If you didn't get what you needed from the time available was your purpose too broad?
When I'm coaching people I start with the following questions:
1. What would you like to achieve today?
2. Is that realistic in the time available?
3. If not, what could you achieve in the time available that contributes to your bigger purpose?
4. So what are the key points we need to address to meet that goal?
I think that these are all relevant questions to ask yourself before activating - if you set a purpose that is achievable in the time available you are giving yourself (conscious and unconscious) a good chance at succeeding.
Hope that helps, I welcome any comments.
Matt