“Can you share a personal experience where caffeine significantly boosted your productivity? What was the specific situation and what lesson did you learn about timing your caffeine intake?”
During a major project deadline
I’ve had several instances where caffeine boosted my productivity, but one stands out during a major project deadline. I had a tight schedule to finalize a proposal for a new client, and I was starting to feel the afternoon slump. I decided to grab a strong coffee around 2 PM, right when my energy was dipping. The boost helped me power through the final details and submit the proposal on time. What I learned from this is that timing is everything—caffeine is most effective when consumed just before a dip in energy, not too early or too late in the day. It helped me focus, but I also realized that overdoing it can lead to a crash later. The key takeaway is to use caffeine strategically to stay sharp without letting it disrupt your overall energy balance.
Nikita Sherbina, Co-Founder & CEO, AIScreen
Hectic week
It was during one hectic week, with a major account on the line and a new blend to finalize, that I realized how much timing my caffeine intake could impact my focus.
Instead of drinking coffee immediately after waking, I started waiting until mid-morning. That shift gave me a noticeable boost right when I’d normally hit my first slump. One afternoon stands out: I was running on fumes but still had to finish a critical roast profile. I brewed a small cup, stepped outside for five minutes, and came back with enough clarity to lock in exactly what I needed. That blend ended up becoming one of our most requested.
What I learned is that caffeine works best when it’s treated as a tool, not a reflex. A well-timed cup can create just enough mental space to get through tough, high-stakes moments, without overloading your system.
Eric Gantz, Co-founder, Verena Street Coffee Co.
Campaign launch
I recognized the impact of caffeine on personal productivity during a critical campaign launch. Feeling fatigued on the day of our planning meeting, I strategically consumed a strong cup of coffee to enhance my focus and energy. This approach not only helped me personally but also informed broader marketing strategies, demonstrating how targeted caffeine intake can boost performance in high-pressure situations.
Michael Kazula, Director of Marketing, Olavivo
Critical meeting with a potential partner
Caffeine can significantly boost productivity, especially in important situations that require focus. I experienced this firsthand while preparing for a critical meeting with a potential partner. A few days prior, I analyzed extensive data to craft an effective pitch. Aware of the morning energy dip, I strategically timed my caffeine intake, enjoying a cup of coffee 60-90 minutes before the meeting to enhance my alertness and performance.
Mohammed Kamal, Business Development Manager, Olavivo
Major website launch
As someone who grew up in Villa Rica, Peru (coffee country) and now helps coffee businesses grow online, I have a unique perspective on both the cultural and strategic sides of caffeine consumption.
My story: During my first major website launch, I was pulling 16-hour days for weeks. I’d drink coffee constantly, but by afternoon I’d crash hard.
Then I remembered how my grandmother in Peru would time her coffee, never after 2 PM, always with food, and always intentionally.
I applied her wisdom: one strong cup at 7 AM, another at 11 AM an the last one at 1:30 PM, then switched to water.
The result? I maintained focus until 10 PM and successfully launched my site.
Key insight: Traditional coffee cultures understood something we’ve forgotten, caffeine is a tool, not a fuel. Timing matters more than quantity.
Flor R, Coffee Industry Content Specialist, FlorR
Tight deadline for a detailed SEO strategy proposal
A few months ago, I faced a tight deadline for a detailed SEO strategy proposal. I started my day with a moderate cup of coffee around mid-morning, which gave me a clear focus boost without jitters. This helped me dive deep into keyword research and competitor analysis efficiently. I learned that timing caffeine intake after waking up, rather than immediately, avoids the natural cortisol peak and maximizes alertness.
Avoiding caffeine late in the afternoon also prevented energy crashes, allowing sustained productivity throughout the day. The key lesson: strategic caffeine timing enhances focus and stamina, but overconsumption or poor timing can backfire, so moderation and timing matter most.
Amir Husen, Content Writer, SEO Specialist & Associate, ICS Legal
Helicopter tours company off the ground
I closed my largest deal of the year at 4:45 a.m. – accomplished by a single latte, and impeccable timing!
When I was growing RentMexicoCity.com while getting our helicopter tours company off the ground, I hit a wall. My mornings were a jumbled mess, trying to serve relocating expats, onboard luxury partners and keep our tech running. One day, I had a 7:00 a.m. zoom with an investor in Paris and a real estate showing in Roma Norte. I felt like I was running on vapours.
This is when I started playing with the timing of caffeine, utilizing the “90 minute rule” (don’t have any coffee until you have made it at least 90 min after waking). On that day, I could wait until just before my investor call at 4:30 a.m. The clarity of mind I had was incredible – it was not jittery like the Lattes of my past, I experienced laser sharp focus. That one bloom into a strategic partnership that now equals about thirty percent of our inbound relocation clients.
What did I take away from this? Don’t reach for coffee the moment you wake- you still have a natural high from a spike of cortisol. Now I time my caffeine dose around my best times of focus (mid morning or pre-critical tasks), and I have remained sharp with no need for a crash. For those of you that haven’t done the work I do with complex logistics and growth, caffeine is not merely a fuel source – it’s a tool. If timed right, you can turn your everyday morning into the defining moment of your company.
Martin Weidemann, Owner, RentMexicoCity.com