It’s not what you may think.
It’s not about working faster, working harder, or putting in loads of extra hours.
It’s actually about timing.
A common mistake many people make is that they’re doing – or trying to do – the wrong task at the wrong time.
We all have natural ebbs and flows throughout the day. But you could be letting yourself down by not paying attention to when these are and scheduling your activity accordingly.
Timing really is everything, and here’s why:
When we’re sharp, focused and alert, nothing can stop us. We sink easily into the flow and can produce our best work. When our energy is dipping, sometimes it’s all we can do to keep our eyes open, let alone construct a coherent sentence.
Knowing we have something important to do, like a proposal or contract to work on, we figure we’ll get started bashing out those little odds and ends to ‘get them out of the way’ so we can give full attention to the big task.
The downside is, we tend to waste all that precious peak-time energy on the easy menial stuff. We think we’re being productive, but we’re just being busy, and perhaps procrastinating.
By the time we get around to the main event, bam! It’s the afternoon lull. The thought of having to focus or concentrate on anything longer than 10 minutes is unbearable. Time for a cuppa.
Best to let it go this afternoon and start on it first thing tomorrow morning …except that the cycle repeats itself.
If you keep forwarding something important onto tomorrow’s to-do list, there’s a good chance it’s because you keep waiting until the wrong time of day to do it.
Assign a point scheme to your tasks and projects. How many points would you give each small, low-level action that eats up your most productive time of day? 5 points, or 10 maybe?
How many points for the major action that you never end up getting around to? How about 1000 points?
Isn’t it worth far more to blast out the big task worth 1000 points, than a bunch of menial blips that barely add up to 50?
What to do:
1. Keep a metrics log. If you don’t already know your body clock, study yourself for a week and note down your highest peaks and lowest dips. This is unique to you.
Pay attention to when you do your best work and what the conditions are. Simulate this as often as possible.
2. Schedule your activities to mirror your findings. Identify any activity you consider overwhelming, unpleasant, or that needs concentrated focus. Schedule these during your high-octane times each day and do them without hesitation. Be ruthless.
Conversely, save all the menial stuff for nap-time when it’s easier to accomplish less mind-taxing activity.
3. Ensure time for rest and recovery. If you were to adhere to the earlier concept of “work faster, harder and longer hours”, you’d eventually run yourself into the ground.
Scheduling your day with proper timing in mind will – by default – boost your productivity. Complete the recipe by ensuring you include plenty of time for relaxation and restorative activity to refuel the tanks.
Timing is everything.
Don’t waste your good stuff on the small stuff!
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