I'm a CEO who felt overwhelmed by life and work. I thought an executive assistant would fix things but I was wrong — here's what worked instead.

Noah Greenberg took control of his calendar and life by introducing calendar mapping to his routine.

Courtesy of Noah Greenberg

• Noah Greenberg uses calendar mapping to boost productivity and manage his schedule.
• Greenberg's calendar was previously cluttered, leading to inefficiency and frustration.
• He also practices self-reflection on an annual silent retreat to enhance productivity.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Noah Greenberg, a 35-year-old...