Being more productive, by managing your time, is turning into a business practice that needs to be left in the early 2000s. It is 2017 and time to adjust to the environment around us. Technology advances allow us to be more flexible with our workstyle. Google was on to something years ago when they literally built their office space to encourage more productivity, including nap pods. Google isn’t the only company that has jumped on the train encouraging their employees to take naps if needed.
So here we are, a time where we are shifting from focusing on being more productive (no matter what) and instead, making the best out of your time when you are feeling your best.
So what does this mean exactly?
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It means to figure out when are you most productive during your day? Do you know the answer? We have talked about ways in which you can be a morning person, but maybe you tried and it literally just isn’t working. Guess what? That is a-okay. This article is about figuring out when you are the most productive during your day. Maybe it is in the morning, maybe it is after you have lunch, or maybe it is after you catch an afternoon yoga or spin class. Your homework is to figure this out.
Productivity is all about your energy – plain and simple.
Figuring out your energy flow.
Some people can spend hours on end plugging away at tasks, while others need to take a break every 45 minutes or so with a walk, or some water or possibly catching up on social media for a few minutes. According to Next Level Performance, it is important to figure out ‘Personal Pace’ – this is the key to being as effective as possible with as little effort as possible. Time and energy are locked in a symbiotic relationship. That’s why you manage your energy during the right time of day.
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Understanding your energy perks.
Old school ways have taught us to make a list, prioritizing by the most pressing items be listed at the top then work your way down your list, crossing the top one off before the next item under it. Simply put the top priority items happen first, so most likely, you are tackling these tasks in the morning. If you have figured out you aren’t a morning person, then don’t do those tasks in the morning. Do them at a time during the day when you are performing your best. The outcome will be better and overall, the task will take less time to accomplish.
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Taking this to another level, you can also analyze the tasks by how long you think each task will take. Do you find that after lunch and some mid-day yoga you can crank out so many more tasks than in the morning? If so, then save the most draining task for that time period. And more importantly, it isn’t only about how long the tasks takes, but how much mental energy
And more importantly, it isn’t only about how long the tasks takes, but how much mental energy it takes for you too! When are you mentally alert? (this questions could have the same answers as in the beginning of the article too)
The key is to figure out when you are mentally on top of your game and use that time and only that time to do the most important tasks of your day! Of course, eating healthy and getting enough sleep is extremely helpful too!
Last but certainly not least, a great book to read on this topic is, The Power of Full Engagement by Jim Loehr and Tony Schwartz.
