I’m Kayla. I review things for a living, but I also run a small client studio from my kitchen table. My phone buzzes all day. My brain felt like soda fizz. So I tried Monk Mode. I mean the rules Iman Gadzhi talks about. Tight. Simple. No fluff. If you want to see how another freelancer handled Iman Gadzhi’s exact blueprint, you can skim this 45-day play-by-play too.
Because I still have to drum up fresh leads while cutting my screen time, I’ve started parking my service ads on focused classified boards like OneBackPage—a free marketplace where freelancers can post offerings in minutes and land local gigs without wading through the algorithmic noise of mainstream social apps.
Freelancers in the Boston suburbs can narrow things even further: if you’re in Middlesex County, the listings on Backpage Woburn let you target potential clients right in your backyard, turning each post into a direct line to nearby buyers instead of a shout into the internet void.
Turns out, I’m not the only one curious; this focus practice has landed coverage in mainstream outlets—from a Forbes deep dive on achieving high productivity by going into Monk Mode to a World Economic Forum look at how Monk Mode can boost productivity.
What “Monk Mode” Looked Like For Me
Iman says to pick clear rules and stick to them for a set time. I started with 45 days. I wanted 90, but I knew I’d quit. Honest.
My rules:
- 3 hours of deep work before noon (no email, no Slack, phone on Airplane Mode)
- 45 minutes of exercise, daily (walks count)
- 10 minutes of meditation
- No social media Monday to Friday
- One cup of coffee, before 10 a.m.
- No alcohol
- In bed by 10:30 p.m., lights out by 11
I tracked it all in a Notion page. I used the Forest app to block my phone. I also set Screen Time locks on Instagram and TikTok. The passcode? I gave it to my partner, Eli. Yes, I regretted that on day two.
Week One: Shaky Hands, Quiet Wins
Day one felt weird. My thumb kept reaching for Instagram like it had a mind of its own. I kept missing that hit of quick news. My mind jumped around. But the timer kept ticking.
Real task I did: I built a landing page in Webflow for a skin-care client. Before, that takes me two days with stops and starts. This time, two sprints. Ninety minutes each. Done by 11:30 a.m. Draft sent. Client shocked. I was shocked too.
By day five, the morning had a beat. Wake up at 6:30. One coffee. 10-minute meditation with Headspace. Headphones on. Brown noise on Spotify. Then deep work. It felt like clearing a field. Slow at first. Then smooth.
Real Life Tests (Because Life Happens)
- My friend Mia had a birthday. Big cake. Loud music. I stuck to sparkling water. I ate dinner, but skipped the cake. I’m not a hero. I did take a bite. One bite. I wrote it in my tracker and moved on. No spiral.
- My mom called during deep work. She never calls early, so I picked up. It broke the flow. I felt twitchy. Later I made a rule: calls go on the calendar unless it’s Mom or an emergency. That helped.
- I had a launch week. A client needed last-minute changes at 9 p.m. I broke my “lights out by 11” rule once. I didn’t love that. But I forgave myself. The next day, I took a longer walk and got back on track.
What Changed After 45 Days
Some numbers and notes, plain and simple:
- Screen time dropped 49% (from 4h 12m to about 2h 8m a day)
- I finished two client projects early and booked an extra $3,200 in work
- I read two books (Atomic Habits and Essentialism) instead of scrolling at night
- I slept better—fewer wake-ups, fewer 2 a.m. brain storms
- I lost 6 pounds without trying hard—just more steps and less late snacks
Curious how the numbers shift on a shorter timeline? Here’s a very honest 30-day Monk Mode report—with rules, slip-ups, and real results.
The biggest change? My mornings felt quiet. Strong, even. I didn’t feel that rushed, sticky panic. My head had room.
What I Liked (A Lot)
- Clear rules stop debate. No “Should I?” Just “Yes or no.”
- The morning deep work was gold. I knocked out client decks faster and cleaner.
- No alcohol kept my sleep steady. My skin cleared up too, which was a nice surprise.
- One coffee made me less jittery. I still love coffee. I just love feeling calm more.
What I Didn’t Like (And How I Fixed It)
- It felt strict. Rigid, even. I added one flexible rule: if I break a rule, I log it and return at the next block. No all-or-nothing drama.
- Social life took a hit. So I set “off-duty windows” on Saturday. I could hang with friends, post pics, and not feel guilty.
- Creativity dipped on week three. My brain felt flat. I added a 20-minute “wander block” once a day. No phone. Just a walk. Ideas came back.
Tools That Actually Helped
- Notion: one simple habit tracker with green check marks
- Forest: grows trees while I focus; I’m weirdly proud of my little forest
- Screen Time: Eli holds the passcode, so I can’t cheat
- Google Calendar: I time-boxed deep work and walks
- A cheap kitchen timer: the loud tick kept me honest
- Spotify “Brown Noise” playlist: it’s boring in the best way
Lately I've folded all of that into Monkify, an app that bundles timers, habit tracking, and website blocking under one calm interface.
A Few Real Tips From My Run
- Start with three rules. Add more later if you want. Too many rules will snap.
- Put your phone in another room for the first work block. It matters more than you think.
- Tell one person you trust. Ask them to check in on day seven. Not day one.
- Keep a “friction list.” Any small thing that slows you down—slow laptop, messy desk, noisy chair—fix one a day.
- Plan one fun thing each week. A movie. A long bath. A Sunday bagel. You’re not a robot.
Who I Think This Is For
- Freelancers, students, or founders who need focused output, not busy noise
- People with slip-slide habits who want clear rails
- Anyone who wants mornings to feel calm and useful
And who it’s not for:
- Folks with unpredictable shifts or new babies—sleep rules may not fit
- People who need lots of social time to feel okay
- If you’re in a rough mental health patch, strict rules may add stress; go gentle
My Verdict
I thought I’d hate the rules. I didn’t. Well, not all of them. Monk Mode, the way Iman frames it, gave me a simple frame. I still had slip-ups. I still got bored sometimes. But the wins showed up fast—more work done, less noise, better sleep.
Would I do it again? Yes. But with kindness this time. I’ll keep morning deep work, one coffee, and no social during the week. I’ll also keep my Saturday window and those long walks. Balance isn’t flashy, but it works. And if you just want the spoiler reel, this quick recap of another 30-day run lays it all out.
If you try it, pick your rules, write them down, and start on a random Tuesday. No big speech. Just start. Then let the quiet do its thing.