How to increase productivity if you are only productive during certain times of the day?

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This question came from a busy professional.

What of people who are only productive during certain times of day? Should time management be considered in terms of productivity?

Absolutely!  Many of us have blocks of time or selective times during the day that we are most productive.   For example, many people are more creative in the morning hours.  Some people like to exercise in the morning before their day starts.

It’s great to understand how you best work and what works for you.

Having said the above, if we limit ourselves to just those productive hours, we are limiting our successes and achievements.  There are several tricks to increase those productive blocks of time.

Working within your strengths

If you find yourself the most productive in the morning, schedule a majority of your “Thinking/working” type activities in the morning.  And schedule your various meetings, phone calls and other correspondence in the afternoon.

Turn on your “Do Not Disturb” app on your iphone, email, and text during those work hours.  Publish your Open Office Hours for those that need your attention during your less productive hours.  Delegate repeatable and automated tasks to others to get them off your plate entirely.

 

Creating additional productivity blocks

Another way to increase productivity is to trick your mind by creating additional productivity blocks.

For instance, if you find yourself more productive after a workout (which generates endorphins and increased energy), schedule an exercise regimen in the morning and in the afternoon – to increase your productivity time periods.

If you find yourself more productive after a restful night sleep, schedule a 10-minute nap in the afternoon to increase your productive time slots.

If you find yourself more productive in quiet, schedule/block time to turn on your do-not-disturb signs on your phone, online chats, emails, and your door.  Deliberately create those quiet zones for work.  And schedule Open-Office-Hours for interruptions for the time around the Do-Not-Disturb hours.

If you find your office is too noisy and busy at certain times, schedule your client visits during some of those loud times.  Consider leaving for the client offices 1 hour early and stop at a nearby coffee house or quiet restaurant to put in another hour of quiet work.

Make your breaks productive

 

Everyone needs breaks during the day.  And most people are more effective directly after a break.  The next step is to make those breaks productive as well.

 

A break doesn’t necessarily mean “stop working”.  A break is simply a “change in your routine”.  A break can be making a few client phone calls after pouring over the accounts for several hours.

Some other ways to make those breaks productive are:

 

  • Conduct co-worker’s one-on-one meetings during those breaks
  • Take your exercise break with a co-worker or client
  • Combine your lunch break with business networking opportunities
  • Schedule client visits as an opportunity to improve client relationship and get some fresh air.
  • Switch-up activities during the day as a break in your routine

 

The recommendation is to schedule your more intense or high-energy/thought-intense activities during your most productive hours AND find ways to create additional productivity pockets.

I know your situation is different.  Please feel free to set up a one-on-one consult.

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