Aurora System

The unique day planning system by Denly - designed for solo entrepreneurs who want to optimize their energy and productivity.

Overview

Aurora is the heart of your daily productivity. It helps you:

• Start the day intentionally
• Use your energy optimally
• Stay focused
• End the day with reflection

The 12 Day Modes

Aurora offers 12 different modes for different work days and needs:

Mode Categories

Comparison Table

Productivity Modes

🧘 Classic Focus

Normal work day with structured productivity

When to use:

• Regular work days with mixed tasks
• Stable energy and clear focus
• Mix of deep work, meetings, and admin

Settings: | Setting | Value | |———|——-| | Max Tasks | 5 | | Top Tasks | 3 | | Pomodoro | 45 min | | Breaks | 10 / 30 min | | Meetings | Allowed |

Components:

• Daily goal (only 1!)
• Energy check (1-5)
• Mood check (1-10)
• Top 3 tasks
• Time blocks
• Daily affirmation
• Blocker notes

Example Day 1: Standard Day

08:00 - 08:45  Morning Routine
08:45 - 10:15  Deep Work Session 1
10:15 - 10:30  Break
10:30 - 11:30  Deep Work Session 2
11:30 - 12:15  Lunch break
12:15 - 13:15  Meetings / Calls
13:15 - 13:30  Break
13:30 - 15:00  Deep Work Session 3
15:00 - 15:45  Admin & Wrap-up
15:45 - 16:00  Daily Review

Example Day 2: Meeting Day

08:00 - 08:30  Quick start
08:30 - 09:30  Morning Standup
09:30 - 10:30  Focus Time
10:30 - 10:45  Break
10:45 - 12:15  Client Meetings
12:15 - 13:00  Lunch break
13:00 - 14:00  Team Sync
14:00 - 14:15  Break
14:15 - 15:00  Follow-ups
15:00 - 15:45  Wrap-up Work
15:45 - 16:00  Daily Review

Example Day 3: Deep Work Day

08:00 - 08:30  Quick start
08:30 - 10:30  Morning Deep Work
10:30 - 10:45  Break
10:45 - 12:00  Focus Session
12:00 - 12:45  Lunch break
12:45 - 14:15  Afternoon Deep Work
14:15 - 14:30  Break
14:30 - 15:30  Final Focus
15:30 - 15:45  Quick Admin
15:45 - 16:00  Review

Best Practices:

1. Schedule deep work in the morning when energy is high
2. Plan buffer time between blocks
3. Set daily goal early and don’t change it

Perfect for:

• Software engineers with clear tasks
• Designers with project work
• Consultants with client work
• Freelancers with stable routines

🚀 Hyperfocus

Deep Work for complex tasks, maximum concentration

When to use:

• Complex features or refactorings
• Important deadlines
• Days without interruptions

Settings: | Setting | Value | |———|——-| | Max Tasks | 2 | | Top Tasks | 1 | | Pomodoro | 90 min | | Breaks | 15 / 45 min | | Meetings | Not allowed |

Special features:

• Distraction blocker active
• No task switching allowed
• Parking lot for distractions
• Hyperfocus guard (warning after 90 min)

Example Day 1: Maximum Focus

08:00 - 08:30  Quick start
08:30 - 10:00  Focus Block 1
10:00 - 10:15  Short break
10:15 - 11:45  Focus Block 2
11:45 - 12:30  Lunch break
12:30 - 14:00  Focus Block 3
14:00 - 14:30  Long break
14:30 - 15:45  Focus Block 4
15:45 - 16:00  Session Review

Example Day 2: Morning Hyperfocus

08:00 - 08:20  Quick start
08:20 - 10:20  Morning Focus Block (120 min)
10:20 - 10:35  Short break
10:35 - 12:05  Focus Block 2
12:05 - 12:50  Lunch break
12:50 - 13:50  Lighter focus
13:50 - 14:20  Extended break
14:20 - 15:05  Wrap-up Focus
15:05 - 15:45  Recovery Time
15:45 - 16:00  Review

Example Day 3: Sprint Day

08:00 - 08:15  Rapid start
08:15 - 09:45  Sprint 1
09:45 - 10:15  Recovery
10:15 - 11:45  Sprint 2
11:45 - 12:30  Refuel
12:30 - 14:00  Sprint 3
14:00 - 14:30  Recovery
14:30 - 15:45  Final Sprint
15:45 - 16:00  Review

Best Practices:

1. Disable all notifications
2. Put phone in another room
3. Use headphones with focus music
4. Prepare water and snacks

Perfect for:

• Complex refactorings
• Architecture decisions
• Deep debugging sessions
• Creative projects with deadlines

🔧 Maintenance

Admin tasks, emails, small stuff, inbox zero

When to use:

• Fridays (wrap up the week)
• After long sprints
• Before vacations
• Low-energy days

Settings: | Setting | Value | |———|——-| | Max Tasks | 15 | | Top Tasks | 5 | | Pomodoro | 15 min (sprints) | | Breaks | 3 / 15 min | | Meetings | Allowed |

Special features:

• Task batching (group similar tasks)
• Quick win counter
• Inbox zero tracker
• Checklist-style dashboard

Example Day 1: Standard Admin Day

08:00 - 08:30  Morning Email
08:30 - 09:15  Admin Batch 1
09:15 - 09:25  Quick Break
09:25 - 10:10  Admin Batch 2
10:10 - 11:10  Calls & Meetings
11:10 - 11:55  Lunch break
11:55 - 12:40  Admin Batch 3
12:40 - 12:55  Break
12:55 - 13:55  Admin Batch 4
13:55 - 14:40  Email Wrap-up
14:40 - 15:00  Inbox Zero Check
15:00 - 15:45  Final Tasks
15:45 - 16:00  Daily Review

Example Day 2: Inbox Zero Day

08:00 - 09:00  Email Sprint 1
09:00 - 09:10  Break
09:10 - 09:55  Reply Calls
09:55 - 10:55  Email Sprint 2
10:55 - 11:40  Lunch break
11:40 - 12:40  Email Sprint 3
12:40 - 12:55  Break
12:55 - 13:55  File & Organize
13:55 - 14:40  Final Email Pass
14:40 - 15:05  Inbox Zero Check
15:05 - 15:20  Wrap-up

Example Day 3: Calls & Meetings Day

08:00 - 08:30  Quick Email Check
08:30 - 09:00  Call Prep
09:00 - 10:00  Morning Calls
10:00 - 10:15  Break
10:15 - 11:15  More Calls
11:15 - 12:00  Lunch break
12:00 - 13:00  Afternoon Calls
13:00 - 13:15  Break
13:15 - 14:00  Final Calls
14:00 - 15:00  Notes & Follow-ups
15:00 - 15:30  Email Follow-ups
15:30 - 16:00  Review

Perfect for: Backlog clearing, invoices, email cleanup, documentation updates

Balance Modes

⚖️ Balanced

Work-Life Balance, mix of work and rest

Settings: | Setting | Value | |———|——-| | Max Tasks | 4 | | Top Tasks | 2 | | Pomodoro | 45 min | | Max Work Hours | 6 hours |

Special features: Work-life ratio tracking, enforced lunch break, personal time protected

Example Day: Balanced Day

07:00 - 08:00  Morning routine
08:00 - 09:30  Deep Work
09:30 - 10:00  Movement break
10:00 - 10:45  Light work
10:45 - 11:45  Lunch break (mandatory)
11:45 - 13:00  Afternoon focus
13:00 - 13:15  Break
13:15 - 14:00  Admin tasks
14:00 - 15:00  Personal time

Perfect for: Parents, people with hobbies, sustainable productivity, burnout prevention

🎨 Creative

Creative projects without rigid timers

Settings: | Setting | Value | |———|——-| | Max Tasks | 3 | | Pomodoro | No timers! | | Meetings | Not allowed |

Special features: No rigid time blocks, idea inbox, flow state tracking, inspiration prompts

Example Day: Creative Flow

08:00 - 08:30  Creative Warmup
08:30 - 10:30  Create Session 1 (flexible)
10:30 - 10:50  Inspiration Walk
10:50 - 12:20  Create Session 2 (flexible)
12:20 - 13:05  Lunch break
13:05 - 14:35  Create Session 3 (flexible)
14:35 - 14:50  Refresh Break
14:50 - 15:35  Polish & Iterate
15:35 - 16:00  Review & Plan Tomorrow

Perfect for: Designers, content creators, concepting new features, Innovation Lab days

🔋 Recovery

Low energy level, after illness, burnout prevention

Settings: | Setting | Value | |———|——-| | Max Tasks | 2 | | Max Work Hours | 4 hours | | Meetings | Not allowed |

Special features: Self-care checklist, forced breaks, gentle messaging, basics celebration

Example Day: Gentle Recovery

08:00 - 09:30  Gentle wake-up
09:30 - 10:15  Light task (optional)
10:15 - 11:00  Rest break
11:00 - 12:30  Extended break + rest
12:30 - 13:15  Gentle work (optional)
13:15 - 14:45  Movement + Self-Care
14:45 - 16:00  Rest + wind down

Perfect for: After intensive sprints, sick days, emotional exhaustion, burnout prevention

Support Modes

🛑 Overload SOS

Overwhelm, sensory overload, acute stress

Settings: | Setting | Value | |———|——-| | Max Tasks | 3 | | Max Work Hours | 4 hours | | Meetings | Not allowed | | Forced Breaks | Enabled |

Special features: Breathing exercises, stimulus protection checklist, self-care reminders, three templates (minimal, structured, cocoon)

Example Day: SOS Minimal

Morning       Self-Care      Space for you (flexible, ~90 min)
Midday        Basics         Nourish (flexible, ~90 min)
Afternoon     Light Work     One small thing (optional, 25 min)
Evening       Wind Down      Calm down (flexible, 60 min)

All blocks optional and flexible

SOS Rules:

• ✅ Only 3 tasks allowed
• ✅ All other tasks → “Later” list
• ❌ No meetings, no new commitments

Perfect for: Acute overwhelm, anxiety prevention, after trauma, extreme deadline phases

💚 Mental Wellness

Gentle productivity for difficult days. Focus on self-care.

Settings: | Setting | Value | |———|——-| | Max Tasks | 3 | | Max Work Hours | 4 hours | | No-Guilt Mode | Enabled |

Special features: Intentions instead of goals, basics checklist, coping toolbox, adaptive mode, no failure messages

Coping Toolbox:

• Breathing: Box Breathing (4-4-4-4), 4-7-8 Breathing, Grounding 5-4-3-2-1
• Movement: 2-min Stretch, Walk around block, Shake it out
• Mindset: “This feeling will pass”, “I’m doing my best”, “Rest is productive”

Perfect for: Depression/Anxiety, difficult life phases, therapy days, emotional exhaustion

Neurodivergent Modes

🎯 ADHD Balance

ADHD management with flexibility and structure

Settings: | Setting | Value | |———|——-| | Max Tasks | 5 | | Top Tasks | 1 (ONE Big Thing!) | | Pomodoro | 25 min | | Novelty Rotation | Enabled |

Special features:

• Parking Lot: Quick capture of distractions
• Dopamine Menu: What’s fun today?
• Hyperfocus Guard: Warning after 45 min (not 90!)
• Body Doubling option
• Meal reminders, hydration reminders

Example Day: ADHD Standard

08:00 - 08:20  Brain Activation
08:20 - 08:45  Fun Task First
08:45 - 09:10  Hard Thing (Momentum!)
09:10 - 09:25  Movement break (mandatory)
09:25 - 10:00  Task Mix
10:00 - 10:15  Dopamine Break (mandatory)
10:15 - 10:45  Tackle Hard Thing
10:45 - 11:30  Lunch
11:30 - 11:45  Movement
11:45 - 12:20  Flexible Work
12:20 - 12:50  Boring Stuff (Fast!)
12:50 - 13:30  Celebrate & Wind Down

Perfect for: ADHDers with hyperfocus tendency, executive dysfunction, dopamine regulation

🧠 AuDHD Balance

ADHD & Autism: Flexible structure that stays structured

Settings: | Setting | Value | |———|——-| | Max Tasks | 4 | | Max Work Hours | 6 hours | | Body Doubling | Enabled |

Special features: 3x Energy check, spoon counter (12 start), sensory breaks, trigger log, transition warnings, stimming reminders

Spoon System: | Activity | Cost | Recovery | Gain | |———-|——|———-|——| | Easy task | 1 | Short break | +1 | | Medium task | 2 | Long break | +2 | | Hard task | 3 | Special interest | +3 | | Social | 2 | | |

Perfect for: People with ADHD + Autism, sensory sensitivity, masking recovery

♾️ Autism Mode

For autistic people: Structure, routine, and predictability

Settings: | Setting | Value | |———|——-| | Max Tasks | 3 | | Max Work Hours | 6 hours | | Meetings | Limited | | Predictable Schedule | Yes |

Special features:

• Routine Comparison: Compare with standard day
• Transition Warnings: 15, 5, 1 min before
• Spoon Counter (Change = 3 spoons!)
• Social Battery system
• Special Interest Time (protected!)
• Overwhelm Monitor

Social Battery System: | Interaction | Cost | Recovery | Gain | |————-|——|———-|——| | Low masking | 10% | 15 min alone | +5% | | High masking | 25% | 30 min special interest | +10% | | Video call | 15% | Stimming session | +3% | | In-person | 20% | Quiet environment | +2% |

Overwhelm Levels:

• 🟢 Well: Everything is fine
• 🟡 Caution: Stay aware
• 🟠 Step back: Take a break
• 🔴 Self-care: Immediate recovery needed

Perfect for: Autistic people, high routine need, sensory sensitivity, social exhaustion

Motivation Mode

🎮 Gamified

Low motivation, playful productivity, dopamine boost

Settings: | Setting | Value | |———|——-| | Max Tasks | 6 | | Top Tasks | 1 (Main Quest!) | | XP System | Enabled |

XP Rewards: | Activity | XP | |———-|—–| | Main Quest | 50 XP | | Side Quest | 10 XP | | Bonus Task | 5 XP | | Streak Bonus | 15 XP/day | | Early Bird | 10 XP | | Focus Session | 10 XP |

Daily Target: 100 XP

Example Day: Quest Day

08:00 - 08:20  Quest Planning
08:20 - 09:50  Main Quest
09:50 - 10:05  Rest Point
10:05 - 11:05  Side Quests
11:05 - 11:50  Refuel Break
11:50 - 12:50  Main Quest Continues
12:50 - 13:05  Rest Point
13:05 - 14:05  Side Quests
14:05 - 14:20  Break
14:20 - 15:05  Bonus Round
15:05 - 15:45  Final Side Quests
15:45 - 16:00  XP Tally & Level Up!

Perfect for: Motivation slumps, monotonous tasks, fighting procrastination, gamers

Energy & Mood Tracking

Energy Level (1-5)

1 ○○○○○  Exhausted - Only basics
2 ●○○○○  Tired - Light tasks
3 ●●○○○  Okay - Normal work
4 ●●●○○  Good - Productive
5 ●●●●○  Excellent - Deep Work!

Mood Scale (1-10)

1-3:  😔 Difficult
4-5:  😐 Neutral
6-7:  🙂 Good
8-9:  😊 Very good
10:   🤩 Fantastic

Keyboard Shortcuts

Best Practices

Mode Selection

1. Decide in the morning - Don’t change later
2. Be honest - Assess energy realistically
3. Respect the mode - Don’t override restrictions
4. Use support modes - Not a sign of weakness!

Time Blocking

1. Deep work first - In the morning when energy is high
2. Plan buffer time - Don’t fill every slot
3. Stay flexible - Moving blocks is okay
4. Breaks are sacred - Don’t skip them

Related Modules

Workflows

• A Day with Denly - Complete workflow

Denly Handbook v2.1 - 2025