Understanding Your Energy Cycles
By Janet Barclay, MVA
An important component of any time management program is looking at your various activities and deciding which are most important. Another aspect, which may be overlooked, is determining the best time for you to engage in those activities.
Everyone has a unique cycle of daily up-times and down-times, and working according to your own cycle can have a tremendous impact on your productivity. Failure to understand and apply this important principle can cause you to waste your peak energy times on your least challenging tasks.
A simple way to explore your natural body rhythms is to complete the following sentences, from Julie Morgenstern’s “Time Management from the Inside Out.”
Mornings are the best time for me to _______________ and the worst time for me to _______________.
Afternoons are the best time for me to ______________ and the worst time for me to _______________.
Evenings are the best time for me to _______________ and the worst time for me to _______________.
Late at night is the best time for me to _______________ and the worst time for me to ______________.
You can take advantage of these cycles by scheduling your activities around them. If you determine that mornings are the best time for you to work on tasks requiring extreme concentration, try to capitalize on this knowledge by avoiding meetings and telephone calls during this time, if possible.
Unfortunately, you can’t always choose when to do certain activities. For example, you may determine that mornings are the best time for you to participate in meetings, but you belong to a committee which always meets after lunch, when you often feel sluggish. It is therefore necessary to for you to develop strategies to help recharge your internal battery. In this case, eating a lighter lunch or taking a short walk after eating may help you to have the energy you need for that meeting.
Often a change of pace is all that is needed. For example, if you have been sitting at your desk working on a task requiring deep concentration, you may find that making a phone call or two will give you a burst of energy. On the other hand, if you’ve been working in a hectic environment, stepping outside for some fresh air and a quiet moment may be in order. What works for someone else may not work for you, so being aware of your own energy boosters and working them into your schedule will help you to avoid unplanned downtime. Nearly everyone will find that proper diet and exercise will enhance their overall energy level.
These strategies are helpful not only when planning your workday, but when deciding when to shop, work around the house, or engage in social or other personal activities, and may even make it easier to fit them into your busy life.
About the Author
Janet Barclay, Organized Assistant, offers a variety of professional quality services to support entrepreneurs and other individuals who are overwhelmed by the demands and technology of the 21st century. For further information, please visit her website at www.organizedassistant.com.
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[...] Set regular working hours and only work outside those hours under extenuating circumstances. Note that this doesn’t have to mean 9 to 5, Monday to Friday. One of the benefits of working from home is being able to plan your work around your family and personal commitments, as well as scheduling your activities to take advantage of your natural energy cycles. [...]