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Time to tune up your work day
Are you a “morning person”? If so, you are in good company. According to studies noted in Daniel Pink’s book, The Scientific Secrets of perfect timing”, about 80% of us our morning people. Research has also shown that our focus and energy levels can vary throughout the day. Knowing this can help us plan a more productive work day. Mr. Pink goes on to say that morning people generally experience the day in three acts: A peak, a trough, and a rebound.
The peak: For most of us, the sharp-minded analytic capacities crest in late morning. This is the best time to tackle work that requires the deepest and most critical thinking. Many say this is our highest paid skill. When I am writing a training plan or preparing for a training session, this is my premium time. We have our “deep” work that needs to be done. It is easy to procrastinate, but it contains the work that is a big chunk of our paycheck. This time is gold.
The trough: This occurs in early afternoon. This is when we want to do those more mindless activities. It is a good time to do our routine administrative work such as sorting through email, filing papers, or doing expense reports.
The rebound: This may not be our peak period, but it is not to be discounted. Recovering from the trough, we are usually in a boosted mood. This can generate less rigidity and more openness. Reading, planning, looking through our goals, and brainstorming can make this period innovative. We may find ourselves generating new ideas that we could add to our plan.
Now at this point some of you “night people” might be asking, “What about me?” The author says that you do the same thing, only in reverse. I am not sure what that means. I am glad I am a morning person. What I do know is that we need to plan our day and be intentional, and good planning involves selecting the best time for our tasks and activities. Knowledge of your peak, your trough, and the rebound can help you have a more productive day.