal shifts when your internal clock gets rewired
When I read Charlie’s latest post on chronotypes, I had a moment of recognition and relief. For years, I’ve known I’m what he previously called an “afternoon emu” — never an early riser, but not a true night owl either. Now I understand I’m among the approximately 50% of people that Dr. Michael Breus calls “bears,” hitting our stride during traditional working hours rather than at dawn or midnight.
For years I’ve worked to organize my schedule around this natural tendency, doing all I can to avoid the pervasive messaging telling us to get up earlier, “early bird gets the worm,” and all the other advice that doesn’t fit the majority of people in this world.
But now, I find myself living in chronotype chaos. Since moving to Vienna, six hours ahead of my previous East Coast home and up to nine hours ahead of my PF teammates, I’ve been thrust into an entirely different rhythm without the luxury of natural adaptation.
In essence, I’m a bear temporarily swimming with the dolphins, those roughly 10% of people with erratic energy patterns. Between managing my business, PF work, and exploring a beautiful new city, I’ve been playing time zone hopscotch, functioning across time zones in ways my natural rhythms never prepared me for.
In that loving way he can constructively frustrate, Charlie warned me this adjustment might take up to a year, and (&#%!@?!) he was right. Rather than fighting this reality, I’m learning to prepare for and adapt to it, creating flexible focus blocks that acknowledge when my energy naturally rises and falls in this new context. It’s an ongoing experiment — some days I get it right and other days… not so much.
This experience has me thinking about summer’s approach, which can cause its own version of chronotype disruption: longer daylight hours, kids home from school, travel plans, outdoor activities, and social gatherings that shift our usual patterns. Just as I’m adjusting to Vienna time, you might need to adjust to “summer time” — not just clock changes, but energy changes.
As we move deeper into May, consider how your own rhythm might shift in the coming months. Which dimensions of your life will demand more attention? How might your peak productivity periods change with the season? Instead of clinging to your standard schedule and fighting the natural transitions, perhaps this is the perfect time to prepare for adapting with intention.
After all, sometimes circumstances require us to temporarily operate outside our natural chronotype. The question isn’t whether we can prevent these shifts, but how gracefully we can adapt to them.
~Maghan
Take a Moment
A prompt to pause and reflect.
What seasonal or life changes are currently affecting your energy patterns or will soon be shifting your rhythm as summer approaches? How might you prepare now to adapt your schedule to work with these changes rather than against them?
We’d love to hear what’s coming up for you.
Summer Rhythm Resources
As you prepare to adapt your energy patterns for summer's different beat, these resources can help you understand and work with your natural rhythms even during times of transition.
NEW! PFPC Catalyst Sessions
If you need a little help gaining clarity on how you want your summer to go, or on the actions you might need to take to get there, our new Catalyst Sessions might be just the right fit.
These 90-minute focused sessions with me (Maghan) are designed to address specific challenges without committing to a full coaching package. Whether it’s selecting projects or creating a schedule that honors your summer energy, get the targeted support you need.
I have spots available now, so book them before they fill up, take advantage of the $300 introductory pricing, and get the support you need to craft your just-right-for-you summer.
In Case You Missed It
May Monthly Momentum Call Next Week
There’s still time to join us for the May MMC!
Monthly Momentum Call (MMC): Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at 11:00 am PDT
Designing Your Summer Rhythm: As summer approaches, our work requires intentional shifts in structure and pacing. How might you adjust your project timelines for changing energy patterns? What systems can you establish now to support your work through seasonal disruptions? Join us to explore creating a more sustainable relationship with your creative practice during this natural transition.
Paid subscribers get live access to the MMC and LSS (Leadership Strategy Session) each month, plus extras. Free subscribers, consider upgrading your subscription for invitations to attend live next week and in the months ahead.
I enjoyed the chronotype Substack too. I live in Berlin, a city that is dark all winter. So I move to Mallorca from October to March. My system is so affected by a lack of light that I can’t be without it. No amount of tweaking or hacking or special mood lights or yoga or supplements will keep me right in Berlin’s winter. So I leave as I’ve done enough productive flourishing in my life to be able to afford to do so:). Thanks for what you write, I enjoy it a lot!