Now that we have our schedules planned properly with our tasks separated and organized, it is time to move from planning to execution. There is no need to second guess the planning and progress to date; necessary changes will become apparent as you move forward. Your progress will increase exponentially through the inclusion of this next time management tip – Know when you work best: perform your most important work optimally.
Each of us performs our best at different times throughout the day. For some, it’s first thing in the morning; for others, late in the day when the office quiets down. During that time, our concentration, focus, and energy are at peak levels. If you are unsure about your optimal performance window, monitor your productivity over a period of time – typically one to two weeks. When you have determined your optimal time, ensure that is when you schedule to perform your most important tasks. Significant projects require your greatest effort and knowing your optimal performance window is paramount to getting the job done. It is certainly possible to have multiple times throughout the day when your performance increases. Personally, my optimal performance periods are early in the morning and after returning from a lunchtime trip to the gym. In my experience, this optimal time tends to be, on average, a one hour period.
During your peak performance time(s), it is crucial to avoid distraction as much as possible. Avoid email, phone calls, and other unnecessary interruptions to the best of your ability. Spend that time, however long it is, on your most important task. Even if you don’t get the entire task completed within the hour, you will find that you are much further along due to your increased energy level. Continue this process over the course of a week and the results will be measurable.
Today’s culture of doing more with less forces us to seek ways to work smarter, utilize our time and effort better, and increase our productivity. Too often, we are focused on trying to figure out when to get things done instead of how to get things done more effectively and efficiently. Knowing when you work best will certainly give you an edge. Give yourself the opportunity to perform better by taking the time to plan your work, then work your plan.
